How Important is it to Match SDC Mics (specifically CEMC6's)

[shawntp]

Hey folks. I bought a single Peluslo CEMC6 from SoundPure for $285 to record acoustic guitar with along with a Neuman TLM103 LDC.

I am thinking of adding a second CEMC6 at some point but am not sure if its worth the extra $50 fee to get it matched. I use these in a home recording hobby studio.

I emailed Peluso and got this reponse: "All of these microphones are within 2 db of each other and this is mostly a level difference so any 2 should work nicely if the levels are matched."

I also emailed SoundPure and their response when asked about matched vs unmatched was: "2dB of attenuation is virtually unnoticeable, so I think either way you are in good shape!"

I wanted to get some opinions of other on this forum. It would be nice if I could do the cash discount via money order when getting my second mic and get it for $270-ish rather than pay for the mic and matching. I am wondering if its really that big a deal to not match them. I know others like SM81 are not matched and considered to be close enough in Shures tolerences ...not sure how CEMC6's compare and I really don't have enough stereo experience to know what the said level difference sounds/feels like.

 

[xstatic]

Sounds to me like you will be OK just buying any 2. Especially if the manufacturer themselves say so

 

[sound125]

So how do you like the Peluso? Is the frequency response flat or slightly hyped on top?

 

[pohaku]

Some manufacturers, like Neumann and AT, don't even sell matched mics. They say their manufacturing tolerances are tight enough that it isn't necessary. Sounds like both the manufacturer and the vendor are essentially telling you the same thing. Can you return or exchange a mic once you buy it and try it out with your other mic? If you can, then you probably should just buy one and see how it sounds compared to your existing mic. If you don't like it send it back.

 

[shawntp]

So how do you like the Peluso? Is the frequency response flat or slightly hyped on top?

I can't quite comment on the freq. but I can say on my acoustic guitar its the most natural sounding mic I have used on it. I tried dynamic/LDC/and cheaper SDC's. This is the first mic to to my ears that sounds exactly like my live guitar. It captures perfectly ...detailed and smoothed an represents the guitar in a way that keeps me excited about my work every time I listen to a take.