B1 vs ECM8000 - Cheap overheads

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noisedude

noisedude

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I'm constructing my list of things to buy with my next lump of student finance ... Cubase SX and some monitors are already on the list, but if I'm gonna be broke I should do it in style so:

I need a pair of overheads. Right now I have an SE Electronics SE2200 LDC, a C1000S, some e835 and e845 dynamics, and if the ebay guy hasn't scammed me a Beyer Soundstar MII.

My options are:
- another C1000S, um, cross that one off!
- A pair of Behringer ECM8000s
- A pair of SP B1s

The Oktavas aren't cheap here and there's nothing else really in the price range.

Harvey and others have had good results with the Behringers, they would be £80 for two. The SP B1s might give me other options for acoustics etc, and would be about £130 for the pair.

Thoughts?
 
For cheap budget LDC overhead mics... you may want to add the Oktava MC-319 to your list of mics to checkout... and for cheap SDC overheads mics you may want to checkout the Behringer B5.
 
as i said, Oktavas aren't cheap. it would be more than £260 for a pair.
 
The Behringers might be too noisy for you...of course, that depends on so many things like room, music style, other pplications you want... I personally couldn't deal with them and sent them packing.

Those MXL1006s are pretty cheap these days, and they actually make very decent overheads...might even get 100 USD for the pair...of course, I don't know about the UK pricing...

And those SPs are certainly worth trying.
 
Specifically refering to the two mics you mentioned..........

A lot of people have had issues with the ECM8000's self noise although Harvey has said that his are acceptably quiet, as are the pair I have..........I really have to have the console's gain near max before I have a problem. I have also had good results on some, but not all, acoustics with them.

That being said, I wouldn't expect to be so lucky if I were to buy another pair, which I'm not. :)

B1's.........I haven't used them as o/heads to any great degree, but if I hadn't got myself a pair of Oktava 012's I would be using the B1's in preference to my MXL-603's as o/heads. Regardless, the B1 is likely to be far more versatile in the studio than the Behringers.

I would suggest you either try mics out in the store before you purchase OR only deal with someone who has a return policy so that you have you arse covered if you aren't satisfied when you get the mics home, this especially applies to the ECM's.



:cool:
 
None of the stores carry Oktava, SP, MXL or anything like that. I can only locate one or two MXL mics on the net and they're way overpriced. A couple of net suppliers hold SP for good prices, but Oktavas seem silly money to me, considering what else you could have for their price.

SP B1s it is, then. I guess I was going to have to get one at some point anyway ... ! The problem will be trying to get a pair when I can only order over the net.

You guys have it way better over there!
 
I don't wanna start a flame war, but if I was to ask for two B1s with the same coloured sticker on the box, would that increase my chances of getting a similar pair????
 
i'd give some props to the mxl 603s, pretty cheap, and i'm lovin them - acoustics and overheads.
 
B! and 603s

On the 603's:
I've experienced what a couple of reviews have reported about these mics: For some cymbals, they can sound very, very bright/harsh, while for others, they are just the ticket and sound great. Keep that in mind if you order before trying them out. Even though my drum kit does not jive with the 603 - I ALWAYS find other uses for them..definetly a great buy.

On the B1's: Dot reccommended these in a past thread i had about my 603/overhead issue. I got the B1, and found he was right - they worked for overhead use quite nicely - not too bright, not to dark, and good cymbal detail.

When the 603s are matched properly to the source, i prefer the sound they give. When i "have" to use the B1, I dont have anything to complain about...very useable.

Hope that helps,

T
 
Digital Village isn't too bad for Oktava's. Mk-012 is £90, dunno if thats your kinda price range. B1's would do a nice job though.
 
thanks CanopuS, i checked DV first. they're about two hundred for a pair but i wonder if the B1s may be a more versatile buy for less money....?
 
yeah thanks Mark i did know (but usually i know nothing, so thanks anyway!), i keep getting tempted by that preamp of theirs for a hundred quid, but i need to hang on for more important things! like rent!

i reckon it's gonna be a pair of B1s next time my student loan arrives.
 
Turnkey carries the ADK SC-1 for only £50.

You could spend the other £26 on food, fags or beer :D
 
Sensible choice. You'll find they'll work in many situations :)
 
shouldn't you both be in bed? especially you, CanopuS!:eek:

Mark, is that AKD any good though? I already gave up smoking for my music/gear, maybe takeaways is next. Noooooo! Seriously though, man, if I stopped eating McDonalds I'd probably save a tonne anyway, and that could go towards more clutter for my bedroom! yeay!
 
Haha I guess, but its the holidays :D Whats the point in having weeks off if you cant stay up way too late and wake up at midday? :) And yourself? :P
 
Takeaways!?

Jesus. What's your food bill like!? :eek:

I haven't had the chance to use one myself, but the last person whose attention I drew to it seemed happy enough. It (or the newer SC-2, which has 3 position pad and EQ switches) is definitely on my list of stuff to get when I'm less poor.

Here's a review

I think he may be talking about me.
 
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