Studio Projects mics: good?

[ScienceOne]

Well, they sure aren't too pricey, and it's a relatively new name to me. How are they? I really have no idea.

 

[Lame Thrower]

It's your birthday!

https://homerecording.com/bbs/searc...id=191268&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=ascending

 

[Richard Monroe]

At their price point, the Studio Projects line is at the front of companies building mics with Chinese or Russian components that go head to head against the big boys. The C1/C3 are among the best bang for bucks out there. For tube mics, check out TB1 and T3. To be fair, compare them against equivalently priced mics by Marshall/MXL, Oktava, Rode, Shure, Audio Technica and AKG.-Richie

 

[Bowisc]

I just got a C3 last week and have put in a few hours of time.
This mic sounds very pleasant, but I know that's a vague description. It is NICE.

So go ahead and try one out... some dealers have great return policies.

Bowisc

 

[Richard Monroe]

I'm with you Bowisc, the C-3 is a clear, accurate, quiet, versatile workhorse. If I had to use the mics I own, and I only got 1 condenser, that would be it.Richie

 

[ozraves]

I have a C1. I did not like it at first. I think the hype made me think it would be good to go right out of the box. But, after woodshedding with the mic, I found it to be an incredibly good value. It's real usefulness comes out when you mix tracks recorded with one. Now that they are going for $199 some places these are one of the best mic values around.

And, you can bludgeon someone to death with one if you want. They are very sturdy.

Steve
http://www.piemusic.com

 

[sponge bob]

Yup,
I personally think that everyone who owns multiple LD mics should own at least a C1. At their price & performance you can't go wrong. Through a buddy of mine, I have access to most of the "Big Boy" mics, and he loves when I bring in my toys to compare them out with his at his complex. So far the best comparisons IMO were the C-1 & the Oktava MC12's against his Nuemans. Even he agreed that my little boys held their own.
Gotta love the SP's man!

Sponge Bob

 

[knownuttin]

Yes, Frankenstein. SP good. Fire bad!
-kent

 

[alanhyatt]

I'm with you Bowisc, the C-3 is a clear, accurate, quiet, versatile workhorse. If I had to use the mics I own, and I only got 1 condenser, that would be it.Richie

I am with you guys as well. I wish more people would pay more attention to the C3. It really is better than the C1. Maybe it is just because it is more money and at $350.00 there is more competition at that level, but the C3 is really pretty powerful.

Oh well, what can you do...

 

[ozraves]

I hate to agree with a manufacturer of any product but I'd agree that the C3 would be my choice for a one LD mic cabinet.

Steve
http://www.piemusic.com

 

[MrZekeMan]

Alan,

How does the T-3 compare to the C-3?

Taylor

 

[alanhyatt]

Actually very similar but the there is an added tone as a result of the tube, and there are nine pattern controls on the T3. This is helpful when recording acoustics like a jumbo acoustic guitar, because you can trim the patterns to reduce low frequency by closing down the pattern a bit.

The T3 is also the best vocal mic we make. Sounds wonderful on female and smooth as silk to me. The tube is always present, so you will always have that color or tone if you will from it, but it is a good thing to have in my opinion.

 

[Michael Jones]

Alan,

How does the T-3 compare to the C-3?

Taylor

I have the T3.
The varible pattern controls do indeed make it very versatile.
I haven't had a chance to use it on a female voice yet, but I would expect it to be as Alan describes; smooth and silky.

It is not an un-colored mike, at least not in my findings, it definately has a character but, with-out being too tubey or distorted. There is a subtle richness to its tone quality.

Plan on spending some time with this mic to learn all of its uses and applications as there is a lot that can be done with it.
I've had mine for several weeks, and I'm still learning its ins-and-outs.
I have several LD condensors and ribbons I have compared it to, and as a vocal mic, I wouldn't hesitate to go to it. It is however, my only tube mic, so that comparison, may or may not be valid.

The construction quality is as you would expect from the Studio Projects line. The mic, it's power supply, and the case all seem more than rugged enough for the rigors of studio recording. The mic itself is fairly stout, so I use a good quality boom/stand with it.
It comes with a propiretory cable for the mic, and it's length is more than adequate.

I could post a sample later tonite? (maybe) If you're interested.

 

[MrZekeMan]

Thanks Alan and Michael,

Yes, I wouldn't mind hearing the samples.

Taylor

 

[Bowisc]

I'm having excellent results w/ the C3.
Especially with recent tracks on acoustic guitar and female vocals.

Another interesting facet is that I was able to pick the subtle transients of spiders crawling on paper.

The C3 lives up to and exceeds its specs. You guys have to check one out for yourselves.

Bowisc

 

[patsplat]

I'm with you Bowisc, the C-3 is a clear, accurate, quiet, versatile workhorse. If I had to use the mics I own, and I only got 1 condenser, that would be it.Richie

So...I know that this thread is over two years old,but do you still feel the same way about the C3 now as you did back then or would you pick something else today ?

 

[Richard Monroe]

Wow, that's a blast from the past! I would have to say that my options, both on the market, and in my cabinet, have expanded quite a bit in 2 years. I prefer the C-3 as a vocal mic more than an instrument mic. Mostly, its functions as a vocal mic have been taken over by B.L.U.E. Kiwi, and as an instrument mic by AKG C414B-ULS. Nonetheless, it is a very good versatile condenser in its price range. Since I wrote that, I've simply taken the plunge and shelled out a fair amount of change for better ones. On some voices, it's still a better choice than the Kiwi or the 414.-Richie

 

[noisedude]

I didn't look at the date but read the info and thought what a good thread it was ... should've guessed it wasn't a current one Sorry for interrupting.

 

[Dot]

At The Listening Sessions we've spent the last few years using and testing most of the budget mics on the market, and in the $500-and-under [street] price category Studio Projects gets our highest mark for turning out consistently excellent products throughout their entire range of mics.

 

[patsplat]

Ok...thanx