Defective Studio Projets C1s?

[ozraves]

I'd give Alan/Studio Projects or Sweetwater a chance before switching to something else. I know you feel all bummed out but the C1 is truly a nice mic.

And, I've used this with the Audio Buddy. It should sound fine with this pre.

Oz
www.piemusic.com

 

[dres]

Hi, I've been watching this forum for a while but I don't usually reply... however this time I felt compelled to say something.

Last weekend I borrowed a C3 to test. This mic has 2 three position switches, however because the case was not alligned with the internals only 2 of the positions could be selected on either switch..... clearly a manufacturing fault that should never have left the factory.

I did like the sound of the mic however and I can see why the C1 is so popular. I only borrowed the mic for review so I've no idea what the warranty service is like.

Yam your not going crazy. There are other defective Studio Projects Mics in circulation. Don't give up though, they are a great sounding mic... get yours replaced if you haven't already.

 

[ausrock]

Dres,

In regard to your PM...........try Music lab in Melbourne.........www.musiclab.net.au

You are in Adelaide, so I presume the owner of the C3 is to...........have them contact Mick Wordley at Mixmasters Productions in Adelaide, as they are the Australian distributors for Studio Projects mics.........I'm sure, if that switch misalignment is a manufacturing fault it will be rectified. If not, please let me know.

I also suggest you speak to Mick about the SP range yourself before making a purchase.

 

[ausrock]

Actually dres, that begs the question, why if that C3 has been like that since new, hasn't the owner done something about it by now...............if however, the mic has been dropped, bumped or whatever then that could explain it, although Alan Hyatt seems to be prepared to replace faulty mics under the most circumstances, regardless of the cause of a problem.

 

[dres]

ausrock ... yes the SP's were kindly donated by Mick for me to try on the weekend. I've informed him about the fault by email, also tried to call.... I assume he didn't notice it. There were no signs the mic was dropped or damaged in anyway.

 

[Randy Yell]

I really think that you must have got a defective mic as even my piece of shit Marshall 2001p sounds better than a dynamic on acoustic for the most part.I'm not familiar with the Core condenser mic that you speak of and their phantom power requirment but could it be possible that your Audio Buddy phantom supply is broken?I'm not dissing the Buddy,I have one and I love the little dude but if your Core mics are battery powered or something maybe the power supply in the Buddy is busted.Or even stupider question,what about your mic cable,could it be broken?A cable might work ok on a dynamic or battery powered mic but may not carry the phantom power to the mic.

If I were you,I would try a couple different cables AND another phantom power supply,if the sound quality does not improve, than e-mail Alan and he will take care of you I'm sure.I've heard samples from this mic and an Audio Buddy that sounded quite nice so you should be able to get good results from that signal chain.I'm a little confused by your description of the sound,first you say muddy and then you say how harsh it sounds,almost a contradiction to my way of thinking.If you want to hear a harsh mic,I'll sell you my Marshall 2001p,it should be a reference mic for a harsh sounding mic.

 

[David Artis]

Yam,

Do as everyone has suggested. Contact Alan Hyatt or Sweetwater.

I am lucky enough to own a lot of mics (20+ years recording and going) and have the C1 in my arsenal.

I never tell clients what I am putting up for their test but 70% of the time it will get choosen over a more expensive condenser.

They are definitely good bang for the buck. Give it another try.

David Artis
Blue Heron Recording

 

[Yam]

Sweetwater is sending me a second C-1 to do an A/B test, so I'll know for sure in a few days. They are even providing the fee for return shipping. Good people! There a great company to work with. I'm really hoping that this second C-1 is a good mic... maybe save me a few hundred $.

 

[Markd102]

Good stuff. Let us know how you get on.

Mark

 

[Buffalo Bob]

I received my new C1 last week. I recorded acoustic guitar, vocals, lead, recorder and tamborine. Incredible! Granted, my mic experience is limited to 57's and 58's, and more recently, an AKG C3000- but the difference between the C3000 and the C1 is impressive. I am only using a little MD4, and the EQ on it sucks big-time. No problem. The C1 didn't need any EQ. For the first time I could get the sound I wanted by positioning instead of EQ.
Kudos to Mr. Hyatt and SP, and thanks to all here who recommended the mic, especially Mr. Gerst.
The wife said I care more about the new mic than I do about her.
Well..........DUH!!!!




Bob

 

[alanhyatt]

Sorry for chiming in, but this was more important to me than staying away.

Please understand, every now and then a couple mics get by as we no longer have to check every C Series we get because the quality has been great. I do not want to tell here how many we have sold...it is best to keep the competition at bay, but it has been a good deal, and the amount of faulty ones amount to well under .025%, so this is so far under standard it is not worth mentioning.

What is worth mentioning is that like always, I will stand behind every microphone we sell...no questions asked. If one gets by and there is a problem, we will fix or replace it. Most of you know how important my service is to me and my customers.

Anyway, I am only here to respond and clarify this as I do not like anyone out there having a problem, so I chimed in.

Alan Hyatt
PMI Audio Group

 

[Retro]

Good to see you back, Alan.

 

[Markd102]

Here here

 

[tdawgodopolus]

Hey YAM.

I posted a clip of a vocal track that that I recorded with a C1 last week Tuesday.

There is just the dry, dumped to digital track. The pre-amp was a Presonus MP20 and the recording medium was a Samsung VHS tape in the vocalist's bedroom. It was dumped to digital into Cubase and exported dry from there. It is MP3 compressed, but it's a mono track at 160 kbs (if it was stereo, it would be 320 kbs). Both the "Smart Frequency Reduction" and the "Filter Frequencies below 10k" were turned off.

I will admit this: the C1 isn't for all voices. The C1 isn't the first choice for my voice (I still prefer an SM57 for my vocals), but the vocal results normally don't end up horrible.

Keep us posted on the new C1 to see if it was a fluke.

 

[Yam]

YEAH!

I just tested the replacement mic from Sweetwater, and it sounds great. Very very different sounding... the tones that were missing have magicaly apeared when I change channels to the new mic, and the harshness of treble has turned into a nice shine that stikes me very well... The difference seemed subtle at first, but with the headphones or monitors on for a few minutes it becomes very obvious that there was something very off with the first mic. I haven't tested it on my voice yet (it's late here now and everyone is sleeping), but it sounds very full and right on guitar. It's still has a lot of treble, but everything has cleaned up and I believe I have a fine mic on my hands. Thanks for putting up with my bitching and getting me to try a second one... it sounds really great!

 

[Markd102]

 

[darrin_h2000]

Welcome Alan.

We certainly hope to see more posts from you in the future.

I have had more great sounding tracks with my C1 than with all my other mics combined.

 

[jimistone]

"Anyway, I am only here to respond and clarify this as I do not like anyone out there having a problem, so I chimed in.

Alan Hyatt
PMI Audio Group"

as far as I am concerned your presence is welcome alan. I think I speak for the majority. don't let 2 or 3 people run you off.

peace

 

[ausrock]

Jimi,

Don't hold your breath............it appears some people take the right to freedom of speech as a God given right to harass anyone who doesn't "perform" within certain boundaries............they tend to forget that freedom of speech should go both ways.