Bad Condenser element?

[supervillian]

Guys, newbie here, just trying to learn about recording. I got a couple good deals on mics on ebay, and lined them all up for a listening test last night.

Mics in question are two 4033s and one 4050. I tested them on a Vox ac30/Ricky 620 combo, and our female singer's voice -- she is a soul singer, kind of belts them out. Identical mic positioning and input chain, no pads or roll-offs used.

#1 4033 is fairly clear, bright, seems like it has a presence boost (like the top boost on a AC30), and has a strong signal into the preamp.

#2 4033 seems less trebly, and has hint of buzziness or grainyness in the highs (for lack of a better word). Not as hot into the preamp.

AT4050 is least hot into the preamp (markedly so!), has a rounder softer sound, and seems clearer and more natural. I liked this mic.

Anyway, 2 questions: Does the hint of buzziness in #2 4033 indicate something wrong with the condenser element? Secondly, is the 4050 usually that much lower in volume to an 4033?

Please advise! Thanks~

(PS. I also tested a MXL V69me and a Heil PR-40, and the whole band is arguing over which is the better mic for vocals, both sounded great)

 

[jake-owa]

I wouldn't worry about the 4050, that sounds like a 4050 to me. But if you could post a comparison of the two 4033s it would be easier to judge. I am assuming you are using the same channel of preamp and cable to test them or at least switching channels/cables to check your results.

If one 4033 os giving less volume I would say that is a real problem. Can you return it? If not I would think about sending it in to be repaired.

 

[supervillian]

Can't post it unfortunately....but the issue isn't so much the volume between the 4033s (although #1 is a little louder), but mainly the diffrence in sound -- that buzziness is wierd.

The source, cables, mic position, preamp all that stuff is identical. So what does a bad diaphragm or element sound like?

 

[mshilarious]

It sounds like a problem in the circuit, probably not the capsule. Either way, you will need it repaired.