The next mic after the C1

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bensommerfeld

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Hi altogether,

I'm searching for a new microphone.
Until now I was very satisfied with my Studio Projects C1. But now with a new preamp i recognize how "harsh" the C1 can be and that it intensifies the sibilance until the vocals become unbearable to listen to without very strong de-essing.
I already tried out some microphones at a local music-shop, these were:

- Audiotechnica AT4040 (very similar to the C1 for me)
- Rode NTK (not any better than the C1)
- Shure KSM32 (very "cold" and lifeless to my ears)
- Neumann TLM103 (could hear a difference to the C1, but I'm not sure wether the price difference justifies the result)


So what am I looking for? To put it easily:

I'm looking for a C1-replacement which isn't as high-frequency-boosted and doesn't put out the sibilance of a voice than the C1 does.

Maybe buying a Studio Projects VTB-1 could be the solution for my C1-problem? I heard this preamp works very beautiful with the C1 and lowers the sibilance a bit. (Right now I have a Mindprint TRIO and also tested a Mindprint Envoice MK2, but the Envoice sounded just terrible with the C1)

Or could you give me any other advise which microphone in the C1 category I could try? I don't know if a 1000 Euro microphone is the right decision for me, right now, cause to me the differences between a Neumann TLM103 and a C1 were too minimal to justify 700 Euro price difference. I think a microphone in the 200-500 Euro price-category could be a good choice for me, if there is any microphone (maybe MXL, maybe one of the Studio Project Tube mics?) that could solve my "sibilance high frequency" problem.

Thanks in advance,
Ben
 
One of the most universally well-regarded "darker" microphones (i.e. not bright) is the Audio Technica AT4047.

I'd sure like one.

Not much experience with it though...
 
not really

not really, no. Even in my german internet music store of choice (Thomann) it isn't represented. i don't know why, but it seems like Oktava isn't very well known in Germany...
 
So you didn't mention that it HAS to be a condenser...I really like my Senn 421 II...Very warm, 5 position rolloff, versatility...

Eric
 
ADK Hamburg is another good suggestion or maybe the Vienna.

I'de be suprised to hear that you replaced your C1 with something like a Senn 421, SM7, or even the RE20 - all great mics, but I dont think of them as replacments for a vocal condenser.
 
I don't think the AT4040 and C1 sound alike anymore than an SM57 sounds like a C1. I'm wondering what sort of mic pre the local shop put the mics through. I could see a voice being sibilant with the C1 being sibilant with the AT4040 but that's about the only thing similar I might see. I hear more in common in terms of color with the AT4040 and the MK319 or Studio Projects B1 than the C1.

I think Big Kenny offers excellent advice on the SM7 and the RE20. I'd also add the Blue Baby Bottle to that list.
 
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I'm surprised you didn't like the 4040 or the NTK over the C1...I have exactly those three and I find them VERY different from each other. I find the 4040 flat and clean as opposed to the C1's upped highs, and the NTK has that tube warmth without any dirtiness at all! Did you try them in the same location with the same pre with the same moniters on the same source? Or did you just plug them into the Beri board and listen in headphones at your local shop? The pre, the room and the monitors can make DRASTIC differences on the experience of a mic test...

But I agree with some of the others...try something european (Oktava, Neuman) or american (AT, AKG) as opposed to the chinese or australian (SP, MXL, rode).

Jacob
 
i'd like to know what new preamp you got that made the C1 sound harsh
I just did a vocal with the C1 no siblance problems at all
 
Big Kenny said:
or ......maybe...... the......C2
Click to expand...


Big Kenny, I really hope you didnt take my comment as an opposition to your suggestions, as they were very good from a dynamic perspective! I was mearly making the observation that they were unconventional. :)
 
I think you're looking for the Rode NT-1 A. Very good large condenser mic with a nice bottom end. Has one of the lowest internal noise profiles out there too. If you were in the range of price of a C1 then the Rode NT-1 A is a great affordable step up. They retail at around $350 but are all over the net at $199. Picked up one myself, definitely sounded a lot better than my old C1. I would steer away from the MXL line right now. Bought one of their affordable Large condenser's and I have to say there's an opacity to it's sound that's hard to explain. I would take the sound of the C1 way over the one I bought, but then again I bought the $50 condenser from them so there's no telling what another $150 would have bought me.
 
Ksm32

I think it is GREAT with the right pre! But why not a SM7b. They are really cool. Impossible to have one without finding a use for it.
 
Yareek said:
One of the most universally well-regarded "darker" microphones (i.e. not bright) is the Audio Technica AT4047.

I'd sure like one.

Not much experience with it though...
Click to expand...

I think I've heard a mixed bag about the 4047.
I think some have said it can be bright/harsh
on the high end. Never heard one myself, though.
 
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