Topic: OKM II R(S) or SP-CMC-4 for line-in to Edirol R-1??

[hurleytom]

Ok here's my conundrum:

I'm planning to buy an Edirol R-1 from thomann.de for €420 (about US$500) (inclusive of postage). That leaves me with a budget of €300 (about €360) to get mics to go line-in to the R-1.

I'll be mostly taping loud concerts in 200-500 capacity venues and plugged or acoustic gigs in smaller venues like pubs.

My options are buying either OKM II Rocks with A3 batt box (€250/$300) or OKM II Rock/Studios with A3 batt box (€300/$360) from thomann or I could buy a pair of SP-CMC-4s and a SP-SPSB-6 w/bass roll-off from Sound Professionals for €230/$276 (€293/$350 if I get stung with import duty).

If import duty is factored in, the SP-CMC-4s and the OKM II RS work out about the same price.

So which would be more advisable to buy considering I'd need some flexibilty between recording loud gigs and quieter ones in smaller venues?

(Incidentally I'd have to order the SP-CMC-4 & SP-SPSB-6 seperately to be able to get them shipped with USPS Airmail (the best way to play the import duty dodging lottery in Ireland) as when you combine the order the USPS Airmail option isn't available anymore, only the far more expensive UPS options)

[sullen]

Everyone os going to tell you the CMC-4.

I will tell you OKMII-R.


Let your ears be the judge, not the opinions of others because 90% here like the AT/SP tone, you may not.


I prerfer hands down OKMIIR to any SP-CMC-_ or AT mic out there.

[hurleytom]

Everyone os going to tell you the CMC-4.

I will tell you OKMII-R.

How do you find the OKMIIr for the quieter shows? Do you use the A3 batt box?

If I go for the SP-CMC option, should I get the level control with the SP-SPSB-6?

With so many options with the SP stuff it makes it hard to decide what to get.

[redbook]

I have both mics and I couldn't say which is best, because they get a different sound, as one is omni (OKMIIR) and the other is cardioid (SP)
I use one or other depending on the venue (open/close, big/small), type of music (rock, pop, classic, jazz), each recording will be different depending on environment.

I run in the past a silly comparison running in parallel

OKM > A3 > JB3
SP-CMC-4 > SPSB1 > JB3

Same location, same music, same all. This is exactly the comparison you want (I dind't use the bass roll off so this is like using any other SP batt box).
If interested I can upload it so you can judge.

Tell us about the kind of music do you want to tape, the kind of venues you are going... etc

And also keep in mind that all replies you get might help you, but in the end, as someone sai, your hears and your experience will decide which is better, it is just a question of taste (and hears lol).


PS: Where are you from?

[hurleytom]

Same location, same music, same all. This is exactly the comparison you want (I dind't use the bass roll off so this is like using any other SP batt box).
If interested I can upload it so you can judge.

Yes please, that would be great.

Tell us about the kind of music do you want to tape, the kind of venues you are going... etc

Mostly loud rock gigs in 200-500 capacity venues and smaller gigs in pubs that have seating for about 100 people.

PS: Where are you from?

Republic of Ireland - Dublin to be precise.

[MoFo2]

I wonder about this as well, so great that you asked this hurleytom. I considered AT853rx, but I understand I have to listen to more different recordings to find a good mic. Valle Hovin Stadium in Oslo isn't very good for taping (I've heard) due to being a big, open concrete floor (ice skating stadium) with barely anything on the sides for the music to bounce back on. But that place is only used for big bands like Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, U2, Springsteen and such so I may have to buy 2 sets of mics - one for the big outdoor shows and one for indoors.

MoFo2

[redbook]

MY home computer is down at the moment, so can't find the files in a couple of days, stay tuned to this thread, will try to upload it as soon as possible

Mofo2, recordings depends on situation, you can always tape in front of the stacks, the best euro U2 tapes of this tour were done in this way, no need to buy two mics, better invest in improve one set

[hurleytom]

MY home computer is down at the moment, so can't find the files in a couple of days, stay tuned to this thread, will try to upload it as soon as possible

Thanks redbook. 

[MoFo2]

Mofo2, recordings depends on situation, you can always tape in front of the stacks, the best euro U2 tapes of this tour were done in this way, no need to buy two mics, better invest in improve one set

As I've understood it, the best taping spot on the floor is somewhere at the middle between the sounddesk and the stage. S. Zumsteg made a webpage for the Elevation Tour with pictures and explaining various tape spots, but I can't remember the URL. I've heard some good words about the AT853rx in this forum so that's why I'm considering them. But as I can't afford to buy any equipment now (student, no job) I will have to search around, maybe wait for the MT to shape up. Would really like to stealth Depeche Mode when they play in Oslo in February, but for the moment that's not possible.

Any particular artists you're planning to tape hurleytom? 200-500 people sound like a little venue where I live, some big Norwegian acts I would like to stealth play there, the venue is only like a small gym room, I imagine you're going for something in the same area of size of venue.

MoFo2

[hurleytom]

Any particular artists you're planning to tape hurleytom? 200-500 people sound like a little venue where I live, some big Norwegian acts I would like to stealth play there, the venue is only like a small gym room, I imagine you're going for something in the same area of size of venue.

I wouldn't mind getting a tape of Biffy Clyro (Scottish prog rock band) when they come here in December. I saw the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex a few weeks ago. Band like those are generally what I'm interested in at the moment but they don't general pull a big enough crowd for an arena tour. Hopefully The Smashing Pumpkins will come here when they tour the new album they're playing to record in January, which would probably be an arena gig at least.

Other than I'd be taping local acts at the 20-500 people capacity venues and in smaller pub venues.

[Popmarter]

If you doubt between OKM R or OKM RS, take RS, way better trust me.

[redbook]

Mofo2, recordings depends on situation, you can always tape in front of the stacks, the best euro U2 tapes of this tour were done in this way, no need to buy two mics, better invest in improve one set

Yes, that is usually the good spot, but as I told you the best euro tapes (remember, stadiums!) were done in front of stacks.

And yes, the standard version of OKMIIR sucks

[MoFo2]

+t for the tips, I'm pretty sure U2 will play there next time they play in Oslo so I'll secure myself a place infront of the stacks/speakers

MoFo2

[tchoub]

If you doubt between OKM R or OKM RS, take RS, way better trust me.

And yes, the standard version of OKMIIR sucks

 
Where does this statement come from ?
I thought that the OKM II R and RS versions were the exact same microphones with only a better matching of the capsules for the "S" version.
They should sound quite the same in my opinion.