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guitar4lyfe
gimme a little kick & snare
Joined: 30 Jul 2003
Posts: 98
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 Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2003 3:27 pm Post subject: Question on care of condenser mics |
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| Ive never owned a condenser mic and I know that they are more sensitive than dynamic mics, so I was wondering what are some tips to keep me from breaking them. Like the 6 micron thinck diaphram scares me because I dont want to bust it or anything, so should I use it to mic guitar amps or as an overhead drum mic? Just some general advice because I dont want to ruin it when I get it (End of august) |
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The Gibbon
gettin' sounds
Joined: 24 Jul 2003
Posts: 105
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2003 4:11 pm Post subject: Re: Question on care of condenser mics |
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| Condenser mics may be a bit more fragile than dynamic mics, but the only real care you need to use is to keep them away from smoke, don't drop or abuse them, always put them away in the case and check to see what kind of SPL they can handle. As for drum overheads you will always use condensers (99.999 percent of the time) Mics such as the AKG C1000, AT 4033, 4050, 4060 and so on are the only way to go.....dynamics will sound awfull unless thats what you want. Absolutely use them on guitars, bass, horns, everything! Just be aware of what they are rated at as far as the SPL is concerned. |
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Randy
tinnitus
Joined: 07 May 2003
Posts: 1074
Location: Logan Square, Chicago
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2003 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: Question on care of condenser mics |
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Here are some things I have been told.
Don't ever blow on them, use a pop stopper.
Store it in a plastic bag (not neccessarily a zip loc)
Keep away from moisture. Keep a packet of desicant in its case. They are those bead things that say "don't eat" on them that usually come with electronic equipment. You can usually find it at a hardware store. |
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guitar4lyfe
gimme a little kick & snare
Joined: 30 Jul 2003
Posts: 98
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2003 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: Question on care of condenser mics |
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The mic Im buying says:
Max SPL for 0.5% THD: 130dB
whats the 0.5% THD part mean? |
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Randy
tinnitus
Joined: 07 May 2003
Posts: 1074
Location: Logan Square, Chicago
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2003 4:32 pm Post subject: Re: Question on care of condenser mics |
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it means .5 percent Total Harmonic Distortion. I have heard the human ear cannot detect any thing less than 1 percent THD.
http://www.its.bldrdoc.gov/fs-1037/dir-037/_5509.htm |
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cgarges
zen recordist
Joined: 16 Jun 2003
Posts: 9615
Location: Charlotte, NC
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guitar4lyfe
gimme a little kick & snare
Joined: 30 Jul 2003
Posts: 98
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2003 6:20 pm Post subject: Re: Question on care of condenser mics |
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Im buying an Marshall Electronics MXL 2001P for vocals and acoustic instruments and a MCA SP1(its a cheap, large capsule 20mm) for drum overheads
Last edited by guitar4lyfe on Sun Aug 03, 2003 6:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Mark
buyin' a studio
Joined: 30 May 2003
Posts: 964
Location: Leicester, Uk
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2003 6:33 pm Post subject: Re: Question on care of condenser mics |
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| The Gibbon wrote: | | Condenser mics may be a bit more fragile than dynamic mics, but the only real care you need to use is to keep them away from smoke, don't drop or abuse them, always put them away in the case and check to see what kind of SPL they can handle. As for drum overheads you will always use condensers (99.999 percent of the time) Mics such as the AKG C1000, AT 4033, 4050, 4060 and so on are the only way to go.....dynamics will sound awfull unless thats what you want. Absolutely use them on guitars, bass, horns, everything! Just be aware of what they are rated at as far as the SPL is concerned. |
Au Contraire. A good high end Dynamic (like the Sennheiser MD441, or the Beyer M201 and M88) or a decent Ribbon Mic (which is a variety of Dynamic Mic) can come damned close to the sound of a Condenser and, in some cases (lousy room, insufficient sound proofing, etc) may actually be preferable. Your problem is you've probably only tried it with the decidedly average, yet massively over-rated, SM57. |
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cgarges
zen recordist
Joined: 16 Jun 2003
Posts: 9615
Location: Charlotte, NC
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2003 6:34 pm Post subject: Re: Question on care of condenser mics |
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I'm not familair with either one of those partricular mics, but I am using a Marshall V67 to record a clarinet right now. You shouldn't have any problem using the Marshall mic for those applications. I'd be surprised if there were some kind of issue with the MCA, but I really don't know anything about it. But you shouldn't worry about damaging the Marshall by simply recording those kinds of instruments with it.
Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC
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www.chrisgarges.com
The Public Good - New album available now
Playing drums and hihat with Mitch Easter (GA, TN - Aug. 2010) |
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