L
LP2006
New member
both are excellent mics, and a good step up from the NT5's. Aren't the SR77's a good bit more $$$ though?
In my opinion, you aren't going to be disappointed with either choice. The SM81's are surprisingly good for the money.
Also check out the Josephson C42's
In my opinion, you aren't going to be disappointed with either choice. The SM81's are surprisingly good for the money.
Also check out the Josephson C42's
pohaku
New member
How much are you looking at spending? There are a lot of good choices out there, especially in the used market. I have and like the AT-4051(a) and the newer 4051(b) is supposed to be an excellent mic. Used 4051(a) mics run about $250 each. The Josephson C42 is a great mic, although a bit brighter than the AT-4051(a). Used matched stereo pairs go for @$700. The Beyer MC930 is an excellent mic and should also be a consideration. New matched stereo pairs go for @$750 or so. I've not used the SR77 so I can't comment there, but, IMHO, I'd take any of the above three mics over the SM-81.
Last edited:
Shadow_7
New member
The SM81's are a bit too directional for my tastes. Good instrument / stage mics I suppose. I'm not really sure if they're a step up from NT5's or AT4041SP's. More of a lateral move, not much up IMO. And several other up possibilities in the same price range. Beyer MC930? But it really depends on the source and how you plan on using them. The 81's are good mics. Just too specialized for me. Wanna make me an offer on my pair? I love my Avenson STO-2's better. Not perfect mics either, but more usable for me.
J
johnreelsound
New member
I love the sm81 and they are good on lots of things but particularly strings for me
john
john
O
omtayslick
New member
So far nobody has posted who has experience with both of the mics you are asking about.
I have not heard the Earthworks, but I can tell you that IMHO the 81 is a substantial step up from the Rode NT5's.
M
mikeeb
Whats the best RAP MIC??!
How much are you looking for the pair?
Shadow_7
New member
PM sent.
The 81's are better than the NT5's. Just not schoeps versus rode better. A step up, but more like tile versus carpet, not a full stair step. With a little EQ magic, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference on a conventional stereo system. High end converters and studio monitors, not even related, but in most peoples cars....
The 81's are better than the NT5's. Just not schoeps versus rode better. A step up, but more like tile versus carpet, not a full stair step. With a little EQ magic, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference on a conventional stereo system. High end converters and studio monitors, not even related, but in most peoples cars....
kid klash
The original Mr. Nice Guy
+1.
I'd capitalize the word too : the SM-81 is a SUBSTANTIAL step up. Very, very consistant from mic to mic, and well-made as well.
MoDog
New member
Oh well, it looks like the deal fell through on the Earthworks, so I'll be back in the market for SM81's or possibly Avensons.
I've checked out the Josephsens and the Beyers that some of you talked about also.
I'm just lurking and waiting for that screaming deal.
I've checked out the Josephsens and the Beyers that some of you talked about also.
I'm just lurking and waiting for that screaming deal.
pohaku
New member
B&H typically has a pretty good price on the Beyers. You have to look under stereo pairs and then e-mail for a price. Last I looked it was around $740 or so for a matched pair. I expect that if you called Full Compass, you would also get a very good price on the Beyers (you have to call for their best price, they typically only list the MAP price on their web site.).
Shadow_7
New member
Depends on how you define consistent. I've got two, one is significantly hotter dB wise than the other. At least in proximity. 1 o'clock and 3 o'clock on my Korg MR-1000. Trumpet 12" out. 8 o'clock and 8:30 room, 10+ yards out.
The 81's are bit better in the low end than my Avenson STO-2's. And maybe a bit more detailed. Of course that's OMNI(STO) versus Cardioid(81). More like hyper-cardioid(81) IMO. Stage / instrument mics, not stereo pair (room, not instrument) material for the 81's IMO. Good mics, but I'm personally left a bit underwhelmed. But only in the sense that I'd need 4 of them to cover the area I'm wanting to record. And I'd have to fly them halfway to the moon to overcome proximity issues. Good mics, but not for me. Camcorder fodder at a sporting event, I think not.
$400 USD for my two SM81's PLUS shipping. US ONLY, preferably continental. If you're in the Austin area we can forgo shipping if you pick them up. That's $400 for BOTH mics (aka $200 each).
dgatwood
is out. Leave a message.
I haven't used the NT5s, but I have used SM-81s. Our church uses those and PG-81s for choir mics. There's not a huge difference between the two, though the PG-81s are quite a bit hotter.
They both always struck me as somewhat thin sounding mics---not a lot of meat to the sound. I'm told that removing the HF disc helps clean up the top end (at a cost to flatness, of course), but as-is, they've always kind of bugged me.
For overheads, IMHO, you can't go wrong with a pair of Oktava MK-012 mics (the Russian ones, not the Chinese knock-offs). I haven't tried them on acoustic guitar, but a lot of folks seem to like them on that as well (particularly the M.J. modded version thereof).
They both always struck me as somewhat thin sounding mics---not a lot of meat to the sound. I'm told that removing the HF disc helps clean up the top end (at a cost to flatness, of course), but as-is, they've always kind of bugged me.
For overheads, IMHO, you can't go wrong with a pair of Oktava MK-012 mics (the Russian ones, not the Chinese knock-offs). I haven't tried them on acoustic guitar, but a lot of folks seem to like them on that as well (particularly the M.J. modded version thereof).