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EveningSky
New member
Has anyone had experience with these SDC mics. They appear to be an excellent offer for the money (if their quality is good). Are they up the quality of the other SP products?
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That_Abbott
New member
There is a review of them at www.mojopie.com.
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DJL
Self Banned
EveningSky said:Has anyone had experience with these SDC mics. They appear to be an excellent offer for the money (if their quality is good). Are they up the quality of the other SP products?
I don't own the C4's, but I've read on the internet that they are kinda middle of the road SDC budget mics... meaning they sound ok on some things and not so good on others. So another option in that price range is the Oktava MC-012's.
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Richard Monroe
Well-known member
I have a pair, and they are excellent mics for acoustic instruments. Very good on acoustic guitar, strings, and woodwinds. They are also good on overheads if you want a real accurate sound. Very little color with relatively flat response. Frankly, I put up other overheads for rock/blues, such as Oktava MC012 and AKGC 2000B, but I use the C-4's for Jazz and Country, or anything where I don't want color on the overheads.
Fit and finish issues to note.- The elastic on the shockmounts has to be just the right tension, and you may find it necessary to shorten or lengthen it. If it's too tight, the elastic will spread the clip and the mic clip gets loose. Too loose, and the mic clip will slip off the retainers. I sent them back to SP at their request, and they sent them back with new elastics. One worked fine, the other was too long. I just shortened it and crimped it, and they both work fine now.
Another problem I had involved the sping loaded plunger in the body of the mic that makes contact with the capsule. The spring is light, and on one mic the spring didn't always return the plunger all the way, creating wonderful artifact, that ocean sound you love to hate. I found that at first, I had to take a toothpick and push the plunger down a little extra (gently), to get it to return. With more use (capsule changes), I find it happens much less often, I think the plunger is just breaking in..
One tip with C-4s.- When sliding them into the shock mounts, be careful not to catch the switch on the body of the mic on the lip of the mic clip. You can, and it's not pretty. The capsules are not labeled. The cardioid caps are the ones with the ports in the sides.-Richie
Fit and finish issues to note.- The elastic on the shockmounts has to be just the right tension, and you may find it necessary to shorten or lengthen it. If it's too tight, the elastic will spread the clip and the mic clip gets loose. Too loose, and the mic clip will slip off the retainers. I sent them back to SP at their request, and they sent them back with new elastics. One worked fine, the other was too long. I just shortened it and crimped it, and they both work fine now.
Another problem I had involved the sping loaded plunger in the body of the mic that makes contact with the capsule. The spring is light, and on one mic the spring didn't always return the plunger all the way, creating wonderful artifact, that ocean sound you love to hate. I found that at first, I had to take a toothpick and push the plunger down a little extra (gently), to get it to return. With more use (capsule changes), I find it happens much less often, I think the plunger is just breaking in..
One tip with C-4s.- When sliding them into the shock mounts, be careful not to catch the switch on the body of the mic on the lip of the mic clip. You can, and it's not pretty. The capsules are not labeled. The cardioid caps are the ones with the ports in the sides.-Richie
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EveningSky
New member
Thank you. Both the reference and Mr. Monroe's response do not sound like a strong recommendation.
Would you buy them again Mr. Monroe? They do not sound like they are of comparable quality to their C1 LDC mics, or what do you think?
Would you buy them again Mr. Monroe? They do not sound like they are of comparable quality to their C1 LDC mics, or what do you think?
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Richard Monroe
Well-known member
No, Eveningsky, you misinterpret me. I would buy them again in a heartbeat. They are the best SD's I can afford on guitar, which is my primary use for them. As overheads, they work very well on material that calls for a very transparent mic. My issues with fit and finish are just the kind of helpful advice I try to give when I have used a piece of gear extensively, and know some of it's quirks. Almost all gear has something imperfect about it that you have to deal with. When you've made good contact with the capsule, and the shockmounts are set up properly, these mics work very well.
When I say they are *very good* on acoustic guitar, I mean that they are comparable in that application to other mics I own, costing considerably more, including AKG C414B-ULS, Shure SM82 (both favorites of mine on acoustic), Rode NTK, B.L.U.E. Kiwi. They don't put out a particularly hot signal, so they profit from a pre with a lot of gain, but they are very quiet. I think they are a lot like SM81's that can go omni.
I'm just not going to leap in here and tell you that these mic's are the hottest thing since sliced bread, and sound better than a Schoeps. They are usable and desirable midrange priced SD's that compare very well to say, Rode NT5's at the price point. They are more accurate, flatter, and quieter yhan the budget alternatives (MC012, MXL 603), which is good or bad, depending. For rock overheads, I simply prefer slightly more colored mics, and the Oktavas rock. The 603 is less colored than the Oktava, and brighter, I think, making it better than the Oktava for acoustic. The C-4's are flatter than either one, and more transparent.
The statement that I would put them up for Jazz or Country overheads and Classical guitar as a first choice (as part of an $8000 or so mic cabinet) should be interpreted to mean that I think rather highly of these microphones. They're just not my only option.-Richie
When I say they are *very good* on acoustic guitar, I mean that they are comparable in that application to other mics I own, costing considerably more, including AKG C414B-ULS, Shure SM82 (both favorites of mine on acoustic), Rode NTK, B.L.U.E. Kiwi. They don't put out a particularly hot signal, so they profit from a pre with a lot of gain, but they are very quiet. I think they are a lot like SM81's that can go omni.
I'm just not going to leap in here and tell you that these mic's are the hottest thing since sliced bread, and sound better than a Schoeps. They are usable and desirable midrange priced SD's that compare very well to say, Rode NT5's at the price point. They are more accurate, flatter, and quieter yhan the budget alternatives (MC012, MXL 603), which is good or bad, depending. For rock overheads, I simply prefer slightly more colored mics, and the Oktavas rock. The 603 is less colored than the Oktava, and brighter, I think, making it better than the Oktava for acoustic. The C-4's are flatter than either one, and more transparent.
The statement that I would put them up for Jazz or Country overheads and Classical guitar as a first choice (as part of an $8000 or so mic cabinet) should be interpreted to mean that I think rather highly of these microphones. They're just not my only option.-Richie
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DJL
Self Banned
Richard, I know my following questions are subject to personal opinion, but do you own the Marshall MXL603SPR and Oktava MC-012's (from the sound room) mics and if so, which do you perfer on acoustic guitar, the MXL603S, MC-012, or C4 (I'm talking about the cardioid pattern only)? Also, which do you prefer as drum overheads, the MXL603S's, MC-012's or C4's (I'm talking about X/Y)? Also, how would you describe the sound of the C4's as compared to the MC-012's and MXL603S's (bright, dark, harsh, smooth, etc)? Thanks.
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Richard Monroe
Well-known member
Answer, DJL.- I had a matched pair of MC012's from the Sound Room for a year, and have since sold them. They were replaced by an unmatched set of MC012's, and a pair of C-4's. I have used the 603's in a friend's studio for the better part of 2 days, so I can only claim moderate experience with them.
I find the MC012's to be very good overheads that border on great overheads. I do not like them on acoustic guitar. In 18 months, I never succeeded in getting a guitar sound out of the Oktavas that wasn't trashed by other mic selections, mainly SM82 and C414B-ULS. The MC012 is darker and more flattering than the other 2, and can be used by some for vocals, which was a little surprising.
The 603's, I find brighter than the Oktavas, better for guitar, and to my ear, not as cool as overheads. I think of them as a valid compromise between the needs of acoustic and drums. You'll notice my matched Oktavas got replaced by a cheap pair for $140 from GC, with the Russian manuals (no cedar box, alas). That pair (I lucked out, I think) turned out to be < 1dB in output apart across the audio spectrum, and have served me quite well.
The C-4's, I think, are quieter and flatter than either of the above. They sound more like a C414, just the facts, ma'am. I would not call them harsh or bright, I'd call them flat and accurate. They are not hyped or flattering, you know, like an AT4033 or Behringer ECM8000's without the hiss. (as omnis). I prefer the cardioid to the omni capsules, but I suspect that is mostly my room demons. They are, for my purposes, vastly superior to the Oktavas or, for that matter, the 603's, as instrument mics, and they are very good overheads for material where you want fast transient response, and snap. I haven't gotten to use them on piano yet, but I'm guessing they'll shine in that role. The best comparison I can make is to the SM81's, which I have also gotten to use, but don't own. To my ear, the C-4's sound more like an SM81 than anything I can think of. I hope that answers your question.-Richie
I find the MC012's to be very good overheads that border on great overheads. I do not like them on acoustic guitar. In 18 months, I never succeeded in getting a guitar sound out of the Oktavas that wasn't trashed by other mic selections, mainly SM82 and C414B-ULS. The MC012 is darker and more flattering than the other 2, and can be used by some for vocals, which was a little surprising.
The 603's, I find brighter than the Oktavas, better for guitar, and to my ear, not as cool as overheads. I think of them as a valid compromise between the needs of acoustic and drums. You'll notice my matched Oktavas got replaced by a cheap pair for $140 from GC, with the Russian manuals (no cedar box, alas). That pair (I lucked out, I think) turned out to be < 1dB in output apart across the audio spectrum, and have served me quite well.
The C-4's, I think, are quieter and flatter than either of the above. They sound more like a C414, just the facts, ma'am. I would not call them harsh or bright, I'd call them flat and accurate. They are not hyped or flattering, you know, like an AT4033 or Behringer ECM8000's without the hiss. (as omnis). I prefer the cardioid to the omni capsules, but I suspect that is mostly my room demons. They are, for my purposes, vastly superior to the Oktavas or, for that matter, the 603's, as instrument mics, and they are very good overheads for material where you want fast transient response, and snap. I haven't gotten to use them on piano yet, but I'm guessing they'll shine in that role. The best comparison I can make is to the SM81's, which I have also gotten to use, but don't own. To my ear, the C-4's sound more like an SM81 than anything I can think of. I hope that answers your question.-Richie
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DJL
Self Banned
Yes Richard, that answered my question, and gives me a better idea of your opinion. FWIW, I think we have similar taste... for example, I too prefer the MC-012's over the MXL603S's for drum overheads, and I also prefer the MXL603S's over the MC-012's for acoustic instruments. Thank you for taking the time to anwaer my questions and please let me know what you think of the C4's on piano after you had some time to do so. Thanks again.
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EveningSky
New member
Thank you Mr. Monroe. That was very helpful. Could I ask you how they compare to the SM81s? You mentioned that the cardiod pattern is similar in character. How about quality. Is the SM81 clearly a superior sounding mic or are they close. I understand that the comparison is unfair given the cost difference and feature difference, but that would help me through a known reference.
What happened whit the omni capsule. Are you saying it appeared to work well, but picked up too much ambient sound in your recording area?
Thank you again.
What happened whit the omni capsule. Are you saying it appeared to work well, but picked up too much ambient sound in your recording area?
Thank you again.
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DJL
Self Banned
I have a pair of Shure SM81's and they are very well built and they have been a standard studio (and live) mic for for years... you'll find them in most every good pro studio... and form what Richard said about the C4's I'd venture to say that the C4's are not as well built as the SM81's and are a bit brighter in sound than the SM81's. The SM81's also cost more than the C4's, but IMO the SM81's should last you a life time and will be worth a lot more money than the C4's (even more than now) years from now.
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