Studio Projects B-3 and C-1

  • Thread starter Thread starter TLEE1183
  • Start date Start date
T

TLEE1183

New member
Hey guys, I'm about to get some mics for doing some home recording and I was wondering if there is a huge difference between these 2 and how noticable it is. I'm gonna be doing mostly vocal and acoustic guitar works and maybe micing a guitar amp on some projects. So basically I'm looking for a mic that's versitile and will be my main mic for awhile since I'm on a college student budget which is practically nothing. (I'm gonna be eating alot of bread and water for awhile) And I'm pretty set on the B-3 over the B-1 becuase of the pattern switching. My original plan was to pick up a B-1 and then a C-1 for the vocals. But the 3 pattern switching got me to shell out the extra $50. Now rite when I was about to get the B-3, it occured to me that the C-1 is only $50 more (and comes with a nice case :D ). Should I just go for the C-1? Which mic would be best for what I'm doing--the B-1 and a little later on a C-1 OR just get the B-3? Thanks.
 
WOW, hard to advise here. You'll probably be happy which ever way you go.
The B3 is probably a better acoustic mic due to the 3 micron diphram, but the C1 is possibly the better vocal mic.
If I were you, I'd purchase both on credit card from a store with a 7 day (or more) return policy, try them out and return the one you like the least.
 
Hmm...ic...you think getting the B-3 and then a MXL 67 would suffice me rite? Or you think that a B-3 is good enough as a vocal mic as well.

Edit: Also how rugged is the B-3? I mean it's not gonna travel alot but when it does I wanna make sure that it doesn't get messed up. I know it's a low-budget mic but for a guy without much of a budget it's a huge investment that I can't risk to lose and I wanna take care of. So you think getting something like this http://store.yahoo.com/djgear/studprojspro.html would be worth it? Is this even for the B-3 becuase I saw it on another website (scroll to the bottom for the case) for the C models only.
 
Last edited:
The V67 is quite a nice mic too, I have one. But it is rather dark sounding. So again you'd need to test it on your voice with your preamp to see if it suits.
FWIW, I do most of my acoustic guitar recording with the V67, but only because it really seems to suit my guitarist's Epiphone.

for a sample
The vocal is actually through the V67 also.
Disclaimer: Mix not finished ;)

On ruggedness, well, the B3 will stand up to as much (or little) abuse as any LD condenser.
 
Just to throw something else in, a reviewer in EQ magazine said that the B1 and B3 do not sound the same, and then went on to express a preference for the B1 over the B3, even though it lacks the multi-pattern capability.
 
There is no doubt and no debate that the B1 and B3 are different sounding mics. Alan Hyatt himself will be the first to tell you that. He says that the B1 has a darker sound.
And as for preferring one over the other, well that's just a totally personal and subjective opinion. Everyone just has to make their own mind up on that.
 
So getting a B1 and a B3 wouldn't really be redundant then? I guess then I'm just gonna have to experiment for myself which is the one I need and slowly just get one by one and eventually hopefully to get a nice arsenal of mics at my disposal over the years. I think I'm gonna go for the B3 for it's multipattern and if I think I need a more neutral I'll go for the B1 or more of a colored I'll go for the V67 or C1. But I think the B3 will sound good compared to what I was using before (a cheap audix dynamic mic). Plus I think these virgin ears won't really be able to tell that it's colored or the difference because it has no experience and has not heard anything else. So I guess I'll be ok with the B3 until my ears develop and I need more. Thanks guys.

But a thing about the ruggedness. How well do LD condensors stand up? Are they like SM58's and 57's or if they get bumped or shaken that it will mess the mic up. And will they able survive even, gasp!, a drop. How delicate are they?
 
I think the B1 might be pretty close to my existing AT4040, so I'm jonesing for a pair of B3 instead.

I want a dot-matched pair of B3 specifically for omni and figure-8 modes.
 
TLEE1183 said:
But a thing about the ruggedness. How well do LD condensors stand up? Are they like SM58's and 57's or if they get bumped or shaken that it will mess the mic up. And will they able survive even, gasp!, a drop. How delicate are they?
Click to expand...

I treat my B1's like gold, because to me, they are. Put your LD's into a glass jar along with some silica gel packets. LD's can be susceptible to moisture build-up due to humidity in the air, or from a singer's breath. So don't leave the mics on a stand for weeks on end. Use a pop shield, both for popping p's and for shielding moist air emanating from the vocalist. I wouldn't even think about dropping the mic...
 
billisa said:
I treat my B1's like gold, because to me, they are. Put your LD's into a glass jar along with some silica gel packets. LD's can be susceptible to moisture build-up due to humidity in the air, or from a singer's breath. So don't leave the mics on a stand for weeks on end. Use a pop shield, both for popping p's and for shielding moist air emanating from the vocalist. I wouldn't even think about dropping the mic...
Click to expand...

What are silica gel packets?
 
Like those little packs of crystals you find in a shoe box with new shoes, with "do not eat" written on them. They absorb moisture.
You can buy them new. I think somebody somewhere said that the easiest place to find them is in a gun shop.
 
This reminds me of recording school when the instructor gave us quite a lecture on how fragile condenser mikes are before letting us handle their precious U87 and C414's. Condenser are definitely NOT tough like SM58's, so I would be as careful as possible.
 
Frankly, you're probably right about your "vigin ears". I'd probably get the B-3 and deal with it, because the multiple polar patterns will make it a useful learning tool. It'll give you the chance to experiment a little, which is the important thing to be doing with your first condenser mic. And no, don't drop it! Don't blow into it! If you don't have anything better, put it in a lunch box lined with foam and some silica packets.-Richie
 
Hm...I see...interesting...thanks guys. Oh boy, I can't wait to get my new toy! :D
 
I must tell you I'm very serious about the glass jar approach. Why? Because (like a lot of blinking lights) the image created by taking a mic out from a glass case creates an irreplaceable ambiance that can't help but enhance the performance of the musician, or, at the very least, impress your friends. Wearing white cotton gloves also adds a nice effect, as does a long white coat, ala EMI in the 1950's. Listen, if you're going to do any serious recording you've just got to have the right accessories.

Actually, all kidding aside. Brent Casey at Studio Projects recommended using glass jars, and I do. Works like a charm.
 
billisa said:
I must tell you I'm very serious about the glass jar approach. Why? Because (like a lot of blinking lights) the image created by taking a mic out from a glass case creates an irreplaceable ambiance that can't help but enhance the performance of the musician, or, at the very least, impress your friends. Wearing white cotton gloves also adds a nice effect, as does a long white coat, ala EMI in the 1950's. Listen, if you're going to do any serious recording you've just got to have the right accessories.

Actually, all kidding aside. Brent Casey at Studio Projects recommended using glass jars, and I do. Works like a charm.
Click to expand...


Hahaha...Yea I think I'm most definitely going this way. So how much gel silica packet would one put into the jar? Do you have a pic of yours possibly so I can get an idea of what to do. THanks
 
TLEE,

I've been using a pair of budget SP B-1s on acoustic guitar--with excellent results. I spent quite a bit a time reading reviews at this forum and in mag articles online, and I did, in fact, find universal agreement that the B-1 and
B-3 do sound noticably different. Moreover, at least two pro reviewers actually prefered the sound of the cheaper B-1; one of them (was he in EQ mag?) called it his favorite mic in the SP line. If you search on-line, you'll find a handful of these reviews, including the ones I mention here.

That said, I have no personal experience with the other SP mics, so as is always the best advice, I'd suggest that you continue your research and try these mics in your studio, if possible--always the best option. I've heard that some companies now are allowing folks to return mics after auditioning them.

Good luck,

J.
 
I did have two B3 mics and a C1. I still have the C1 but the sold the B3s. I liked them, but for $50 more, the C1 really is sharper with vocals and sounds fine (but not as good as small condensors, like MXL603) on acoustic instruments.
 
TLEE1183 said:
Also how rugged is the B-3? ... I know it's a low-budget mic.
Click to expand...
Just to be clear, all the info above on the general fragility of condensers is right on, but the B-3 isn't any more or less fragile because of its price. Mine feels like it's gonna last a while.

TLEE1183 said:
So you think getting something like this [case] would be worth it?
Click to expand...
I have that case for my B-3. It works great. Good news: it's got a space for a shock mount. Bad news: that means you're going to have to buy one ;)

wren
 
Yea, dude, there's just so many possiblities and uncertainties. I'm just gonna take the risk and make it or break it with this mic and later on as I figure out exactly what I need I'll get something else. I mean we all gotta start somewhere. I remember getting my first guitar, and being a know nothing kid in middle school I got a martin auditorium made out of mahangony. It's a good guitar but doesn't suite my needs. And from this mistake I learned that what I need is a full body dreadnought made from rosewood for that deep, full sound. So I guess this is another martin purchase that I'll just have to learn from and understand exactly what I need and want from a mic and for my lil studio.



wrenhunter said:
I have that case for my B-3. It works great. Good news: it's got a space for a shock mount. Bad news: that means you're going to have to buy one ;)
Click to expand...

Mine comes with one. ;) Nice to hear that the case works with the mic. I might invest in one. hmm....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top