homestudioguy
Well-known member
Studio Projects C3 LDC for horn recording!!!
I just recorded my 42LTG Bach Stradivarius Trombone with my Studio Projects C3 large diaphragm condensor mic in a quicky mic test and am very surprised and pleased!
To start with, the 42LTG is a large bore symphony model t-bone with a gold brass bell that provides a bit of a darker tone as compared to the small to medium bore jazz t-bones or student model t-bones.
The Studio Projects C3 provides for cardioid, figure 8 and omni patterns as well as having a 10dB pad, all for a current $269 street price. It includes a nice aluminum case, a good working shock-mount and a foam windscreen.
I ran the C3 through an ART GOLD MPA pre-amp along with the ART PRO VLA Compressor/Limiter. The MPA input gain worked best at about 11 o:clock with the output gain at about 3-4 o:clock for a clean, low on the tube effect, type of sound. This was without adding the extra 20dB gain available via the MPA’s gain switch. The VLA threshold was at –10 with a 2:1 compression ratio. The MPA meter level was running just under 0dB with the +4dB meter reference “in”.
The Studio Projects C3 mic was set in the cardioid position with the 10dB pad on and I used a popper stopper with the t-bone bell about 18 inches back from the mic pointing down about 15 degrees from straight on.
I was very surprised as it provided a nice full and bright sound but not overly bright. The sound level sounded fairly even throughout all registers played (pedal B-flat through high B-flat on the t-bone which is about 2 octaves below middle C through 1 octave above middle C on the piano).
There was no distortion or overdrive of the diaphragm/mic and the overall sound was very acceptable from my vantage point listening via Sennheiser HD280-pro headphones and Alesis Monitor One Studio Monitors using a Yamaha AW16G digital recorder.
Of course, this is not the “preferred” Royer or Coles ribbon mic or a Neuman U17/27/37/47/57/67/87, but for someone looking to spend somewhere in the range of $250-$300 for a large diaphragm mic, this might be one for a trombonist (or even a French Horn or baritone/euphonium player?) to take on a test drive (or a studio owner looking for a low-cost condensor mic for horns.)
Bob G.
PS-Even though I've been playing t-bone since 1963, it doesnt make me a microphone expert (nor a t-bone expert) but I thought I'd give this a try since my horn was sitting in the case in the corner collecting dust and needing some attention. A pretty neat surprise!!!
I just recorded my 42LTG Bach Stradivarius Trombone with my Studio Projects C3 large diaphragm condensor mic in a quicky mic test and am very surprised and pleased!
To start with, the 42LTG is a large bore symphony model t-bone with a gold brass bell that provides a bit of a darker tone as compared to the small to medium bore jazz t-bones or student model t-bones.
The Studio Projects C3 provides for cardioid, figure 8 and omni patterns as well as having a 10dB pad, all for a current $269 street price. It includes a nice aluminum case, a good working shock-mount and a foam windscreen.
I ran the C3 through an ART GOLD MPA pre-amp along with the ART PRO VLA Compressor/Limiter. The MPA input gain worked best at about 11 o:clock with the output gain at about 3-4 o:clock for a clean, low on the tube effect, type of sound. This was without adding the extra 20dB gain available via the MPA’s gain switch. The VLA threshold was at –10 with a 2:1 compression ratio. The MPA meter level was running just under 0dB with the +4dB meter reference “in”.
The Studio Projects C3 mic was set in the cardioid position with the 10dB pad on and I used a popper stopper with the t-bone bell about 18 inches back from the mic pointing down about 15 degrees from straight on.
I was very surprised as it provided a nice full and bright sound but not overly bright. The sound level sounded fairly even throughout all registers played (pedal B-flat through high B-flat on the t-bone which is about 2 octaves below middle C through 1 octave above middle C on the piano).
There was no distortion or overdrive of the diaphragm/mic and the overall sound was very acceptable from my vantage point listening via Sennheiser HD280-pro headphones and Alesis Monitor One Studio Monitors using a Yamaha AW16G digital recorder.
Of course, this is not the “preferred” Royer or Coles ribbon mic or a Neuman U17/27/37/47/57/67/87, but for someone looking to spend somewhere in the range of $250-$300 for a large diaphragm mic, this might be one for a trombonist (or even a French Horn or baritone/euphonium player?) to take on a test drive (or a studio owner looking for a low-cost condensor mic for horns.)
Bob G.
PS-Even though I've been playing t-bone since 1963, it doesnt make me a microphone expert (nor a t-bone expert) but I thought I'd give this a try since my horn was sitting in the case in the corner collecting dust and needing some attention. A pretty neat surprise!!!
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