sc140 vs karma k10 vs mxl603

Joiken · 4th April 2011

Hi. I have listened to demos of these and am having a hard time deciding. The Karma's sound immediately more impressive. The MXL's have a long standing rep but from what I heard the Karma's have more meat in them...less low roll off. I wonder if they are the same basic mic design?

The SC140 I was only interested in because M Joly recommended them even as stock. They sound less impressive to me in the demo's than the Karma's, but they are just demo's and it isn't a fair call to judge them by that perhaps.

Primary use is Drum overheads, acoustic guitar and FX.

Anyway, input appreciated greatly. Obviously not a major decision but cash flow is really tight at the moment so every dollar spent counts!

Cheers.

Joiken · 11th April 2011

scrumpity bump

jodyandersong · 25th August 2011

I may be a little late to the party.....BUT.....I Really like my Karma K10's. I have used them a lot for Acoustic Guitar's and Drum Overheads. They sound great and are built really well! I would Highly recommend them over the others you mentioned.

jgimbel · 27th August 2011

I'm not much more helpful because I've only used the one option, but I LOVE my pair of MXLs. I'm not a delusional guy trying to convince myself (and others) that tiny-budget mics are all incredible and there's never a need to look elsewhere, but I've stepped up my entire mic locker over the years, and never had any reason to get something to replace the MXLs. The reason I wanted to comment here is because one of the reasons I (and many others) really love the 603s is specifically because they have really nice low end. They kind of make me think of what I've been reading about the TLM102s, just in that they're smaller mics but have abundant low end. I've had a number of tracks where a pair of MXLs as overheads got enough low end from the kick and toms that I didn't need to spot mic on anything. They're not harsh in the high end as long as you don't put them close to cymbals (the case with most mics!), they're clear without being overly bright. I generally hate bright, especially brittle mics, and 603s are not. I've heard people disagree but I've got to wonder how those folks are using them. My space is far less than ideal, VERY low ceilings, and I'm never unhappy with my overhead sounds with my pair. They make great room mics too.

So I just wanted to put in my word here that the 603s don't sound rolled off. Maybe the Karmas have even more low end, I don't know, but I've had multiple occasions of needing to roll off low end with 603s on overheads (if used with close mics) or acoustic guitars. Really great mics!

thismercifulfate · 27th August 2011

Here's one of my earliest recording ever. Karma K-10 pair in recorderman into MBox 1st gen. using ProTools 7.4 LE. No editing, EQ, comp etc...

http://www.abgeguckt.com/yankee/agopsig.mp3

christopherwrd · 25th December 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by jodyandersong

I may be a little late to the party.....BUT.....I Really like my Karma K10's. I have used them a lot for Acoustic Guitar's and Drum Overheads. They sound great and are built really well! I would Highly recommend them over the others you mentioned.

I also own a set of these mics. I got a set of them "used" for something like $80 so I can't really complain about anything. They do seem pretty flat. Not too hyped in the high end for the brightness illusion. I will say they sound as 'open' as I'd wish.

I only have one problem with the construction. With one of them I almost have to jam the xlr connector in there to get it to lock in. It's really difficult.

lately I noticed one of them sounding a bit strange. When you go to reposition it, (while they are live and with my headphones on) it almost makes a hollow, tube-like sound. Almost as if you were handling a big tin can. The other one doesn't.

Like I said, they were $80. And they have worked well for overheads for recording ideas. But when I go to actually do work on a new album, I'll probably rent some good KM184s or possibly look in to the Michael Joly modded SDCs.

Niallerrity · 20th January 2012

Just used the K10's as overheards today and I was very happy earlier, I'll have another look tomorrow and post up just the drums with no editing.

4th April 2011	#1
Joiken Gear Head Joined: Jun 2010 Location: OZ Posts: 45 Thread Starter	sc140 vs karma k10 vs mxl603 Hi. I have listened to demos of these and am having a hard time deciding. The Karma's sound immediately more impressive. The MXL's have a long standing rep but from what I heard the Karma's have more meat in them...less low roll off. I wonder if they are the same basic mic design? The SC140 I was only interested in because M Joly recommended them even as stock. They sound less impressive to me in the demo's than the Karma's, but they are just demo's and it isn't a fair call to judge them by that perhaps. Primary use is Drum overheads, acoustic guitar and FX. Anyway, input appreciated greatly. Obviously not a major decision but cash flow is really tight at the moment so every dollar spent counts! Cheers.

27th August 2011	#4
jgimbel Gear maniac Joined: Nov 2009 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 154	I'm not much more helpful because I've only used the one option, but I LOVE my pair of MXLs. I'm not a delusional guy trying to convince myself (and others) that tiny-budget mics are all incredible and there's never a need to look elsewhere, but I've stepped up my entire mic locker over the years, and never had any reason to get something to replace the MXLs. The reason I wanted to comment here is because one of the reasons I (and many others) really love the 603s is specifically because they have really nice low end. They kind of make me think of what I've been reading about the TLM102s, just in that they're smaller mics but have abundant low end. I've had a number of tracks where a pair of MXLs as overheads got enough low end from the kick and toms that I didn't need to spot mic on anything. They're not harsh in the high end as long as you don't put them close to cymbals (the case with most mics!), they're clear without being overly bright. I generally hate bright, especially brittle mics, and 603s are not. I've heard people disagree but I've got to wonder how those folks are using them. My space is far less than ideal, VERY low ceilings, and I'm never unhappy with my overhead sounds with my pair. They make great room mics too. So I just wanted to put in my word here that the 603s don't sound rolled off. Maybe the Karmas have even more low end, I don't know, but I've had multiple occasions of needing to roll off low end with 603s on overheads (if used with close mics) or acoustic guitars. Really great mics! __________________ Free download: City Shade/Country Sun - http://jessegimbel.bandcamp.com

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11th April 2011	#2
Joiken Gear Head Joined: Jun 2010 Location: OZ Posts: 45 Thread Starter	scrumpity bump

25th August 2011	#3
jodyandersong Gear interested Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 15	I may be a little late to the party.....BUT.....I Really like my Karma K10's. I have used them a lot for Acoustic Guitar's and Drum Overheads. They sound great and are built really well! I would Highly recommend them over the others you mentioned.

27th August 2011	#5
thismercifulfate Gear maniac Joined: Apr 2010 Location: Oregon City Posts: 230	Here's one of my earliest recording ever. Karma K-10 pair in recorderman into MBox 1st gen. using ProTools 7.4 LE. No editing, EQ, comp etc... http://www.abgeguckt.com/yankee/agopsig.mp3

20th January 2012	#7
Niallerrity Gear nut Joined: Feb 2010 Location: Dublin Posts: 122 1 Review written	Just used the K10's as overheards today and I was very happy earlier, I'll have another look tomorrow and post up just the drums with no editing.