MSH-1A matched pair test

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Simply outstanding! Not that I'm biased cause . . . because you've played the greatest bard in all of history ;) :) :) :)

I tell you, I'd rather play like that than build mics :o
 
So, Tim, how would you compare it to your regular setup? As I recall you've got some outstanding equipment for doing this. It sounds good here. The mics, in my crude estimation, can probably run with mics that cost ten times as much.

They're fabulous!

And thanks for posting that.
 
Nice playing! I also like what I'm hearing in the mics.

Two questions:
1. Do you or anyone know how this version compares to the original Tape Op design? (I have a pair of those and just curious if there's any difference)

2. There seems to be a high noise floor for this application. I doubt I'd ever notice it in my loud recording scenarios. What do you attribute the noise to? I know it's a characteristic of SDC's but I thought I'd ask if you feel it's somewhere else in your signal chain.
 
Amazing, it helps having a Classical Guitar prodigie playing.

But I normally enjoy the soundquality in your other recordings Tim, this does not sound very far of, not my ears that is.

I think I need to get me a pair of those :)

I`ve been lurking in these Mshilarious mic threads and I must say I`m rather impressed by the recordings so far.

thanks for sharing :)
 
Very nice!

Nice playing, and great sound. O'Carolan's something or other?

A question for Msh - how rugged are the mics? I need a pair of sdc for piano, o/h and guitar recording at the high school I teach at. While the recording class is only for a select group of senior students, kids aren't always gentle with equipment - will they survive a bit of rough handling?. Our budget is nearly non existant, so your prices are about all we could afford! I might get a pair for myself as well...

Cheers,

Dan
 
Tim, never heard of those mics. Can you point me to a web url which gives more information on them?
 
qbert1 said:
1. Do you or anyone know how this version compares to the original Tape Op design? (I have a pair of those and just curious if there's any difference)
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First off the 1A runs off phantom power, 18-48V. The 1A uses a transistor buffer, so low input impedance pres are useable. The 1A also uses a newer Panasonic capsule than the Tape Op mic (WM60AY is discontinued). That is not a consequence of my design, but it is a nicer capsule :)

2. There seems to be a high noise floor for this application. I doubt I'd ever notice it in my loud recording scenarios. What do you attribute the noise to? I know it's a characteristic of SDC's but I thought I'd ask if you feel it's somewhere else in your signal chain.
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Well it's a 6mm capsule with an improved internal FET, but still not quite boutique mic levels. I think I have beaten the pants off my closest competitors in terms of noise, but it isn't as quiet a high-end or larger diaphragm mic. Something like 20-22dBA.

how rugged are the mics? I need a pair of sdc for piano, o/h and guitar recording at the high school I teach at. While the recording class is only for a select group of senior students, kids aren't always gentle with equipment - will they survive a bit of rough handling?. Our budget is nearly non existant, so your prices are about all we could afford! I might get a pair for myself as well...
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The only thing I worry about in terms of durability is the capsule--the felt comes off the face if annoyed too much (doesn't do much to the sound, but looks bad), and if you give the face of the capsule a good hard push, it will come unglued and be forced into the connector. Either problem can be repaired, but if you were looking to avoid trouble, I can supply the mics with a windscreen glued to the body, that should prevent such ills. The windscreens I have are quite nearly acoustically transparent.

As far as impact resistance, they have good integrity, drops and such won't harm them. And hey, lifetime warranty :D


PS to apl . . . I spent most of the night working on the mysterious and coveted MSH-4 . . . it's nearly done, at least on the breadboard ;)
 
mshilarious said:
I think I have beaten the pants off my closest competitors in terms of noise, but it isn't as quiet a high-end or larger diaphragm mic. Something like 20-22dBA.
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It's pretty impressive that you've managed to get everything in a XLR connector. Not to mention the sound quality to dollar ratio. I'll be buying a pair soon.
 
nice!
I wonder how these compare to ECM8000's?
 
maybe someone here has both and can compare them for us? :D
 
Gidge said:
sounds alot quieter.....
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Yeah that's one thing I would expect. That's the worst thing about the ECM8000 mic is the somewhat high self noise.
Hell even if MSH1A's are equal to the ECM8000's, they're 1/2 the price. And smaller for easier mic placement. Oh, and then you don't have to own Behringer. :D
Though I hear modded ECM8000 mics are quite a bit better than stock.
 
tarnationsauce2 said:
Yeah that's one thing I would expect. That's the worst thing about the ECM8000 mic is the somewhat high self noise.
Hell even if MSH1A's are equal to the ECM8000's, they're 1/2 the price. And smaller for easier mic placement. Oh, and then you don't have to own Behringer. :D
Though I hear modded ECM8000 mics are quite a bit better than stock.
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If you can mod a mic, you can build this one easier and for much less cash. The schemo is here (note I have since changed R4 and R5 to 680, and you can sub a BJT for 2N5457 if you like):

http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/attachment.php?attachmentid=33090

Here is a noise chart of MSH-1A vs. Apex 220 (cousin to ECM8000), range is 100Hz to 15kHz. Also the MSH-1A is lower distortion and higher SPL than the Apex.
 
mshilarious said:
PS to apl . . . I spent most of the night working on the mysterious and coveted MSH-4 . . . it's nearly done, at least on the breadboard ;)
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Cool!

What happened to the MSH-3?
 
Rick Shepherd said:
Tim, never heard of those mics. Can you point me to a web url which gives more information on them?
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You can also do a search here for MSH-1, MSH-2 and MSH-1A.
 
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