Topic: Mic upgrade help

[Rob D.]

I've been running MBHO 603s since Oct 2000 and (obviously) have been satisfied with the reuslts. But I'm itchin' to run something else now. Would going from the 603s to the MG 200/210s be enough of an upgrade? (before all you Gefell fluffers hit me with DUH!, please tell why you think that). Although I don't care about active cables I'm even looking at the Schoeps CMC6 but by the time I purchased bodies, cards and hyper caps, wouldn't that be around 4k?. And if I spent that much, I might as well go all the way and get the Neumann TL-170s!   
I've considered the KM140 but haven't been thrilled with the recordings I've heard from the hypercard (take no offense KM150 owners, I know they are GREAT mics).

I'm no gear slut which is why I'm basically looking for feedback before buying anything on impulse. I've heard all the mics listed above but with all the variables that go into recording (venue, external amps, positions, locations, etc...), I've not been able to hear a true test comparison. Thanks in advance for all who reply!

[Tim]

The MG's are a great value...

you are right on with the price of the schempz... and I say go u89 before you go tlm170

have you thought about the akg 480 series at all?

I don't want to get into what mics are upgrades from others but sometimes just a little change in the sound is nice. Is there anything specific you feel is lacking from your current tapes or are you more just looking for a change of flavor?

[creekfreak]

agreed Tim, I call it a change over an upgrade since what mic sounds better is all in the eye (ear?) of the beholder.

I guess if you are looking to change, what is it you are looking for...warmer sound? better highs? (not that it gets much better than the highs the MBHO's give you) Tighter low end? fatter low end? More neutral sound? Want to try LD mics? stick with smaller one's.

Ask your self those questions. The mics you are running are damn good and I would only change if you are looking for a different sound that the MBHO's aren't giving you.

[Rob D.]

Thanks for your helpful suggestions Tim & Creek. You've helped me understand that for better or for worse, I'm looking for change. I've been faithful to the MBHOs for 4 years so I'm coming to terms with my microphone-mid-life-crisis   

Also, I forgot to add the AKG 480s to my list of potetials as I've always liked those as well. As far as what sound I'm looking for for, I've never favored heavy bass but prefer a tighter, compact low end as opposed to a fat, loose bottom end.

[momule]

I would have to vote AKG too. and not just being Prejudice cause that what I run.
I dont think for the price VS sound quality,  they can be beat.
 you can get a whole set of caps and 480 bodies for the price of a CMC6 body..

 heck you could have a full set of caps with a active JK labs setup and still be under the Neumann /Schloppy price tag..

Just my $0.02
Nick

[Brian Skalinder]

I see you're running a V3 - oughta be easy to find some sources out there with different mics.  Listen around and see what you like.

Definitely some AKG > V3 sources out there - d/l a few tracks and see if you like the sound.  I'm not an AKG 48x fan, myself, but maybe you are.

May be a bit tougher to find MG > V3 sources, but I bet they're out there on the Archive.  I love the MG sound but haven't heard many MG > V3 combos.

I also love the KM140 > V3 sound, but like you am not a huge fan of the AK50 hypers.  Perhaps consider how often you would want to run hypers.  If the answer is not very often, just go for the 140s and skip the AK50 caps.

I know there are plenty of Schoeps > V3 recordings out there, so decide if you like the sound.  Though they don't pop up used all that often, if they do they won't completely break the bank - unless someone is basing their used pricing on the new pricing since the dollar dropped, but hopefully if you decide to go that route someone will sell for used pricing relative to what they paid when they bought them.

[marc0789]

not sure anything out there is a real *upgrade*, just different. it sounds like you're used to the *understated* tight bass of the mbhos and a nice high end. so I would think you'd be happy with km140>v3, which to me, is about the only >v3 combination that I can tolerate, other than Schoeps. Also think that ADK TL's are warm enough to sound good with the v3, and I would guess, though I've not heard any, that mg200/210 would also be nice. Isn't that what Nick runs?

[creekfreak]

TL's sound great with the V3, but if he isn't looking for phat bass going the LD route might not work well for him because going from mk41's to the TL's, especially on the omni pattern took some getting use to.

[wboswell]

I'm really liking the 480>v3 sound right now.  Gordon W. and (believe it or not) J. Frank have been really successful (to my ears).  The combo matches up really well and having the flexibility to run cards, hypers, and omnis is a real plus.  If you are used to running full bodies, I think its a no brainer...

[F.O.Bean]

I'm really liking the 480>v3 sound right now. Gordon W. and (believe it or not) J. Frank have been really successful (to my ears). The combo matches up really well and having the flexibility to run cards, hypers, and omnis is a real plus. If you are used to running full bodies, I think its a no brainer...

not just cause thats what i run, ive heard MANY mic>v3 tapes, and overall, none have been as consistent as the 480/414>v3 tapesIMO,YMMV

[Rob D.]

Below is one of Doug Oade's responses to a "should I buy Neumann or MBHO" questions. I do value Doug's opinion but I don't necessarily agree with the poor midrange comment. However, his 'etched sound' comment has had me pondering the meaning ever since I read it:

"I strongly suggest you listen to MBHO tapes before you buy the mics. To my ears the Neumann mics are a at least an order of magnitude better than MBHOs. MBHO mics have a very etched sound, that is transients are fairly accurately captured but all other aspects of the sound are inferior. Poor midrange is the number one problem, especially at higher SPLs. The only application I have used them for and they did a good job was audience response for classical concerts where they do a good job with the transient heavy nature of hand claps. Neumann mics are very musical with very good detail that is sure to please many more listeners, two thumbs up ! If you want an alternative to MBHOs consider DPAs. They do what MBHOs do well only better and deliver a musical sound that can satisfy the most demanding ear. my 2 cents worth...Doug"

[wboswell]

I'm really liking the 480>v3 sound right now. Gordon W. and (believe it or not) J. Frank have been really successful (to my ears). The combo matches up really well and having the flexibility to run cards, hypers, and omnis is a real plus. If you are used to running full bodies, I think its a no brainer...

not just cause thats what i run, ive heard MANY mic>v3 tapes, and overall, none have been as consistent as the 480/414>v3 tapesIMO,YMMV

I'm of the opinion that the constant usually found in a good recording is location.  There are variables, but by and large, the tapes I like are not microphone dependent but rather location dependent.

[Tim]

I'm really liking the 480>v3 sound right now. Gordon W. and (believe it or not) J. Frank have been really successful (to my ears). The combo matches up really well and having the flexibility to run cards, hypers, and omnis is a real plus. If you are used to running full bodies, I think its a no brainer...

not just cause thats what i run, ive heard MANY mic>v3 tapes, and overall, none have been as consistent as the 480/414>v3 tapesIMO,YMMV

I'm of the opinion that the constant usually found in a good recording is location. There are variables, but by and large, the tapes I like are not microphone dependent but rather location dependent.

agreed.

[marc0789]

Below is one of Doug Oade's responses to a "should I buy Neumann or MBHO" questions. I do value Doug's opinion but I don't necessarily agree with the poor midrange comment. However, his 'etched sound' comment has had me pondering the meaning ever since I read it:

"I strongly suggest you listen to MBHO tapes before you buy the mics. To my ears the Neumann mics are a at least an order of magnitude better than MBHOs. MBHO mics have a very etched sound, that is transients are fairly accurately captured but all other aspects of the sound are inferior. Poor midrange is the number one problem, especially at higher SPLs. The only application I have used them for and they did a good job was audience response for classical concerts where they do a good job with the transient heavy nature of hand claps. Neumann mics are very musical with very good detail that is sure to please many more listeners, two thumbs up ! If you want an alternative to MBHOs consider DPAs. They do what MBHOs do well only better and deliver a musical sound that can satisfy the most demanding ear. my 2 cents worth...Doug"

having run mbhos and dpas a lot, I pretty much agree with that. the mbho highs are really nice, but the rest can suffer, particularly when things get LOUD.

[F.O.Bean]

I'm really liking the 480>v3 sound right now. Gordon W. and (believe it or not) J. Frank have been really successful (to my ears). The combo matches up really well and having the flexibility to run cards, hypers, and omnis is a real plus. If you are used to running full bodies, I think its a no brainer...

not just cause thats what i run, ive heard MANY mic>v3 tapes, and overall, none have been as consistent as the 480/414>v3 tapesIMO,YMMV

I'm of the opinion that the constant usually found in a good recording is location. There are variables, but by and large, the tapes I like are not microphone dependent but rather location dependent.

true that, the grestest mics ever would still sound crappy inm a  crappy position