A little too strange...naiant omnis

[jnorman]

well, i was messing around looking for a pair of cheap omnis, and ran across a thread about the little naiant msh-1 omnis. some dude had recorded a series of clips of some classical guitar material with schoeps cmc62s, octava mc-12 omnis, and the little naiant msh-1 omnis.

i listened to each clip, especailly comparing the schoeps to the naiants. (btw, i used to own a pair of schoeps cmc64s) to my utter amazement, i could hardly hear any difference between the schoeps and the naiants. i was so stunned, i just ordered a pair. perhaps in my world, they will sound more like what they cost, but at any rate, i cant wait to play with them and see for myself.

any of you use these things? what have your experiences been? the self noise for the msh-1 is listed at 20dB, which i can barely believe, since the DPA 4006s i had were listed at 22dB - what's up with that? anybody use them as a main pair for a small acoustic ensemble? thanks.

[Todd24]

Originally Posted by jnorman

well, i was messing around looking for a pair of cheap omnis, and ran across a thread about the little naiant msh-1 omnis. some dude had recorded a series of clips of some classical guitar material with schoeps cmc62s, octava mc-12 omnis, and the little naiant msh-1 omnis.

i listened to each clip, especailly comparing the schoeps to the naiants. (btw, i used to own a pair of schoeps cmc64s) to my utter amazement, i could hardly hear any difference between the schoeps and the naiants. i was so stunned, i just ordered a pair. perhaps in my world, they will sound more like what they cost, but at any rate, i cant wait to play with them and see for myself.

any of you use these things? what have your experiences been? the self noise for the msh-1 is listed at 20dB, which i can barely believe, since the DPA 4006s i had were listed at 22dB - what's up with that? anybody use them as a main pair for a small acoustic ensemble? thanks.

Im using them as OHs. They sound like your standing in the room to me. I love em. Cant beat the price.

[squeegybug]

Originally Posted by jnorman

the self noise for the msh-1 is listed at 20dB, which i can barely believe, since the DPA 4006s i had were listed at 22dB - what's up with that?

Because there are a variety of methods and reference standards that can be used to measure inherent noise. Some mfgrs measure before the preamp. Some use different weighting or distortion levels, etc. And guess what -- some mfgrs may even choose to advertise their product using whatever method makes it look the best

If the Nainat sounds good to you then that is what counts, of course. But I would never believe any published values of self noise, with the possible exception of DPA/B&K/Schoeps, and others in that caliber.

Steve

[bcgood]

Here's a clip of the matched pair in action. Sounds pretty good to me.

http://www.billvencil.com/music/mshomnitest.mp3

Mics where 14 inches apart. Guitar 12 inches away so that the mics pointed directly at the guitar with the soundhole inbetween the mics. The recording has the mics panned hard left and right. No effects, no eq.

More info

The MSH-1 is an electret condenser microphone that uses a 6mm omnidirectional capsule. Its frequency response is essentially flat from 20Hz to 20kHz. Due to the small size of the capsule, the MSH-1 has an incredibly accurate and lifelike sound that excels at concert and ensemble recording, room mics, choir, and organ; as well as typical applications such as drum overheads, piano, and acoustic guitar.


The MSH-1 requires a phantom power supply of +12 to +48V, and can also use plug-in power supplied by portable recorders, battery boxes, or Soundblaster®-compatible PC soundcards (with the appropriate adaptor cables).



MSH-1 Specifications

Type: 6mm omnidirectional electret condenser microphone
Phantom Power: +12V to +48V
Plug-in Power: +3V to +10V
Current: 0.5mA minumum
Recommended Input Impedance: 1KΩ minimum
Sensitivity, 1kHz @ 94dBSPL: -38dBV/Pa
Total Harmonic Distortion, 1kHz @ 94dBSPL: 0.3% typical
Maximum Level, 1kHz @ 1% THD: 108dBSPL
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz
Polar Response, 180°: -3dB @ 10kHz
Self-Noise: 20dBA
Weight: 1.3oz (36g)
Dimensions: 2 3/4" x 3/4"ø (70mm x 19mmø)