Studio Projects C1 vs My Voice

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Queue

Queue

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This thread is an offshoot from the "C1 vs My Guitar" thread. Please don't dis my vocal abilities, I'm not planning to quit my day job. :rolleyes:

The idea was that the "full low end" of the C1 was not well represented in the take I posted. So I recorded these little clips for you to enjoy... I hope this selection is a little more representative.

Here's the signal path:

Me singing -> Studio Projects C1 -> Standard XLR Cable -> Aardvark DirectPro 24/96 -> Vegas Video 2.0d

You'll hear two takes, the first one I'm 5" away from the mic and the second I'm back one foot. I bypassed the Aark's built-in EQ and Compression and set the input gain at +42 dB and +45 dB respectively. The first take maxed out at -1.5 dB the second take maxed out at -2.6 dB. Both recordings are completely bone dry, spliced together, end-to-end.

Both are available in two flavors: Mono MP3 @256 kBps 1.5MB
Mono WAV 24 bit 6.33 MB

(The WAV file is still uploading, should be another 20 minutes...)

Queue
 
Whew!
I was begining to think this was another Studio Projects thread...Doh!!!
 
hey queue,

It sounds very nice. I like the body of the c1. I actually preferred the sound of the mp3 vocal to the wav. The wav has this high end that I can only define as, well let me keep that to myself. But I like it. I could picture seal voice coming from this source.
thanks man.
 
Doh!

Just cuz it says "Expert" next to my name, doesn't mean I'm not an idiot....

I forgot to hit the damn mute button on the guide track...
Those of you who listened before with all those Englishmen making noise in the background, might have an easier time of hearing the actual recording now. I have uploaded new files, the links above will still work.

Oh, and the MP3 is stereo, but not really....

Queue
 
Thanks

You have done a good thing, not only because now people without the C1 can hear it in action, but more importantly now I don't feel the urge to post my own vocals, which would break everyone's ears and cause great chaos in the world. If you feel like doing one more test, try singing across the front of the mic from the side.
 
All of these threads testing the C1 with gits,vocals etc indicate that this is a fine mic that can be used in almost any studio application. And at the price of under $200.00 it certainly is a bargain!
 
Last edited:
Re: Thanks

zoetrope said:
...but more importantly now I don't feel the urge to post my own vocals, which would break everyone's ears and cause great chaos in the world...
Click to expand...
But now you can feel free, cuz I've already broken everyone's ears...

If you feel like doing one more test, try singing across the front of the mic from the side.
Click to expand...
I won't be able to do that until tonight at the earliest, but at what distance, and what are you trying to prove with that test ?(just curious...)

Queue
 
"what are you trying to prove with that test ?" That man can fly.

From the manual: "To get that classic early capacitor microphone
sound, the singer should sing across the front of the microphone at a distance of 12" to 24" from the microphone." I don't know if they mean facing the mic or from the side of the mic, but I tried both and it sounds different from the side. Not necessarily better, just different. Worth a try, even if this isn't what they meant. I also tried singing into the back of the mic just to see what that would sound like. Also different. Experiment.
 
I would assume that side postion test would be to see how dark the mic is from way off the axis. Or to see how much rejection it has from the side, tight polar pattern or loose.
Maybe?
Adam
 
zoetrope said:
From the manual: "To get that classic early capacitor microphone sound, the singer should sing across the front of the microphone at a distance of 12" to 24" from the microphone." I don't know if they mean facing the mic or from the side of the mic, but I tried both and it sounds different from the side. Not necessarily better, just different. Worth a try, even if this isn't what they meant. I also tried singing into the back of the mic just to see what that would sound like. Also different. Experiment.
Click to expand...
Damn, when I read that, I assumed it meant straight at the mic. Now that I read it, it sure seems like they meant across the side. (For that classic early capacitor sound.) That's what I get for not reading carefully....

Where's Alan when you need him? Alan, you lurking out there? Care to clarify?

Queue
 
Hey Culligan Man!

(sorry if you don't get the reference, I don't know if they run those ads everywhere).
Well, I sent a PM to Alan so hopefully he'll drop by and let us know what it all means.
 
I dont know,

but I think what they meant was to sing into the mic about 30 degrees from the front. THis does give the vintage sound by taking away some high end. It sounds like it will work great with this mic. It did with the v67
 
Ok, tried it sideways:

Queue singing at the side of his C1

Sorry I didn't have much time... so the difference in levels is due to me not adjusting the gain in between takes. In fact, you can hear me twist the mic in the shockmount!!! :rolleyes:

So, I know there's quite a few people viewing this thread...

Counting this and the posts above, theres four different takes here... does anyone have a favorite? Are these very different?

Queue
 
Hey guys, I have been out of the country at a show in Canada, and heading to another one in Mexico, so I am a bit out of touch this week, but I will address more if the Hotel I get to has high speed access for my travel computer.

I did send an email to Zoetroup, he can cover some of what I said, but the side address will ease up on the high frequencies, but experimenting is the best way. I would stay away from the rear of the C1 as there is no diaphragm on the rear.
 
Attorney Client privilege

I cannot comment on what my client Mr. Hyatt said.

Well, ok. Here's a quote and a summary.

"12" is the best place to start as LD condensers are very sensitve and pick up your voice. At 12", the mylar does not ripple as much, so in theory, you acheive better response, like the early U47 mics."

If you sing closer than 12" use a popper stopper so the capsule isn't damaged.

I know none of that has anything to do with the question about facing the mic from different angles, but the major point Alan made was that the language of the manual has as much to do with legal liability considerations (damage to the capsule) as practical and musical considerations, hence some less than crystal clear prose. Notwithstanding any additional clarification Alan will be adding in the future, I think the bottom line is:

Feel free to experiment everywhere from 90 degrees to 0 degrees, avoid the back, and use a screen (popper stopper) if you're getting closer than 12" so the capsule doesn't get wet.
 
and use a screen (popper stopper) if you're getting closer than 12" so the capsule doesn't get wet
Click to expand...

Although the popper stopper does double as a spit shield, I thought the main purpose was to protect the diaphragm from being buffeted by bellowing blasts of breath caused by persistent pummeling from pernicious pronunciation of P's.

Queue
 
erg..

I hope he isn't saying don’t use a popper in every situation. I sing much less then 12 inches from my AKG 414 in omni mode so I don’t get that unreal bass response... also you don’t get the plosives from the power of the p pronunciation so much for the same reason. (Personally I think a stopper kind of makes my voice not sound so decent, its not perfect but it works, i think it works less with a popper. I do have to make some positional adjustments at times whn im singing louder, ie. above me at about eye level pointing down etc.).

Anyway my point is that why is this mic so susceptible to air form 12 inches away, which in some instances is REALLY far.
 
I once heard a recording engineer demand that the singer didn't drink Coke or anything with a lot of sugar in it before the take, as the sugar from the singers breath would make the capsule of his Neumann clog. What do I know.

Queue, I liked the 45 degree take the best. I found the sibilants a bit less harsh compared to the first two takes. My number two would be the 1 foot away take, since I thought the up close take was a bit too boomy. But of course, this may be the desired effect in some occasions.

Cheers
/Henrik
 
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