If only two mics... ?

[micolas]

Here are my measurements. S502MKII capsule vents were sealed with self adhesive tape. BLUE curve, shows a 12dB bass boost around 180Hz and a 4dB dip at 5kHz. A three stage EQ leads to the RED curve, for my oppinion not bad at all. For comparison the cardioid S502MKII in GREEN. Of course we have a limited dynamc range, the max. SPL at lower frequencies will be limited to approx. 122dB...
Pls take the measurements with a grain of salt. No reference mic and not the best speaker at all, measurement distance was 50cm.
But if we consider the trivial approach with adhesive tape it is surprising how cheap an omni can be done
BR MicUlli

So, apart from changing the polar behavior, you managed to get a nice "smile". Including a cheap mechanical/acoustic deeser.
I admit that I am seriously thinking about testing the closure (gradually, of course) at the back with a disc (like the K103, Rode) of some LDC capsules that are too sibilant to be used on some sources.
The question is how an LDC responds to this mod.

 

[13engrsapper]

Hi guys !

I have been seriously thinking for some time about lightening my equipment fleet. 90% of my activity is recording classical music ensembles, ranging from duos to sextets, in locations such as churches, chapels or small amphitheaters (maximum 100m2 / 300 square feet). I guess that multi-micking is ideal for recording modern bands (drums for example, even if the Glinn Jones method works fine to me) or for live music on stage where you must have each source independant for mixing. But I never record drums and stack to my classical ensembles.

I now own several pairs of SDC and LDC and I would like to learn to work with one and only one pair, as we listen with our pair of ears. I'm about to resell most of my mics also to get so money because times are hard. I have also eight mic pre channels (6 tubes + 2 OPA) and that's too mcuh for my regular activity which is episodic, like about 10 recordings a year...

So I would like to gather your opinions and your experience on these points:
- the relevance of working with only one pair of microphones
- the choice of this pair

I know that the ideal placement of a single pair is a tough challenge and that I will have to experiment much before obtaining good results.
I guess that a multi pattern pair of mics is unavoidable to set either ORTF and XY (cardio) or AB (omni).

My budget for this pair is a maximum 1000€ (for a used pair) and I thought about AKG C414 which is a great mic either in cardio than in omni mode... but the budget is more about 1500€ for a used but clean pair, so the last questions are :
- what do you think about the Lewitt 441 Flex (no OPT) and the Warm Audio WA14 (Cinemag OPT).
- If some of you have already tested these two mics, what are your feelings (and maybe some measurement ? would be great)
- is there another model inspired by the C414 in that price range ?

Best Regards

Well a pair of good vintage U67's is out I guess.

I would seriously consider a pair of good used Gefell PM860's and just work in xy, but do not tell anyone how great they sound ;-) They are EXCELLENT SDC Utility mics, and Gefell can still service them properly with original parts. You should be able to grab a good pair in the price range you mentioned, maybe on the low end of it on a good day. We own 4, after using them a year or two I sold my pristine vintage pair of KM84's ;-) They can do anything a KM84 can do and more IMHO. although they are longer (about twice as long) and bigger in diameter on the capsule side (it is shock-mounted in a windscreen/cage). You could probably get 3 for $1500 if you keep your eyes peeled. The PM750's are nice too, just plan on needing to have those serviced no matter what. Speaking of serviced, Mister Wagner at Gefell told me it was about $75 to $275 (USD) in extreme cases to service the older Gefell mics - which blew my mind (VERY AFFORDABLE!).

The nice thing here is, as they are a good vintage bit of kit, If you don't like them or need your money back later, you should be able to get all of your money back in the sale - maybe more. That will NOT be the case with anything you make, or anything you buy new. Gefell started selling them new again, they are something like $1800 USD each. ;-)

DON'T TELL ANYONE! I am not done buying up all of the used ones on the planet, lol.


-Tony

Here is one of ours they can be hard to tell apart form the PM750, but the slots are slightly different, I will dig up a 750 later if I have time and post the pic so you can see the difference.

 

[rock soderstrom]

I would seriously consider a pair of good used Gefell PM860's and just work in xy, but do not tell anyone how great they sound ;-) They are EXCELLENT SDC Utility mics, and Gefell can still service them properly with original parts. You should be able to grab a good pair in the price range you mentioned, maybe on the low end of it on a good day. We own 4, after using them a year or two I sold my pristine vintage pair of KM84's ;-) They can do anything a KM84 can do and more IMHO.

I know both microphones relatively well and have also worked intensively with them in the past. Of course, it's a matter of taste, but I would never choose a PM860 over a KM84. YMMV

 

[Emmathom]

The nice thing here is, as they are a good vintage bit of kit, If you don't like them or need your money back later, you should be able to get all of your money back in the sale - maybe more. That will NOT be the case with anything you make, or anything you buy new. Gefell started selling them new again, they are something like $1800 USD each. ;-)

Well... we try to mostly DIY here on this forum because :
- it's way more fun and satisfying than buying brand stuff
- we learn a lot (and then when we discover how things are made it makes us wonder sometimes : about price, quality, reputation...
- it's way less expensive !

Now the topic "if only two mics" includes of course brand mics and preferably mics you can get (quite) easily new or at second hand without seeking for months nor years. Now if I had the budget and for classical ensemble live recording I would buy a DPA4006 pair + a pair of Schoeps CM with MK 5 capsules (to begin with...)

without intention to offend