Topic: Has anyone ever used Audio-Technica AT841a mic's

[igene]

these >
http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/3e0e3e5cec6fe424/index.html/

The specs look good.
I'm thinking of using these (or something like this) to record with
to a second rig, and matrix/mix it later.
Nice and small.
I'd run these over the band.
I used Crown PZM's years back and they sounded good.
I was wondering how these sounded ?

No info found in search...

[kirk97132]

Boundry mic not the same as PZM

[illconditioned]

these >
http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/3e0e3e5cec6fe424/index.html/

The specs look good.
I'm thinking of using these (or something like this) to record with
to a second rig, and matrix/mix it later.
Nice and small.
I'd run these over the band.
I used Crown PZM's years back and they sounded good.
I was wondering how these sounded ?

No info found in search...

Not very good.  These have different (read lesser) capsules than the AT853.  The AT ones you want are AT857 or something like that.  Those have AT853 series caps in them.

  Richard

[illconditioned]

Boundry mic not the same as PZM

There is some debate about this.  IMO, they are pretty similar in practical usage.

Crown has a trademark (patent?) on PZM.  Also PZM has the capsule facing the surface, with a very thin gap.  But most people believe pointing down at the surface (through a gap, pointing up, or pointing sideways along the surface are all basically the same, as long as the element is very close to the surface.

The proper name for competitors is phase coincident microphone, in most cases, the mic is at the surface, and pointing along it.  The element may be omni (hemisphere response), or cardioid (directional).  By the way, the directional version of Crowns mics are like this.  The omins are the only true "pzm" mics.

  Richard

[igene]

"Not very good.  These have different (read lesser) capsules than the AT853.  The AT ones you want are AT857 or something like that.  Those have AT853 series caps in them."
        Richard


The AT857 seems to be a podium mic.

I found these >

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/753544-REG/Audio_Technica_U851RO_U851RO_Condenser_Boundary_Microphone.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/392335-REG/Audio_Technica_U851A_UA851A_UniPoint_Boundary_Microphone.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/399164-REG/Audio_Technica_U891R_U891R_UniPoint_Condenser_Boundary.html

any of these good for loud live music recording ?
or does someone have a better suggestion of another brand ? Crown, AKG, EV ...
I initially wanted the AT841a because it was compact.
I'm open to suggestions.

[illconditioned]

"Not very good.  These have different (read lesser) capsules than the AT853.  The AT ones you want are AT857 or something like that.  Those have AT853 series caps in them."
        Richard


The AT857 seems to be a podium mic.

I found these >

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/753544-REG/Audio_Technica_U851RO_U851RO_Condenser_Boundary_Microphone.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/392335-REG/Audio_Technica_U851A_UA851A_UniPoint_Boundary_Microphone.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/399164-REG/Audio_Technica_U891R_U891R_UniPoint_Condenser_Boundary.html

any of these good for loud live music recording ?
or does someone have a better suggestion of another brand ? Crown, AKG, EV ...
I initially wanted the AT841a because it was compact.
I'm open to suggestions.

OK, the U851 series are all good- U853 inside, older 871 series are original 853 inside.  891 are not as good.
I've got all of these...

If you're looking for some at853 gear Email me and I can hook you up.
Otherwise look for AT853 on the cheap on Ebay, but do your research first.

  Richard

[igene]

thanks for the info.

If you can PM me some prices....

I'm doing research here, then I'm planning on searching eBay for the lowest price.

[12milluz]

I have two of these mics I got for free from my school, but one has a bad cable. I haven't actually used them other than for on-stage micing of musicals.

[igene]

which model ?

[igene]

note: thank you for removing.


I get a video job every couple months, and I've been trying to improve the sound.
The next job is coming up in 2 weeks. It could lead to something if I shine.

I run 2 Panasonic AG-DVC30's (with my camerman), then
I fly a pair of mics (SP-CMC-08-HC) overhead off the balcony to a pre & deck.
The mics rig need to be unobtrusive, so it's real tiny.
It sounds great, but I want more stage presence.
My mics are as close as they can get without becoming a problem.
I want to add a bit more sound from within the limits of the stage.
Add some depth. I want something on stage maybe...
So I thought a pair of omni pzm/boundry mics would do the trick.
That way I can mount them on the piano, above a band, above the singer(s) or performer(s)...
Just run 2 rigs, and mix it later. I think it will bring dimension to the recording.
And I don't have any good OMNI's.
So I'm weighing my options, and seeing what they cost.

[kirk97132]

I always thought the difference between a PZm style and a boundry mic was a PZM used the surface as part of the pick up and a boundry mic was in essence a flush mount mic.  In actual usage I've used the Crown 30D and the Shure 393.  The Crown was head and shoulders a better mic.  But then again these two were being used(and compared) in a theatrical environment.  I've also used the Crown on percussion and when paired with an OH mic can yield a great result. 

[igene]

"I always thought the difference between a PZm style and a boundry mic was a PZM used the surface as part of the pick up and a boundry mic was in essence a flush mount mic"

I think you are right.
Either way, they're on a surface vs. a pencil condenser, ribbon etc...
no stand !

I owned a radio shack/crown(?) pzm years ago.
That worked out well when I used it over a band.
But that really wasn't GREAT quality sound.

I need to get something small  that sounds really good,
 and can handle high SPL.
(preferably used and inexpensive)

Apparently that little round AT841a looks better than it sounds.
I liked that it was that small... less visual.

Any other suggestions ?

are there any good sounding tiny boundry or pzm mics ?

[Chuck]

I messed around with boundry mics back in the day. I had plexi-glass plates I made for the ones Radio Shack sold. One of the problems is that they have to be mounted on a large flat surface for the best bass response. The best recording I made with them was of birds and other critters outside my old apartment in Cascade, CO. I taped the mics separated by 10' to a very large window outside my apartment and just ran tape for a while. The resulting recording was very life like. I didn't like them for live music. I still have one of them that I did the balanced circuit mod to.

[igene]

I messed around with boundry mics back in the day. I had plexi-glass plates I made for the ones Radio Shack sold. One of the problems is that they have to be mounted on a large flat surface for the best bass response. The best recording I made with them was of birds and other critters outside my old apartment in Cascade, CO. I taped the mics separated by 10' to a very large window outside my apartment and just ran tape for a while. The resulting recording was very life like. I didn't like them for live music. I still have one of them that I did the balanced circuit mod to.

I just read this, and it so funny.
I did the exact same thing w/ my Radio shack pzm's.
They came with heavy metal plates.
I screwed them thin plexy glass, and added a mini xlr connector to it and made cables.
However, I did record a band by attaching them overhead on a drop ceiling.
It sounded pretty good. I'm not sure what happened to them.
I'll have to dig out the recording and refresh my memory.

I just remember having some success back then, and figure the technology had
progressed to the point of sounding great.