About the Studio Project C1 mic

  • Thread starter Thread starter Shakuan
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Shakuan

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I'm looking for a cheap and great microphone for main purpose in a mini recording studio. I read some reviews on the net about the Studio Project C1 microphone and it says it's the best mic ever for the price. They compare it to the U-87 Neumann which isnt cheap at all. In other terms, it's weird to read things like: "the C1 mic (300$) is so close to the U-87 (2000$+) you won't even see the difference!"

So I wanted to ask if the C1 mic is that good or if it's only reviews by some Studio Project employees...

I'm really aiming toward that C1 mic so if you guys have comments about the mic, I'd like to know before buying! Thanks!

http://www.studioprojectsusa.com/c1specs.html
 
Shakuan, shortly my Studio Projects C1 microphone will be put up for sale
via the "for sale" forum in this bbs. It would probably be more appropriate
to leave further details such as price, terms, and the reason for selling it
there-so that's what I'll do. You're welcome to ask me any questions
on the thread too. It is a fine sounding microphone though.

Chris

P.S. Those reviews you referenced were from third parties-not Studio
Projects affiliates BTW.
Also, welcome to this bbs we have a lot of fun here!
 
Shakuan said:
"the C1 mic (300$) is so close to the U-87 (2000$+) you won't even see the difference!"
Click to expand...

Fortunately or unfortunately, most of us would be more excited if you couldn't HEAR the difference. :rolleyes:
 
hmmm from the replies I got, the C1 doesnt seem great :\

/me goes back to "find the ultimate 300-400$ mic" quest...
 
I'm still happy with my two C-1's and reccomend them highly and they are my usual mic of choice. That said, it's still nice to have other options.
 
Shakuan, if I were "dead set" on spending $300-$400, the
Studio Projects C3 would be my first choice FWIW, as it has
multiple pattern modes. As you know, the best way to determine
whether a microphone is "best" (whatever that means!) is to
try it out after you get it. As long as you treat a microphone well,
like the one I have for sale, you should be able to re-sell it for
at least what you paid for it.

IMHO, Rip's review of the C1 at www.prorec.com is quite good BTW.

Chris
 
Shakuan, I don't think people were dogging the mike, just pointing out that someone saying you couldn't "see" the difference is kinda a funny thing to say since it is the "sound" that is important. :p

There are a few mikes in that price range that are all very comparable.

That being said, I bought a C-1. After two days or playing with it I was back and I bought another one. They are my personal favorite for several applications and I recommend them (for all that's worth).

If you can go more $ then I'd consider what chessparov is saying and at least look at the C-3. I have not used it personally but it seems to have a great rep and it would appear from what people have said it is worth the extra money to have the versitility that it offers.
 
Shakuan,
I love my C1. (And I have one of the "originals" that lacks the -10dB pad and low-end rolloff switches.)

It is a very nice mic for the money. (~$230)

Queue
 
I havent heard the C1 but I AM considering a C3. I figure if you are going to buy a C1, you might as well spend the extra 100 bucks or whatever it is and get more versatility. I also may be wrong in telling you that I heard the C3 is a "bit" better sounding than the C1....of course, this is hearsay.

That said, the AT4033 is a SWEET and versitile mic. 200 used, 300 new, covers your ass all over the place. I liked it so much I bought a second.

One thing about the C series is that Alan is VERY cool in the customer service dept. Cant go wrong in that.....I believe you can get a sample CD from him as well.



heylow
 
Shakuan, no one is bashing C1. I use C3 and love it, except for the annoying fact that you cannot use the 10db pad and the bass rolloff simultaneously (it's a 3-way toggle switch). I think they're just pointing out that "great" mics aren't $300, more like $3000 (or more, up to about $10,000). But not to worry, you're in the same boat as most of us. I can't afford top-of-the-line mics either. I think C1 is a fine choice, and I think C3 is a better choice. Add to that a pair of Oktava MK012's and you're in business. I believe these are among the best mics in your price range. Best of luck. BTW- While great mics may not be $300, many great recordings have been made with $300 mics (or less) by great engineers. Stick around, you've come to one of the right places.-Richie
 
Re: Re: About the Studio Project C1 mic

littledog said:
Fortunately or unfortunately, most of us would be more excited if you couldn't HEAR the difference. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I'd be willing to bet that the C1 and U87 both SMELL exactly the same, too! :D
 
Hm... http://www.studioprojectsusa.com/studioprojectsline.html

The C3 is 500$ and the C1 is only 300$... I'm not gonna record while playing multiple instruments and it'll be in a very quiet and isolated room so having multiple paterns would be useless I guess, right? What I understand about paterns is that you can choose if the mic takes more sound from the front, or the sides, or just rear and front like the 8-patern...

About the new line of mic from Studio Project... I just saw the TB1 at 400$... I was going for the C1 for 300$ but do you think I should spend the 100$ extra and get a TB1 instead?

I wanna use the mic for acoustic guitar, voice, overhead drum, and piano...

btw thanx for all the replies! this is my first thread ever (first day here too) and I'm having a great time!

I'm gonna check out the mics you suggest too! I wanna get a pair of C1 (or TB1) to record stereo and 1 or 2 other mics to get different sounds... + a 4 or 5 pieces mic kit for drum.

/me goes back to reading articles at sudiocovers.com :) I love this!
 
Shakuan,


Do you not live in the US or something? I ask because your prices are spec's a bit high!! First thing you gotta learn is the dif between list and street price!:D :D


http://www.macmidimusic.com/pmiproducts.html


Check it out. Hope it helps and if it were my dough, I think I'd stick to at least the C series. In the end you DO get what you pay for...I learned this the hard way myself over the last year or so....get the best you can afford, don't get too wrapped up in things that "seem" too good to be true as they usually are just that.

Read EVERYTHING you can get your hands on and keep at it!


heylow
 
I first tried out the C1 at Soundtreks Studios in KC next to a u87 and they both had a very close sound. Impressed the owner who bought 3 of them from the rep on the spot. So I bought one with them for a bargain price of 175.00. And everyone is still Impressed with it today.

It is Chinese made and some of the posters (one sounds like an augmented C Chord). Will Badmouth all Chinese mics while not having the benifit of hearing it, you sometimes will need to take that as tounge and cheek.

The C1 is worth consideration against any other vocal mic under $1000.00
 
Shakuan- Whoever's trying to sell you those mics for that price, don't do it. Check the link above for macmidimusic. And yes, mutiple polar patterns are very useful. For mic'ing multiple sources, that's exactly where omni and figure 8 polar patterns will become useful. All cardioid (directional) mics produce what is called "proximity effect" in varying degrees. As the sound source gets real close to the mic, low frequency output is increased. The bass rolloff option helps to compensate for this somewhat. Sometimes, though, because you want to isolate a sound, or just because you like one particular spot , you move the mic very close to the sound source. This is called close mic'ing. Often for this, the omnidirectional polar pattern is perfect, because it produces far less proximity effect. Really, though, C3 is a $350 mic, and C1 is more like $200-$250. Best of luck-Richie
 
I've been using a C1 for quite a while. I do have the U87 and other high end mics in my arsenal.

The C1 does stack up very well for the price.

I would certainly suggest it as one of the many mics you will eventually put in you cabinet.

David
 
Studio Projects

Thanks Guys! :D

Alan Hyatt
PMI Audio Group
 
Listen to what people are saying about those prices.

The C-1 LISTS at $300, but if you pay more than $230 your paying too much. You will discover that similar to the pricing of guitars, what a mike lists at and what it sells at are always two different numbers (unless it has "Radio Shack" printed on it somewhere :p).

Also, having more patterns on a mike makes it usable in more applications. You may only be recording one thing at a time, but you may find that certain mike patterns sound better for various instruments and voices. I have always found that more options is always better.
 
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