Mic/preamp for test measurement system

[Silent Mike]

<I would try to contact Behringer first, and ask them exact noise figure in ECM8000, and of course, let us know>

If you do, please also ask if the capsule is electret one, and if yes, if it is a back electret.

Actually, having downloaded their only documentation on this mic, I am backing away from it. Only significant spec is -60 dB sensitivity. Nothing about noise at all. Plus, I saw a comment by someone who had been using it for some music recording, who said it was rather harsh -- not that I should care much about that...

All in all, it just doesn't feel like a smart choice. I would prefer to spend more and know that the manufacturer at least felt the mic deserved to be measured for noise! The $80 B5 strikes me as a safer purchase. There they are very clear about the noise -- 18 dBA for omni and 16 for cardioid.

So is there like some massive database of mics somewhere that I could p[ore through for a couple hours? I mean, it's clear what I am looking for now: omni (or omni capsule), low noise, flat freq resp. There are not that many omnis (from what I can see)... I just want to see all the mics under ~$200 that fit these requirements.

 

[TexRoadkill]

If you truly have quiet computers the ECM may be too noisy. They are even too noisy for quiet guitar tracks.

Don't overlook the room element that C7 mentioned. That will be as important if not more than the mic. You will need to construct a box and line it with Owens Corning 703 insulation. It's not that expensive and it will give you a box free of reflections.

 

[Marik]

As one of the options, I would also recommend Oktava MK012. Here you have two choices:

1. Look at:

http://www.sound-room.com/

and contact Taylor Johnson at: 860-974-3491
Explain him your situation and look if he can find for you the least noisy one.

2. Go to your local Guitar Center, and as Harvey explained in:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=38175

choose the least noisy mic. Usually they sold for $99, but you can bargain it down. Then, from Taylor buy an omni capsule for $64. This way you will safe some $$$. Good luck

 

[Marik]

Also remembered Superlux CM-H8K. Check it out.

 

[Silent Mike]

Marik, thanks for the details again. 8)

I emailed Taylor Johnson re - Oktava MK012. Sounds good & cheap but a bit inconsistent? We'll see what the response is. No clear spec on what the noise level on this is, haven't found a noise spec anywhere. Does anyone know?

Had a look at info on Superlux CM-H8K -- isn't 22 dBA is too noisy? Seems like it.

Also found the Audio Technica AT3032, an studio omni 16 dBA noise. Seems right, price is ~$160-170. ANyone have experience with this one?

Bit of a toss up between the $80 Behringer B5 at 18 dBA and the AT3032, tho the latter is double the $$. The Oktava MK012 is a ? until I know what noise level it has.

Whew, this is a lot of digging about! (I'm all over the web looking for mic info.)