Mic for the little speakers of the EMS SYNTHI A

thedude · 9th October 2007, 10:09 AM

hey guys,
i have an EMS SYNTHI A and just love that thing. it happens to have two tiny speakers which seem to be driven by a germanium stage. compared to the line-output, their sound seems to be usually distorted and lacking bass, but then they are really, really crispy and fit to a lot of sounds.
i'd really like to know if anyone could suggest some not-so-expensive mics i could record this kind of stuff with? maybe some is actually doing that with an EMS SYNTHI A?
hints?
thanks

narco · 9th October 2007, 12:58 PM

a shure sm 57 would be a good bet, usually used on guitar speakers, good for distorted signals

narco

balaperdida · 9th October 2007, 01:17 PM

If you're happy with the crispiness, then yeah: a 57 on each speaker might work. If you wanted to tame the high end a little, you could experiment with some of the cheaper ribbons coming out now (not Nady/Behringer/ bargain-basement cheap, mind you -- do a search on ribbons and see what you come up with). A ribbon would also give you a bit more leg-room if you chose to do some creative EQing.

Also, unless you sequence everything, I think you'd only want to use a mic'ed signal if it were mixed with the DI, as I anticipate a lot of the sound of your playing (as in, your hands striking the keys, your keyboard moving on its stand, etc) would be captured, annoyingly.

cornutt · 9th October 2007, 04:42 PM

The Synthi-A is a little suitcase thing. It doesn't have a built-in keyboard. However, the point is still valid as far as tweaking parameters while you play -- the mics will be in the way, and they might pick up noise from your hands. Maybe you could find a way to rig up a couple of lav mics; at least they wouldn't be in the way as much.

thedude · 9th October 2007, 04:50 PM

Thanks for all the input, guys.
My first guess was a SM57 too, that's good to know i wasn't so far away.
My Synthi A does actually have some kind of keyboard (it's the KS version), but it doesn't make any noise at all.
Oh, and which Ribbon exactly are you speaking of if not the very cheap ones from those famous but behatred companies you mentioned?
Thanks!
Johannes

balaperdida · 10th October 2007, 07:56 AM

I wish I could give you a worthy mic recommendation, but all I know of lower-end ribbons is hearsay. I *can* tell you a Royer 121 would be great, but I've heard good things about the Fathead, for what it is worth. Experiment, and tell us what works for you.

D

Coyoteous · 10th October 2007, 09:58 AM

It might be interesting to put a mic or 2 in the cabinet (PZM?). I've thought about doing that with my 2600's.

Also, try an omni SDC real close to each speaker to cut the proximity effect, though with little speakers you might want the bass boost.

Either way, I'd try a condensor in addition to dynamics and ribbons. I'll bet they all sound good - just different flavors.

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9th October 2007, 10:09 AM	#1
thedude Gear interested Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 23	Mic for the little speakers of the EMS SYNTHI A hey guys, i have an EMS SYNTHI A and just love that thing. it happens to have two tiny speakers which seem to be driven by a germanium stage. compared to the line-output, their sound seems to be usually distorted and lacking bass, but then they are really, really crispy and fit to a lot of sounds. i'd really like to know if anyone could suggest some not-so-expensive mics i could record this kind of stuff with? maybe some is actually doing that with an EMS SYNTHI A? hints? thanks

9th October 2007, 12:58 PM	#2
narco Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Switzerland/New Zealand/guitar case Posts: 3,391	a shure sm 57 would be a good bet, usually used on guitar speakers, good for distorted signals narco __________________ The last thing for me to sell! FS: Mytek 896 D-A + exp card (located in new zealand) - will ship worldwide

10th October 2007, 09:58 AM	#7
Coyoteous Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,434	It might be interesting to put a mic or 2 in the cabinet (PZM?). I've thought about doing that with my 2600's. Also, try an omni SDC real close to each speaker to cut the proximity effect, though with little speakers you might want the bass boost. Either way, I'd try a condensor in addition to dynamics and ribbons. I'll bet they all sound good - just different flavors. __________________ itunes.com/coyoteoldman

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9th October 2007, 01:17 PM	#3
balaperdida Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: MXDF/SATX Posts: 156	If you're happy with the crispiness, then yeah: a 57 on each speaker might work. If you wanted to tame the high end a little, you could experiment with some of the cheaper ribbons coming out now (not Nady/Behringer/ bargain-basement cheap, mind you -- do a search on ribbons and see what you come up with). A ribbon would also give you a bit more leg-room if you chose to do some creative EQing. Also, unless you sequence everything, I think you'd only want to use a mic'ed signal if it were mixed with the DI, as I anticipate a lot of the sound of your playing (as in, your hands striking the keys, your keyboard moving on its stand, etc) would be captured, annoyingly.

9th October 2007, 04:42 PM	#4
cornutt Gear addict Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 416	The Synthi-A is a little suitcase thing. It doesn't have a built-in keyboard. However, the point is still valid as far as tweaking parameters while you play -- the mics will be in the way, and they might pick up noise from your hands. Maybe you could find a way to rig up a couple of lav mics; at least they wouldn't be in the way as much.

9th October 2007, 04:50 PM	#5
thedude Gear interested Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 23	Thanks for all the input, guys. My first guess was a SM57 too, that's good to know i wasn't so far away. My Synthi A does actually have some kind of keyboard (it's the KS version), but it doesn't make any noise at all. Oh, and which Ribbon exactly are you speaking of if not the very cheap ones from those famous but behatred companies you mentioned? Thanks! Johannes

10th October 2007, 07:56 AM	#6
balaperdida Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: MXDF/SATX Posts: 156	I wish I could give you a worthy mic recommendation, but all I know of lower-end ribbons is hearsay. I can tell you a Royer 121 would be great, but I've heard good things about the Fathead, for what it is worth. Experiment, and tell us what works for you. D