Opinions about mid and high range SDC Mics

  • Thread starter Thread starter EveningSky
  • Start date Start date
E

EveningSky

New member
Most of the dialogue I have read on this BBS concerning SDC mics was focused on the lower cost products.
What about matched pairs costing $500-1000, or $1000-1500?
Assuming that the adage: "You get what you pay for", holds true,
what experience has this audience had with the higher priced small diaphram condencer microphones?
Are the:
Earthworks,
Neumanns
Josephsons
Shures
ATs
Gefells
etc,
worth the extra $?
Which are the price/performance winners?
 
I have a pair of Earthworks SR-71's and a pair of Neumann KM-184's. They're worth the money in my humble opinion. I VERY interested in a pair of the Josephson's.
 
Here's one out of the blue.

You might also like to consider the Calrec/Hebden Sound 1050s/51s, or something from their 2000 range. I was talking to Andy Lawrence (mic builder and ex BBC man) yesterday and he recommended them very highly.
 
Trackrat has listed the likely customers. I've never used the Earthworks or the Josephsons, but they seem to be the high priced spread. Many feel that older KM84's are preferable to new KM184's. The bang-for-buck winner seems to be SM81, which I have used, and they are very good mics. I don't have enough use for SD's to invest in the high-end right now. I hope you're happy with whichever you select. You've probably earned the right to fork it over.-Richie
 
Thank you for that info. I would appreciate it if you would you please elaborate on what you perceive to be the advantages of the Mics you mention in your replies.

I have been considering the SM81, Earthworks and Neumann products among others, but do not have the oportunity to listen to them.

Track Rat, given that you own two excellent SCM pairs, why whould you be interested in the Josephsons? What do your Earthworks and Neumanns do well, and where do they fail to lead you to desire the Josephsons?
 
The Earthworks are EXTREMELY flat and uncolored which obvoiusly has its place (these are killer overhead mics). The KM-184s are very nice with a lot of air but are almost too crispy. I don't care for them so far on overheads but they're the best I have for my nylon stringed guitar.
 
Mr. Monroe, could you describe your experience with the SM81s? Are you able to compare them with the higher priced mics mentioned above? I have read that the SM81 is a standard, but it is not clear to me how they compare with the more expensive products. Is any one able to relate their experience with upper end examples of this group of mics (SDCs)?
 
Sorry Eveningsky, when you get into the Earthworks, Josephsons, Shoeps et. al. (add the Shoeps to your list of high end SD's), you are too rich for my blood, currently. My only experience with SM81's was on acoustic guitar, and they were transparent and flat, very much like the C-4's. We were using them in a radio station on 2 acoustic guitars, both guitars being picked up by the same X-Y pair. I've never had them in my studio, and I've never used them as overheads. They were almost boring, because they added nothing to the sound, and took nothing away. Of course then, I was using a cheap guitar. God, I'd like to hear them on the Taylor.
For my applications, I think I'd just use a pair of C414's, which are excellent on guitar and very good as overheads. Although I only own one, another is planned, and I've used it extensively as an overhead on Djembe, Zarb, Doumbek, and rack toms.
 
I use the sm81 for acoustic guitar, and Richard's right. What goes in is what comes out. Very true to the source. If you have a good guitar, this is good. If not, well.............. Have not used the neumanns. But one guy put it this way: The sm81's are a naturally pretty girl, the Km184's are a pretty girl with make up.
 
Then the Earthworks would be the girl with make up, topless.
 
Hmm, a discussion of high end SDCs and not one mention of DPA - I must have wasted my money, and my ears must be cardboard. :(

Scott
 
Beltrom said:
Eh, what would that make my KM84? An old topless hag? Well, I think she's sexy...
Click to expand...
No, the KM-84 would be the topless girl with three of her girlfriends along with her.
 
EveningSky, some of those mics you listed are definitely worth the extra money if you have a great sounding room and record in stereo. When you get into some of the higher-end mics like Earthworks, DPA, Schoeps, Pearl, Milab , Gefell- the depth and imagery of the recordings are increased. But then you also need killer AD and fast, transparent mic pres to benefit from them.

Here's some rough guidelines from my experience with these mics:

Pearl, Milab - both have rectangular diaphragms. Very airy and detailed sound.
DPA - king of super clean. Their new minatures are often as good as the larger mics at a fraction of the cost.
Gefell - Berlin sound. The M295's sound like a good, newer version of a Neumann.
Schoeps - Very natural and open sound.
Earthworks, transparent with killer imagery; especially the QTC-1 omnis.

Some of the mid-level mics have a lot to offer home recordists,
Josephson, Audix - these are both "creamy" sounding mics that are good for taming harsh transients.
Groove Tube GT33: Very meaty, great for rock.
AKG 451 - bright mic; good to get an acoustic to cut through a mix. Sometimes too bright for drum OH's.
Shure mics - not so good on imagery, but great for getting the part to cut through the mix. Not overly bright.
Crown CM700 - Very good all-purpose mic.
Stapes - great new omnis similar to Earthworks.

Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions
 
Thank you for your responses. They are very helpful. A very big thanks to you DOT. If you were to buy one pair for voice and guitar (e- and acoustic guitar), what would be your favorite all arround mic pair in this group (and what is their approximate price)?
 
QUESTION: When you write clear and honnest sound reproduction (SM81 and Earthworks), does that mean that you can add the "color" back with equalization and effects, or is it never to be added/created?
 
Dot,


Where can one purchase the stapes SD mics?




Thanks,
Justin
 
EveningSky said:
If you were to buy one pair for voice and guitar (e- and acoustic guitar), what would be your favorite all arround mic pair in this group (and what is their approximate price)?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't... because there is no one matched pair of mics thats going to really cut it everytime for all those applications.
 
A couple of other "possibles" would be;

1) Matched set Oktava MC-012's from www.oktava.com
2) Studio Project C4's

Whatever you pick (and don't laugh!), add a pair of EV 635a's
since you have enough in your budget for their "flavor".
Many classical records in the 60's and 70's were done with them BTW (maybe they won't admit it now! :)).

Chris

P.S. Ty Ford, noted engineer, evaluated the omni MC-012's
to be comparable to a Neumann U87 in omni, so they
ain't too shabby!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top