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Post by mulmany on Dec 8, 2021 21:06:23 GMT -6
Looking for a smaller profile alternative to the AKG 214 style mic.
This is for a all round mic for reinforcement and streaming. We are talking choir, special instrument use, handbells, and acoustic guitar. Very little stage/wedge monitoring in use, mostly acoustic.
I know the 214 or similar will work, but the client asked about a lower profile option.
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Post by chessparov on Dec 8, 2021 21:11:51 GMT -6
If the room sounds excellent or better...
How about an EV 635a (or two)?
Chris
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Post by ab101 on Dec 8, 2021 23:08:04 GMT -6
If you could give these a spin, they might be what you want: www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AT4041SP--audio-technica-at4041-studio-pack/reviewsI often find that the ATs are a good value. Appear to be about $250 each when bought as a two-pack. (P.S. I do not think they will knock your socks off, but they should do the job well. At4021 may be better - but I have not tried it. I have used the Shure KSM141 in live settings for recording with good results, including choirs, but not for going through a PA. Others may have comments on the KSMs.) |
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Post by recordingengineer on Dec 9, 2021 0:34:34 GMT -6
I remember when Shure SM-81 was the only real option. If you couldn’t afford that (which I couldn’t), it was an AKG C1000. Of course, the Crown CM-700 was an option too. When did the EV RE200 come out? It seems like it came later for some reason.
Nowadays, there’s endless options. I’m curious of people’s preferences in this size and price-range.
*Edit:
Just hit me… Oktava MK-012 was the standard for a long time after that.
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Post by schmalzy on Dec 9, 2021 2:18:28 GMT -6
If you're looking at a utility LDC in that price range, it's hard to beat an AT4040 in my experience.
Mine sounds awesome, is relatively quiet, pretty reliable, and is good at everything it's been in front of. Plus it's matte black so it's sort of invisible on stage if you're concerned about that.
If you're looking for SDC-style mics, the Lewitt LCT 140 AIR seems to be really popular among people who need multiple of something to do that sort of task. I'm staring down the barrel of buying some sE 8 SDCs from sE Electronics. They seem to be good and affordable.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2021 7:12:17 GMT -6
SDC, the Shure KSMs are amazing.
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Post by sean on Dec 9, 2021 7:14:25 GMT -6
It’s a little more expensive but I have a Ehrlund EHR-E which is probably the smallest large diaphragm condenser you’ll find for sale for $400
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2021 7:15:47 GMT -6
Oktavia mk12 from Russia with love.
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Post by chessparov on Dec 9, 2021 10:08:09 GMT -6
If you're looking at a utility LDC in that price range, it's hard to beat an AT4040 in my experience. Mine sounds awesome, is relatively quiet, pretty reliable, and is good at everything it's been in front of. Plus it's matte black so it's sort of invisible on stage if you're concerned about that. If you're looking for SDC-style mics, the Lewitt LCT 140 AIR seems to be really popular among people who need multiple of something to do that sort of task. I'm staring down the barrel of buying some sE 8 SDCs from sE Electronics. They seem to be good and affordable. Single pattern though/Cardiod. Omni is usually better on a choir. If you have a good (or better) room. Chris |
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Post by plinker on Dec 9, 2021 10:19:49 GMT -6
SDC, the Shure KSMs are amazing. We used to use the low-end KSM LDC (I think a KSM27) for live, acoustic work. I believe Shure dropped it from the KSM family because didn't measure up to the 32 and 44.
- yeah, that's the one! - it might not be smaller profile than your 214, though.
It was really good for live work and very durable. We had two that were dropped several times.
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Post by enlav on Dec 9, 2021 11:12:32 GMT -6
We used to use the low-end KSM LDC (I think a KSM27) for live, acoustic work. I believe Shure dropped it from the KSM family because didn't measure up to the 32 and 44.
- yeah, that's the one! - it might not be smaller profile than your 214, though. It was really good for live work and very durable. We had two that were dropped several times.
I think you might mean SM27 as opposed to the PGA27. As far as I was led to believe, the KSM27 and SM27 are identical, but that's rep speech, and there's a chance that the SM27 is made with more affordable parts than the KSM27. The PGA27, as far as I remember, is basically like the PG58 to the SM58. Similar form-factor, but different sound. (Not meant as a slight though!) If someone else knows the specifics, feel free to correct me, I'm working off memory here. In any case, just adding an additional opinion on the KSM27; we typically kept a couple in the locker for stage use as well. When I suspected stage volume was going to be an issue, I'd usually stick to dynamics and SM81's. OP: When you say smaller profile, is that in attempt to make it less conspicuous to an audience (whether in person, or streaming audience)? |
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Post by plinker on Dec 9, 2021 11:37:12 GMT -6
@enlav -- Yes; that's the one, SM27.
Thanks for the correction!
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Post by christophert on Dec 9, 2021 13:29:55 GMT -6
Line Audio CM4 and the Omni will do exactly as you have described, and are excellent sounding
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Post by Guitar on Dec 9, 2021 13:56:24 GMT -6
How about the Shure Beta 98AMP or Beta 181/S? Side address SDC, or gooseneck super small diaphragm sdc? They're small. I haven't heard them.
I also love the Shure KSM137/141 and the Oktava MK012 which would easily solve your problems.
Earthworks makes a bunch of tiny / gooseneck / etc kinds of microphones, too, and also DPA makes the same. You see these a lot in television / video for their "invisible" form factors.
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Post by ab101 on Dec 9, 2021 15:21:00 GMT -6
If you're looking at a utility LDC in that price range, it's hard to beat an AT4040 in my experience. Mine sounds awesome, is relatively quiet, pretty reliable, and is good at everything it's been in front of. Plus it's matte black so it's sort of invisible on stage if you're concerned about that. If you're looking for SDC-style mics, the Lewitt LCT 140 AIR seems to be really popular among people who need multiple of something to do that sort of task. I'm staring down the barrel of buying some sE 8 SDCs from sE Electronics. They seem to be good and affordable. Single pattern though/Cardiod. Omni is usually better on a choir. If you have a good (or better) room. Chris The KSM 141 mics are cardioid and easily switched to omni. I loved them a lot in omni. Highly underrated in that mode. I have not tried them for live sound, but they were great for recording. And they can probably easily be found in the OP's budget. Cheers! |
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Post by jmoose on Dec 9, 2021 16:51:11 GMT -6
Low profile? Audio Tech ATM450. Side address pencil mic, black. Hides easy & sounds pretty good on most things.
Its a little sensitive to wind & mechanical noise. I've used 'em on toms a few times and need to be aware of cymbal position so they don't get blasted... but given the tone & output I'm sure they'd do just fine for choirs & other low/mid volume sources.
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Post by hadaja on Dec 9, 2021 17:45:11 GMT -6
Low profile? Audio Tech ATM450. Side address pencil mic, black. Hides easy & sounds pretty good on most things. Its a little sensitive to wind & mechanical noise. I've used 'em on toms a few times and need to be aware of cymbal position so they don't get blasted... but given the tone & output I'm sure they'd do just fine for choirs & other low/mid volume sources. I have used them for school choirs as a spaced pair and they were quite effective. |
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Post by mulmany on Dec 9, 2021 20:56:04 GMT -6
We used to use the low-end KSM LDC (I think a KSM27) for live, acoustic work. I believe Shure dropped it from the KSM family because didn't measure up to the 32 and 44.
- yeah, that's the one! - it might not be smaller profile than your 214, though. It was really good for live work and very durable. We had two that were dropped several times.
I think you might mean SM27 as opposed to the PGA27. As far as I was led to believe, the KSM27 and SM27 are identical, but that's rep speech, and there's a chance that the SM27 is made with more affordable parts than the KSM27. The PGA27, as far as I remember, is basically like the PG58 to the SM58. Similar form-factor, but different sound. (Not meant as a slight though!) If someone else knows the specifics, feel free to correct me, I'm working off memory here. In any case, just adding an additional opinion on the KSM27; we typically kept a couple in the locker for stage use as well. When I suspected stage volume was going to be an issue, I'd usually stick to dynamics and SM81's. OP: When you say smaller profile, is that in attempt to make it less conspicuous to an audience (whether in person, or streaming audience)? They were concerned about the look of it, for both audience and camera. |
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Post by mulmany on Dec 9, 2021 21:09:27 GMT -6
Low profile? Audio Tech ATM450. Side address pencil mic, black. Hides easy & sounds pretty good on most things. Its a little sensitive to wind & mechanical noise. I've used 'em on toms a few times and need to be aware of cymbal position so they don't get blasted... but given the tone & output I'm sure they'd do just fine for choirs & other low/mid volume sources. Thanks I had forgotten about these. |
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Post by enlav on Dec 10, 2021 9:18:49 GMT -6
They were concerned about the look of it, for both audience and camera. I can relate... Black is usually a good finish since the majority of mic stands are already black. I haven't personally heard the ATM450, but that potentially fits the bill perfectly; black, small.. it really shouldn't stand out much more than a stand would.
Black SDC's in general, whether front or side address, will all potentially fit the appearance requirements (Depending on how picky people are); though I'd bring anything people concerned about framing/appearance for final opinions. Echoing monkeyxx's suggestions - DPA/Earthworks; definitely out of the budget new, but sometimes local used markets can yield good deals when schools/universities are auctioning off gear, churches are upgrading microphones, etc. Might be viable if you don't have a short time frame to fulfill this purchase. |
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Post by Ward on Dec 10, 2021 11:00:47 GMT -6
I still like my old AKG C535s for general purpose live SD condensor applications.
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Post by recordingengineer on Dec 10, 2021 16:50:19 GMT -6
Ah yes, forgot about the ATM450 as well. Had one for a few years. It’s definitely ultra-bright, as I remember the RE200 is.
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Post by brenta on Dec 10, 2021 17:35:31 GMT -6
Roswell mini k47 sounds like a good fit
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Post by jmoose on Dec 10, 2021 23:48:59 GMT -6
Echoing monkeyxx's suggestions - DPA/Earthworks; definitely out of the budget new, but sometimes local used markets can yield good deals when schools/universities are auctioning off gear, churches are upgrading microphones, etc. Might be viable if you don't have a short time frame to fulfill this purchase. Potential problem with earthworks or any omni in live audio is they can bite hard with feedback. I don't do a lot of choir miking or similar... theaters & plays but not unfamiliar either. Find that even with no wedges on stage feedback from mains can be a concern. Mostly that 250-400 range building up. Haven't used the atm450 for that stuff but general rock band use? Acoustic guitar... piano... percussion, overheads etc they've been good. |
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Post by enlav on Dec 11, 2021 7:29:44 GMT -6
Echoing monkeyxx's suggestions - DPA/Earthworks; definitely out of the budget new, but sometimes local used markets can yield good deals when schools/universities are auctioning off gear, churches are upgrading microphones, etc. Might be viable if you don't have a short time frame to fulfill this purchase. Potential problem with earthworks or any omni in live audio is they can bite hard with feedback. I don't do a lot of choir miking or similar... theaters & plays but not unfamiliar either. Find that even with no wedges on stage feedback from mains can be a concern. Mostly that 250-400 range building up. [...] Astute point, I guess I should specify - definitely not recommending anything like the Earthworks measurement mics that are made of the most reflective chrome material I've ever seen on stage (although, i think they -do- make cardioid microphones sharing that body style, certainly not measurement, of course, and still way too flashy for discrete purposes), but cardioid periscope microphones that both companies make/made.
It's like a podium microphone, except the goose neck is shorter (just enough to bend in a near full range of motion), and the inline amplifier is long enough to fit in most SDC mic clips. Again, I don't think these fit the budget new.
On a side note, I've actually never heard DPA omni's - my professional experience with DPA has mostly been with their lavaliers and neat miniature capsules. They have "mini-shotguns" that upon inspiration from the DPA booth many NAB's ago, we attached two for stereo-pickup on the brim of a baseball cap once. The capture (no fault to the microphone) was unuseable, but it was clever.
*For reference, I found a current(?) model from Earthworks. |
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