SE-1 vs MXL 603
Well, I was curious enough to get both mics. So, I ordered a set of MXL 603's and a set of the SE Electronics SE-1 for my comparisons. My setup is a Digi 001 on a GA-7DX motherboard with a 1.2 Athlon.
When I first fired up the two mics, the most obvious difference was the db output. The MXL 603 is a pretty hot mic when compared the SE-1. Adjusting the volume levels made quite a bit of difference. When micing about 8 inches from the bridge, I set the volume on the pre at about 80% with the MXL603. For the SE-1, I had to max out the Digi pre to get the same sound level. Unfortunately, the Digi doesn't have db indicator lines on the meters, so I can only guess as the amount of difference, but perhaps 3 db, or even 4. The SE-1 should still be fine for close micing situations. But it gives me the impression that the MXL 603 will be more versatile and will be able to handle more applications when micing further away.
At equivalent recording levels, the MXL603 had lower mic/pre noise and was easily visible on the meters. Concerning sound, I seemed to me that the MXL603 had a slight bit more definition in the recording when compared to the SE-1, but this was a pretty close call and not real evident. The response was nearly identical to the MXL 603 once the recording levels were equal. If there was an upside to the SE-1, I believe I detected slightly less proximity effect. But it wasn’t enough to make a substantial difference.
There was quite a difference in the cover protecting the capsule. The MXL 603 has a very fine mesh screen and you can easily see the capsule below. It is very wide open for sound to easily enter. On the other hand, the SE-1 cover over the capsule appeared to be part of the casting. It was very heavy metal with a “hub and spoke” design, and a heavy screen underneath. It looked like only 50% of the opening above the capsule was open space where sound could enter. It seems to me this might me responsible for the diminished db output and possibly the slightly lower proximity effect. In general I felt the MXL 603 had better db output and a little better sound definition, and was the better mic. So, the SE-1 will get a long UPS ride back to California this coming week.
Since I already have
a Studio Project C-1, which I picked up in March, I thought I would see how it sounded on acoustic guitar in comparison to the small condensers. I had to listen carefully to discern the differences between the SE-1 and the MXL603 on the acoustic guitar (once they were at the same recording volume), but the C-1 gave a more obvious sound difference. The C-1 was positioned 8-12 inches above the bridge, and I recorded finger picking and strumming on a Takamine ND15C. The C-1 gave a much “fuller” sound (there’s that word) and had a nice natural presence. I would also say it was “smoother” and/or “silkier” than the MXL603. (The “Mic Adjectives” thread has greatly improved my musical vocabulary and given me more choices!) I felt the definition was good and I didn't hear any weird treble notes. I like the C-1 for strumming. At the bridge position and with my guitar, there was a better high-mid-low balance than on the MXL603. It surprised me I could hear the high notes more clearly in a strum on the C-1 than I could on the MXL603. I thought it would be the other way around. The mids seemed to be somewhat more prominent on the 603. I plan to work a little more with the C-1 and 603 to see if the combination will improve things. I suspect it will.
