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Post by rockinrobin on Dec 27, 2021 14:43:56 GMT -6
I'm always looking for upgrading my gear and found out about these 2 discontinued mics. They seem to be everything I'd want in a stage mic, but there is sooo little sound examples, especially of the Neumann mics, that it makes it hard to imagine what they actually sound like. I'd love to get them here and try them against my Earthworks SR40V. I believe these 3 are the holy trinidad of stage mics. And the AKG C535 apparently was even greater once modded by Jim Williams. If anyone has any information to share regarding these, please chime in  Did you use them? How did they sound? Maybe you shoot them out against well-known microphones? Do you know where to get them? Thanks a ton !! |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Dec 27, 2021 16:59:21 GMT -6
30 years ago these were the holy grail of stage mics, both hold their own sonically, but I’m not sure how quick I would be to grab either today. Running wedges ? I ask because both can be peaky require a bunch of EQ to minimize feedback, plus a KSM9, Beta 87 or KMS105 are going to bring significantly less self noise to the party. Both work best stand mounted, Handling noise was always a problem, I know of one defunct sound company that had heat shrink on the shanks of both to make them useable in hand.
Don’t get me wrong both have a place in my heart but the ability to stick a Beta87 into the horn of a live wedge and not have it feedback always puts a smile on the face of this old FOH and wedge mixer.
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Post by nnajar on Dec 28, 2021 9:33:17 GMT -6
the new-ish sennheiser MD445 is my favorite over all those you mentioned. My second favorite is the older MD431.
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Post by dreamsambas on Dec 28, 2021 10:05:02 GMT -6
We use C535 for live vocals at our church. They're fine, but they haven't knocked me out or anything. The main issue I've had with them is that the proximity effect is a little funky. Which is not ideal for a vocal mic used by amateur singers.
As for the KMS140, I've never used one myself. But look up any Diana Krall or Norah Jones live video on YouTube, and that's the mic they're using.
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Post by Ward on Dec 28, 2021 17:33:26 GMT -6
Have and use Neumann 104 and 105 and 535 on a regular basis. All beautiful sounding microphones in their own special ways
So since I have all these . . .
The C535 was developed for Frank Sinatra. Which out for sibilance and feedback!!
Prior to using a T-Funk M80 for live use, it was my personal go-to live vocal mic for 25 years.
The Neumann 104 is a KM84 with a head basket, as you al know. It is hard to distinguish. It's a knock-out punch
Better than the 140 by a mile and a half.
The Neumann 105 is the modern day version. Better on axis by about 0.001%, worse off axis by about 100,000% so I would defer to the 104.
Any other contenders in this range?
Beyer MC930. Even more honest than the Neumann but no pop protection and no elected coloration.
Gefell M295 M297 M300 and M310 are also spectacular microphones! Perhaps better than all listed above.
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Post by rockinrobin on Dec 29, 2021 16:45:28 GMT -6
Thanks for the inputs guys ! So I've ruled out the C535 since I sometimes perform in small spaces, next to my PA which is a EV30m. Most of the times I am at the side of it, so having a tighter than cardiod pattern makes more sense to me. That's the reason why I think the KMS105 will fare better than the KMS104 for me. Also, in this video I hear a much better and "prettier" sound from the 105 than the 104 which sounds meh and papery to me. I'm surprised at hearing such a difference honestly. Does this video matches your experience with the mics Ward-a-saurus? About the new Sennheiser MD445, I've been interested in them. Upon hearing the various examples I found it too harsh in the highs to my liking, but the MD435 sounds to me really good ! As well as the MD431. I think these 2, with maybe the Heil PR37 shall make it to my mic locker. I've yet to find a comparison of the 435 vs the 431, maybe nnajar you can chime in? I've heard various examples of the Telefunken M80 and M81, and I don't like the sound of these. I don't know, maybe too "modern" for me? I can't help but hear modern R'n'B out of that mic. I like more 70's tones. |
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Post by Ward on Dec 29, 2021 17:04:21 GMT -6
Does this video matches your experience with the mics Ward-a-saurus? Nope. But the lack of any distance and putting the microphones through a desktop mixer affects things tremendously |
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Dec 29, 2021 17:20:34 GMT -6
Thanks for the inputs guys ! So I've ruled out the C535 since I sometimes perform in small spaces, next to my PA which is a EV30m. Most of the times I am at the side of it, so having a tighter than cardiod pattern makes more sense to me. That's the reason why I think the KMS105 will fare better than the KMS104 for me. Also, in this video I hear a much better and "prettier" sound from the 105 than the 104 which sounds meh and papery to me. I'm surprised at hearing such a difference honestly. Does this video matches your experience with the mics Ward-a-saurus? About the new Sennheiser MD445, I've been interested in them. Upon hearing the various examples I found it too harsh in the highs to my liking, but the MD435 sounds to me really good ! As well as the MD431. I think these 2, with maybe the Heil PR37 shall make it to my mic locker. I've yet to find a comparison of the 435 vs the 431, maybe nnajar you can chime in? I've heard various examples of the Telefunken M80 and M81, and I don't like the sound of these. I don't know, maybe too "modern" for me? I can't help but hear modern R'n'B out of that mic. I like more 70's tones. Do keep one thing in mind as a super or hyper cardiod pattern gets tighter the front lobe grows and the mike acts more and more like a shotgun mic. |
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Post by timcampbell on Dec 29, 2021 21:55:18 GMT -6
The 535 must be my least favorite live condenser. I know the Neumann very well. I personally picked an Audix VX-5 over it though the audix top should be damped slightly. My all time favorite is the DPA 2028. The Shure KSM9 sounds great too.
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Post by bgrotto on Dec 30, 2021 0:32:46 GMT -6
I've got a few 535s at my studio. Don't love them on vocals (live or otherwise), but they sound pretty cool on snare.
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Did you use them? How did they sound? Maybe you shoot them out against well-known microphones? Do you know where to get them?
