The Mics You have Dumped, and Why...

[Black Seal]

RODE NTK w/telefunken tube- Even after the tube change the mic was still extremely susceptible to sibilance. I still kept the tube though

Studio Projects C3- Same as above (obvoiusly no tube change possible), but I kept it longer to have a multi-pattern mic, but then realized what's the point. I replaced it with a AT4050, nothing great, but a significant improvement none the less.

[NorseHorse]

Joe Meek JM27 Pencil Mics

Luckily I was able to sell them for as much as I bought them for. However, nowadays they're being advertised new at $200. I'd recommend that someone on a budget go for ANY of the MXL mics before the Joe Meek budget mics.

[Tranny-Cap-Tube]

Sennheiser e609- too much 3k boost, one trick pony that nobody needs.

MXL mics- you should know better...

Rode NTK - harsh sibilance.

sm57 - I still have a few(why try and sell em), but the Sennheiser 835 beats em every time.

[d_fu]

Originally Posted by peeder

Earthworks/Avenson: How many people realize that "omnidirectional" does NOT mean distance micing? With 1/4" condensers, you are using omni for CLOSE micing. CLOSE. Did I say Close? CLOSE. No proximity effect, enormous SPL handling, get the exact patch of air you want RIGHT UP ON THE SOURCE. Solves the s/n problem.

The EW omnis are definitely intended (though not maybe ideally suited) for use as main pair for acoustic recordings...
And does a distance of ~ 80 cm qualify as "RIGHT UP"? What if a mic is still too noisy even for that purpose? BTW, the SR78 I'm referring to has got the same self noise figure as the "quiet" QTC mics.

KM184: Much better than its rep. You need to know how to place it and on what. Not actually so bright! A spot mic; I only have one.

True, it isn't all that bad. But it is a tad bright...

And while I'd never consider the MXL 2001 for a recording (even though it once did a fine job amplifying a Tabla where an SM57 failed), the 2003 has worked well as spot on a horn (the horn player loved the sound) and the V-77 tube isn't bad either. Not much interested in the rest of the line, though.


D.

[peeder]

Originally Posted by d_fu

The EW omnis are defeinitely intended (though not maybe ideally suited) for use as main pair for acoustic recordings...
And does a distance of ~ 80 cm qualify as "RIGHT UP"? What if a mic is still too noisy even for that purpose? BTW, the SR78 I'm referring to has got the same self noise figure as the "quiet" QTC mics.

Try 1cm.

Yeah, you read that right.

I couldn't care less what some maufacturer says thinking it will sell more product. Go over the filter...

[d_fu]

Originally Posted by peeder

Try 1cm.

I have no use for microphones at this distance. So I sold it to a studio who apparently have...

[yumdrum]

Originally Posted by Brent

I'm about to dump some Gefell M300's finally. They are just too bright for acoustic applications I'm doing. I may use the funds to pick up a Josepheson 617-Set Omni.

IMO they re not bright for SDC, you may want to try one M300 at the twevle and an LDC close to the body or hole. Should give a great blend. I run my M300s on an X-Y stereo track with real nice results.

For Overheads they absolutely rule. Silky smooth cymbals and punchy drums. So glad I got them last year. Used them in X-Y and Recorderman method. Both sound great.

[yumdrum]

Dumped U195- because I'm an Idiot. It was a great sounding mic, but I needed the cash. Will get another one soon.

Sold EB 535 C. Had plans on live recording that never happened and it never sounded nearly as good as anything else in the studio, so bye bye.

[zeppe]

I dumped

Shure KSM 32 It was OK, sold it for more than I bought it
Neumann TLM103 Overpriced, too bright. Sold it and bought lots of old Gefells
Oktava ML52 Yuck ribbon IMO. Bought 2 CAD Trion 7000s
Oktava MK012(pair) Nice until I bought a pair SM81s and pair of Gefell M70s

MySpace.com - The Jute Factory Studios - Waterford, Waterford - Rock / Metal / Other - www.myspace.com/thejutefactory

[mosrite]

Brauner Phantom - Was initially impressed with the sound. Very soon realised that they were just too bright and therefore not compatable with a pleasant sonic experience. Made me realise that being 'impressed' by the sound of a piece of kit is probably more a warning sign than anything. You live and learn. Also, tried them in a rock context against a U87 recently and realised that they are not only bright but also lacking any kind of decent midrange. BUT I am referring to the solid state Brauner mics here, not the tube monsters that I am guessing would offer that midrange in full.

Coles 4040 - Dumped for cash. Have regretted it. Also needed to realise that while the applications are limited (in my opinion) when they do work on a source they really work. When they dont work I found them a bit closed and congested, when they did work I found them beautifully rich and vintage.

[doorknocker]

Rode NTK:

Way too harsh/bright/sibliant. So you need to 'upgrade' the tube to make it sound 'good'? You must be kidding. Why not get it right from the beginning? I suspect that this mic is more about looks and 'oh, I also got a tube mic there' prosumer hype. i admit I fell for it but so it went on e-bay.

Pair of KM 184s:

Not bad, actually I didn't find them too bright but rather to unfocused in the low-mids. Besides the sonics, the lack of a pad is a major downgrade from the KM 84 as well. Why mess with a good thing?

KM 84:

Up for sale, I'm gonna regret it but I need the money.


Beta 58/ Beta 57:

I'll probably keep these or maybe sell them locally because the sales value is too low for dealing with e-bay/shipping, etc. A similar situation like the 84 to 184 'evolution' : The Betas might have more gain but they sound unfocused and hyped IMO, I once made a direct A/B comparison with a singer during a soundcheck and it was shocking how much better (and more intelligible) the regular 58 sounded compared to the Beta.


Original Telefunken Elam 251:

Sold it for $200 back in 1989 because I was tired of dealing with tubes ....


































....just kidding!

[mrsteaks]

This has turned into a good thread! I didn't forsee discussion of technique, but - well, icing on the cake.

I'm still shaking my head at Plush (with a broad smile!), but, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do!

Actually, I've thought of doing the same things with those little Naiants. I never use them - I bought them because they were 1) cute and 2) cheap. However, I may convince someone they're a connector and see what happens....

Mosrite - correct you are! Anything I've been "impressed" with initially I came to dislike in short order.

And....

Rode NT4...another one I forgot! I've had several "forgettable" mics, apparently. Way too bright, too noisy, and a church music director wanted it. So, she now has it! With my compliments....

[Corran]

Which Naiant mics are you guys referring to? I bought a pair of X-Qs and was pleasantly surprised at their usefullness in different situations. I have used them to augment a main ORTF pair with much success.

[mrsteaks]

Originally Posted by Corran

Which Naiant mics are you guys referring to? I bought a pair of X-Qs and was pleasantly surprised at their usefullness in different situations. I have used them to augment a main ORTF pair with much success.

MSH-1's. They have decent tonal balance, really, they do, but they are pretty noisy. The pair I have are also susceptible to hum. I have heard clips where they were the main pair, or least prominent in the mix, and yes, they sounded pretty good. Perhaps the X-Q's are quieter?

[Corran]

They must be. I really like them. Now I wouldn't use them as my only mics, but they still have their uses.

[steveschizoid]

Originally Posted by peeder

Earthworks/Avenson: How many people realize that "omnidirectional" does NOT mean distance micing? With 1/4" condensers, you are using omni for CLOSE micing. CLOSE. Did I say Close? CLOSE. No proximity effect, enormous SPL handling, get the exact patch of air you want RIGHT UP ON THE SOURCE. Solves the s/n problem.

The QTC 30's sound great. I stuck mine (both, for stereo ) so close to a harmonica that I was a tad worried about spit damage. The result was very pleasing. They sound great as drum overheads as well. You definitely want to get them close for acoustic guitar though.

Just dumped an AKG C418. it was sold as a drum mic, but it's incredibly delicate and it doesn't sound that great. Best used if you plan on replacing the sound; it is very directional.

I'm selling an MXL V69; it's really not bad for the price, but I need another MD421 instead.

[0VU]

Earthworks QTC30s
I was given a pair but after a few attempts to make use of them I lent them to someone who claimed to like them so I never bothered to ask for them back.

Sennheiser MKH (variously 20, 30, 40 and 50)
I've bought and owned all of these at various times - some models several times but I always end up selling them. I buy them from time to time when I've forgotten why I didn't like them last time I tried them and I'm trying to convince myself that they really are good mics, my dislike of them is irrational and I must just not get what they're trying to do. I buy them rather than borrowing/hiring because I'm hoping that a really extended revisiting of them will give me time to see what I'm missing. Sadly not. Every time I end up getting rid of them again as whatever they're supposed to be, they're just not right. Haven't had any now for about 5 years - apart from, at the request of a client, borrowing a pair of MKH30s for a job where we then used something else as the client didn't like them either. The MKH80 and 800 I get along with just fine but the others, no. I recently bought an MKH8040 to see what all the fuss was about and it's ....er.....ok I suppose; better than the older MKH mics, more like the MKH80/800 in sound. I got an ex demo unit for about half the normal street price and I'd say that for what I paid it's a decent enough mic and I'll probably hang on to it. At full retail I probably wouldn't bother.

That's about it really. Pretty much every other mic I've ever bought is still with me and still comes out from time to time.

Otherwise, I tend to try mics pretty thoroughly before buying and don't buy mics that I don't like so I get rid of very few.

[ISedlacek]

Interesting. Finally I see I am not the only one not being so much impressed by 8040 ... They are very good mics, no doubt ... just do not seem to have that "magic" ... So I dumped them today, returning to the dealer ...

[David Spearritt]

Old U87: too noisy and limited in its use.
Old KM86i: too noisy with terrible off axis colouration, also a bit bland.
Royer SF12: Wonderful, but needs special preamp and short cables, replaced with SF24 to use in concert hall.
M149: Glorious, stunning, but we used it too rarely, sold it and replaced with more Schoeps.

[Corran]

Originally Posted by 0VU

Earthworks QTC30s
I was given a pair but after a few attempts to make use of them I lent them to someone who claimed to like them so I never bothered to ask for them back.

Alright guys. Next person who is disgruntled with their Earthworks better PM me and I'll take them off their hands. I'll even pay shipping.

[johnnyjellybean]

Originally Posted by Corran

Alright guys. Next person who is disgruntled with their Earthworks better PM me and I'll take them off their hands. I'll even pay shipping.

I'll better that! . I'll pay $50 plus the shipping!

[MrVelvet]

Originally Posted by mosrite

Brauner Phantom - Was initially impressed with the sound. Very soon realised that they were just too bright and therefore not compatable with a pleasant sonic experience. Made me realise that being 'impressed' by the sound of a piece of kit is probably more a warning sign than anything. You live and learn. Also, tried them in a rock context against a U87 recently and realised that they are not only bright but also lacking any kind of decent midrange. BUT I am referring to the solid state Brauner mics here, not the tube monsters that I am guessing would offer that midrange in full.

Coles 4040 - Dumped for cash. Have regretted it. Also needed to realise that while the applications are limited (in my opinion) when they do work on a source they really work. When they dont work I found them a bit closed and congested, when they did work I found them beautifully rich and vintage.

Well, the Brauner Valvet gave me the same experience, I think the Brauner are just different. Some like it, some don't. I didn't, but gladly I just borrowed it

[MichaelPatrick]

KM184 pair. Overrated and overpriced. Replaced with Beyerdynamic MC930 pair.

MXL 2001. Great for recording the sound of a massively destructive Hollywood stunt that blows up everything in the vicinity, mic included.

Heil PR40. Great mic but not for my uses. Traded for a decent EQ.

[Jungle Jazz]

AKG C414XLS pair: every pattern sounded like omni, and they were brighter than I cared for

AT4051 pair: okay sounding, but they just didn't do it for me, especially considering that I like my Beyer MC930s and Shure KSM141s better

Shure Beta 87A: distorted too easily for full voiced singers

Earthworks SRO pair: (already gone) just never did it for me

[Ken Paul]

Originally Posted by Plush

I dumped:

Earthworks--dumped from a moving Cadillac on to Harlem Ave. in Chicago. Episode described here on GS. This junk was noisy as noted. Furthermore, the designer's son had just appeared at a Chicago EARS meeting a few days before the dump. He was so full of nonsense and bs, that I HAD to dump out his product in his honor.
.

I actually recall that meeting... the s**t was indeed pretty deep. Would have loved to be a fly on the windshield wiper for the dump!!!

-kp

[Don S]

Schoeps MK2H/CMC6. Good for anything within 20 feet. Euphoric mush further away. Always prefered the detail of DPA 4006TL and now a pair is coming!

[liuto]

AKG D202: my first stereo pair...
AKG C451 pair: too bright for my needs
Neumann KM184 pair: decent, but no upgrade to my KM84s, so I sold them...
MTG MV692/M94: not suited as main pair, a little bass shy...
MTG UM70: too coloured for my tastes...
MBHO MBC660 L: too noisy and bright

Regards
Hermann