The All New and Improved ACM thread...

[rockinrocker]

So I thought I'd go ahead and start a new thread in hopes of helping organize things a little. I figure the original thread can be used for shipping info, and I'll post this stuff here and if other wanna add... great.

I got two 6802's and two 1200's

My impressions:

The overall build quality of both sets is very good. Just a couple minor superficial issues with the 1200's. The top of the grill on one was dented in (as I think someone else mention theirs was in the other thread), and the switch for the pad sticks. I noticed that after I removed the body, the switch worked fine, so I think it just needs to be filed down a little.

I'll post photos of the 1200's since they're new this round, and our pal Whitestrat offered to host the clips I recorded of my upright.

I used the ACM's and a TLM103 and a 414BLXII into
Neve clone from 7th Circle Audio---->Echo Audiofire12---->Cubase.
I'm running short on time with a slow connection, so hopefully we can get sound clips posted tomorrow.

I left the gain the same for each, but ended up pulling down the 103 a little since it was noticeably hotter then the others. Both ACM's and the 414 seemed pretty close gain wise.


Anywho, some photos:

my camera doesn't do close ups very well, but hopefully you'll get the idea...

 

[mushy]

I have a pair of NOS JAN5751s on the way for my 1200s.

Wondering if anyone has some educated opinions on the different transformer options? I would love to know the cons of the Edcor for example.

 

[tarnationsauce2]

Since the ACM1200 is in essence an Ap*x 460, this thread should be quite helpful for modding: https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=196274
A lot of ground is covered in that thread.

Someone really needs to see how close the ACM1200 is to a 460. Obviously the 460 does not have any switches at all on the mic itself. The only thing adjustable about the 460 is the pattern switch on the PSU.

Also, if you have the $ and want a seasoned vet to mod the mic for you, Dave Thomas of Advanced Audio was doing some fantastic mods to these mics. I just found his site and it appears he does still mod these mics. He has a full CM12 (i.e. AKG CM-12) mod, and a tube / xfmr mod.
http://www.aamicrophones.com/custom_repairs_upgrades.htm

Or search Google for many more mods.

 

[dgatwood]

Since the ACM1200 is in essence an Ap*x 460, this thread should be quite helpful for modding: https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=196274
A lot of ground is covered in that thread.

I note that thus far, the ACM gear I've seen contained what appear to be mylar film caps, so the biggest flaw in the other hardware you mention (the craptastic tantalum caps) is gone right off the bat. That said, I haven't gotten mine from this round yet, so I can't say anything about the 1200s.

 

[mushy]

I note that thus far, the ACM gear I've seen contained what appear to be mylar film caps, so the biggest flaw in the other hardware you mention (the craptastic tantalum caps) is gone right off the bat. That said, I haven't gotten mine from this round yet, so I can't say anything about the 1200s.

I've got my 1200s in front of me, and yes it seems they've done away with the tants. Seems They are using these:

http://www.easybizchina.com/product/d68198/AC_Metallized_PP_Film_Capacitor_CBB22.html

In comparison to the Apex schematic:

http://www.apexelectronics.com/downloads/servman/smapex460.pdf

There are some minor differences. C8 is 50v 10uf instead of a 450v 1uf and there are some higher voltage tolerances for C5 and C3 for example, but the board layout seems identical. This is an Apex 460. I just popped off a board to look for flux slop and it ain't exactly clean but I've seen worse pics on the various threads.

 

[rockinrocker]

For anyone wondering about weight:

I got 4 6802's and the weight of that box was 42.10 lb.

The 1200's were 24.30 lb.

 

[WhiteStrat]

And here are those samples mentioned above:

TLM 103

AKG 414

ACM 6802

ACM 1200

 

[MCI2424]

And here are those samples mentioned above:

TLM 103

AKG 414

ACM 6802

ACM 1200

Jeez, the TLM103 seems to kill the rest.

 

[WhiteStrat]

Y'know...maybe my ears just aren't what they should be--but I'd be happy to use any of these tracks in a mix...

 

[rockinrocker]

Y'know...maybe my ears just aren't what they should be--but I'd be happy to use any of these tracks in a mix...

yeah, that's kinda what I thought too.

Care to elaborate on what you thought the differences were MCI?

 

[dang donkey]

I like the definition of the ACM 1200.
The TLM 103 appeared a lot louder though.

DD

 

[MCI2424]

yeah, that's kinda what I thought too.

Care to elaborate on what you thought the differences were MCI?

The TLM103 sounded much rounder. There is more definition. The others sounded a bit muddy. You could use any one of them, but my choice would be the TLM103. I already took into account the volume differences and listened on my studio monitors also. I was born at night, but not last night....

 

[MCI2424]

Mere coincidence? I just put all samples up again and decided that the list is the exact order from best mic to not. The ACM1200 is the one I would least use. The TLM103 and AKG414 are close but I still thing the TLM103 is more detailed with rounder bass.

 

[WhiteStrat]

Mere coincidence? I just put all samples up again and decided that the list is the exact order from best mic to not. The ACM1200 is the one I would least use. The TLM103 and AKG414 are close but I still thing the TLM103 is more detailed with rounder bass.

I must've been under the spell of a subtle poltergiest! I posted 'em and certainly meant to do so randomly. I had made no judgements yet..

Hmm...very interesting.

 

[MCI2424]

I must've been under the spell of a subtle poltergiest! I posted 'em and certainly meant to do so randomly. I had made no judgements yet..

Hmm...very interesting.

I really should comment on my choices. The problem with listening to samples of a single instrument in a vacuum is that what sounds best for that single instrument could not work well into a mix. Just because I think that the TLM103 is the winner in a solo recording does not mean it would sound best in a mix. It is quite common for the "fullest most balanced" microphone sound to not sit into a mix. The denser the mix, the more this becomes a problem.

I do not say the others are bad sounding mics at all. In a mix, one of these could very well save my ass. It all.......................depends.

 

[rockinrocker]

I like the definition of the ACM 1200.
The TLM 103 appeared a lot louder though.

DD

yeah, it was considerably hotter. i did end up pulling it down a little to try and get them closer....

The problem with listening to samples of a single instrument in a vacuum is that what sounds best for that single instrument could not work well into a mix. Just because I think that the TLM103 is the winner in a solo recording does not mean it would sound best in a mix.

Indeed, and there we have one of the inherent problems with these types of shoot outs.

i will say though, that for me, your impression of the 103 lines up with how i've felt that it compared to the 414 for awhile. that it was a little rounder and fuller, verses the 414 that seemed to have a little more, uh, grit or something. both very usable, just a little different flavor.

 

[Weasel9992]

Personally I liked the 414 better than the TLM103, but you have to admit...for a cheap mic the 1200 sounds really, really good. I'd challenge you to find another mic at that price that even comes close. All of which is a relief, because I ordered to of 'em on the group buy...along with a couple of 71's.

Frank

 

[chance]

I'm not sure I posted this here, I think it was PSW, but last week I was recording a cover band and decided to try a new 1200. I pulled it out, warmed it up and "yuk" It sounded very thin and brittle. I just moved it to the side and grabbed another mic. 10 hours later, after the session, I started putting things away, turning off PSW's etc. and noticed that the 1200 was still on. I had a little time so I had to hear this mic again. It sounded beautiful. Then it dawned on me "burn in-warm up". I never heard such a dramatic change in a mics charactor. It sounded like a completely different mic. Now that its burned in, I am anxious to try it with just a 30 min warm up to hear if it still has the good sound.

 

[antichef]

for a cheap mic the 1200 sounds really, really good. I'd challenge you to find another mic at that price that even comes close.

How about the 6802T?

 

[mushy]

I'm not sure I posted this here, I think it was PSW, but last week I was recording a cover band and decided to try a new 1200. I pulled it out, warmed it up and "yuk" It sounded very thin and brittle. I just moved it to the side and grabbed another mic. 10 hours later, after the session, I started putting things away, turning off PSW's etc. and noticed that the 1200 was still on. I had a little time so I had to hear this mic again. It sounded beautiful. Then it dawned on me "burn in-warm up". I never heard such a dramatic change in a mics charactor. It sounded like a completely different mic. Now that its burned in, I am anxious to try it with just a 30 min warm up to hear if it still has the good sound.

I had the same experience and I thought I was crazy. I never thought it would be that drastic. So the next day I fired it up again and it sounded thin again and 30 minutes later it sounded better. Then I thought maybe it wasn't as thin as I initially thought it was, but then I installed some NOS 5751s. Same thing: thin as shaved ham. I left it on overnight. The next morning, it sounded like a microphone again.