My new C4's - the good and the bad so far - my review

  • Thread starter Thread starter capnreverb
  • Start date Start date
C

capnreverb

New member
I needed to add a matched pair of SDC's to my mic locker. It was the last piece of my list I needed. So, after reading so many good things about C4's (within $ limitations) compared to others on this site I made my plunge. I bought them last week or so, but tonight was my first real experiance with them. The main band I am with right now is a free improv/avant jazz kinda thing. I record all of our sessions. Its me on reeds/accordian, two upright bass players, upright piano, and drums. I record from an alesis studio 24 mixer straight to an Fostex d-108 8 track. Everyone gets their own mic, except I record the drums in stereo w/ overheads. This all takes place in a nice big room with high ceilings.

Before I was using at4033's as the stereo drum overheads. These have worked real well, but maybe a bit more bleeding of the overall room sound than I really wanted, but still real good.

Tonight I busted out my new C4's as the new drum overheads.

Here is what I found so far.

The bad.
1. The threading for the shockmounts is plastic, and were not all that friendly. You better be real carefull screwing these off and on if you want them to last a long time. One did not want to work well at all till I put some spit on the threading of both the stand and the mount.
2. One of the mics was a real fricken hassle putting the xlr cord on. I tried 3 differant cords and on all of them I had to struggle more than necessary to get it on. I don't like the feeling of forcing any cable on anything. The other was perfect, no problems.
3. The only thing that I thought was really bogus - One shockmount fit the mic perfect. The other was too loose. It kept sliding off the mount, it almost seemed comical trying to get it to stay. It even fell on the floor once when I thought I had it fine. I turned the shockmount both ways and it did not matter. In the end, I had to use the mic cord wrapped around the end of the boom to make it work.

the good.

Wow, what great sounding mics. I got to say that they sounded even better than I thought they were going to. I thought they might be too bright, but seemed pretty fair to the cymbals. The fact they are SDC instead of the LDC at4033's helped on the bleeding department, but overall I didn't notice any loss in the overall sound. Nice and detailed.

overall

Granted this is one test, but I got to admit I am pretty darn happy with the mics. It allmost seems like Studio Projects skimped as much as possible on all the variables but the mic itself, which in the end is all that really matters. Outside of the crummy shockmount and connector, believe the hype, they are pretty darn good!
 
I believe it takes many sessons testing mics before one can know how they like a mic or not.

With that said... little things like funky clips are no big deal... I mean, if the C4's really kickass like you say they do... you can always buy better clips for the C4's. The bad XLR fit is another story... but, I bet if you send the mic to PMI, they will either fix it or replace it for "free". ;)
 
the old shockmounts did not fit right. E-mail alan and he will make it right. I'm sure they will take care of the rough mic too.
 
And finally, the 4033 is NOT a large diaphragm mic; it's a little over 1/2" diameter.
 
Harvey Gerst said:
And finally, the 4033 is NOT a large diaphragm mic; it's a little over 1/2" diameter.
Click to expand...

Heh. I did not know that. I just assumed it was an LDC because of it's shape.
 
Harvey Gerst said:
And finally, the 4033 is NOT a large diaphragm mic; it's a little over 1/2" diameter.
Click to expand...

I bet we arn't the only one's who did not know this. Hey Harvey, what are some other notquiteLDC's that folks think are LDC's?

Also, DJL is right that I should make more tests before I come to a final conclusion, but, they passed my initial main test (overheads). When I get around to using them on things like my Bass Clarinet and 12 string acoustic, i will post my thoughts then.

-wietlispach
www.soutrane.com
 
I've got a pair of C4's and I like them too. My shockmounts that came with them were way too loose so I PM'd Alan Hyatt and he set me up to get a new pair. I got them quikly and the new ones are very tight and hold the mike perfectly. I use the old shockmounts for my SM57's. Also yea, the xlr's are a little tight but that's ok, at least I know it's a good connection.
 
capnreverb said:
2. One of the mics was a real fricken hassle putting the xlr cord on. I tried 3 differant cords and on all of them I had to struggle more than necessary to get it on. I don't like the feeling of forcing any cable on anything.
Click to expand...
Not to stir up the hornets... but wouldn't you consider that to be a quality control (QC) issue?
 
I was waiting for it................but I don't think it is an issue that is restricted to SP mics..........both my 603's are tight as hell, as is one 012, and at least one SM-57 I have here. Actually come to think of it, my 441 isn't the loosest fit either and another 57 is quite loose.

It's just the luck of the draw.

:cool:
 
And I forgot the ECM8000's..................lol.

Additional comment............:

Just to be sure I wasn't giving false info, I just checked the XLR connectors on my mics and I was correct in my assessments but can add one more to the list.......my AKG D112. The 603's, D112 and the ECM's are the worst, the 441 and an 012 are only fractionally easier to plug in and out of, one 57 is pretty tight and another is what I consider to be too loose............so go figure. BTW most of these mics are relatively newish and definitely not abused around here.

:cool:
 
Last edited:
XLR plugs are not consistant from manufacturer to manufacturer. Many bulge in places and just don't fit well. Same thing with 1/4" phone jacks; some fit tight, same fit loose.
 
I have the C4's also.
I really like them on O/H.
I agree the plastic threaded clips are a little cheezie, but they work.
As an alternative, the AKG H100 shock mounts hold them really well too.
 
capnreverb,

If you think you need new mounts, just e-mail me at alan@pmiaudio.com and I will send a new set out.

In perhaps 90 to 120 days, an all new all brass shock mount will arrive for the C4's. All metal...no plastic, and a different design than what we use now. This will solve all the issues.

When they arrive, we will let people know. Those that own C4's will be offered a special price for their set of mics if they want them. There will be an order form on line when this happens. All we will need for this special price is a copy of your sales receipt.

We will keep you posted...
 
Alan,

I bought my set of C4 used, from the original owner. No sales receipt available, although I think they were purchased new from Sweetwater.

I'm interested in the new shock mounts (and upcoming capsules).

-Bruce
 
Bruce,

When we get them, we will be able to work with you.
 
Harvey Gerst said:
XLR plugs are not consistant from manufacturer to manufacturer. Many bulge in places and just don't fit well. Same thing with 1/4" phone jacks; some fit tight, same fit loose.
Click to expand...
Are you referring to microphone manufactures or cable manufactures (XLR connectors on mics or XLR connectors on cables)?
 
DJL said:
Are you referring to microphone manufactures or cable manufactures (XLR connectors on mics or XLR connectors on cables)?
Click to expand...

Mostly the female XLR ends on the cables.
 
Seeing you keep asking questions..............I just put my micrometers across 6 different XLR female connectors (2 different brands) and got 4 different readings.

And just to add to that, there was a significant differences from one extreme to the other.

We use these things and take them for granted, the possibility that there may be variations in them doesn't usually cross our minds.

:cool:
 
Harvey Gerst said:
Mostly the female XLR ends on the cables.
Click to expand...
Hummm, and that is the end that would plug into a mic.

Well then, let me ask you this...

In your opinion... could the mic problem that capnreverb referred to
capnreverb said:
2. One of the mics was a real fricken hassle putting the xlr cord on. I tried 3 differant cords and on all of them I had to struggle more than necessary to get it on. I don't like the feeling of forcing any cable on anything. The other was perfect, no problems.
Click to expand...
be considered a microphone quality control (QC) issue?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top