Anyone got the new Stellar CM5 yet?

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by ma_ga

hi folks,

maybe it is a bit too early but did anyone get his Stellar CM5 ?

Would be nice to read some first impressions.

I am using the CM6 and I am quite impressed....

cheers
Markus

...yes, I'm currently using one of the final CM-5 prototypes and the retail-ready version should be available in a few days as per the recently updated web page:
Stellar Mic Design - Home

...nice companion piece to the CM-6...a bit more low-end and low-mids (from the edge-terminated 34mm C12-type capsule) and a very smooth top-end with slightly less high-frequency detail than the CM-6...IMHO, not as bright as a true C-12 type mic, but possibly closer to the classic ELA M 251 in voicing...I haven't any tracks to post yet, but hopefully soon...

[ma_ga]

thanks kidvybes,

would be nice to hear some samples....

What do you think the CM5 will shine on ?
The CM6 is more on the neutral side and very well
balanced and I like it on male voice and as a room mic.

Would be also great if stellar could do a k47 inspired
mic in that price range as a cheaper alternative to
the AA CM47SE.

[ajschuk]

Im trying to get a feel for the size of the CM-5 . . . any chance of posting a photo of it side by side with the CM-6?

BTW, I finally had a chance to really put my CM-6 to use last night and I was very happy with the outcome. Definitely a keeper.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by ma_ga

would be nice to hear some samples....

...very soon...

Originally Posted by ma_ga

What do you think the CM5 will shine on ?
The CM6 is more on the neutral side and very well
balanced and I like it on male voice and as a room mic.

...so far, I've only tried the CM-5 on female vocals, and it sounded superb...it seems that it would excel on tracks where you need a bit more body (low mids) and just a hint less sheen than what the CM-6 delivers...not quite as neutral with a bit more "character" than the CM-6...

Originally Posted by ajschuk

BTW, I finally had a chance to really put my CM-6 to use last night and I was very happy with the outcome. Definitely a keeper.

...no argument here..."keeper", agreed!

Originally Posted by ajschuk

Im trying to get a feel for the size of the CM-5 . . . any chance of posting a photo of it side by side with the CM-6?

[changeng]

Hokay - I'm intrigued with the idea of an affordable C-12 sorta-like.

Kidvybes - for a peter gabrielish/ david bowieish voice - would the CM5 or the CM 6 be a better choice? I know bowie used a C12 back in his Ken Scott days.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by changeng

Hokay - I'm intrigued with the idea of an affordable C-12 sorta-like.

Kidvybes - for a peter gabrielish/ david bowieish voice - would the CM5 or the CM 6 be a better choice? I know bowie used a C12 back in his Ken Scott days.

Yes, I was a big fan of Ken Scott's work with Bowie...but I always hesitate to guess what mic would best serve a particular voice because it's such a preferential call...what I can say, is the CM-6 has more detail and clarity in the upper-mids and top-end than the CM-5, so it can enhance the intimacy of a vocal track...it also has a very useable proximity effect which can also contribute to a "presence" that might be an asset on a vocal track...the CM-5 is a bit bigger in the low-mids with less detail on the top, so while they compliment each other, what you might chose for a particular voice would be dependent on a number of factors, the least of which is the backing track...both Gabriel and Bowie had vastly diverse backing tracks, from dense and dramatic, to sparse and delicate...tough call...

...if I was to compare the CM-5 and CM-6 to preamps (to better describe their voicing), I'd say the CM-6 was more API-ish (clean & detailed) and the CM-5 more Neve-ish (more character/color)...hope that helps...

[changeng]

thanks, Kid - that was a huge help!

[ajschuk]

Thanks for the photo. Its not as large as I thought it might be. Just waiting to hear some sound samples before I pop on one.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by ajschuk

Its not as large as I thought it might be.

...same size as Telefunken AK47/Blackspade UM17/Avantone CV-12/Advanced Audio CM-12/etc...surprisingly hefty!...heavier than the CM-6...

[gumby1220]

Originally Posted by ajschuk

Thanks for the photo. Its not as large as I thought it might be. Just waiting to hear some sound samples before I pop on one.

that's what she said. sorry someone had to say it.

but i've been looking into stellar mics and if they are as good as what's said o hear I may have to pic up a cm-6

[changeng]

anyone know if the CM6 has been A/B'd with a MXL Genesis? seems like SOMEONE woulda tried that.

[dkelley]

Originally Posted by ajschuk

Im trying to get a feel for the size of the CM-5 . . . any chance of posting a photo of it side by side with the CM-6?

BTW, I finally had a chance to really put my CM-6 to use last night and I was very happy with the outcome. Definitely a keeper.

I'd start by googling apex 460 to get an idea of that mic body size, I think (I'm sure the body is the same on the outside). otherwise though I suspect this mic doesn't share too much in common with the apex 460 (right kidvybes?)

[dkelley]

Originally Posted by kidvybes

...same size as Telefunken AK47/Blackspade UM17/Avantone CV-12/Advanced Audio CM-12/etc...surprisingly hefty!...heavier than the CM-6...

whoops, beat me to it, sorry! :-D

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by dkelley

otherwise though I suspect this mic doesn't share too much in common with the apex 460 (right kidvybes?)

...you'd be right about that...the CM-5 boasts a larger 34mm edge-terminated C12-type 6-micron capsule (rather than the smaller 32mm center-terminated K67 3-micron capsule in the 460), modded circuit with higher-quality film capacitors, upgraded T14-type transformer, select Electro-Harmonix 6072A tube (instead of cheap Chinese 12AX7), chrome-plated headbasket assembly and Neumann-style shockmount, among the upgrades...

[audioallstar]

Kid (or anyone here), know of price on this yet? Close to CM-6?

Thanks!

[Screws]

$399 + Shipping. I ordered one and it's on its way.

Stellar Mic Design - Products

[3rdeyeKnight]

Hey kidvybes,

I recall reading in another thread that you also have an iSK TM-78.
How does the CM-5 compare to it?

[dkelley]

Originally Posted by kidvybes

...you'd be right about that...the CM-5 boasts a larger 34mm edge-terminated C12-type 6-micron capsule (rather than the smaller 32mm center-terminated K67 3-micron capsule in the 460), modded circuit with higher-quality film capacitors, upgraded transformer, select Electro-Harmonix 6072A tube (instead of cheap Chinese 12AX7), chrome-plated headbasket assembly and Neumann-style shockmount, among the upgrades...

cool..... just for the sake of the authentic akg-style looks at the very least, I think edge terminated capsules are sexy. Can't comment on the sound obviously of that cap, but I'm really impressed that at the very least it doesn't have one of the center terminated caps that 99% of LDC mics use these days :-), and also it mimicks the german mics that it happens to look something like due to that capsule design.

as always, I want one, but as always I can't buy one right now damnit LoL.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by 3rdeyeKnight

Hey kidvybes,

I recall reading in another thread that you also have an iSK TM-78.
How does the CM-5 compare to it?

...you have a good memory...what I have is a private-labelled tube mic manufactured by iSK/Shengke/TongXin that I'm told shares the same circuit/capsule/transformer configuration as the TM-78 but in a cheaper package (no low-cut or pad switch) and a body/headbasket similar to the CM-6...it looks like this mic:
Products Ningbo Tongxin Electronic Factory
...but has the upgraded WIMA caps/circuit found in this mic:
Products Ningbo Tongxin Electronic Factory

...it is "darker" sounding than the CM-5 with strong low-mids...but the CM-5 has a more open top-end...the CM-5 would be somewhere between this mic and the CM-6 if I were to grade them from dark to bright...I think that those who believe the CM-6 is bright will find the CM-5 very likeable...

[3rdeyeKnight]

Originally Posted by kidvybes

...it is "darker" sounding than the CM-5 with strong low-mids...but the CM-5 has a more open top-end...the CM-5 would be somewhere between this mic and the CM-6 if I were to grade them from dark to bright...I think that those who believe the CM-6 is bright will find the CM-5 very likeable...

Cool. Thanks for all of the info here.

[audioallstar]

This has been great info. Thanks everybody.

Kidvybes...
I have heard samples of the CM-6 and it sounds great. But I'm wondering if you could chime in about which mic as a pair would be more fitting for piano/drums/acoustic sources. I know this is completely subjective, but I'm sure you'd have a great opinion!

Thanks.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by audioallstar

Kidvybes...
I have heard samples of the CM-6 and it sounds great. But I'm wondering if you could chime in about which mic as a pair would be more fitting for piano/drums/acoustic sources. I know this is completely subjective, but I'm sure you'd have a great opinion!

Thanks.

...actually, I can't answer that question since I haven't used the CM-6 for pair-recording duties as you mentioned...my experience with the CM-6 has been primarily for vocal tracking...I am hoping GS member "mhs2xs" (Mitchell) will chime in, as he has tracked both drums and guitars with his matched pair...if you haven't already, you might want to check out these older threads where he posted audio clips (among clips by a number of other CM-6 owners as well):

Owners of the Stellar CM-6

Stellar cm6 clips!!

[audioallstar]

Thank you, Kidvybes.

[mdemesmin1]

[QUOTE=audioallstar;7242775]

I can answer that question for you.
If you going for a warmer and bigger sounding tone I would recommend the CM-5, but if you want a clear detail transparent tone I would recommend the CM-6.

I recorded a Yamaha C7 with a pair of CM-6, I was very happy with the results.

I also use the CM-6 on drums with exceptional result.

I experimented with the CM-5 on upright bass and lead vocals with great results.

That mic just made everything sound bigger then life.

Great addition to any mic locker.
I highly recommend the CM-5.


Sent from my Iphone 4s with typos

[Screws]

Just got my CM5 today - love, love, love.

For those that want to hear a clip, the CM5 is mic "D" in the shootout posted here:

Hundreds$ to Thousands$ Female Mic Shootout

[kidvybes]

...there's more info/specs for the Stellar CM-5 on the newly listed eBay auction...

...there's also another newly posted shootout with soundfiles on Recordinghacks.com comparing the CM-6 to the Neumann TLM-103:

http://recordinghacks.com/2011/11/17...iew/#more-3094

...here's a pic of the CM-5's circuit, tube and capsule...

[D-Fyant]

I'm glad to hear that this mic is out now....well kinda (it will be coming out of the Christmas gift fund ).

Judging from the description and the previous posts, it's just as high quality of a mic as the CM-6 at a fraction of what it's worth, so I will be purchasing one from Peter's website VERY soon!

[mdemesmin1]

Originally Posted by D-Fyant

I'm glad to hear that this mic is out now....well kinda (it will be coming out of the Christmas gift fund ).

Judging from the description and the previous posts, it's just as high quality of a mic as the CM-6 at a fraction of what it's worth, so I will be purchasing one from Peter's website VERY soon!

Hey D-Fyant,
This maybe the perfect mic for your voice. I recall you wanted a mic with less detail on the top end.
The Stellar CM-5 have a huge bottom, and a warm top end.

I love it on all type of vocals, male,female, soft, aggressive vocals.

The Stellar CM-5 Just sound very nice.

I still don't know how Peter Bloch Is able to offer such great mics at this low of a price point.




Sent from my iPhone 4s with typos.

[audioallstar]

Can anyone compare this to a modded Apex 460? I've been looking into a "mini-mod" of a 460...existing capsule and transformer, but changing tube and some caps.
But if the CM-5 is as good or better...I'd rather save myself the trouble!