Difference in Studio Projects "C" and "B" series

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JimmyT

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Alan, are you out there? I noticed the retail price on the B series is substantially less. Is it essentially the same mic with a price drop? The reason I'm wondering is that I'm presently auditioning a C3, and plan to purchase it. But I'd rather get the B3 for much less if it's the same.
 
I'm going to leave a message in here for Alan or any other SP afficianados. I was totally beyond a shadow of a doubt sold on a Rode NT2 or NTK. Well, now I am going to do some serious auditioning of a C1...I just can't deny the reviews anymore.

My question is regarding the C1 and the C3...I am going to be using it *mainly* for vocal recording..almost completey. Will the actual quality of the C1 and C3 be the same? Just a difference in selectable patterns? Or does the C3 sound better?

I guess my question is, when i have a vocalist in the booth (who am I kidding...closet)..everything set up and positioned well - if I had the pattern of the C1 selected on the C3, will they be the same mic?

Alan - what do you see as the main advantages of the C3?

I think I am going to get a C1 regardless at the price....if I like it enough probably get a T3 before too long over an NTK. heh

-Wes
 
Let's see. Now I think Alan is honorable enough, and all, but if I were about to make a sale on a C3 and that person asked if my cheaper model of mic sounded the same...

I'd probably say something like "Well, the B model sounds fabulous (its a great value!), BUT the difference in the sound of the C3 will become apparent on your critical tracks." :D

Would I make a good salesman? ;)

I'm curious about the B series, too, though I highly doubt that they sound the same. Hard to make 2 mics sound the same and I wouldn't want my less expensive mics competing with my more expensive mics.

Chris
 
wes480 said:
My question is regarding the C1 and the C3...I am going to be using it *mainly* for vocal recording..almost completey. Will the actual quality of the C1 and C3 be the same? Just a difference in selectable patterns? Or does the C3 sound better?

-Wes

Wes,

The C3 is not quite the same. First it is a lower output gain mic, so you need to drive it a bit harder than the C1. The C3 is silker on the top end. It has a sheen that is close to a tube mic. I really like the C3 as a result of this smoothness and presence in its top end. The C1 is very good, but the C3 is much better.

The low end on the C3 is much less aparent over the C1, but it is there, full, solid, but not boomy. The C1 is not boomy either, but the bottom end is apparent because it is a big mic on the low end, and the high end which is why everyone likes it.

The patterns are a real plus and they give you much more control and flexibility. So if you can swing the extra bucks, the C3 is always my choice.

Alan Hyatt
 
The C1 can be boomy, especially if the singer is right up on it. But even at 6 inches away I end up cutting some bet 350-500. Especially after compressing with the ren comp .
 
interasante. alan - definately impressed by your customer service, thanks for the cd ;)
 
Chris Shaeffer said:
I'm curious about the B series, too, though I highly doubt that they sound the same. Hard to make 2 mics sound the same and I wouldn't want my less expensive mics competing with my more expensive mics.

Chris

Ok, the difference is the B Series uses a 3micron thickness capsule. Hi frequency is a little extended on the thinner materials. It is a new design and different from the C Series. We use the same quality components like WIMA caps and stuff. The bodies are not a dual cast alloy. They are a one peice unit that is easy to mass produce, and they are not engraved.

So, do they sound the same...no. Are they better? Hell, everyone's ears are different. We have had listeners at our demo rack and say they thought the B Series was better, but most agree the C Series is...as do I. The B Series is not as warm as the C Series, but the B Series is very good, its more like a cleaner sound, full but crisp...like a 414 type mic, but not as much high end. I think the 414's have way too much top end.

So, the reports will be in on the B Series soon enough when we start shipping them. Then you all will know what I know about them.

Alan Hyatt
 
B series aren't small diaphragm.........but SD's are in the pipline for the future ( I think Alan said somewhere that they are testing SD mics at the moment).

:cool:
 
alanhyatt said:

I really like the C3 as a result of this smoothness and presence in its top end. The C1 is very good, but the C3 is much better.

How "much better" can you get from "very good?"

:confused:
 
Dolemite, get the listening CD from Alan and you'll hear the difference!
My C1 does sound "very good", however the C3 and T3 have more
sonic definition.

P.S. Ju Sum, thanks for the tip on the EQ cut. Otherwise I have to stay
about 9"+ away.
 
Anytime, Chess.

I agree the C3 is a better mic but for $350 I would go for the NT2 or maybe the KSM32 bec you get enough of the basic C series sound with the C1. If you have the C1 I dont think its worth buying the C3 bec its just not dif enough. The NT2 and the KSM series is a dif planet altogeather. Im curious to see where the B series will figure into all this. Im excited to hear that its not as bottom heavy as the C series.
 
JuSum, shhh don't tell Alan-if and when another LD condenser mike is
added to my "collection", it'll probably be a different Studio Projects mike.
(Possibly down the road after a recording system upgrade)

My vocal quartet has a bass singer with world class tone and if I'd be
diving to grab the C1 over any other mike tried so far since it pulls the
low frequencies out so well. As yourself and many others here know,
simply backing off the mike will make it sound excellent on the higher
voiced tenor or soprano voices too.

What's cool about the other "C" mikes heard on the Studio Projects
listening CD is that they seem different enough to warrant getting several
different models without being overly concerned about sonic "duplication".
 
Please ignore the unnecessary "if" in my second paragraph above!
 
JuSumPilgrim said:
Anytime, Chess.

I agree the C3 is a better mic but for $350 I would go for the NT2 or maybe the KSM32

The NT2 was and still is made by 797 Audio, same factory where mine are made. The NT2 is a two pattern mic, but it also sounds similar to the C1. The difference is we voice the C1 to be bigger in the low end, and more on the mid and top end. The NT2 is a fine sounding mic, but for the money, the C3 is a better value, and the mid and upper end is quite good.
 
Alan, please stop comparing your mics to other manufacturers it's getting really annoying.

In this thread alone you've already put down the 414 (too bright in your opinion) and the NT2 (not as good value for money as your mics).

I think we all appreciate the sense of good customer service that you're showing by taking the time to reply to homerecorders' questions on your products. Talk about your mics all you want, its great to be able to get information straight from the designer of the mics.

Just stop comparing your product against other brands as its clearly not in your interest to be objective. Let homerecorders who don't have any financial ties to your company voice their opinions about how your products compare to others, ok? ;)

With all the positive feedback the C1 has been getting from the users on this BBS there is no need for you to put down your competitors!
 
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I like having you around Alan, I really do, but you are pushing the envelope a bit.
 
I like Alan too...i really do....i dont blame him one bit for what hes doing...hes a salesman and he's trying to sell his product.....

it is up to the Moderators to step in when a line is being crossed because that line is drawn by Dragon....we cant decide the line.....
 
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