cheap mikes vs U87 , recording test ( mp3 )

[danshi]

I hope this can help somebody to choose cheap mics .

I test some mics , record all mics at the same time . look :

mics pic 1

mics pic 2

mics pic 3

So the source voice is absolute the same .

The mics I want to test , are from FEILO , well known as SE 1100 , SE 3600 , SE5500 , SE Z-1100 , Z-5600 , ADK GT-2

I use Neumann U87 Ai as the reference mic . So you can hear what's the different between them .

1st , I record Neumann U87 Ai , FEILO(SE) 1100 , Z-1100 , 5500 at the same time . these are the mp3 files :

U87 , 1100 , Z-1100 , 5500

preamp = RME Quadmic ( same gain settings )
soundcard = RME 9632 + AI4S192
Samplitude 7.22 ( no effets , just different volume )

2nd , I record Neumann U87 Ai , FEILO(SE) 3600 , Z-5600 (ADK GT-2 ?) . these are the mp3 files :

U87 , 3600 , Z-5600

note , after recording , I set different volume in the software . U87 is louder than the others .

 

[chessrock]

Those are some nice tests.

Wish I could hear them at something higher than 64 kb/sec.

But nice, nonetheless. Thanks for sharing.

 

[danshi]

because these mp3 are mono , so I use 64k/s

64k/s mono = 128k/s stereo , I think this is enough

 

[Gidge]

because these mp3 are mono , so I use 64k/s

64k/s mono = 128k/s stereo , I think this is enough

you serious?

 

[arcanemethods]

because these mp3 are mono , so I use 64k/s

64k/s mono = 128k/s stereo , I think this is enough

I strongly recommend that you recode those with Lame "--alt-preset insane" which will give you 320 kbps. For evaluating nuanced tests like this all detail possible is needed.


Bob

 

[noiseportrait]

Wow, great post. You can really hear the difference between the newman and the cheaper mics, but what always suprises me about theses type of tests is how good the cheap mics actually fair in comparison. The newman is obviously a better sounding mic, but $1500 better? I don't think so. I can see the necessity for owning a newman if you are running a proffesional recording studio competing in an industry that demands the highest quality audio, and having a budget that can cover such things. But this really shows how silly it is to be a home recordist lusting over such things. It shows that they really do make decent LCDs that are within the average person's price range and that your recordings can sound proffesional without having to sell your left nut for U87.

 

[danshi]

I strongly recommend that you recode those with Lame "--alt-preset insane" which will give you 320 kbps. For evaluating nuanced tests like this all detail possible is needed.


Bob

OK , I make them again , use VBR High Quality 190k/s mono ( better than 320k/s stereo ) .

I update the all mp3 just now ( now! ) . You can download them again .

 

[danshi]

BTW , this is the 1st recording waves graphic

 

[danshi]

2nd