Stereo Mic ROUNDUP

[Nick's Picks]

so...
whats available to us these days?
available, within the realm of taper reality, that is.  So you wont find the boutique stereo mics here, (manley, for example).  also, stereo ribbon mics are not listed as they are typically not suitable for field use (in our circles any way).  also, the single point sonys (though there are some decent ones) and the ATs are not included.
nor are "Skanken" offerings.


for old:
AKG series
c24 : tube, SD.  not suitable for field use due to AC requirements
c33 : SS, SD.  fixed cardioid caps (ck1).  adjustable angles
c34 : SS, SD.  s42 pattern controller box.  4 diaphragms (ck1s)
c422 : SS, LD  same as c34 only with 2x ck12 caps
c426 : SS, LD  most current offering, discontinued.

neumann
sm23 : tube, SD
sm69 : SS, LD pattern controls on mic.
usm69 : SS, LD remote pattern controls
rsm191 : SS, SD shotgun stereo mic.  Mid-Side / XY output only.

Studio Projects
lsd2 : SS, LD 3 pattern, available on mic body.

Avantone
ck40 : SS, LD  stereo coincident mic.  multi-pattern (probably 3).  due out now

Peluso
P Stereo : SS / LD.  Stereo Condenser Microphone  NicksPicks.com review pending....

Soundfield
ST-250 : SS, SD B format stereo mic (discontinued)
ST-350 : SS, SD B format stereo mic

am I missing anything?

[shaggy]

Schoeps CMXY 4V

[Nick's Picks]

Ahhh yes. 
thanks

[bgalizio]

You're getting a review unit for the Peluso stereo mic? Nice! Do you have any more info on it now (polar patterns, etc.)?

[Shawn]

SCHOEPS MSTC 64g "ORTF STEREO" MICROPHONE
Rode NT4
Shure VP88

and just for dirk's sake... beyer used to have a stereo mic ala the AKG 422/426 but I can't remember the model number. It has been discontinued.

[DSatz]

Since you seem to be listing a fair number of discontinued models, you might include the Neumann SM 2 as well; it used the same capsules as the SM 23 and KM 56, so it's small-diaphragm. Unfortunately those capsules were fragile and can't be replaced today; they can only be "reskinned" with somewhat variable results. The difference between the SM 2 and the SM 23 was that the latter could be powered and used as two entirely electrically separate single microphones if desired.

You've reversed the descriptions of the SM 69 and USM 69. The SM 69 had the remote pattern control (from the power supply) while the USM 69, which is still in the catalog, has built-in pattern switches. The two SM 69 models had a choice of nine patterns each, while the USM 69 has five. The SM 69 appeared as two different models, the original containing two miniature vacuum tubes (Telefunken AC 701k) while the later model "SM 69fet" was solid-state. The SM 69fet could be battery-operated via the CU 48 pattern controller, which worked from 48 Volt phantom powering. There was even a quad microphone in this series for a few years--the QM 69.

For Schoeps you could certainly list the CMTS 301 and CMTS 501--there's one of the latter up on eBay at the moment (Studer sold Schoeps microphones under their own name, and the one up for auction is one of those; Schoeps gladly maintains them now). They're both small-diaphragm, three-pattern microphones based on pairs of MK 6 capsules. The two models were available concurrently; the CMTS 301 was for 12-Volt phantom powering and had transformerless output circuitry, while the CMTS 501 was for 48-Volt phantom powering and had transformer-equipped outputs. The CMTS 501 was still being sold in the late 1980s.

I see that Shawn has mentioned the Schoeps MSTC 6--, which is not a coincident stereo microphone but a very nice ORTF stereo microphone which I used for many years in its previous incarnation (it used to be available as a 3--, 4-- or 5--). Schoeps also has a two-channel phantom-powered amplifier (body) called the VST 62, which accepts the output of an active cable with any two Colette capsules on it; you can use that for coincident or near-coincident stereo setups of almost any kind. There is also a Colette active extension tube called the RCY for M/S recording--you attach a figure-8 capsule to one socket and whatever other Colette capsule you like (that's forward-facing) to the other one, and hook up either two CMC microphone bodies or a VST 62 to the other end. It's kind of a "build your own stereo mike" type of situation.

You list Neumann's RSM 191 but not its predecessor, the RSM 190. The 191 is certainly more convenient for field recording on battery power, since its pattern selector box is also its battery power supply (instead of the two separate boxes which the 190 required), but it is the same very good microphone in either instance.

Sennheiser and Audio-Technica also make stereo shotgun microphones, and unless there's some secret I haven't been let in on, I would assume that Sanken's stereo microphones are of professional quality and I don't know why you wouldn't list them. Milab, as I recall, has a coincident stereo condenser microphone, too.

--best regards

[Nick's Picks]

I know...  i know.
I was just going by memory of mics i've seen or used.  I should dig out my catalogs and start listing the rest.
SASS
Sanken
AT
Senn
Beyer

there are lots of stereo mics tailored for video use. 

as for the Peluso...
it can be powered via a supply that comes with it (which I guess it performs its best when in use), or via phantom from a preamp.
I'll be testing both, micing various instruments in each circumstance.
Other than that, i have little info.  coincident stereo, 1" diaphragms.

[TNJazz]

Nevaton MC48

[Nick's Picks]

oh..., thats pretty!
coincident XY ? 
or is it more like the Sony mics w/3 elements in there and XY output that is selectable (simulated width) ?

[TNJazz]

Coincident.  More info:

http://www.microphones.ru/Nevaton/MC48.html

Love the review, especially this line:  "In virtually every test the Nevaton way outperformed the AKGs."

Those who know, know.

[Kindguy]

Coincident.  More info:

http://www.microphones.ru/Nevaton/MC48.html

Love the review, especially this line:  "In virtually every test the Nevaton way outperformed the AKGs."

Those who know, know.

What's the price on this?

[TNJazz]

Coincident.  More info:

http://www.microphones.ru/Nevaton/MC48.html

Love the review, especially this line:  "In virtually every test the Nevaton way outperformed the AKGs."

Those who know, know.

What's the price on this?

With shockmount, about $1100 plus shipping from the factory (these mics are handmade in Russia, and they only make a dozen or so every month)

[Nick's Picks]

Hmmm....
me likey.

I bet I can get one from Taylor at the soundroom.

I'm really looking forward to the Peluso stereo mic.  that silly thing....maybe it will be just the ticket.

[muj]

Hmmm....
me likey.

I bet I can get one from Taylor at the soundroom.

I'm really looking forward to the Peluso stereo mic.  that silly thing....maybe it will be just the ticket.

The Deutch brothers are handling the distribution of Nevatons
http://www.russian-mics.com/index.php/cPath/21_22

[bgalizio]

Gearslutz post says the street price for the Peluso P Stereo will be ~$1450.