Gear_Junky
New member
Are Shure sm81 mics worth the money? Are they better than say an AKG c1000s? Is it useful to have those bass rolloffs on a mic like this (drum overheads, acoustic guitars, etc.)? Your help much apreciated.
C
chiledude
New member
You might also check out the Crown CM700. See the review at: http://www.prorec.com/prorec/articles.nsf/files/F46D110C1F4711C0862567AE0050A4B5 .
I'm in the market for a pair of small diaphram condensors and have found numerous good comments on them, esp. at the rec.audio.pro newsgroup. They are often described as having a smoother high end than the SM81s. They can be had for just a little over $200 and include a bass rolloff switch.
I'm in the market for a pair of small diaphram condensors and have found numerous good comments on them, esp. at the rec.audio.pro newsgroup. They are often described as having a smoother high end than the SM81s. They can be had for just a little over $200 and include a bass rolloff switch.
Gear_Junky
New member
They do seem like a good deal, don't they? And they come in a nice hard box and have nice accessories. Thanks, I'll keep this in mind.
E
england
New member
I recently had the same question and sent an e-mail to Myles Boisen who co-authored an extensive article on microphones in 'Electronic Musician'. I was particularly interested in the Shure SM81 for classical guitar (you're probably using something different), but any way, this is what he said; 'the Shure SM 81 to me is too bright (too much nail and
finger noise, string squeaks, not enough tone) for classical guitar.' Myles suggested I look into the Crown CM700 and every place I called to get prices told me its a "sweet" little mic and very impressive. The best price I found was $210 at Sound Pro in Dallas and at Performance Audio. Hope this helps.
finger noise, string squeaks, not enough tone) for classical guitar.' Myles suggested I look into the Crown CM700 and every place I called to get prices told me its a "sweet" little mic and very impressive. The best price I found was $210 at Sound Pro in Dallas and at Performance Audio. Hope this helps.
Gear_Junky
New member
...and Paganini was a legend long before Richie Blackmore or whatever 
From what I understood the sm81 is virtually "flat", so that can be good, but not necessarily. The Crowns have certain frequencies accentuated, so that can make them sound better for certain sound sources.
At any rate, I don't think I'll run and get a pair of one or the other right now. I think I'll do some more recording with my Equiteks E-1000, compare them to my AKG c1000s and do some more homework. That's still a lot of dough to put out for a pair of small mics.
From what I understood the sm81 is virtually "flat", so that can be good, but not necessarily. The Crowns have certain frequencies accentuated, so that can make them sound better for certain sound sources.
At any rate, I don't think I'll run and get a pair of one or the other right now. I think I'll do some more recording with my Equiteks E-1000, compare them to my AKG c1000s and do some more homework. That's still a lot of dough to put out for a pair of small mics.
C
chiledude
New member
Another thought is the Oktava MC-012s from http://www.sound-room.com. There are apparently QC issues at the factory but Taylor (guy who runs Sound Room) apparently tests the mics and sends back inferior ones. I hear that buying them at Guitar Center, while cheaper, can be a crapshoot if you don't listen carefully to the mics before you buy.
These are $299 each and come with a cardioid, hypercardioid and omni head. The March 2000 issue of Electronic Musician did a shoot out of small condensors and the Oktavas did very well.
These are $299 each and come with a cardioid, hypercardioid and omni head. The March 2000 issue of Electronic Musician did a shoot out of small condensors and the Oktavas did very well.
R
Recording Engineer
Moderator
Yo, chiledude
You stole my job. hehe
A few years ago, the C1000s were THE mic if you couldn't afford SM-81s or CM-700s; funny thing is they really weren't that much cheaper back then.
Now days, I'd take an Oktava MC-012 from The Sound Room only, SM-81, CM-700, C1000 in that order when looking for an all-around workhorse mic. Has to do with versetility.
You stole my job. hehe
A few years ago, the C1000s were THE mic if you couldn't afford SM-81s or CM-700s; funny thing is they really weren't that much cheaper back then.
Now days, I'd take an Oktava MC-012 from The Sound Room only, SM-81, CM-700, C1000 in that order when looking for an all-around workhorse mic. Has to do with versetility.
skippy
New member
On the subject of MC012 quality control: I have a pair of 012s that I bought from Guitar Satan (this occurred before I knew of this web site, and before I knew of The Sound Room). Good mics, very useful for a lot of things, but with one minor foible: one is wired pin 2 hot and one is wired pin 3 hot. I listened to them individually to make sure that I wasn't getting a duff mic body, but (more fool me- picking up mics in a hurry before a gig) I didn't hang them on a pair stand and listen to them both at once, nor did it occur to me that I might need to check their phase. Right- let's hear the chorus of "you dumb fuck!", starting now...
First outing the day I bought 'em, I hung 'em on an X-Y mount in front of an acapella quartet, and all I can say is "Bitter beer face!". Terrible. Luckily, I still keep a couple of ancient 2/3 swap cables in my toolbox, and all was well. Coulda knocked me over with a feather, but now I know better: never freakin' assume _anything_.
I may get another pair from the Sound Room to use as a proper pair (and get the M1/M3 capsules for 'em as well), and relegate the original two to other uses, like overheads, hammering nails into the wall, and such. Anyhow, the pin-3-hot one now has zebra stripes on the body in black electrical tape, so I can tell which one to use the swap on (until I dig into it and fix it, which time hasn't permitted just yet).
It sent me back to the old Gold Line box to do an absolute phase check on all my mics, anyway, so some good came out of it...
First outing the day I bought 'em, I hung 'em on an X-Y mount in front of an acapella quartet, and all I can say is "Bitter beer face!". Terrible. Luckily, I still keep a couple of ancient 2/3 swap cables in my toolbox, and all was well. Coulda knocked me over with a feather, but now I know better: never freakin' assume _anything_.
I may get another pair from the Sound Room to use as a proper pair (and get the M1/M3 capsules for 'em as well), and relegate the original two to other uses, like overheads, hammering nails into the wall, and such. Anyhow, the pin-3-hot one now has zebra stripes on the body in black electrical tape, so I can tell which one to use the swap on (until I dig into it and fix it, which time hasn't permitted just yet).
It sent me back to the old Gold Line box to do an absolute phase check on all my mics, anyway, so some good came out of it...
Gear_Junky
New member
Well, has anybody else heard of other mics being miswired? I can expect it from russian made gear, though. I was born there, I know 
R
Recording Engineer
Moderator
I've Heard
Of some Rode mics being mis-wired; though that's still a rarity.
Of some Rode mics being mis-wired; though that's still a rarity.
Gear_Junky
New member
they also drive on the other side of the road, don't they?
Gear_Junky
New member
Since we're discussing small condensers, does anybody have anything to say about CAD Equitek E-1000? They're not on their website, but SamAsh sells them and also they now come with those drum packs. I just don't have enough experience to compare them to my AKG c1000s. I'm really curious about them.