C-4's First Impressions

  • Thread starter Thread starter Richard Monroe
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Richard Monroe

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First, let me say that I am relatively inexperienced as a tracking engineer, and I am techno-challenged, so you'll have to wait for some real gearheads for technobabble about silky high ends and presence, etc. I can only compare the C-4's to the mics I'm used to using.
My first pass was done on a Taylor 710CE as an X-Y pair backed off about 2 feet, running into an Avalon AD2022 straight into a Roland VS1824CD. That's all I've had time to do, as we are tracking vocal overdubs this weekend.
I can only compare the C-4's to the small diaphragm mics I'm used to, mainly a pair of Oktava MC012's from The Sound Room. The first thing I noticed was that the C-4's required more gain to achieve the same output, but the noise floor was lower at equivalent output. I guess this means the C-4's have lower output, but less self noise than the Oktavas.
The C-4's also seem much less susceptible to boom and pop than the Oktavas, and the frequency response seems much flatter. They sound more like a C414B-ULS than the Oktavas. My first impression is that the C-4's are clearly superior to the Oktavas as a guitar mic, but the midrange boost that makes the Oktavas work for some vocalists is not there, and I doubt very many people are going to want to use these for vocal mics. I found the bass cut unecessary for this application, and the mics seem generally brighter than the Oktavas.
Switching to spaced Omni, I was struck by how similar the C-4's sounded to my Behringer ECM8000's, but without the prominent self noise. I haven't had time to try these as spot on mics, but I'll get to that soon, and we'll be using them as drum overheads 05/23-05/26, and I'll post up my impressions. The case is the same one used for C-1/C-3. It's sturdy and more than adequate. The shock mounts do not make the grade, but I am assured by the folks from PMI that better replacements are forthcoming, and will be provided free of charge to anyone who has the originals.
I hope these ramblings are useful, but as I said, they're just the impressions of an end user with limited experience and technical expertise.-Richie
 
Hi Richard, thank you for your SP C4 review.

You say the SP C4 is brighter than the Oktava MC-012, so I'm wondering if the C4 is also brighter than the MXL603S or how about your C1... is the C4 brighter than your C1?
 
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Remember than the Oktava's are a bit darker anyway. Everyone describes them as darker than a Km184.

I'd really like to hear someone, with some Km184's as reference, make a comaparison. I think every manufacturer should just send me mics and I would be happy to compare and say.

Neumann sales reps and SP sales reps: Thats a hint!!

Beez
 
Well, I don't know, because I have not really used the C3 as a guitar mic or an overhead, It failed as a guiitar mic on the first pass. It zigs where my Taylor zags. In other words, it *doesn't * have flat response. For guitar, the only LD I use is C414B-ULS, and the C-4's seem equivalent in brightness to the C414-Richie
 
But the fundamental question is:

Do you like it? :confused:
 
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The answer, Mark7, is- I like the C4's an acoustic guitar, but I haven't used them as overheads yet.-Richie
 
And my second question is..

Can I claim Mark as my official HR BBS handle; seeing as how the original owner hasn't posted anything since 1999.

PLEASE

:rolleyes:
 
OK, We're tracking drums this weekend, and I got to use the C-4's as overheads, up against The Oktavas. My conclusion, for what it's worth, is that they are clearly different, but both desireable. Everything I said above about the C-4's hold true. They are flatter and quieter than the Oktavas. The difference between the C-4's and the Oktavas is like the difference between B-1 and C-1. I think I like the Oktavas better for heavy rock, but the C-4's shone on a jazz kit, and for a cut that really is a Texas two step. If you want a very clean sound with no hype, the C-4's are a clear winner. If you're doing metal, or haunting Celtic music, or blues, I would select the Oktavas. I'm very happy to have both options in the cabinet. I'm afraid I can't compare either one to KM184's, but I stand ready to do this anytime a rich benefactor sends me a pair... In my dreams.-Richie
 
Thanks for sharing your review. In another thread Alan said he thinks the new C414's are a "very bright" sounding mic. So after reading your C4 review and what Alan said... it looks like the new Studio Projects C4 is a very bright sounding mic. Did you end up keeping/using the C4's or MC-012's tracks for this weekends project? Richard, thanks again for the review. :)
 
Djl, the answer is both. My music is eclectic, and runs the gamut from Wilson Phillips to big hair metal- No shit.-Richie
 
DJL said:
Thanks for sharing your review. In another thread Alan said he thinks the new C414's are a "very bright" sounding mic. So after reading your C4 review and what Alan said... it looks like the new Studio Projects C4 is a very bright sounding mic. Did you end up keeping/using the C4's or MC-012's tracks for this weekends project? Richard, thanks again for the review. :)
Click to expand...

Actually, I said the 414TLII is a very bright mic. The C4's are not bright, not dull, and not hyped. They are pretty neutral and very accurate...IMHO

The OMNI's capsules act, well...like OMNI's, but the Cardioid's are quite nice, and in use very forgiving.
 
Alan, how are the "E" series going to be different?

Chris

P.S. Sorry my PM box was full, have since cleared some messages out.
 
alanhyatt said:
Actually, I said the 414TLII is a very bright mic. The C4's are not bright, not dull, and not hyped. They are pretty neutral and very accurate...IMHO

The OMNI's capsules act, well...like OMNI's, but the Cardioid's are quite nice, and in use very forgiving.
Click to expand...
Oops sorry, my mistake. So as far as the C4 brightness goes... what other Studio Projects mic would you compare it to... for example, is it brighter sounding than the C1, C3, B3, B1, or what... where does it sit (brightness wise) in relation to those SP mic's? Also is the C4 brighter than the MXL603S when in the cardioid pattern? Or are you saying it's flat like a shure SM81? Thanks.
 
Here I can make a comparison. The C-4's sound to me like the SD version of a B-1. Flat, neutral, clean, and quiet. If you're looking for a colored mic, this ain't it. It is, however, a very useful mic, and I'm quite happy with them.-Richie
 
Richie-It's a good thing, cause your old oktava's are doing it for me.


Brandon
 
I actually felt a deep sense of loss parting with those mics, and I have added a cheap (unmatched) pair of MC012's (bought them yesterday) to use for overheads on some material. We've compared the C-4's to the MC012's on a variety of sources, and I like them both for different stuff. I was doing a set of miniature wind chimes today, which we we retracking because I also captured a lovely recording of my percussionist's bowel sounds. The C-4's were great for that due to their low self noise, and their flat response. We did a bluegrass/Texas shuffle piece, and the C-4's were great overheads for that sound, very crisp and clean. We also did a classic blues tune and a heavy rock piece (think old Deep Purple), and the Oktavas were selected precisely for their not so flat frequency curve. They were very good for capturing "the big sound". Kind of like SP B-1 and C-1, both are adequate, but they complement each other very well. What doesn't sound so good on one sounds good on the other. Frist, let me know more about how they're working out for you, it's kind've like your ex-girlfriend, you sometimes wonder how she's doing.-Richie
 
Ritchie-

Well they're doing just fine. I tracked some sample drums just to check them out and directly compare them with the 603's that i was using before. They were exactly what i was looking for. The super extended high end of the 603's was what brought me to look for something else. The oktava's tamed the high end of the cymbals and helped the drums sit more naturally in the mix.

I haven't had a chance to do extensive testing as I will be away and on tour for the majority of the summer, but I will keep you updated.

Brandon
 
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