Samson C01 Condenser mic Vs STUDIO PROJECTS B-I

[Mully]

Yeah for sure... if I could find a s/h SP anywhere I'd go for it. I have looked but can't find any at all.. not even on eBay!

 

[DJL]

A while back I sold some mint condition B1's for $45 each on ebay... keep an eye on ebay and etc and sooner or later you'll find one. http://search.ebay.com/Studio-Projects_W0QQsokeywordredirectZ1QQfromZR8 PS... the SP C series mics a nicer vocal type mics than the SP B series mics IMO. Marshall, Behinger, Studio Projects, Samson, Nady, and etc are all fighting for the same budget mic market... most of those mics are made in China by the same factories, so you might want to audition all of them before buying one. Good luck, and best wishes.

 

[Mully]

Thanks a bunch for the info. When I look at a lot of these mics I can't help but think a lot of them have to be coming from the same factory and the sound between most of them can't vary that much.

I'll definitely keep an eye on eBay!

Cheers!

 

[JohnnyMan]

A while back I sold some mint condition B1's for $45 each on ebay... keep an eye on ebay and etc and sooner or later you'll find one. http://search.ebay.com/Studio-Projects_W0QQsokeywordredirectZ1QQfromZR8 PS... the SP C series mics a nicer vocal type mics than the SP B series mics IMO. Marshall, Behinger, Studio Projects, Samson, Nady, and etc are all fighting for the same budget mic market... most of those mics are made in China by the same factories, so you might want to audition all of them before buying one. Good luck, and best wishes.

Thanks for the tip DJL. I had been reading a lot of positive things about the Studio Projects mics on this BBS and I was throwing around the idea of getting one to try and I was leaning towards the B1 but maybe now I may look at the C series instead.

 

[DJL]

Thanks a bunch for the info. When I look at a lot of these mics I can't help but think a lot of them have to be coming from the same factory and the sound between most of them can't vary that much.

I'll definitely keep an eye on eBay!

Cheers!

Thanks for the tip DJL. I had been reading a lot of positive things about the Studio Projects mics on this BBS and I was throwing around the idea of getting one to try and I was leaning towards the B1 but maybe now I may look at the C series instead.

Your welcome. One of the best things about Studio Projects mics is Alan Hyatt's unwritten life-time warranty... if you have a problem with an SP mic PMI will fix it or replace it for free... period. Also don't be afraid to audition the other mics too. Anyway, have fun and best wishes.

 

[Han]

Thanks for the tip DJL. I had been reading a lot of positive things about the Studio Projects mics on this BBS and I was throwing around the idea of getting one to try and I was leaning towards the B1 but maybe now I may look at the C series instead.

But you must realise that the C1 sounds quite different from the B1, which is a more neutral sounding mic.

 

[billisa]

Thanks a bunch for the info. When I look at a lot of these mics I can't help but think a lot of them have to be coming from the same factory and the sound between most of them can't vary that much.

I'll definitely keep an eye on eBay!

Cheers!

Actually, many of the mics don't come from the same factory. The sound of the Studio Projects B1 and the Samson CO1 is noticeably different. For one thing, the CO1 is very hissy, while the B1 is very quiet. Each comes from a different factory. sE electronics mics are made in yet another factory, though they are also of Chinese origin...

 

[JohnnyMan]

But you must realise that the C1 sounds quite different from the B1, which is a more neutral sounding mic.

Han, are you saying the B1 is more neutral sounding than the C1?

 

[baekgaard]

Yes, B1 is more neutral than C1

JohnnyMan,

I'm not Han, but until he is back, I'll add my 0.02 cents:

The B1 is more neutral than the C1, which in turn has more "colour". Both have the LDC signature, and are a bit on the bright side. But the C1 seems to have more scoop, and thus more colour, than the B1. Their tops are also somewhat different, so even if both are bright, they are so in different ways.

If your source sounds good already, B1 may be a good bet. If you need to colour it a bit to make it more interesting or to better cut through a mix, the C1 could be your ticket. Of course, as a colouring mic, it could in some cases emphasize the wrong parts, and make your voice (or whatever) worse ;-)

One thing to try out is to add a bit of boost(!), say 1-3 dB, around 1 kHz, and a bit as well around 10-12 kHz to a C1. May not be the first thing you think of doing, but makes at least my voice more "german" sounding ;-) And no, it is not the "real thing", but I have come to like the C1 more and more, and it can be a nice mic for voice and guitar, if it suits your voice/guitar... But it is more of a voice mic than a general purpose instrument mic, I'd say.

The B1 is a good alround mic, and a fantastic value for the money (or thereabout). It can be used for many applications -- as a "jack of all trades in a master of none" way. It can be just a tiny bit harsh or shrill, probably depending on the preamp, but used with careful positioning, it is no big issue.

I like both (which I have and use).


-- Per.

 

[DJL]

Han, are you saying the B1 is more neutral sounding than the C1?

Yes, but not by much... and neither the C1 or the B1 are neutral mics.

 

[DJL]

Actually, many of the mics don't come from the same factory. The sound of the Studio Projects B1 and the Samson CO1 is noticeably different. For one thing, the CO1 is very hissy, while the B1 is very quiet. Each comes from a different factory. sE electronics mics are made in yet another factory, though they are also of Chinese origin...

There is only a handful of Chinese mic factories and Marshall, Behinger, Studio Projects, Samson, Nady, and etc are all fighting for the same budget mic market... most of those mics are made in China by the same factories.

797 Audio, Fielo, Soundking Audio, Fengli, Marshall Electronics, SE Electronics, and etc

And some factories make mics for more than just one company... for example... both the Studio Projects C4 and Behringer B5 are made by the "797 Audio" factory in China.

 

[JohnnyMan]

Thanks for the tips, baekgaard.

I have neither mics (B1 or C1) but a friend down the street from me has a C1. I hope to try it soon on my voice to see (hear) how it sounds.

And the B1 for around $100 on ebay seems like a good value.

 

[DJL]

You can get a new SP B1 right now from 8th Street Music http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=10142&Category=Microphones for $99.95, and you should be able to get a used SP B1 in mint condition for around $50.

 

[JohnnyMan]

You can get a new SP B1 right now from 8th Street Music http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=10142&Category=Microphones for $99.95, and you should be able to get a used SP B1 in mint condition for around $50.

There seems to be many venders at ebay selling a new B1 for $99. I've always been a little unsure about buying a second mic for the reason that I have no idea what the mic has been subjected to. But $50 is not that hard to swallow.

 

[cellardweller]

There seems to be many venders at ebay selling a new B1 for $99. I've always been a little unsure about buying a second mic for the reason that I have no idea what the mic has been subjected to. But $50 is not that hard to swallow.

Got mine from Full Compass for $85 with shockmount. Also received my order in 3 days...

*edit* $85 + S+H... , forgot about S+H....

 

[DJL]

I've always been a little unsure about buying a second mic for the reason that I have no idea what the mic has been subjected to.

I wouldn't worry about it with the SP mics, because if there is anything wrong with it PMI will fix it or replace it for free... even if you're the second owner.

 

[Mully]

Yeah 797 make a LOT of mics alright. I think the SP range is the only one they put the 797 brand on?

I've stumbled on a s/h Behringer B1 package for a good price on eBay so I'm gonna give it a whirl with no great expectations. Be interesting to compare it to what I eventually get out of the SP range....can always use the Behri for grisly experimentation purposes.. the AT3035 has had some great reviews too.

 

[DJL]

I think the SP range is the only one they put the 797 brand on?

They have their own 797 Audio brand also.

 

[Han]

Han, are you saying the B1 is more neutral sounding than the C1?

Well, Baekgaard covered it very well. The C1 I've had for a couple of days was very bright, much brighter than the two B1's I own. In fact this C1 was sounding very cold.

The B1 otoh is a good investment, the price is half of the C1 and the mic is good on many applications. The only application I didn't like them so far was on some vocals and on horns.

Like I mentioned in another thread I've bought a Beyer M260 ribbon (mint)yesterday for only €100 ($119) and these mics are a very different level.

These mics are awesome on horns and most applications where a condenser is sibillant. I've learned from Harvey that the ribbon mics have the nicest off axis response from all mics.

If you want a nice condenser mic that's fairly neutral and Neumann like sounding I recommend the MXL V77, a little more expensive than the C1, but it sounds a whole lot different and better IMHO.

Have a nice day.

 

[JohnnyMan]

Thanks for the suggestions Han.

I have been considering picking up an SP mic and I was leaning towards the B1 (very affordable). I don't have anything other than cardioid-pattern mics so I am also looking for different pattern mics. The C3 falls in that group.

I also want a ribbon mic (mostly thanks to Harvey's posts). Buying that Royer for €100 ($119) was a pretty good deal.

What are you using the MXL V77 to record? I just did a quick search on ebay and Froogle and couldn’t anything on the MXL V77.

While I am on the wishes topic, I would love to have two matched Neumann KM184s. I have read that these are the quintessential acoustic guitar mics. I already own a pair non-matched Oktava MK012s and they are pretty good for acoustics.

It just never ends. I’ve got GAS and in a bad way.