MSH-10 or ecm 8000??

[omtayslick]

I own a couple of Behringer ecm8000's. And they're not bad. But after researching the MSH-10's, and listening to clips, I am wondering if the MSH mics are sonically superior to the ecm's. Sounds to me like they very well may be. Can someone who's used both post on this please?

 

[chessrock]

I haven't used the MSH's. But from my experience, most of the small-diaphragm reference-type mics are pretty similar. You might notice a step up when you get in to the Avenson / Earthworks / THE territory, but even then it isn't as great as one might think.
.

 

[scrubs]

I'm thinking of selling my ECM8000s now that I have the MSH-1. I think the MSH's are a little quieter.

 

[dgatwood]

I haven't used the MSH's. But from my experience, most of the small-diaphragm reference-type mics are pretty similar. You might notice a step up when you get in to the Avenson / Earthworks / THE territory, but even then it isn't as great as one might think.

If you're just using a single mic, there's not a lot of difference between most SDCs that I've tried. When you start using them for stereo recordings, that changes, though.

For example, in stereo recording, the difference between a Nady CM-90 and an Oktava MK-012 is huge. In an X-Y arrangement, the Oktavas give a crystal clear stereo image with everything exactly where it should be. In the exact same clips in the exact same location, the Nady pair sounds almost monaural....

 

[chessrock]

In an X-Y arrangement, the Oktavas give a crystal clear stereo image with everything exactly where it should be. In the exact same clips in the exact same location ...

Provided you get a pair that match well.

.

 

[dgatwood]

Provided you get a pair that match well.

As opposed to, for example, a Russian 012 and a Chinese 012...

 

[XLR]

Can someone who's used both post on this please?

I've spent a few hours recording acoustic gtr with both. The MSH had smoother transient response and less noise. The 8000 is still a good mic though, but I had to work harder to get it to sound good.

 

[omtayslick]

I've spent a few hours recording acoustic gtr with both. The MSH had smoother transient response and less noise. The 8000 is still a good mic though, but I had to work harder to get it to sound good.

I've heard some clips of your acoustic tracks. Very nice indeed. I am currently micing drums with one dynamic on snare, and one 8000 as an overhead. It sounded to me that perhaps the MSH-10 might be a little more articulate than the 8000. If it sounds good with less effort, so much the better.

 

[danny.guitar]

Thanks to Tim I've been able to use the ECM's too.

I'd say they both sound good for acoustic guitar. MSH-1 is smoother/quieter and the ECM seems a bit more detailed.

I also noticed the ECM seems to pick up more of the "pick" sound on an acoustic guitar. And with new strings it sounds really good.

Not very big differences, but they're still different. At the price, I'd pick up both.

I'm also looking forward to trying a stereo recording with the MSH and ECM and see how it sounds.

 

[XLR]

...I am currently micing drums with one dynamic on snare, and one 8000 as an overhead. It sounded to me that perhaps the MSH-10 might be a little more articulate than the 8000. If it sounds good with less effort, so much the better.

Thanks. And I'd have to say that I think that even with extra effort the 8000 I had didn't sound quite as good as the MSH. The MSH captured the pluck of a guitar string (the transient attack) smoothly, even when very loudly played, where the 8000 I had tended towards "edgy" unless I compensated by playing very gently. Might just be my own guitar sound or the particular pair of 8000s that I had though.

 

[XLR]

I also noticed the ECM seems to pick up more of the "pick" sound on an acoustic guitar.

I think the 8000s would be perfect for a backing acoustic gtr part in a mix where you wanted a very natural sound but also an emphasis on articulation. For a solo I'd lean towards the MSH.

That said, if all one had was an 8000 you could do some good recordings.