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Post by Omicron9 on May 1, 2022 12:39:51 GMT -6
Greetings, SDC lovers. Curious as to other folks favorite non-84 SDCs and why they like them. I use mine always in stereo pairs, so if that's also true for you, please point that out. I'll go first: my current faves are the Shure KSM-141. They get equal use in cardioid and omni. I just love these; very faithful and neutral; details without being harsh or strident. 2nd fave: Shure SM-81. Solid, reliable capture. I like to make use of the additional proximity effect these exhibit. Honorable mention: AKG C-460-B with both cardioid and omni caps. The flattest frequency response I've heard. Sometimes that's good. Sometimes not. Past SDCs: - Neumann KM-184
- AKG C-451 (reissue)
- Gefell M-300
- Gefell M-295 (not SDC; actually MDC but often find their way into an SDC classification)
- Josephson C-42
- Oktava MK-012
- Rode NT-5
No comments on those; just providing background on some past experiences. That I no longer use them is not a comment on the quality of the mics; just that they didn't fit my aesthetic. I look forward to hearing about your faves; maybe I'll discover something new that I've not yet tried. TIA, -09
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Post by Ward on May 1, 2022 13:01:23 GMT -6
Beyerdymanic M930 matched pair.
A different but equally usable sound. ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE on overheads. JMHO
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Post by tripalot on May 1, 2022 13:36:26 GMT -6
Schoeps mk21
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Post by EmRR on May 1, 2022 13:48:16 GMT -6
Heavy use here:
Sennheiser MKH 20's - very detailed and harmonically nuanced, mangle with whatever pre flavor maximizes the pre flavor better than most. If it's not the right mic, it's not.... Sennheiser MKH 30's - ditto Neumann KM 131 - the Neumann midrange in a ruler flat softer sounding omni DPA 4060's - they just work Sennheiser MKH 105's - more colored MKH approach, brighter, more 'dimensional' sounding than Oktava MK-012's
and I think soon a Neumann KM 120
I seem to be following the ancient approach that omni's and figure 8's are the only "real microphones". : )
Sennheiser MKH 406's - don't use as much, but they made me sell my Neumann KM140's instantly. Same Oktava comment as above. Prob with the older Senns is they may need maintenance and they are complicated circuits.
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Post by drbill on May 1, 2022 14:00:28 GMT -6
KM86's. Cause they are like KM84's but more versatile with the multi patterns. KM53's cause they are like KM84's but more detailed, and I can get in close to acoustics without cardiod proximity - and WITH that magic AC701 pixie dust. M70's cause they are like KM84's but a bit brighter.
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Post by nudwig on May 1, 2022 14:16:56 GMT -6
I had a pair of the old AKG 451 EBs that were awesome, even had a ORTF mount for them. Sold them to a drummer buddy when I got my 84, probably shouldn't of done that even though I had to have them serviced a few times. My only other pair of SDC's I kept are the McHugh Military AMM-68 recordinghacks.com/microphones/McHugh/AMM-68 Awesome mics if you happen to run across them. Omni, kinda dark compared to others, but such an engaging sound on OH, piano, or acoustic guitar when in the right room.
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Post by svart on May 1, 2022 15:22:53 GMT -6
Km184. Sounds mostly like an 84 but available and somewhat cheaper.
Mk012. Detailed yet warm. Cheap.
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Post by gwlee7 on May 1, 2022 16:23:43 GMT -6
Gefell M295 because it’s freaking awesome.
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Post by tkaitkai on May 1, 2022 16:29:02 GMT -6
Kind of an unconventional answer, but for me, it's the Dayton Audio Emm-6. Dirt cheap and absolutely brilliant on acoustic guitar.
Pretty sure the IK ARC mic, Sonarworks mic, and Behringer ECM8000 are all re-badged versions of the same thing, so you may actually own one already. Try it on strummed acoustic. It just works.
Honorable mention to the 3U Warbler 127.
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Post by jeremygillespie on May 1, 2022 16:37:36 GMT -6
Schoeps CMC6 are wonderful mics with both Omni and card caps.
Really enjoying my Soyuz 013 with card and omni caps as well.
Km54
451’s are a workhorse don’t care how many people seem to talk junk about them.
Those are my go-to’s
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rpc
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by rpc on May 1, 2022 17:19:31 GMT -6
(I record classical music, so keep that in mind.) SM81 - a friend describes it as "the second best mike for everything." (That said, mine are significantly modified AND I have the omni capsules.) Earthworks QTC40 - great when the source has nothing to hide, cheaper than a 4006/M221. Can't use it on really quiet sources. MKH800 Twin - probably my "desert island" mikes, just because they're so flexible. (But what's to record on a desert island?)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2022 17:51:41 GMT -6
Beyerdymanic M930 matched pair. A different but equally usable sound. ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE on overheads. JMHO biggest sounding SDC around
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2022 17:53:03 GMT -6
The Shure KSM 137 and 141 have lots of detail and can take ridiculous level. I want to try the new Austrian Audio CC8.
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Post by vintagetubelug on May 1, 2022 18:34:50 GMT -6
Another vote for vintage AKG 451 EBs. I most often have KM84s on OHs but recently got a very nice set of 451s. I did several jobs for regular clients and not one mentioned anything about the OHs other than "they sound great".
The 451s are bit less weighty but have a great even clarity from top to bottom. They don't have the same magic as the 84s but they are certainly a great mic for the price still. I'd even say they are a sleeper.
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Post by thehightenor on May 2, 2022 1:44:55 GMT -6
I have a vintage pair of matching 451’s E’s
They sound pretty fantastic to my ears.
If I use one to record my D18 the results are hard to beat. They respond so well to varying the pre-amp.
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Post by sean on May 2, 2022 5:11:53 GMT -6
A good Schoeps 221 with M934 capsule is a nice compliment to a KM84. AKG C452EB as well. Both a bit more top end "sweetness" compared to a KM84.
I wish KM86s were still somewhat affordable…they are a better sounding and more flexible KM84. Or even better, KM66’s. Wouldn’t kick KM56’s out of the cabinet either.
Josephson e22s have a low end thickness that can be useful on certain sources.
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Post by EmRR on May 2, 2022 6:59:26 GMT -6
MKH800 Twin - probably my "desert island" mikes, just because they're so flexible. (But what's to record on a desert island?) Hesitated to leave that one off my list, so good, but sees less use because of the ‘twin’ aspect. The additional brightness is useful at times compared to the other MKH.
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Post by Guitar on May 2, 2022 7:15:01 GMT -6
Oktava MK 012 - acoustic instruments Shure KSM137, KSM141 - drums and amplifiers, cymbals
DWA (me) omni microphones with JLI, Primo, PUI capsules. my version of the Stapes mics, the Avenson STO-2 kind of thing, love these little buggers, incredibly useful. I've been using my little $8 mic for lead vocals lately, percussion. Going to design a "fancier" version of these at some point, with a schoeps circuit instead of the P48 (2 components) circuit.
Used to have KM184, wish I still did, I love those things. I like bright sounds, and these have that next level of detail, woodiness, whatever, expensive.
Don't like the 451E CK1 enough to keep around, too much "crud" in the sound. Pro 37 are too crusty. ATM450 too thin and crunchy. AT4051 pretty good but I sold them. Peluso CEMC6 too bright. MXL/CAD/ETC are garbage dumpster quality, even after upgrades. Avenson STO-2, I am sorry I have to say this, overpriced, but decent. Rode Video Mic NTG, little shotgun thing, a sad joke. Can't take any SPL at all, you have to "be quiet" when this mic is on, sad/funny.
Hard to find the good ones, see the top of my list (Oktava, Shure, DIY omnis, Neumann)
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Post by Ward on May 2, 2022 7:41:54 GMT -6
SNIP Mk012. Detailed yet warm. Cheap. Agreed. interesting microphone. I only have the one, but like it very much for taming something tinny sounding.
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Post by EmRR on May 2, 2022 7:55:25 GMT -6
SNIP Mk012. Detailed yet warm. Cheap. Agreed. interesting microphone. I only have the one, but like it very much for taming something tinny sounding. Instant Ziggy Stardust acoustic
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Post by Martin John Butler on May 2, 2022 8:12:02 GMT -6
The Soyuz 0-11 (FET). It sounds like someone gave the KM84 steroids. More gain, less noise, a little more detail, but in the "84" realm completely. That said, I have to admit that after having access to two KM84's for a while, I use something else entirely.
A few years ago, Soyuz held a shootout event in a nice studio in Brooklyn. A great crowd of engineer/producers went. Comparisons were made between a vintage U67, 87 and the Soyuz 0-17, 0-19, 0-11,0-13. There was also an acoustic guitar shootout that featured quite a few mics. Unfotunately, they didn't have a KM84 to put up.
During the acoustic guitar comparison, the second you heard the Neumann U67, you knew the sound, it was the Beatles at Abbey Road instantly. Great, classic sound. So.. even when they recorded using the 67, the 87, the Soyuz 0-11 and 0-13 SDC's, the Beeznees SDC, and their 0-19 FET, something interesting happened.
There were around 20 pros there listening to the comparisons, BLIND, just listening. Every single one picked the same mic not knowing which one it was, no hesitation, no equivocation, everyone. It turned out to be the Soyuz 0-19 FET.
The KM84 has a magic way of sitting in tracks and the best pickup pattern of all SDC's IMO, but the results were undeniable. So.. I use my 0-19 for acoustic guitar now, and sometimes my Stam Audio SA67 because it's already plugged in and has the 67 thing down.
If I had to buy an SDC today, I wouldn't hesitate to buy the Soyuz 0-11, but until I need one.. I'l stick with my 0-19.
If my friend who loaned me the 84's ever sells them, I'll certainly see if I can snag one. The one thing that makes mixing easier is just how naturally KM84's sit in a mix, even if solo'd, they don't exactly trounce every other mic, but in a mix, they're almost unbeatable.
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Post by mcirish on May 2, 2022 8:32:59 GMT -6
Beyerdynamic MC930 - not really anything like a KM84 but very nice sounding. Somewhat smoother mids and a slight hi boost that gives some air. I love them on piano and violin. Used them as overheads on a live session and they really surprised me. They sounded really great and became the foundation of the sound. I don't think we ended up needing much EQ at all.
Oktava MC-012 - For what I do with close micing acoustic instruments, these work great. So close to a KM84 that I could use either. The MC-012 is probably the best deal in SDC mics ever. I bought 10 of them 20 years ago and kept the best 4. I modded two of them and those are my main pair for mandolin and acoustic guitar.
I'd love to pick up some Soyuz mics at some point but that requires extra cash...
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Post by Bob Olhsson on May 2, 2022 9:09:12 GMT -6
A friend whose ears I trust told me that his 184 always needed to be used with a transformer input preamp or else it could get painfully bright. We both suspect RFI.
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Post by Blackdawg on May 2, 2022 11:04:59 GMT -6
DPA4011a Schoeps MK21, MK4
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2022 11:34:48 GMT -6
A friend whose ears I trust told me that his 184 always needed to be used with a transformer input preamp or else it could get painfully bright. We both suspect RFI. That TLM style circuitry!
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