New omni mics: studio projects C4 or something else?

Elektroakoustika · Post by **Elektroakoustika** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:02 pm

So I'm looking to buy my first mics. I haven't done much recording on my own but I've done a lot of sequencing and have a good knowledge on how to record in Digital Performer.

What I'm going to be recording is mainly instrumental recitals (IE Brass, Strings, Woodwinds) usually in small groups (at the max of 5 or 6). I may also record SATB choirs and wind ensembles (college level). I'm looking for omni's that will be able to get the sound of a church or recital hall. (raised above the audience and performers of course) I may also use them in the studio with a live performer.

My current equipment:
Macbook Pro
MOTU 828mk3 (I would use the built-in pre's in here)
Digital Performer 5.13

The mics I've been interested in have been the Studio Projects C4 matched pair. I like what I've read especially since they have omni and cardioid capsules. My budget is currently tight (because like I said, I mainly do sequencing) so I'm trying to stay under $500 total.

So what are your guys' opinions? Studio Project C4's? Something else? Let me know what you think!

THANKS!
-EA

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:08 pm

For the money, those are nice little mics--especially the fact that you can switch between OMNI and CARDIOD. They're no KM184's or C451B's, but then again we're talking (2) mics for less than one of the others. Now these are cheaper chinese capsules which are bright---the capsule is more or less the sound of the mic. BUT again for what is available, these are good little mics for the money.

mhschmieder · Post by **mhschmieder** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:04 pm

Another option is the Avantone multi-pattern mic:

Avantone CK-1 FET Pencil Mic

Cardioid mic w/ SSM Shock Mount & extra OMNI & Hyper-Cardioid capsules in real wooden box

Regular price is $149/each; I got one for $99 last year but haven't bought a second one yet nor have I had a session yet where I've used it, so can't comment from personal experience right now.

It seems well built, and their tolerancing is such that it isn't critical that you buy two at once in order to ensure they are well matched.

They are said to be closer to the C451B response than most of the other budget and mid-priced omni's on the market today.

I think they are included if you buy the full drum mic set that they sell.

Elektroakoustika · Post by **Elektroakoustika** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:40 pm

Thanks Brad and mhshneider for your responses.

Just looked at a few other mics that seem interesting. They're more expensive than i was looking for... but maybe i could make an exception (with some hard work lol)

I just found the Rode NT55's ($760) and the Shure KSM141's ($800). What do you guys think about those over the C4's?

Or is there some OMNI-only mics you could recommend around the same price (I'd love to get some earthworks mics but those are probably out of price range)

mhschmieder · Post by **mhschmieder** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:52 pm

The thing is, anything other than the Earthworks is a compromise and is going to have at least some brashness to the high end.

I see any of the mentioned choices as placeholders until I get a session that pays well enough to justify the Earthworks overheads.

As a result, I think one of the multi-pattern choices is best, as at least you can experiment and learn for yourself what will work best in your circumstances (which might change).

In other words, amongst all of the ones mentioned (including the recent Rode NT55's which are an update of an older model if I remember correctly), it all comes down to your perception of company reputation, your perception of build quality, preferences for weight/packaging, etc.

The acoustic performance differences of any of those mics seems fairly minimal, both from looking at on-line specs (frequency plots and polar patterns as well as technical specs, SPL's, etc.) as well as on-line reviews (such as from Mix Magazine).

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:20 pm

Agreed about the Earthworks comment---that's why I have them

As to the KSM141's, I do like them and have used them a few times. Here's a clip where I used them live on Drum Overheads and also on Percussion:

http://www.audioandmidi.com/media/audio/Hero.mp3

Let me ask you this---what micpres are you using and what converters? What do you need to record with it exactly? What other mics do you own? And the hard question--what is your budget?

builder · Post by **builder** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:35 pm

Check out Avenson Audio....

Matched pair of earthworks type omni's for 500. Made in the USA....

I bought mine 4 years ago and love them....

www.avensonaudio.com