Behringer B5 condenser

[SMX_Dizzy]

Is this a good condenser? I need 2 relatively cheap pencil condensers for micing my drum set, and I came across this. The reviews were good, and it's only $90 on zzounds w/ the clip and windscreen. Any other suggestions around $90 or so?

 

[Paj]

B5 comments

(1) Tone is OK and not especialy hyped in the high end.

(2) Not the strongest signal that you'll get from a condenser mic.

(3) Useful options (pad, filter, omni/cardoid capsules)

(4) Works nice on snare and Leslie cabinets, OK on overheads, needs (preamp) help for distance miking.

(5) They're far from and not SP C4's. I'd really say that the difference in price between a pair of SP C4's and Behri B5's would really justify going for the C4's instead. I don't think that you'll ever regret it.

(6) One of the pair of B5's I bought was defective---very weak signal output. Oddly enough, when I normalized the recorded signal for this defective mic it sounded good and matched the other B5. Fortunate, but strange.

(7) An MXL47 shockmount works well with them but so does the inexpensive HM-32 alternative:

http://www.superlux.us/smalldiaphragm.html



Good luck,
Paj
8^)

 

[Janesaid2me]

I was soooo close to buying these mics because i was in the same situation that you are in....just so happened that when i was at guitar center they had mxl 603s on sale for 49 dollars a piece...thats right...so i got two for the price of 1 basically...and im pretty sure that they would sound wayyy better then those behringers....check out ebay....ive seen 603s on there before for a good price....just a thought.

 

[Paj]

Ditto

Ditto what Janesaid2me said, and add the Octava MK012's to the list if you'reat a GC. What a great price for new 603s!

Definitely, if you can do without the pad and the Omni pattern, go for the 603 or MK012 at the $100 (or less) price point. Mk012 comes with a 10dB pad.

For that matter, the GC MXL recording pack ($100) has a 990 (good for duplicating that classic stuck-in-a-cereal-box sound) and a 991 (very, very, very much like a 603).

If "pencil condenser" is not an absolute requirement, you also have some good-sounding LDC options at the $100 price point.

Paj
8^)

 

[junplugged]

I never am lucky enough to find these CG sales people get. 2 603s for a buck is a great deal, I have 2 in the form of the 991's but I'd still jump on 2 more for cheap.

I have only one B5 and I didn't like it as much on directional as the 991 or mk. I'd check the mk012 before buying since manufacturing location has changed.

But I do like b5 on omni, tho.

 

[kokhon]

I have two pairs of B5 and i use it as drums overhead and for the choir at my church. So far no problems, the output was quite high. Sound it crystal clear, picking up the sound that I need. I yet to try the ommi pattern but I don't think I need it. Had it for a year already.