anyone try Audio Tech AE5100

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bcruston

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I was a 2nd engineer in Chicago (in the Streeterville area) for 4 or so years in the early 90s but have left the field and not kept up with all the developments. I'm helping some people at my current work pick out a system to record their daughters,, all acoustic instruments (piano, cello, violin, and guitar).

I'm recommending the Mackie Spike USB,, because for the money Mackie's mic pre's rock. For the mic I'm lost I still like the SM57 because they're just reliable and versatile. But for the step up I was thinking the SM81, but to be thorough I browsed and found this AT AE5100.

I find the AE5100 intriguing because of the large diaphragm, but don't like the electret (probably misnomer) the fixed charge plate instead of a "real" condenser mic. Has anyone tried this???

I've always found the SM81 slightly deficient in the low end,, so something like the AKG414 would be ideal, but I'm not letting them spoil their children like that.

And sorry I've seen the fans out there but I just will never trust a Rode or MXL.
 
Yea, the 5100 is a medium-diaphragm condenser, from what I understand. And while I'm not sure about it as a vocal mic, it's a really outstanding instrument mic for the money. Way, way under-rated and under-appreciated.
 
Nice instrument mic. I have one. Nothing wrong with electrets if they are made well and the AT is well made. I think they are very nice for the money. Seem pretty durable. Another possibility is the AT-4041 SD condensor. Also an electret. I think you can still get these for @$179 at 8th Street Music. Another very decent, but not too expensive instrument mic. IMHO either would be better than the SM81.
 
By the way, you didn't actually work 'at' Steeterville Studio, did you?

Just curious.
 
yes,,, I did work for the Dolan brothers,,,

the other studio one in Streeterville is CRC of course, which I've been in a couple of times but didn't work there. Do you know some of the people there?? I went to DePaul, and landed a job there after I graduated.
 
Oh yea, I know a few folks at CRC. Chris Sheppard is running things over there now -- which was a wise move on their part -- and I see him along with a few others from time to time.
 
Nice, glad to hear CRC is keeping it together. I'm a good 10 years removed now from the studio days,, spent some time in a ska band (while in grad school but managed to tour 8 western states) and somehow still turned into a scientist along the way.

Thanks for the info on the 5100, I also asked one old classmate now down in Texas to try and demo it for me but I think I'll probably steer the folks at work towards it. I don't really think they'll be doing any vocals. Just get a pair of these (too bad no matched pairs) and I'll show them the XY mic pattern, and away they go.
 
I imagine the Science gig pays a little better, no? :D Good to hear your career has taken a positive turn. I was over at CRC not long ago, and the Black Eyed Peas had most of the rooms rented out. They just built some new Audio Post suites where they're doing some major sound design work for the local ad agencies ... and they've been doing a lot of the ADR work for the Prison Break TV Series they're filming in Joliet, so they've certainly been diversifying and staying alive. It would be a shame if they weren't; they might be the last truly great recording studio in Chicago.
 
CRC was always nice, I woulda liked to put some time in over there.

Streeterville wasn't awful though ( I also put in time at SeaGrape and Trackwork Orange ),,, but I kinda screwed up my gig there -- if you know Brian Jensen he can fill you in on all the bad details.

And yeah,,, now it's pretty low pressure and stable wage,, and I've managed to buy a few toys along the way.

thanks again,,,,
 
Guess you've already found out what you wanted but...I have an AE5100.

Holy crap.

I bought one like 2 years ago and never took it out of the box. Yeah...I dunno.

So yesterday I'm bored...noodling around and I decide to set up the AE5100 on my drums. One mic, positioned just to the right of my right shoulder and at ear-level...pointed slightly downward and sorta focused on an area just above my right knee...splitting the difference between rack toms, snare, floor and kick.

Wow.

I'm not sure if I've ever recorded a better sound coming from my drums.

This is without experimentation or tuning...just picked a spot that seemed to make sense, guessed on the levels, and hit record.

Fuck me.

Worth every penny.
 
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