Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Advice on real good, real simple mic technique

Piedpiper · 29th August 2009

I was actually on the listening panel for Mike Jasper's Tape Op SDC shootout. Ironically, all your above choices except for the AKG were in my top 15 picks. The 012 in stock form did not stand out for me or Mike. Neither did the AKG.

As for those that did, the Beyer is rich and smooth but can be a little boomy. The Rode has a distinct in your face but not unpleasant bright midrange clarity/emphasis without being too edgy. For a similar price and a different flavor, another of my picks was the OktavaMod MXL603. This was brighter on the very top but cleanly so, as through the whole range, and IMHO, more neutral and very real sounding. The AT was surprisingly better than many for its price, including more expensive AT models, but for me, the Beyer was sweeter and more transparent. The AKG is well known for its brightness; not my preference. Another of my inexpensive picks was the Crown CM700 which stood out for it's warm rich sweet inoffensive sound, very unusual at its price, but again, others offered more transparency. One of my favorites in the brighter but not too bright category, but for a bit more money was the Neumann KM143. All my other picks were more expensive and not necessarily across the board "better." For my taste, for your budget and for your stated situation, it still lands on the OktavaMod MK-012. And yes, IMHO, they are that much better than stock.

If you were tracking your nylon strung guitar in the context of a dense mix, I would go for clean but extra bright, and even put a low cut on it to control its contribution to the mud zone. The NT5 or the OktavaMod MXL603 might be a good choice, especially for the price, which is a steal if they work for you. For the situation you describe, however, I would go for clean but warm and refined. I'm always interested in clean and revealing but not usually bright, and definitely never edgy, unless you really want low-fi grunge for effect; even still...

29th August 2009	#17
Piedpiper Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Between the Notes, Iowa Posts: 2,036	I was actually on the listening panel for Mike Jasper's Tape Op SDC shootout. Ironically, all your above choices except for the AKG were in my top 15 picks. The 012 in stock form did not stand out for me or Mike. Neither did the AKG. As for those that did, the Beyer is rich and smooth but can be a little boomy. The Rode has a distinct in your face but not unpleasant bright midrange clarity/emphasis without being too edgy. For a similar price and a different flavor, another of my picks was the OktavaMod MXL603. This was brighter on the very top but cleanly so, as through the whole range, and IMHO, more neutral and very real sounding. The AT was surprisingly better than many for its price, including more expensive AT models, but for me, the Beyer was sweeter and more transparent. The AKG is well known for its brightness; not my preference. Another of my inexpensive picks was the Crown CM700 which stood out for it's warm rich sweet inoffensive sound, very unusual at its price, but again, others offered more transparency. One of my favorites in the brighter but not too bright category, but for a bit more money was the Neumann KM143. All my other picks were more expensive and not necessarily across the board "better." For my taste, for your budget and for your stated situation, it still lands on the OktavaMod MK-012. And yes, IMHO, they are that much better than stock. If you were tracking your nylon strung guitar in the context of a dense mix, I would go for clean but extra bright, and even put a low cut on it to control its contribution to the mud zone. The NT5 or the OktavaMod MXL603 might be a good choice, especially for the price, which is a steal if they work for you. For the situation you describe, however, I would go for clean but warm and refined. I'm always interested in clean and revealing but not usually bright, and definitely never edgy, unless you really want low-fi grunge for effect; even still... __________________ Tim Britton producer, engineer, musician, audio sales http://www.piedpiperprod.com http://uilleanpipes.com row, row, row your boat...