Small dia mic?

[Flames]

This has probably been discussed before, although I've been searching this forum I havent found what I've been looking for.

I'm considering buying a pair of small dia mics, and I've been looking at Audio Technica pro37 simply because "you can't go wrong with Audio Technica".
But since there are a great number of other brands that might give me a better "bang for the buck" (2-300€ for two) I thought you might help me out. My main use would be acoustic guitar and hihat.
Other brands would be:

MXL 603

Feilo SE1 OEM (ADK Cascade Joemeek etc) www.feilo-china.com/feilo_1m/products_entry11.htm

Line Audio Design CM2

Oktava MC-012 (if I could get a good deal)

Any other suggestion?

 

[MAC2]

I really can't comment on the other brands you mentioned but I recently picked up a pair of 603's and am VERY pleased. I've used them on cello, drums, and sax and they're extremely accurate, smooth, quiet and versatile. I've also heard Chessrock use them on some nylon string acoustic guitar tracks and they were GREAT (the reason I ended up getting myself a pair). As far as I'm concerned I think the 603's would offer you the "best bang for the buck".

 

[tdukex]

I'd go with either the MC012s or the MXL 603s.

You might also pick up one Behringer ECM8000 ($40). Because they are omni, they work well near the sound hole without the proximity effect you get with the 603s.

 

[Flames]

Line Audio Design CM2 www.lineaudio.se/linemic.htm (Swedish microphones) check it out.

 

[Track Rat]

Out of the mics you mentioned, I have a pair if the Octavas. These are killer mics. Alot of folks like the 603s. Harvey Gerst says they're extremly simuler to the Octavas in sound but I've no personal experience with them. There are a few other mics I like on acoustic guitar but I'm afraid they're out of your budget range.

 

[maskedman72]

603's or mco12's will do.

 

[littledog]

I've been looking at Audio Technica pro37 simply because "you can't go wrong with Audio Technica".

Does the quote mean someone actually SAID that???

 

[Flames]

No,
just a simple thought of mine, to make it an easy decision.

 

[Meshuggah]

Flames..

Scania, Sweden = Södertälje?

In Sweden, I don't know if the MXL603 is a good choice as they cost about 2x what they cost in the US.
I own a pair of Line Audio CM2s, and I like them a lot. I also have 2 MC012s, and they are lovely, but cost around 2700:- each at Estrad or Musikbörsen.

I'd have a look at ADK A-51SC from Golden Age Music. Those are 2000:- each, and they sound really good. I haven't heard Rode NT5 yet, but they might also be an alternative.

 

[dafduc]

MC012s are great, but the quality control from Oktava (reputedly) leaves something to be desired. If you want to save some bucks and you trust your ear, go to a local retailer and match a pair up. If you've got the extra $$ and/or don't trust your ear (like moi - way too many years of high volume gigs), The Sound Room will match them for you. I just did my first remote session with the Sound Room MC012's, I was quite pleased.

Paid a bit of a premium to get them, but I was very happy with the results. If handmatching or paying extra aren't an option for you, try the 603s.

Good luck.

 

[Flames]

Dosn't anybody have any experience with the Audio Technica pro37r www.audio-technica.com/prodpro/profiles/PRO37R.html

This was my primary question, but nobody haven't even commented it, so I'll ask again.

 

[still4given]

I've got a question. Just how is it that the "Sound Room" goes about "matching" the 012's? I keep hearing this but I really wonder if anyone here really know what process they use to match them. Is it something that takes a lot of expensive gear? It just seems that if they can do it, so can others.

Thanks, Terry

 

[Michael Jones]

Re: Re: Small dia mic?

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Flames
I've been looking at Audio Technica pro37 simply because "you can't go wrong with Audio Technica".

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Does the quote mean someone actually SAID that???

I was going to ask the same thing, and was wondering just who it could have been.

 

[Robert D]

The director of marketing at Audio Technica?

I like the Oktava's myself.
RD

 

[Bigus Dickus]

I've got a question. Just how is it that the "Sound Room" goes about "matching" the 012's? I keep hearing this but I really wonder if anyone here really know what process they use to match them. Is it something that takes a lot of expensive gear? It just seems that if they can do it, so can others.

Thanks, Terry

I can't really answer that completely, but I can say that it isn't just a sonic "by ear" test. They do plot frequency output charts, and are included with the mics.

In addition, I emailed Taylor Johnson at the soundroom and told him what instrument I was going to use them for specifically (grand piano), and he responded with plenty of useful information on everything for other mics to consider in the future for recording grands to some placement tips, and a note that he would try and find two mics well suited for my application.

What more can you ask for?

 

[Richard Monroe]

Well, truthfully, probably lots of people in the US, who constitute a majority on this board, don't have experience with AT pro37, including myself. I don't think that's a US designation. The standard AT small diaphragm condensers here are as follows- cardioid-AT4041-$279 4051-$559 3031-$169 omni-3527-$149 4049-$499 3032-$169. I don't know whether the mic you're describing is a European designation for one of the above, or a mic that isn't marketed here.
In general, the cheaper AT small diaphragms get beat out in the US by Octava MC012 or Marshall MXL 603, which are excellent mics that can be had for $100 or less, and the expensive ones get beat out by more expensive models that are simply better mics, such as Neumann KM184.
If you're looking for a pair of small diaphjragm capacitor mice in Europe, I would strongly consider a pair of Rode NT 5's. Best of luck.-Richie

 

[Doug Quance]

I've got a question. Just how is it that the "Sound Room" goes about "matching" the 012's? I keep hearing this but I really wonder if anyone here really know what process they use to match them. Is it something that takes a lot of expensive gear? It just seems that if they can do it, so can others.

Thanks, Terry

I believe it's both a frequency plot, as well as a matching of the voltages. Checked first in Russia, then here in the states. Sure, others could check them. And you could always pick another doctor. The question is that of trust.

I have two full sets of matched MC012's (omni's, cardioids & hypercardioids), as well as a matching set of LOMO LDC heads, that I got from Taylor Johnson at the Sound Room. Very good investment.

My philosophy is that if you fuck it up at the mic... it's an uphill battle from there. Why take a chance?

If you buy great mics, you'll have them long after you've upgraded all your other gear. If you don't... you'll be upgrading your mics, too.

Originally posted by Flames
I've been looking at Audio Technica pro37 simply because "you can't go wrong with Audio Technica".

Originally posted by littledog
Does the quote mean someone actually SAID that???

Originally posted by Flames
No, just a simple thought of mine, to make it an easy decision.

Now we're getting worried.

 

[Flames]

No need to worry, I've dropped them from my shoppinglist.
I think I'll go for the Line Audio Design CM2, or maybe order a pair of oktava MC-012 from the states, because of a dramatic price differens compared to the swedish price.

 

[13th_Omen]

I have just picked up a pair of AT Pro 37s. I was wanting to get some AKG C430s but the store I went to didn't stock AKG anymore (what a bummer) and we had to do some recording so I settled for the 37s. I am usinbg them for overheads and I have to say I am very pleased. I get close to a full ddrum sound with just the two mics!! Of course I am close micing everything else as well but the 37s pick up the cymbals great! I was pissed though when I saw "Made in Japan" considering Audio Technica's world headquarters is down the street from me! (in Ohio)

 

[13th_Omen]

I have just picked up a pair of AT Pro 37s. I was wanting to get some AKG C430s but the store I went to didn't stock AKG anymore (what a bummer) and we had to do some recording so I settled for the 37s. I am usinbg them for overheads and I have to say I am very pleased. I get close to a full ddrum sound with just the two mics!! Of course I am close micing everything else as well but the 37s pick up the cymbals great! I was pissed though when I saw "Made in Japan" considering Audio Technica's world headquarters is down the street from me! (in Ohio)