What's the best SDC with a DMP3

[Enchilada]

I've ordered a DMP3 and I figure that since I'm getting a better preamp (previously used a Berry UB802 that I now only use live) I figure I should get a pair of small diaphragm mics that aren't as noisy as my ecm8000s for accoustic. Do different mics sound better with different pres?

For example, is it possible for Mic "A" to sound tops with pre "A" but crap in comparison with pre "B" and mic "B" to sound tops with pre "B" and crap in comparion with pre"A"

If you get what I'm saying any suggestions for SDCs to be used with the DMP3 would be handy.

 

[chessrock]

For example, is it possible for Mic "A" to sound tops with pre "A" but crap in comparison with pre "B" and mic "B" to sound tops with pre "B" and crap in comparion with pre"A"

I'm sure it's possible . . . but not very likely, and certainly not likely to be any drastically noticeable thing. And it's not nearly as much of an issue with most of today's transformerless condenser mics. It can be somewhat of an issue with certain mics that are more sensitive to impedence-matching, loading, etc. (think older, transformer-output condensers and dynamics, certain ribbon microphones, etc.) Just get what works, what sounds good, and what's in your budget.

 

[Enchilada]

Thanks chessrock, I think I'm going to get a set of Behringer B5's. They'll end up costing me roughly the same as a set of MXL 603s. I'm not overly into getting a 603 because I hear that they are a bit weak in bottom end.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

I'm not overly into getting a 603 because I hear that they are a bit weak in bottom end.

Where did you hear that? I've never noticed any weakness in the bottom end of a 603S. Neither their graph or the Stephen Paul graphs he did on all of mine show any weakness either, although one of the 603 graphs on the MXL site is wrong.

 

[Enchilada]

Where did you hear that?

http://www.mojopie.com/603.html
"In a nutshell, you're not going to get a lot of bass out of these mics........I think of the MXL603 as possessing a pronounced top end with plenty of shine and glitter, rock solid mids, but somewhat shy on bass."

You get a mention on that page so I know you're a fan of the 603s- "Harvey Gerst of Indian Trail Studios compared them favorably to the Oktava MC012"

 

[ozraves]

I am a guitarist and I generally prefer a large condenser on acoustic. I like the AT4040 and the Dragonfly. However, I do use small condensers and like the Oktava MK012. I think they have a decent top to bottom. The Rode NT5 mics have a nice low end.

 

[chessrock]

I believe the very fine and talented reviewer in question merely meant they weren't necessarily as pronounced in that department, relatively speaking. (not to mention there could have been a little bit of creative liberty on behalf of the editors ) I don't believe "he" finds them a first-grab if you're concerened with getting a boomin', room-shakin' kick or thunderous toms, etc. These might be instances where a SDC in general might not be your first choice anyway . . . depends.

They're still a very useful mic, particularly where a high level of detail is of prime importance.

 

[DJL]

I'm not overly into getting a 603 because I hear that they are a bit weak in bottom end.

Nonsense...

 

[Enchilada]

Nonsense...

Fair enough, nobody likes the guy at mojo pie.

Chess, I'm not overly interested in "thunderous" toms or a "boomin" kick, just a standard punk/indie rock sound. I have 2 berry ecm8000 mics for overheads so I don't think I'd use the 603s for drums except maybe high hat, mainly acoustic and brass.

I've learnt that it's an idea to go with what people here say so is the general consensus to go with the 603s? I found a deal on eBay where you can get 2 603s, 2 shock mounts, 2 stands and a case for US$189 + US$31 for shipping to Australia. Is that a fair price?

 

[DJL]

so I don't think I'd use the 603s for drums except maybe high hat, mainly acoustic and brass.

The Marshall MXL603S wouldn't be my first choice for hi-hat or brass... but, it's a good acoustic guitar mic.

 

[Enchilada]

Thanks DJL, I'll go with them

 

[omtayslick]

Uh.......
Hey Enchilada!

The guy who did the Mojo Pie review IS Chessrock. (And most of the time we like him)

 

[chessrock]

Fair enough, nobody likes the guy at mojo pie.

That's probably a pretty fair assesment.

Seriously, though, it's just that opinions on this stuff is so subjective and results vary so much from person to person -- situation to situation, that it's really difficult to come to any kind of true consensus on anything. And it's hard to really go by the reviews you read -- including and especially my own.

I thought the 603's were great when I wrote that review last year, and I still think they're great now. I have found a general trend that they tend to be a bit hyper-detailed in a lot of ways. Hard to describe, but in that sense, I don't think they necessarily "lock on" to the bass and lower midrange freq's the way they do the higher registers. You tend to get a lot of "surface" sound from them -- and by surface I mean stuff like the fingers picking/strumming the strings, the stick hitting the skin, etc. etc.

. . . and that just kinda' seems to be where most of their emphasis lies. They get a lot of use from me on accoustic guitar and mandolin.

 

[Enchilada]

Uh.......
Hey Enchilada!

The guy who did the Mojo Pie review IS Chessrock. (And most of the time we like him)

HAHAHA!! How dumb do I feel! I had no idea. Well then Chess I'd like to say that I am impressed by your great wisdom .
Hmmmm, I'm actually trying to get away from capturing the sound of fingers picking/strumming the strings and all those suface sounds. That's why I'm not an overly big fan of my V67g on acoustic. I can get a really good sound with the V67 12 inches away and directly in front of the soundhole and a SM57 2 inches away, in line with the 12th ret and pointing at the sound hole but I don't like geting the sound of the pick hiting the strings. My ecm8000s sound awesome IMO in XY stereo 12 inches away and in line with where the neck joins but they are too noisy.
Do you think that seing as I'm really happy with the sound of my ecm8000s that chances are I'd like the B5's? Something's telling I wouldn't be happy with the 603s. The -10 dB, low cut switch and interchangeable capsules is a pro for the berrys but all I've really heard about them is that they are great on hats and self noise isn't an issue. I HATE RESEARCHING MICS!!!!

If anyone (ie. Jay Unplugged ) has both the 603 and the B5 it'd really help me out if they could record a little snippet of guitar with each mic/s for me

 

[Ben Logan]

I've got a little Shure PG81 mic. I paid about 120 bucks for it. People rarely rave about these, but I think it sounds great on acoustic guitar. Nice mid-range punch. Clear without being brittle.

 

[tdukex]

I like both the 603s and MC012 on acoustic guitar. But, hey, the Berry B5 might be just the ticket for you--and they have an omni cap which can be very handy. A lot of us haven't heard these mics yet (the B5), and with both caps they may be a steal for the $89 price.

 

[chessrock]

Do you think that seing as I'm really happy with the sound of my ecm8000s that chances are I'd like the B5's? Something's telling I wouldn't be happy with the 603s.

I like your idea of combining the dynamic (57) with the condenser (v67). That's something I've had success with, as the condenser will tend to capture a lot of the detail, while the dynamic will hold down the midrange.

You might really like sticking an Oktava MC-012 or a Rode NT-5 where you'd normally put the ECM-8000. Maybe an MC-012 with the omnidirectional capsule. I have no experience w/ the Behringer B-5 . . . but if it has an omni capsule, that might be along the lines of what you're looking for. Although I try to avoid the 'mighty-B' whenever possible.

It's all about experimentation. Mess around with it long enough, and you'll find a combo that works.