stereo pair location recording

[bkdog]

Hi there,

I would like to query your collected wisdom for the following - unfortunately it's probably part of the perennial 'which mic is best' sort of thing, but this is directed and I've not seen it addressed yet.

I'm in the need of an inexpensive pair small diaphragm condensers for location ORTF/Blumline recording. This is mostly outdoor work and not specifically for music, but that could also happen. I'm interested in the most accurate and extended sound, I've done this before with Schoeps mic's but I don't have that luxury now...

The options I have thought of so far are (in no order):
1 Studio Projects C4
2 Rode NT5
3 Marshall Electronics MXL 603
4 or maybe the Behringer C-2 (or B-5?) - but it's ridiculously cheap and I'm suspicious that the C-2s/B-5s could sound as good as the others.

Does anybody have any experience with comparing any pairs of these mics, eg the NT5 or C4 against the 603s?

Many thanks for your thoughts,
Paul

 

[XLR]

You've probably done this already, but if you do a search for "ORTF and 603", or similar, it'll bring up several recent discussions comparing inexpensive stereo pairs. There are mp3's in some of the threads also, and that can be helpful.

My 603s are very sensitive to wind, and I don't think I'd use them outdoors.

Good luck,
Tim

 

[DJL]

Hi Paul, I have the NT5's, 603S's, B5's, MC-012, etc... and none of the cheap budget mics are like Schoeps.

 

[hoth]

Hi Paul, I have the NT5's, 603S's, B5's, MC-012, etc... and none of the cheap budget mics are like Schoeps.

I wonder why my Honda doesn't corner as well as my Porsche?

 

[4-Man Takedown]

well, for blumlein (spelling?) you'll need figure-8's I believe, which none of those are.

 

[bkdog]

You've probably done this already, but if you do a search for "ORTF and 603", or similar, it'll bring up several recent discussions comparing inexpensive stereo pairs. There are mp3's in some of the threads also, and that can be helpful.

My 603s are very sensitive to wind, and I don't think I'd use them outdoors.

Good luck,
Tim

Many thanks Tim - I'm googling "ortf 603" etc now.
Would you say that your 603s, even with the windshield and some lowcut, are unsuitable for outside recording because of their wind sensitivity?

Cheers,
Paul

 

[bkdog]

Hi Paul, I have the NT5's, 603S's, B5's, MC-012, etc... and none of the cheap budget mics are like Schoeps.

Hi DHL, yeah, I guessed none of the cheaper mics would be like the Schoeps, but I was wondering how close I could get for my budget. Do you have an opinion on the various mics for ORTF use, probably outdors?

I can't find a place here in Melbourne Australia where I can try them all out (not even friends' studios), so I can't make the most informed decision the way it should be done -thus I think I'm going to have to rely on the experience and opinions of others a bit.

Any comparitive sonic info would be most useful, maybe in terms of detail/clarity, extension, smoothness/warmth etc.

Cheers,
Paul

 

[XLR]

Many thanks Tim - I'm googling "ortf 603" etc now.
Would you say that your 603s, even with the windshield and some lowcut, are unsuitable for outside recording because of their wind sensitivity?

I meant that I thought you should search the BBS here, but try Googling the newsgroup archives of rec.audio.pro too - just looking for each of the mic names you mentioned.

My 603s even with the their little foam hats get a loud midrange whooshing sound with any wind, even if they get any slight air movement from our central air circulation.

BTW, I've got a Schoeps MK41 pair. Besides the fact that the 603s have a hyped high end, are wide cardioid, and make transients a little harsh, the main practical difference for me in using the mics was that the Schoeps sound good anywhere I put them, they just sound different in different spots. The 603s can sound good but it takes a lot of moving them around to find just the right spot in the room.

Tim

 

[sunflute]

Peluso CEMC6

Hi DHL, yeah, I guessed none of the cheaper mics would be like the Schoeps, but I was wondering how close I could get for my budget. Do you have an opinion on the various mics for ORTF use, probably outdors?

You should look at Peluso CEMC6. They are supposed to be a copy of the Schoeps. I just got a pair and only had a chance to try them briefly. My initial impression is very, very favorable, I am excited to have them. I also have the NT5 and the Pelusos definitelly sound better that the NT5, much more transparent. The price is right also, around $535 for a pair.

Peace
Sunflute

 

[Innovations]

Hi there,

I would like to query your collected wisdom for the following - unfortunately it's probably part of the perennial 'which mic is best' sort of thing, but this is directed and I've not seen it addressed yet.

I'm in the need of an inexpensive pair small diaphragm condensers for location ORTF/Blumline recording. This is mostly outdoor work and not specifically for music, but that could also happen. I'm interested in the most accurate and extended sound, I've done this before with Schoeps mic's but I don't have that luxury now...

The options I have thought of so far are (in no order):
1 Studio Projects C4
2 Rode NT5
3 Marshall Electronics MXL 603
4 or maybe the Behringer C-2 (or B-5?) - but it's ridiculously cheap and I'm suspicious that the C-2s/B-5s could sound as good as the others.

Does anybody have any experience with comparing any pairs of these mics, eg the NT5 or C4 against the 603s?

Many thanks for your thoughts,
Paul

Well, if its not specifically music then what is it? It is kind of hard to make a recommendation. No matter what you get you are going to need to have windscreens.

 

[bkdog]

You should look at Peluso CEMC6. They are supposed to be a copy of the Schoeps. I just got a pair and only had a chance to try them briefly. My initial impression is very, very favorable, I am excited to have them. I also have the NT5 and the Pelusos definitelly sound better that the NT5, much more transparent. The price is right also, around $535 for a pair.

Peace
Sunflute

hey, many thanks Sunflute! I have not heard of the peluso mics... rec.audio.pro has a bit of info on them, and while not everyone seems to think they sound like the schoeps, everyone does agree that they are pretty fabulous sounding and amazing value for money.

thanks again,
paul

 

[bkdog]

Well, if its not specifically music then what is it? It is kind of hard to make a recommendation. No matter what you get you are going to need to have windscreens.

it's location work in ancient temples in se asia, indonesiaa and burma etc. it's to supplement an ambisonic recording with some decent orts material - potentially for b+ decode over 32+ speakers... as I said, I've done this sorta thing before, I will definately need wondshields... especially in the jungle, I just don't have the schoeps' available...

if you know of any decent small capsule condensers similar to the ones mentioned, or if you've tried/compared them, I'd be keen to know what you thought.

cheers,
paul

 

[XLR]

it's location work in ancient temples in se asia, indonesiaa and burma etc. it's to supplement an ambisonic recording with some decent orts material - potentially for b+ decode over 32+ speakers...

Fascinating. So I'd guess it's for a documentary or movie filming?

Tim

 

[XLR]

Check out the Oktava MC012 also. Comes with interchangeable capsules in card, hyper and omni. Sound Room is the best source IMO - you've probably heard the whole quality control thing with those mic's.

I've heard they're popular with TV and film people, especially in risky situations where they need good sound but don't want to expose a really costly mic.

Don't own them but I've heard them and was impressed.

Tim

 

[Rado]

DO not use a stereo pair.Get a MS stereo microphone.There are a lot of choices.
Personaly I favor SANKEN C-5 from the low range and ofcourse Neumann RSM 191 as a ultimate mic.
DO NOT FORGET TO PICK UP A shock mount-windshield from rycote!!!!!!!!!!!

It is very important in the jungle to have at least 2 MICS!!!!
Sometimes humidity will make condesers sound like shit or just not work at all.
Switch every maybe 20 mins.Or just Test how long is gonna take for the mic to sound like shit.
If your condeser stop working----DO NOT PANIC.It is not dead.Just needs to get dry.
Good Luck!

 

[XLR]

Sometimes humidity will make condesers sound like shit or just not work at all.
Switch every maybe 20 mins.Or just Test how long is gonna take for the mic to sound like shit.

So what do you do, alternately put the mic's in a sealed container with bags of silica gel to them dry out? Or a container heated above air temp a little?

Tim

 

[Rado]

So what do you do, alternately put the mic's in a sealed container with bags of silica gel to them dry out? Or a container heated above air temp a little?

Tim

Well silica works well but make sure you change the bags every time cause they might just start to acumulate humidity. I myself use an old russian made Macarov gun cabinet with battery powered dehumidifier.
Try to find some in a gun store maybe.I dont know I never went to a gun store in my life.
Or maybe just google for dehumidifier.
Good luck.

 

[paddyponchero]

I wonder why my Honda doesn't corner as well as my Porsche?

My honda corners much better than any porsche

 

[XLR]

My honda corners much better than any porsche

Do you have an S2000? Mine's incredible at cornering. Not that I take corners fast.

Tim