SD mic shootout for Tape Op article

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Mike Jasper

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I've posted this at a few forums, and I figure I should probably post it here as well.

I'm doing a shootout of small diaphragm mics for an article I'm working on for Tape Op Magazine. It's limited to acoustic guitar only, in fact it's limited to a Collings C-10 in a foam filled room using a Millennia preamp to Lavry Blue converters.

Here's a list of what I've tested so far:

- 3 Zigma Chi
- AKG C 1000 S
- B&K 4011
- Kel HM-1
- Neumann KM143 (wide cardioid), 130 (omni)
- Neumann KM184
- Neumann KM83 (omni), 84, 85 (bass rolloff), 86 (omni, cardioid, fig. 8), 88 (omni, cardioid and fig. 8
- Gefell M300
- Gefell M296 (omni)
- Gefell M70
- Gefell M94
- Oktavamod MC012
- Oktavamod MXL 603
- Oktavamod MCA SP-1
- Schoeps CMT341 (hypercardioid)
- Schoeps CMMT 30FN 934b (cardioid and omni)
- Schoeps CMMT 30FN 934c (cardioid and omni)
- Schoeps CMMT 30FN MK241 (hypercardioid)
- Schoeps/Strasser CM60 (full cardioid model)
- Schoeps CMC5 with MK5 capsule (cardioid and omni)
- Studio Projects C4
- Peluso CMEMC6
- Josephson C-42
- Josephson e-22s
- Avenson STO-2
- Earthworks TC30
- Naiant X-M Omnidirectional
- AKG C451EB (Jim Williams mod)
- AKG C460B (Jim Williams mod)
- AKG C 480 B
- AKG D224e
- Oktava MC012
- Oktavamod MC012
- Avantone CK-1
- Se Electronics SE-1
- SE Electronics SE-3
- Rode NT5
- Beyer MC930
- Beyer M201
- Mercenary KM-69
- Fouxman MCA SP-1 mod
- Fouxman MK012 mod
- Fouxman MXL 603 mod
- Heil PR-35
- EV RE15
- Shure SM57
- Shure SM81
- AT-Pro 37R
- AT 4031
- AT 4051
- AT 4041
- MXL V67N
- MXL 603
- JZ BT-201 (omni, wide and cardioid)
- Samson Co2
- Sennheiser MKH 8050 (super cardioid) and 8020 (omni)
- Sennheiser e914
- Neumann TLM50 (Omni) (medium diameter and not really included in test, but am I gonna pass up a test on a $3,000 mic? I don't think so.)
- Violet Finger
- Nevaton MC49

Here's a list of mics that have been requested but that I haven't tracked down yet:

Gefell M294 or M295
Schoeps CMC6
Sanken CU-31 or 32 or CO-100K
Sennheiser MKH 8040
THE TT-3m
KM74 T12v power.
SE Electronics Guitar Mic
Pearl TL6C or TL66 or OM16
Milab VM-44
Elation KM-201
KSM141 or KSM137
THE KP-6M
M93 capsule
Berliner 33
CALREC 1050C, Calrec CB20c/CC50, Calrec CB20c/CC03 (omni)
Hebden Sound HS 3020
Crown CM700
Joe Meek JM27
OktavaMod MK-103 or MK-011
KSM109 or SM137
T.bone sc100

I'm excluding ribbons and tube mics. I thought by keeping it to SDCs and dynamics I'd hold it to a manageable number, but obviously I was wrong.

I hate to ask but I'll kick myself if I don't -- anybody have any suggestions for more? Remember -- no tubes, no ribbons.

Jasper
 
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If you are consider variations of the Neumanns, then you might want to consider the Rode NT55.

Also, as a wild card, it would be interesting to throw in the Behringer C2
 
gecko zzed said:
If you are consider variations of the Neumanns, then you might want to consider the Rode NT55.

Also, as a wild card, it would be interesting to throw in the Behringer C2
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's a valid point about the Rode, and I wouldn't turn it down if it came up, but if I'm going actively seek something I'd prefer something completely different -- like the Behringer C2.

The only reason I tried so many different Neumanns is that I had one friend who owned an 84, 85 and 86 and another who owns an 83, 84 and 88. Oddly, that turned out to be some of the easiest mics to get a hold of.

Jasper
 
Perhaps the AT-4049 and AT-4053? That would kind of complete the AT set with the AT-4051. Which iteration of the 405x series are you using? I believe AT just came out with a (b) series, although there are lots of the (a) series running around.
 
no mxl? it'd be interesting to have a 603 and/or 604 in the shootout. modded, unmodded, whatever. i'd like to see a side-by-side comparison with the others, considering their price point and accolades.

nice to see naiant on the list.

good luck w/ your article! :)
 
drossfile said:
no mxl? it'd be interesting to have a 603 and/or 604 in the shootout. modded, unmodded, whatever. i'd like to see a side-by-side comparison with the others, considering their price point and accolades.

nice to see naiant on the list.

good luck w/ your article! :)
Click to expand...

Forgot to add the MXl 603. Also tried the V67N, as well as a few mods.

Jasper
 
Sennheiser e914

Also Sennheiser's evolution series, particularly the e914.
 
violist said:
Also Sennheiser's evolution series, particularly the e914.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I tested that one and forgot to put it on the list. Think I need to recheck my list. I'll edit it now.

Jasper
 
What is the cheapest SD mic made? It might be the Behringer C2, but unfortunately they only sell it in pairs. It's a mono test, so I only need one.

I want to find the cheapest onet that's mass produced by a real company.

Jasper
 
drossfile said:
nice to see naiant on the list.
Click to expand...
+1. Great mic for guitar.

Didn't notice the KEL HM-1 on the list. Pretty flat freq response. I like it on on ac guitar. It's no Schoeps but it's realistic none the less.
 
XLR said:
+1. Great mic for guitar.

Didn't notice the KEL HM-1 on the list. Pretty flat freq response. I like it on on ac guitar. It's no Schoeps but it's realistic none the less.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the Kel HM-1 has been tested. I think I need to double check my list. Don't worry, the actual Pro Tools session is the official list, and I didn't miss one there.

Or... so I say.

Jasper
 
Mike Jasper said:
What is the cheapest SD mic made? It might be the Behringer C2, but unfortunately they only sell it in pairs. It's a mono test, so I only need one.

I want to find the cheapest onet that's mass produced by a real company.

Jasper
Click to expand...

not sure how "real" a company karma is, but the k-micros sell for a song.

can't think of anything mass-produced that's cheaper than the behris. $60/pair at ams. i thought of the samson c02H, but those are still $50 each.
 
Mike Jasper said:
I want to find the cheapest onet that's mass produced by a real company.
Click to expand...

That's one of the more puzzling statements I've seen around here. Now I'm curious . . . what is a 'real' company and what is a 'not real' company?
 
BTW MJ, I'm curious as to what you're going to have played for the shootout. Fingerstyle? Strummed rhythm gtr? Flatpicked lead lines? I think the best test would do all three. The main fault IMO of the existing and widely-known ac gtr mic tests over at "the listening sessions" is that they were done only with somewhat roughly played rhythm guitar, last I checked.
 
Mics that you left off the list: AKG C2000B, AT4033 (both have 1/2" diaphragms), Behringer ECM8000 (dirt cheap knockoffs of Earthworks measurement mics)-Richie

OK, I partially take it back. Audio-Technica is not very forthcoming with diaphragm sizes. The AT 4033 has been variously described as having a 1/2" diaphragm and a 1" diaphragm, but the folks I trust most say 3/4", which would make iot a "medium" diaphragm mic. In real terms, though, I like it best for things I would use a small diaphragm mic for. The C2000B really is a SD mic, though, and one of my favorite underestimated studio gems.-Richie
 
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