SE Electronics SE-1 vs. MXL 603s

[Rossi]

Dear folks,

geographically challenged as I am, I can't just go to the nearest dealer and buy some MXL 603s, as there's no distributor in Germany. I can, however, easily get the equivalent of an SE Electronics SE-1 (actually a T.Bone SC-100 from www.thomann.de ). At first I thought the SE-1 and the MXL are the same mic, but upon further inquiry, I found that the housings differ in size and the specs aren't the same either. Both however sport 3/4 inch capsules that *may* be identical or made by the same manufacturer. So my question is if any of you have experience with both mics and can tell me about the sound differences, or if the SE-1 is a worthwhile mic.

Thanks, Rossi

P.S. No I won't just go and buy MXL603s from an online dealer. Shipping, taxes, customs, etc will make them so expensive that I might as well buy a pair of NT5s (or C4s once they're released).

 

[ozraves]

i have tried the se-1 on acoustic guitars only. it's a fairly balanced mic. but it does not seem precise sonically. it's kind of mushy.

the rode nt5 is a nice mic. www.piemusic.com/mp/nt5.html

you might wait and see how the studio projects c4 turns out.

you might look at the oktava mk012.

or you might look at the audio technica at3031. it's a good mic. it's fairly balanced.

steve, mojo pie
www.piemusic.com

 

[Rossi]

Thanks Ozraves, sounds like I should wait for the C4 and compare it to the NT5. Oktavas are hard to get in Germany and are usually pretty expensive. The AT3031 was one of 19 SD condensers featured on a CD that came with the German Keyboards magazine in January. It sounded okay, but not as good as the NT5. In fact I wasn't too crazy about any of the 4 or 5 AT mics featured except maybe the AT4041. Besides the 3031 is an electret, and I usually try to avoid electrets. Call me superstitious

 

[ozraves]

Thanks Ozraves, sounds like I should wait for the C4 and compare it to the NT5. Oktavas are hard to get in Germany and are usually pretty expensive. The AT3031 was one of 19 SD condensers featured on a CD that came with the German Keyboards magazine in January. It sounded okay, but not as good as the NT5. In fact I wasn't too crazy about any of the 4 or 5 AT mics featured except maybe the AT4041. Besides the 3031 is an electret, and I usually try to avoid electrets. Call me superstitious

I thought the AT3031 to be about the same level of a mic as the NT5. But, I think most people would probably like the NT5 better. It seems like I had to roll off the bass on the NT5 but when I did it sounded pretty nice. I think the AT3031 would be good for overheads on drums or as a hi-hat mic moreso than as a mic for acoustic guitars, which is what I'm wanting.

Hey, the AT3035 is an electret and extremely nice for the $$.

Steve, Mojo Pie
www.piemusic.com

 

[alanhyatt]

Thanks Ozraves, sounds like I should wait for the C4 and compare it to the NT5.

With the distribution changes as a rsult of us opening our new office in the UK, the C4's will sell at the dealers for about $359.00 Euro!!! That includes both sets of capsules in Omni and Cardioid, shock mounts and road case. In addition, the C4 pre has a pad and Hi-Pass filter.

We are just starting to get going and will deal direct with the local dealers so they will get the right pricing from us, rather than pay the large upcharge of a distributor....

 

[Rossi]

Yeah Alan, I'm glad you made that move, and I'm certain you won't regret it. A lot of newer American companies seem to neglect the European market, and if you can offer your stuff at reasonable prices and if it is easily available here, you have a vast advantage over your nearest competitors such as MXL. Besides, I already recommended your gear left and right on the German keyboards board.

But to come back to the C4: the graph on your webpage, if I remember correctly, shows a slight bass rolloff, even when the lowcut is not engaged. Now, my preferences are different than Ozraves. I do like good bass response on a SD condenser, I think it makes it more versatile. I mean I can always roll off the bass frequencies on the preamp or, if available, on the mic itself via. So will the C4 have enough low end for a guy like me?

 

[alanhyatt]

But to come back to the C4: the graph on your webpage, if I remember correctly, shows a slight bass rolloff, even when the lowcut is not engaged. Now, my preferences are different than Ozraves. I do like good bass response on a SD condenser, I think it makes it more versatile. I mean I can always roll off the bass frequencies on the preamp or, if available, on the mic itself via. So will the C4 have enough low end for a guy like me?

Things have changed since we put the graph up. We have been doing modifications of the capsule and heavy testing next to some very nice mics. While we do not have the new graph as of yet, I assure you there is plenty of low end, which is why we put the Hi-Pass filter on in the first place....

 

[Rossi]

Yeah, gimme mo bass! Then I guess I'll wait for the C4. If the sound is what I'm looking for, it'll the best deal most definetly.

Is there a scheduled release date, the Frankfurt music fair maybe?

 

[ozraves]

I do like good bass response on a SD condenser, I think it makes it more versatile. I mean I can always roll off the bass frequencies on the preamp or, if available, on the mic itself via.

The NT5 has tons of bass.

 

[Jack Hammer]

What is the C4, how is it different from the other models and what was it designed for?

 

[Rossi]

@Ozraves: Yeah I know the NT5 fits the job description, but the C4 has two capsules and shockmouns, which are pretty useful for a mic with lots of bass, so I want to wait for a direct comparison. The C4 would be more mic for the same money. If I had to buy right now, I'd go for the Rode.

@ Jack Hammer: The C4 is a *small* diaphragm condenser, all other SP mics so far are *large* diaphragm condensers. For differences and applications see Harvey's famous thread.

 

[Mark7]

Hey Alan!

I took a look at the website for Soundsense here in the U.K. and compared the prices there for your mics with those at Digital Village. £67 for the B1 at SS compared to £100 at DV is a pretty substantial drop. And only £199 for a valve mic! Yikes!! So, Welcome to the pricey side of the pond Alan! (insert smiley). I hope you have as much success here as you've had over there. Just make sure Academy Of Sound (the main East Midlands/Anglia and North-West chain) get onboard (insert stern looking smiley here). I hate buying things by mail order.

Best of luck

Regards

Mark.

 

[Mark7]

Erm. Sorry to be a nuisance but, I was just wondering if there will eventually be a B series version of the LSD(!)2? IE: with the 3 micron diaphragm instead of the 6. Oh, and a hypercardioid head for the C4 too.

You're building up a pretty nice range there Alan, old chap!

Regards

Mark

 

[ausrock]

<-------------Wanders around the cosmos, pondering among other things, the meaning of love, life, music (no not rap ) and whether there will ever be an equality of SP prices in the Antipodes.

 

[darrin_h2000]

Not until your government apologises for Paul Hogan will the rest of the world let you cooperate in free trade.

 

[Mark7]

And "Prisoner Cell Block H".

 

[ausrock]

Please don't get me started on Hogan.........or his modern day counterpart Steve, the idot crocodile hunter.

 

[DJL]

Erm. Sorry to be a nuisance but, I was just wondering if there will eventually be a B series version of the LSD(!)2?
Mark

I asked that question a while back, and Alan said there will be NO B series type version of the LSD2 made.

 

[ausrock]

Actually, "idot", meaning idiot, is too kind.............let's try embarassing, imbecilic, cretin.

 

[alanhyatt]

Mark,

Dig vil will be coming down in price. I just spoke with Tony, and he needed the updated pricing. We are really just getting started there...it will take a few weeks to get everyone updated, and orders shipped to the stores.

No 3um LSD-2 as a dedicated model, but I am sure we could on off custom mods in our shop by matching some 3um capsules and changing them out. Hey, maybe we should start a custom shop at SP. Offer up an order form and just choose what you want, and we build it.

I am sure we will look into mods for an upcharge, so anything is possible. Oh yeah, we will see Academy Of Sound, they are on our list and I am sure they will be a dealer for us. Now that the Toft Audio is close, and the designs for the new Joemeek are finished, I think we as a company become stronger to the dealers.

Looking forward to the new Meek, they are killer.....