M-Audio

[gobblefisher]

I've been glaring at the Solaris to be used for a spaced omni configuration, or at the price, maybe even a decca tree...any comments? The whole "affordable matched pairs" deal has caught my eye...any other companies that are relatively consistent in the manufacturing?

 

[Massive Master]

All I can tell you is that I'm a BIG fan of the Solaris mics... I use them a lot for orchestral recordings. The sound is much bigger than the price. The 414's are collecting dust since I got that pair...

Actually, HERE'S A THREAD from the first time I used them.

I'm pretty sure the MP3's aren't up anymore, but the comments are.

 

[Sklathill]

The way Massive talks about the Solaris, I like to describe my CAD M179s. Love 'em. Have four of them, even. For stereo pairs, I call up CAD and ask for a pair to be shipped out to some distro near me. Stereo matching is something like 10% on top of the typical street price, and can be done throughout their line.

The Groove Tube mics used to do the whole golden reference mic thing as well, and are generally well regarded here.

 

[Sloan]

I've got those mp3's if anyone wants them emailed to them.
They sound really good!

 

[gobblefisher]

I'd love the mp3s...gobblefisher@yahoo.com

 

[oh_the_blood]

i would too

bassmentrocker@yahoo.com

 

[Trippin]

I've got those mp3's if anyone wants them emailed to them.
They sound really good!

i'd really appreciate it if I could get those mp3's too please.
thanks.

mfernandes01@hotmail.com

 

[gobblefisher]

The way Massive talks about the Solaris, I like to describe my CAD M179s. Love 'em. Have four of them, even. For stereo pairs, I call up CAD and ask for a pair to be shipped out to some distro near me. Stereo matching is something like 10% on top of the typical street price, and can be done throughout their line.

The Groove Tube mics used to do the whole golden reference mic thing as well, and are generally well regarded here.

¡Ay Dios Mio! Too many choices...but I'm curious to know if the CAD's have the same thin diaphragm. And Sklathill, have you used them for the same orchestra type recording as Massive Master raves about?

 

[Sklathill]

I honestly haven't done MASSIVE orchestra stuff. I have done chamber music, though, and small ensembles in the music school. X-Y and Jecklin disk have all fared very well.

Don't get a mic based on how thin the diaphragm is. Get it based on how it sounds. Those ~10 micron PVC Microtec Gefells are pretty fine pieces of work, you know what I mean? And don't limit yourself to just CAD and M-audio. I know both ADK and SE Electronics have try before you buy programs where they ship the mics out to you, which is a very nice thing to have.

 

[gobblefisher]

I honestly haven't done MASSIVE orchestra stuff. I have done chamber music, though, and small ensembles in the music school. X-Y and Jecklin disk have all fared very well.

Don't get a mic based on how thin the diaphragm is. Get it based on how it sounds. Those ~10 micron PVC Microtec Gefells are pretty fine pieces of work, you know what I mean? And don't limit yourself to just CAD and M-audio. I know both ADK and SE Electronics have try before you buy programs where they ship the mics out to you, which is a very nice thing to have.

Well, I've been looking at the multi pattern mics. And the M179 feature of continuously variable patterns seems to offer the most in that department in comparison to the Solaris. I've also looked at the ADK A-51 TL, but spending $1000 for the matched pair is a bit much right now. By any chance do you have any samples you could send me via email of work with the M179? gobblefisher@yahoo.com

 

[sile2001]

So far I've used my pair of Solaris(es? Solari?) on acoustic guitar, vocals, guitar amp room mics, and drum overheads and in every situation they have been absolutely stunning for their price. Yes, there are better mics out there. The Solaris is not the end-all-be-all of mics, but I have yet to run into a voice or instrument that it did not do at least a very respectable, if not downright great, job on. Oh...and in case you were wondering from my avatar, i'm not at all biased

 

[gobblefisher]

The way Massive talks about the Solaris, I like to describe my CAD M179s. Love 'em. Have four of them, even. For stereo pairs, I call up CAD and ask for a pair to be shipped out to some distro near me. Stereo matching is something like 10% on top of the typical street price, and can be done throughout their line.

The Groove Tube mics used to do the whole golden reference mic thing as well, and are generally well regarded here.

I emailed CAD asking about the M179 in a matched pair, and they told me that they didn't offer them in the stereo matched pair configuration...How'd you get them?

 

[Sklathill]

I called them about 2 years ago and asked if you could match some mics for me. A pair of M179s and some GXL1200s. They said they could do both, and then they referred me to a distro here in SoCal that they would send them to, who would then send them to me. I did the financial transaction with the distro.

Honestly, I was surprised that they would do a match on the GXL1200s, since they are among their REALLY cheap mics. I actually eventually sold that pair to a guy on this board...

Unfortunately I don't have any samples right now. The stuff I'm currently working with I can't send right now...and it's not too relevant anyways (comedy troupe stuff...)

I would say try calling CAD. That what I had to do. And...I was about to point to the forum post on their forum where I'm asking about getting a stereo pair...but the forum is down. MEH.

I really hope their stereo matching policy hasn't changed, but if it has...ah well. It doesn't help to get too attached to any one mic company these days...

 

[Trippin]

Can anyone host those mp3 samples please?

 

[OneArmedScissor]

I really wish someone would do a mic shoot out with the Solaris and M179. Some people really love one or the other, but unfortunately, it seems that no one has ever compared the two.

A Solaris is about twice the price of a M179, though. Hmm...

 

[gobblefisher]

Ah yes, if only I had the funds...unfortunately I need them in matched pairs...I'm recording a symphony in the next few months.

 

[Sloan]

Hey, since quite a few people wanted to hear a Solaris sample, I've uploaded it to my Soundclick.com page.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/sloanstewartmusic.htm


All the way at the bottom!

 

[sile2001]

If anyone's really interested in hearing more sound clips from the Solaris mics, send me a PM. I'm about to be doing a lot of tracking with a friend on various styles and we're going to be using my pair of Solari D) on a lot of it.

 

[Massive Master]

Found the original file -

Things to keep in mind -

EVERYTHING was stacked AGAINST this recording - The mic placement was horribly wrong (hence the unrealistic image), a $100 Berry preamp (that's what was there) into a portable Sony MiniDisc recorder (lossy, "mp3-like" compression and dreadful converters).

That all being said, you can imagine how kick-ass they sound when everything ISN'T stacked against you...

And please, don't pay attention to the performance - This is the very first rehearsal of this piece, right after they were handed the sheets for the first time.

 

[Trippin]

Thanks. I want one.