Topic: ISO Setup between ChurchAudio and Neumann ...

[widu99]

Hello everyone,
I have been recording concerts for quite some time (> 20 years). I started out with DAT and then moved on to a Sony PCM-M10.

For microphones, I initially used Coresound Binaurals and, for the last 5 years, Church Audio CA-11 Cardioids.

For a long time, I thought this setup was sufficient for me, but lately I've been thinking about taking the next step.

My dream setup would be Neumann KM184 > ZoomF3, but the Neumann mics are simply too expensive.
So I started looking for microphones that were cheaper than the Neumanns but better than the CA11 Cardioids.

The only ones I see in use often are the SoundProfessional Cardioids. But are they really that much better than the CA?

Then I came across the Rode NT5—but these are rarely used.

What is a good setup between Neumann and ChurchAudio?

Any tips help...

Thanks

[LeChti]

Hello,
I think this conversation should go in the "Microphones" topic.

Have you considered getting the Neumann 2nd hand ? I don't know elsewhere, but in France you can get a pair for ~800€ ($925)...I got mine for even slightly less.
Otherwise, the SoundPro cardioids SP-CMC-8 are very similar to the CA-14 in my opinion. If you have one, you don't need the other.
And finally, something "in between" might be the Line Audio CM4, which have a similar form factor as the Neumann KM184 but less expensive (around 200€ each, 400€ for the pair). You will find a couple of recording made with those (or the previous version CM3).

[rumbleseat]

Like you, I used the CA-11 for several years before jumping to a pair of AKG C480B CK61 cards.  Are they better mics?  Yes.  After EQing and processing a show, can I tell the difference between CA-11 and AKG shows?  Not really...  Maybe I'm not listening hard enough.  I've also had great results with Behringer C-2 mics ($50 for a pair!).  If you're not going to EQ your shows, then YES, the microphones make a big difference.

Here's my latest CA-11 > Deity PR-2 recording..
The New Mastersounds, Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh, NC
https://archive.org/details/nms2025-11-05

[morst]

https://www.lewitt-audio.com/microphones/lct-recording/lct-040-match-stereo-pair


$259


I worked with an audio professional a couple months ago, who has a bunch of microphones from this company and he recommended these

[Craig T]

Line Audio cm3, cm4
Beyer mc930, mc950

[al w.]

I hear the Vanguard SDCs are fantastic for the money

[todd e]

Like you, I used the CA-11 for several years before jumping to a pair of AKG C480B CK61 cards.  Are they better mics?  Yes.  After EQing and processing a show, can I tell the difference between CA-11 and AKG shows?  Not really...  Maybe I'm not listening hard enough.  I've also had great results with Behringer C-2 mics ($50 for a pair!).  If you're not going to EQ your shows, then YES, the microphones make a big difference.

Here's my latest CA-11 > Deity PR-2 recording..
The New Mastersounds, Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh, NC
https://archive.org/details/nms2025-11-05

sounds great!

[al w.]

This is a great deal: https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=208706.0;topicseen