Oh... My... God... M-Audio Solaris

[Toonsmith]

You said you used the cardiod pattern on the recording. I'd like to get your impressions on the omni and figure 8 patterns when you get a chance to test it.

 

[Massive Master]

Ditto. This has got to be one of the worst renditions of Sing! Sing! Sing! that I have ever heard from a professional group.

In the orchestra's defense, that was the first time they ever played it together - It was the "note taking" run. And, I'm sure that my hack job of editing out the conductor's comments didn't help the groove much...

And yeah, looking forward to testing different patterns.

 

[zbert]

I just got my pair yesterday. First the bad news. One of the shock mount cables was broken. Not the end of the world but a pain in the ass. Fixed that and put the pair over my drum set. I had to put down a couple of tracks. My cymbals really sound like cymbals now. The snare came cracking through and the toms rang clear. I'll post them when I get the chance. I really want to try them out on some other stuff.

 

[HangDawg]

What did you use for pre's?

 

[Drummer4Life05]

zbert - Did you use *just* the pair of OH's, or did you use a SD/BD mic as well?

 

[zbert]

The entire mic set up was
Kick - Sennheiser 421
Snare - Sennheiser E609
Overheads - 2 M Audio Solaris
These 4 mics I put through 2 DMP3's
On the toms I used 2 EV N/D 267
Floor Tom - Sennheiser E602
I put the tom mics throught the board pre's because I like them. I have a Studiomaster P7 board. I like the British sound I get.
I just got finished with another session with these songs. Next week we'll add acoustic gutiar and vocals all of which I'm going to use the Solaris mics. After that I should have something decent to post.

 

[Massive Master]

Zbert - Thanks for picking up on this - I feel terrible hyping a mic and then not having time to do further testing - I almost miss tracking all the time... Wait... No, I guess I don't. But anyway, I'm glad you like 'em.

 

[Flatpicker]

I just got finished with another session with these songs. Next week we'll add acoustic gutiar and vocals all of which I'm going to use the Solaris mics. After that I should have something decent to post.

Thanks, zbert. Can't wait to hear them!

 

[Harvey Gerst]

As an alternative, someone posted a symphonic clip on my forum, recorded with a pair of MXL603s. Here's the link:

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/in...604e452f/?SQ=40d75be64f946d1a561c6fea8741b3fc

 

[Massive Master]

I'd love to hear that raw...

 

[HangDawg]

Bump!!!

Hey zbert, got a clip yet? I'm seriously considering these for overheads and would like to hear what you have done.

 

[zbert]

I just got off the phone with the guy who is doing the gutiar part and he can't make it till next week, so over the weekend
i'll post the drums w/ the Solaris' as overheads.
Tom

 

[Massive Master]

Had to wake it up...

Hey Z - Got some samples yet?

 

[zbert]

I'm sorry I haven't gotten them samples up yet. The acoustic came out very nice with the Solaris. I didn't like the way it sounded on the singer. Funny because when he spoke into the mic it sounded great but not when he sang. Anyway not to make excuses but I got a newborn at home and this kid is killing all my studio time. lol I swear I haven't forgotten, just short on time. I WILL get this ASAP.
Tom

 

[krash]

FWIW the SP B1 is also 3 micron (whole B series). The way you describe the sound of the M-Audio mic, I bet it's a 797 capsule, same as the SP B series, and may be indicative of the sound of 3 micron mics in general. How would you compare this mic to a Studio Projects B1 or B3?

The folks at Studio Projects told me that this results in a less colored sounding mic. The C1 is the common 6 micron.

 

[zbert]

First of ya know as soon as I got a couple of minutes to get the drums mix I can't seem to upload to No Where Radio so as soon as the web site is working I'll post. I have a pair of B1's and the Solaris do sound smoother. Don't get me wrong I love the B1's but there is no comparision to the Solaris. I don't know about the other SP mics.

 

[CanopuS]

I can't wait to hear some more samples. From anyone! Incidently, if you get REALLY bored, you could do an A/B test for us (with the B1 for example)

 

[Kyle Aaron]

I'm interested in hearing some vocal or acoustic recordings with this mic.

KA

 

[CanopuS]

If you want, I'm sure you could send it to someone to upload zbert. I'd happily do the honours if you have some way of getting it here (MSN etc).

 

[zbert]

Well I haven't used my nowhere radio account in some time and I see it has been deactived.
CanopuS, I can email the mp3's if you have cable?
Tom