A Tale of 3 AKGs, a C1 and a U-87.

  • Thread starter Thread starter ausrock
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OK, for the record……..

There was a “take” (well actually five takes) where the guitar was positioned similarly to each individual mic and any variation in the results from the other “takes” were insignificant enough to not worry about. The comments in my original post were compiled after five different musicians had listened to the recordings and passed comment.

The reason for doing simultaneous recordings shouldn’t even need to be explained, but for what it’s worth I don’t believe any guitarist could be assured of playing the same piece as many times as we needed without some variation in dynamics and subtle nuances. After 39 yrs of playing this point is not open to discussion.

Darrin,
I will be doing vocal comparisons when I can find time and when particular singers, who’s vocal quality I trust, are available.

C7,
What can I say…………………you have made your opinions on Chinese sourced mics painfully known around the forums and what do I see you say………YOU HAVE A RODE? I think you just confirmed what a dickhead you are……..GOODBYE!!!

The fact that some people here are so bloody self opinionated makes me wonder why I even bothered to post in the first place.

The tests we did were done to the best of our ability in order to give each mic a level playing field...........my comments on each mic were deliberately brief but were honest and I would gladly have an AKG C3000 or a U-87.


Peace …………….ChrisO.
:cool:
 
Take a deep breath charger.

You are right to question the validity of a comparison of an acoustic guitar track with these mics set up this way.

I think Alan's just sensitive because of all the people that have jumped on, and trashed the mic no matter what the circumstances. And as he said, it always comes from people that have not used the mic.

I'm sick of it and it's not even my baby.

What's wrong with doing like Alan says and trying the mic? People who try it, like it. From amateurs to pros. Even professional engineers that are also professional reviewers like the mic. One in particular has a grudge against Chinese mics as a rule, he praised the mic.

I apologize for taking exception to your statements. I'm just sick to death of people jumping in and trying to discredit the mic every time someone who's actually using the mic expresses their admiration for it.

I'm a little sensitive and I don't have any stake in it, except for my own particular C1 of whick I love the sound. That caused me to speak to quickly. Sorry man. You are correct. It's not the best methodology for comparing on an acoustic guitar.

Try to understand why Alan might have a short fuse where it's concerned. He is very proud of his mic, as well he should be. He has obviously put his heart as well as his sweat into the development of the mic. He has made available in the market place, a really good value in this mic. Many of us need inexpensive solutions too.

As I've said before, Alan's not the greatest salesman in the world. He rub's people the wrong way. A great salesman will kiss your but until it wrinkles up.

What he is, is passionate about his creation.

Taylor
 
BTW, just for the hell of it these tests were photographed, but I after reading the comments here I have no intention of making them available just for some idiot to then claim we faked the photos too and GOD FORBID.....the camera might have had Chinese parts in it.

Guys, it is simple......we compared 5 mics.......we DID compare them fairly..............If you think you can do it better then feel free but at least I went to the trouble before I opened my mouth, unlike some here.

Peace........ChrisO: :cool:
 
Alan,

When will the VT-1 be out??

Have you set a list price for it yet???

Taylor
 
Chris,
The dislike is to Alan, not the mic or your test by any means.

All: I personally dislike his attitude towards selling his product. As a person in his position, he shouldn't act the way he does to skeptics. I wouldn't, in a market with alot similar products, treat possible customer the way he does. If the mic is so fricken great, don't tell me that I don't know what I'm doing. I take that as an insult and very rude. Yeah, I may not have 15 years of experience under my belt, but I know I will never EVER touch a C1 mic PERIOD!
 
Ok, last time. I think I will take Axis direction and get off this board. I don’t need the headache, and I am far too busy to spend my time trying to get users to use it before they bash it. I want to soar with Eagles, not fly with Turkey’s! Besides, I have bigger fish to fry.

So, to Wallycleaver

You’re right, I am sorry, the C1 sucks, and it can’t stand up to the Neumann. All the reviewers are wrong. I will ask them to retract everything they have said about the mics. The C1 is not the mic for you, and I would not let you waste your time on it. You have my apology. Hopefully I can get to study with you. I am sure I can learn a lot from your vast experience. I mean that.

Charger,

I don’t know what’s up your butt. Did you read my post where I said to C7sus; for the record, I did not say mic placement did not matter. I think it does, but I do not know how it was done, and which mic was the best placement. This was just a general test, and my comments were about tests, so I think you read me wrong. I also do not see any post I directed to you, so yeah, your right, I am out here. I just can’t deal with all you famous engineers with all your gold and platinum records. Sorry about that I did not mean to be sarcastic. I will try to keep my posts down to a minimum on the other groups.

Hey C7sus,

Hey man, come to my defense on this. I did not ream you. Why does Charger think I did? I though we made up and were cool. I even agreed with you on the mic placement.

Mr. Zekeman,

No more long sentences…too bad the Guinness World record guy is not watching this thread. I could hold the record of long sentences…:D

To Chris, Me Zekeman, Rsmith and all the other supports who have used the mics, :D :D :D :D

Thank you, your support keeps me going. At least you know the real truth behind the mics.

So have at it guys, I will be lurking in the dark watching you all. My users will be my defense. You all have my email address alan@pmiaudio.com so keep in touch. Let the mic stand up to time. It will be there...that much I know.
 
ausrock said:
BTW, just for the hell of it these tests were photographed, but I after reading the comments here I have no intention of making them available just for some idiot to then claim we faked the photos too and GOD FORBID.....the camera might have had Chinese parts in it.

Guys, it is simple......we compared 5 mics.......we DID compare them fairly..............If you think you can do it better then feel free but at least I went to the trouble before I opened my mouth, unlike some here.

Peace........ChrisO: :cool:
Click to expand...

ChrisO,

Email me the photos as I am fiddin to get one of those C-1 mics.

rsmith.livingwater@ev1.net

thanks
 
what's up my butt?

what does that mean?

are you TRYING to alienate potential customers? I have been looking for C1s to try in the Bay Area for a week, and now you tell me I'm out of place for questioning the scientific methodology of a test that had nothing to do with you? I can't believe you stay in business talking to potential customers like that. I didn't even say a thing about your mic, just about the test method, and you jump all over me. Goodbye to my money, and likewise the other SP's I wanted to check out (and the word on the C3 is pretty good). At least I know if my money goes to Rode/Marshall/whoever it will be going to people who like their customers. And are you associated with Meek? I love my Meek pre, and I can only hope that you don't talk the same way to Meek customers. I never said I had a gold record, but you know what? this is homerecording.com, and just because we are hobbyists etc. doesn't mean we need some "pro" with gold records and arrogance to come in and "educate" us. That's the reason we hang out here, to hear from real people, not the elite. If I wanted someone with gold records to record my music, I'd go to a pro studio and let someone else handle the gear decisions, but since I work for my money, I don't have that luxury.
 
Re: what's up my butt?

charger said:
what does that mean?

I didn't even say a thing about your mic, just about the test method, and you jump all over me.
Click to expand...

This isn't based on fact Charger. Go back and reread the thread. Alan didn't "jump all over you". Even if you take exception to his admitted rant, I don't think you can call it jumping all over you.

I think you are a little thin skinned. You can't be that way in here. This is full contact BBS, better put your pads on before you come in here. Alan wasn't even mad, he was just ranting. He even included the :) emoticon at the end of his post to show no ill intent.

He didn't ask you about what you had inserted in certain parts of your anatomy until you, indeed, posted a rather vehement post. I don't think asking you what's up your butt really compares to the animosity displayed in your post.
 
Hi people,

I've been following posts on the C1 for a long time. I don't know Alan Hyatt. I've never had any contact with him. I own a small project studio in Taiwan and I do some sound design and recording part time. I bought a C1 mic a few months after hearing all the "hype" about. I heard positive comments about the mic from some people I respect and know enough by their reputations and posts on other forums. ( Pete Leoni / Ted Perlman at the cakewalk forums) I was interested in getting another mike. I've used rode mikes and some cheap AKG mics. (I'm not rich) I figured for $250 I really couldn't go too wrong so I ordered one. The verdict... it's a really nice mic! Is it perfect? Will you never need another mic? Will it turn you into a world class producer? NOOOOOO! But, It's a really nice mic. Is it the best mic in the world? Noooo. Will you get very usable sounds? Will it improve the over quality of your recordings if you're using sm 57's 58's or some other cheap mics? Yes. Is it comparable to a Neumann mic? Will it last as long? Will the support for the mic be there in five years? Well.. this is difficult to answer. Only time will tell.

My final comment. I did a comparision of some rode mics (NT1 and NT2) some AKG mics and a u87 a month ago. I was in a pretty well equiped commercial studio using the pre's in a tascam digital board. My test was not scientific. I recording three vocal phrares using each mic. I was in the presence of 3 engeneers / producers whose ears I would consider "golden". When we played back the samples with our eyes closed we described the sound and guessed which mics we were listening to. The golden eared producers had no problem guessing which phrase were recorded with each mic. The conclusion they made was that for MY voice they thought the C1 sounded the best. If they were producing my CD and they had these mics to choose from they would use the C1 on my voice. That made me happy.

My final, final comment. If you don't like the mics because they are made in China, fine. If you don't like the mic because you don't like Alan Hyatt, fine. The fact is if you have $250 and you're looking for a good mic ( I think it's better than good) consider the mic. If you have some nice mics and want to add another color to your recordings consider getting one. The worst thing I have heard anyone say about the "sound" of this mic ( I have read hundreds of posts) is that it is a good mic. Most people who have heard the mic think it's a great mic.

I know it's my first post and I suspect many of you will think I'm a PMI employee (I'm not!) Before you slam me I ask you to do one thing. Go to the cakewalk news groups / reread the C1 posts here / go to musicplayer / and any other audio forum that has posts related to the C1. If you can find one person who has "heard" the mic say it's bad please post it here. I have never read any posts saying the mic is not a good mic. I think you'll find most people that have heard it and tried it like it. Why because it's a very good mic IMHO.

Sorry for the long post but I think some reasoned discussion is needed here not "Hype". Slam away my brothers and sisters in Audio. I say what I believe to be true nothing more.

Darrell Gallant
 
Darrell Gallant said:
Slam away my brothers and sisters in Audio. I say what I believe to be true nothing more.
Click to expand...

No flames coming your way from me Darrell. I happen to agree with you, and I think your comments are well stated.

Taylor
 
Sorry to see this thread get so "hot". It's funny, I was at an excellent
business seminar today where the "paradigm shift" of 30 years ago was
discussed. For example, 30 years ago people tended to look forward to
their mail with "expectation", now we stand over a trashcan and divide
out the "suspicious" mail (junkmail). 30 years ago, if someone like alan
presented the C1, the tendency would have been to be less sceptical.
My point.... is there have been valid points on both sides-the're just
different perspectives of a greater whole-not who's "right" or "wrong".
I hope you stay on this bbs alan! It's impressive how you and c7sus
have a mutual respect. Things tend to wind down with time.

alan, you know the guys at Jim's Music (very cool). They let me test one
at the store before I bought it and it sounded great! Sounded warm on
mid's and low's, nice transparency on the "top" of my voice (and Mike & Tom's)
They told me how much they're impressed too with the mike and
how you're an "on the level" guy. Very trustworthy store too, a galaxy
away from Guitar Center.
 
personally, my ethics are such that I'd buy a mic from a person if I thought their worst attribute was only being a jerk. Doesn't effect my music, nor do I really care about putting money in their pocket, IF I got a product in exchange I was happy with. As it turns out, everyone knows there are a lot of *GREAT* mics out there available to buy...many less than the C1 in cost too. So...to me, it doens't make the C1 especially stand out....at least at this point. The Marshall 2001 was *supposed* to be a great mic...along with the AKG3000, and others. Would I like to have it, if I wanted more variety in my mic locker...?....SURE. Do I think the name "Studio Projects" sounds stupid...without a doubt. Ya know, a Ford Pinto can travel at 55 mph, just like a Ferrari....Some people just have preferences in the way they "get there." I own a bunch of cheap mics, and a bunch of good mics. Same with guitars, keyboards, speakers....but never women!! I've got the best wife ya can get! Anyway...do I compare them amongst each other, and try to claim an all out winner?...Naw..I'd rather spend my time recording and writing music. Not try and polish a turd. Peace and turn up the monitors!!
 
I for one do appreciate Alan Hyatt for getting a C1 to me the first time I tracked with it I knew that I had to retrack all of my vocals on that mic. I wish he wasnt being unfairly beaten up in this thread, If some of you sceptics could do a comparison yourselves you will see that you can belive the results of this shootout.

I now have the best mic I ever tried to sing through thanks to him so do yourselves a favor and get this mic. TODAY!!!
 
Well, i agree that Alan's sales tactics are a bit like a salesman on steroids. But if i had the bucks (even $299 or $250 whichever it is would be over my budget right now) i would probably buy the mic. It's nearly $2000 cheaper than the U87. If you do decide to GIVE one away, i would be glad to test it! ;)

t
 
Here endeth this thread.....for me at least.

I never set out to run "scientific" tests on these mics AND I HAVE NEVER CLAIMED THAT.
What was done didn't justify a 10 page summary with 27 8X10 colour glossy photographs with circles and arrows explainin' what each one was. (Apologies to Arlo).
So many of you that have commented have either mistakenly or deliberately, misinterpreted or misunderstood what I have said. SO BE IT. Frankly I dont give a rat's arse any more, because it is obvious that even if some of you were presented with a genuine scientific report on these mics you would still take exception to it.

To those who have experienced the C1, you will know what I meant.
To those who haven't but wanted to "discuss or argue" the point..........TOUGH.

Peace.............ChrisO :cool:
 
yes, I am quite accustomed to getting slammed on this forum, and it's all in good fun when it comes from a fellow home recordist. but i think it is absolutely inappropriate to be blasted and demeaned by a person who's trying to sell me stuff. that's why I don't shop at guitar center anymore. sorry alan (+ his apologists), but the real world customers who get treated that way don't buy, cancel orders, or never come back.
 
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