Informal Mic Shootout

[bubbagump]

I also think I would have been better off using EQ to make each mic sound as best as it could to the source.

Likely a bad idea as you want all things equal in a test like this. EQ would just give us a false sense of each mic. It is like if you gave professional taste testers a bottle of ketchup to go with everything they tasted. I have to agree with the above... the 414 was the best to my ear with the 4040 coming in second. That cheapo sounded pretty reasonable soloed, but in a mix I think it would be very kludgy.

 

[tango]

Mic1 - Unaturally bright. Initially sounded harsh but less obvious as my ears adjusted to it.

Mic2 - Bright and slightly sibilant. Midrange emphasised at expense of lows?

Mic3 - Dull.

Mic4 - sibilant.

Mic5 - Lows good but in-your-face sibilant.

Mic6 - Quiet but reasonably balanced.

Mic7 - Nicely balanced

Mic8 - Sibilant & distorted.

 

[Robert D]

Good job on the consistancy of the performance for each take, something they did a bad job of in the listening sessions and so important for these things to be meaningfull. Levels could be matched better though, also quite important. Thanks for posting it. In my quick listen at work, the 4040 was the most pleasant to listen to.