Studio Projects C1 vs. C3 vs. T3

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cloudchamber

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In my home studio, I have an arrangement that my clients can buy me gear that I can use to record them with --in lieu of cold hard cash. So, what should I ask for: a cheaper mic and a better preamp, or a kick ass mic and a lower end pre?
 
it would depend how much $$$ you are looking at and how you define "cheaper", "better", "kick ass", and "lower end"......if we're talking out of the 3 mics you listed, and getting the higher $$$ of the 3 meant getting a lower end mic pre, Id opt for the C1 and a "kick ass" pre.....
 
but if up to me, Im still a Marshall fan and havent jumped on the C1 bandwagon yet....Id get a Marshall MXLv67......

question : what mics and preamps do you have now and what sources do you record? (vocals, acoustic guitar, guitar amps, etc)?.....
 
you think the C1 frenzy is a bunch of hype, huh? I agree it all sounds a little too good to be true...

All I have now is a 24/96 PC setup with a Oktava 319 and a Rolls tube pre. Nothing fancy, but it gets me by. I'm looking to spend about $1500 on an upgrade.

Thanking you in advance for your advice...

Matt
 
cloud,

Gidge DID suggest you look at a C1 and a good pre, so maybe you are reading too much into what he said.

Unfortunately the MXL's aren't being imported to Aust. yet so I cant comment on them BUT the Studio Projects are here and I own a C1. They are extremely good, especially for their cost BUT even Alan Hyatt from PMI has said that the C3 is a better mic.

I agree with Gidge about getting a good pre, but please try and check out as many mics as you can before buying.

Peace...ChrisO :cool:
 
cloudchamber, I think if you get either the Studio Projects C3 or T3 you'd
be a lot better off since they're both multipattern and that could save you
$ in the long run, in addition to more applications. You could get a pair
of C3's, along with a nice mic pre, and still be under $1500.00.
Pretty soon, Studio Projects is supposed to come out with a mic pre,
under $300 street price. The website is www.studioprojectsusa.com

P.S. I own and use a C1 and it sounds excellent! The reports are not
hype.
 
definitely a kicker mic and a cheap pre.

A neumann is a neumann is a neumann.

Put it through ANY pre and it still has the dsicenrnable characteristics of a neumann.

On the other hand, a cheap condenser through a millenium media pre will still sound like you know what.
 
CyanJaguar wrote:
"On the other hand, a cheap condenser through a millenium media pre will still sound like you know what."

CJ, I must respectfully disagree with you on that point. My MXLV67G sounds wonderful thru the Great River MP-2 and the MP-2NV.

I also know for a fact (thru several long phone conversations) that John La Grou (the President of Millenium Media) likes his Marshall V67Gs and his 603S plugged into one of his preamps. John was amazed at the price/performance ratio of these mics. Yes, John owns an MXL V67G or two.

Al Schmitt was also amazed at the quality of those two mics. He has a few of them, too.
 
hi harvey,

but then again, the v67g is NOT a cheap condenser. It might be inexpensive, but it sounds very phat. I was referring to the crop of mics that either have an excessively hyped midrange (nt1) or excessively hyped high end.

still, I doubt that a v67 plugged into a neve will sound as good as a sony 800g into a mackie.

also on the subject of inexpensive mics, I think that the fact that all these big boys use these mics attests to the versatility of the mics more than anything else. I am sure that John la grou also plugs shure sm57s into a great pre(the millenium media is a great pre imo)with success. I doubt, however, that he will favor his v67 over a u47 or even a tlm103 for vocals.
 
cloud,

I dont think the C1 is a bunch of hype....its a very good much and worth many $$$ more than its cost.....I just think the v67 sounds a little better and is even a few $$$ cheaper.....

with a $1500 budget, Id start with the Marshall MXLv67 and a really nice preamp....Great River MP2.....if you just need one channel the Grace 101 is a nice unit.....also look into getting a RNC compressor because if you are relying on the Direct Pro's compressor, you are short changing yourself....also make sure you have good cables to keep your signal chain clean....
 
The MXLV67G comes with a mounting bracket. I assume that isn't a real shockmount, is it ? Should one buy the optional shockmount when they order the V67G ?
 
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Look...I have to say that I was very skeptical about the Studio Project stuff. Imagine...comparing to a U87. I have used Neumann, AT, Rode, CAD, AKG and Shure in Large Dia mics. I borrowed a C1 on Saturday, bought it on Monday.
It is a great mic for the price. Especially through my Mindprint Envoice. I was waiting for the T3 to get here in Canada. Thought what the hell I'll try this C1. Now I can't wait for the T3.

If you don't want to accept anyone elses opinion on these mics......then I say all the power to you, but my recordings are taking a sheen never before have I experienced with my VS1680. They are special. My two cents
 
Does anyone know if Guitar Center carries any of the SP mics? We just got a new GC where I live (yay) ...maybe I should just go look for myself.

Isaiah
 
How important do you guys think it would be for a project studio owner
like cloudchamber to have a multi-pattern mike like the C3 or T3?

P.S. My understanding is that Studio Projects mikes are being sold only
through independent dealers-not a chain (like Guitar Center).
 
Prism-

When did a GC open in Spokan and where is it? Also, whats the name of the other fairly big music store there? I think they may have two stores but I've only been to the main one. The guys there were pretty good and there prices were right with the big chains. I don't get to Spokan very often but it may be worth the drive some weekend.
 
There's a new GC near Franklin Park Mall (it's next to the outback steakhouse that's over there). The other music store you may be referring to might be Hoffman Music... they have two stores in Spokane...and there's also Rock City Music, but they don't seem to have much more than just drums and guitars.

Isaiah
 
Hey Chessparov. The T3 is a tube so sound is definitely going to be different.
I have a prject studio and use my patterns all the time. Sometimes I even get a better vocal using omni instead of cardiod. Two can do harmony at a time on figure eight.
If I want to add room sounds to a guitar or amp let's say..omni it is.
Oh well. Has anyone heard the T3 besides our illustrious Alan Hyatt. (no offense...meant in a complimentary way.)
 
Ears, I agree about omni for vocals, if I had a better room I would have
snagged the C3!
 
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