SP B1 applications (or "How do you use your B1 - besides vocals?")

[jdier]

So I have two SP B1's. I bought for a specific application and now do not ~really~ need them anymore because I have a C3 (which I am in love with... really.)

What are some other unique applications for my two B1's?

I tried them as drum overheads, but they were overloaded. I do not use room mics for drums (where these may work well) because my room is not all that great sounding.

I had great results experiementing with M-S micing using the figure 8 on the C3 with one of the B1's, so I will likely keep one.

I would use one for vocals if I did not have the C3. I guess I am just having trouble figuring out if I should keep them or loose them and pick up some new drum overheads (which I do need - using Beta57's now)

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Gidge]

I dont think theyd be good on anything so Id take them off your hands for the right price........



vocals, drum overheads, acoustic guitar, guitar amps, sax..........dont know how unique that is but its a pretty versatile mic.......


they really should be working better for you as overheads.....try different postions.....what preamp are you using?......maybe a pad?......

 

[Mark7]

Hmm. According to the SP Website the B1 can take 132 dBs maximum SPL. How loud is the average drum kit? How loud is YOUR drum kit!? Isn't 132 dBs at the pain threshold?

 

[jdier]

Gidge, I am a relative newbie... My C3 has a pad on it... is there another way to pad a mic that does not have a pad on it? If there is, then you have just solved my problem...

I use an Aardvark Q10 with built in pre's. If I ditch my trim levels to the floor on the Q10 control panel I still red line.

Thanks for the response.

 

[eeldip]

yea, but wouldnt it be painful to stick your ear 1" from a snare drum?

132 db is pretty low all things considered for drums. but just because a mic has distortion that crosses a certain threshold at a certain db doesnt mean it wont sound good.

 

[jdier]

Mark7,

I wonder if there is something I am doing wrong. Check my last post where I describe how I am running them.

My drummer is not nearly as loud as most I have played with... The room is 7'10" high, and about 18 x 22 lined with bass traps and wrapped 703 + some foam filled gobo's around the drums.

 

[jdier]

yea, but wouldnt it be painful to stick your ear 1" from a snare drum?

132 db is pretty low all things considered for drums. but just because a mic has distortion that crosses a certain threshold at a certain db doesnt mean it wont sound good.

You know, I did not even try recording since it was red lining so much and I am all digital... My fear (being somewhat new at recording) was that I was asking for trouble with those levels on my Aardvark.

 

[DJL]

Sometimes the SP B1 sounds very nice on guitars amps if that's the sound your looking for... they also make nice stage props when set on fire. hehehe

 

[Gidge]

Hopefully, Alan or Brent Casey can hi-jack this thread and help you out.....i cant imagine it redlining the pre with such little gain......

there are such things as inline pads that you can put between the mic and pre that cuts down the signal, but im not sure at this point you need it......

 

[cominginsecond]

Are you sure you're not just overloading the pre? If you don't have a pad engaged the B1 will do that with a decent volume on drums, but I really doubt you're overloading the mic, unless maybe you're close-mic'ing the kick drum.

 

[Son of Mixerman]

Ived used the SP B1 on violins in conjunction with MXL603s in X-Y. Nice.


SoMm

 

[jdier]

coming in second...

Assume I am a complete dumbass.

I believe that I have the mic pre set right... It is all electronic controls with no knobs. The Q10 has a control panel where I set the trim level. When I watch my meters they redline...

I assume that this means that I am overloading the mic... or at a minimum that I will have problems.

I think I just need to try recording like that... but with the trims all the way down, it just seems like it will not work well.

I will have to try it and listen to the results.

Thanks for the input.

Jim

 

[DJL]

coming in second...

Assume I am a complete dumbass.

I believe that I have the mic pre set right... It is all electronic controls with no knobs. The Q10 has a control panel where I set the trim level. When I watch my meters they redline...

I assume that this means that I am overloading the mic... or at a minimum that I will have problems.

I think I just need to try recording like that... but with the trims all the way down, it just seems like it will not work well.

I will have to try it and listen to the results.

Thanks for the input.

Jim

Jim, how long ago did you buy your Studio Projects B1's?


If anyone else is wondering about this... checkout this thread https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=55032

 

[jdier]

I just bought them, but I got them from someone who does not move piles of mics. I did not read your link yet, but I will. My mics could be new or could be fairly old.

Jim

 

[cominginsecond]

coming in second...

Assume I am a complete dumbass.

I believe that I have the mic pre set right... It is all electronic controls with no knobs. The Q10 has a control panel where I set the trim level. When I watch my meters they redline...

What are the trim levels set at? Turn them all the way down, if need be. I have the levels on my DMP3 all the way down when I do drum overheads, and I still have to engage the pad on the mic.

 

[Kryogh]

bass drum!

with the last 2 bands I recorded (including mine), my C1 was right in front of the kick, about 16" from the head, aiming the bottom of the kick (lets say about 20 deg.). This was a simple "test". I end up using the e602, as I usualy do, + the C1, like I just explain. The results are impressive!! I use the low end of the CI, and the hi-mid attack of the e602. And you know what? I think I'll always mic the bass drum this way from now.

The point is, I read a few thread where the B1 and the C1 were involved, and it looks like the B1 have a bit better bass response. So, I would really like to compare the B1 with my C1, on the bass drum application I mentionned.

In fact, they arent really expensive so, maybe I'll get one in a few weeks

 

[NeuzGrouper]

Well, Jim, the suspense is killing me!!!

Was it a defective mic after all?

 

[jdier]

neuz,

I cannot say for sure, but my gut is that it is not defective. When setting them up and handling them they make no odd noises, the sound from them is great, and other than getting overloaded in this application, they seem a-ok.

~also, the exact same thing is happening with two mics...~

Coming in second,

I have the levels ALL the way down on my Q10.

 

[laptoppop]

On my Aardvark Direct Pro - there are three sensitivity buttons MC2, MC1, and Ln, then another knob below that. I'm assuming the Q10 is similar.

*Exactly* how is that set? If the signal is too hot, you can choose Ln, even for a mic, and "turn" the knob for even less gain.

-lee-

 

[jdier]

laptop,

You are correct. the control panels are identical. I have the button to the right chose which is the lowest setting.

I do not know if you are aware, but if you adjust that trim using arrow keys aardvark will move seemlessly from one setting to another as you increase or decrease volume.

Thanks for replying.

Jim