Topic: Open taping question / CA-11 mics/STC-9000 preamp

[RAQnasty]

hi

I am fairly new to open taping, but have been stealth taping for a few years... i recently bought an edirol R-09hr and was using CA-11 cardiods with the STC-9000 preamp.

I am looking into starting to open tape and the question I have is would i be better off throwing down $300-400 on something like the Rode NT4 or should I just use the CA-11 setup mentioned above to open tape?

(alternatively, can someone suggest a good open mic that we be easy to use with the r-09hr in the 300-400 price range?)

thanks, any help appreciated

[rastasean]

the microphones you mentioned can also be used for open taping. you'll need a light stand to act as a mic stand as well as some kind of way to mount the mics to the stand. have you though of using these as open mics?

[RAQnasty]

well i guess thats the question, is it worth open taping with these mics, or should i look at something like the NT4?

I mean can anyone vouch for the sound quality i would get with the CA/preamp setup?  Would it be comparable to using the NT4 (or similar mic) or is it a waste of time to be messing with those mics for open taping?

I would be all for using those and not spending any more $$$, but at the same time I don't to get a sub-par recording if the NT4 would make a large difference in quality.

[printguy]

I've used my CA-11s for open taping with great results. Here's a link to a track from a show I taped with CA-11 > 9100 > Tascam DR-1: http://hipfans.com/mp3/tth2009-05-09d2t08.mp3

[RAQnasty]

that sounds pretty good... maybe i will just run with the mics i have... stands look pretty cheap... i am sure i could figure out how to mount them, not worried about that...

hmmm... thanks

[vanark]

I've taped quite a few shows open with those mics/that preamp.  Definitely good recordings and well worth it.

Here are a couple:

http://www.archive.org/details/ae2008-07-10.ca11.flac16
http://www.archive.org/details/jmayer2008-07-12.ca11.flac16

Also, there are quite a few threads on how to mount them.  Here is a quick one that came up in a search.  I think if you also check the older Team Church Audio threads, you will find a few discussions on the subject.

[rastasean]

if you get an NT4 and use the pre amp you have in between the mic and the recorder you may not get what you expect. a lot of people use something like a sound devices mix pre in between the recorder and mic but since you would be recording loud music, it may work all right for you.

[RAQnasty]

if i were to go the NT4 route, i would probably use battery power and not mess with the pre...

but from what i am hearing, i am better off to just rig up my CA-11s and run with them...probably not a bad place to start.

[69mako]

If the mics are good enuogh for stealth taping, why would they not work great for open taping.  Don't be intimidated with the size of yor mics when you are in an OTS.  I used my ca11's for quite some time before I bought a "proper" open rig.

Mako

[Belexes]

Local bands can't believe the quality I am able to get from open taping with my CA mics.  I'd still do a lot of open taping with them if it wasn't for my Busmans.

[travelinbeat]

See my avatar for a picture of me running my CA-14's at Counting Crows two years ago.  I've uploaded a .flac of "Mr Jones" for you to review, but needless to say, I'm absolutely delighted with how the tape came out.  This was CA-14's >  CA-9100 Pre > iRiver H120 RockBox (v.060803-2007), mics flying at just a tad above head height.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Y7TZCHE8

[cybergaloot]

I've done it. Just get a stand, preferably one that not only has the 5/8" stud but a 1/4 X 20 thread too. Many do. Then its easy to rig up something to clip the mics to. I used three angle brackets, some nuts and bolts and an 1/4 X 20 threaded coupling to make something that I could clip to. It works great and took me all of about ten minutes to make. You can get all the parts at a good hardware store. You might want to invest in a good extension cable for the mics though. You can get one that has gold plated connectors at Radio Shack and it works fine. Stepping up to some CA-14 mics would be a good investment later on.

[RAQnasty]

Hey thank you all a whole bunch... ill have a go with the CA setup and see what happens... i have been amazingly impressed with the stealth shows ive used it for, so no reason at this point to buy something else...

rigging the stand should be easily done.

again, thanks for the help.

[cybergaloot]

I have thought of replacing that top angle bracket with something circular so I could clip the mics at various angles. But I think I'm going to get one of these (picture) and adapt it to fit the sand.

[cybergaloot]

I have thought of replacing that top angle bracket with something circular so I could clip the mics at various angles. But I think I'm going to get one of these (picture) and adapt it to fit the stand.
http://www.amazon.com/Dual-Helping-Hands-with-Magnifier/dp/B0002BBZ2Y

Just remove the base and magnifying glass.