MCA SP1 multi pattern similar

paulrichards7 · Post by **paulrichards7** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 5:31 am

Hi, been looking at all the info on the MCA SP1
Seem a great mic for an amazing price, also all the mod capabilities
Im looking for something similar although it needs to be multi-pattern
Im interested in experimenting with blumlein and other stereo micing techniques
Thanks for your help in advance
Paul

paulrichards7 · Post by **paulrichards7** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 5:01 am

bump bump

Sean Sullivan · Post by **Sean Sullivan** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 8:19 am

Seek out one of the older Rode NT-2, that looks like a U87. Those have really high quality parts. The newer NT-2A are not the same, they use lower quality parts and are surface mount, something Rode had to do to compete with all the new low-cost microphone makers. They are $150-$200 on the used market and usually come with a shock mount

roygbiv · Post by **roygbiv** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 9:02 am

Although I am a big fan of my NT2 (for an inexpensive mic), it only does cardiod and omni, not figure 8.

Sean Sullivan · Post by **Sean Sullivan** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 9:43 am

You're right, sorry about that.

Jump on eBay and try to get a AT4050, I see them around $300. That, or an AKG C414B-ULS (closer to $450) are all that come to mind.

paulrichards7 · Post by **paulrichards7** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:29 am

Thanks for that guys
But, as you can see from above Im looking for something in the lowest bracket
Any other suggestions?
Paul

Sean Sullivan · Post by **Sean Sullivan** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:54 am

Maybe a used Groove Tubes GT57? Never used one.

I don't think you are going to find a multi-pattern condenser for less than $100-$150.

jgimbel · Post by **jgimbel** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 12:18 pm

Yeah, for $100-$150 I don't know. For $200 plus a free 603S (which I love) I got an MXL 4000 that I love. I bought it original so I'd have a figure 8 to try out M/S recording, but now I use it quite often. In omni it's ridiculously easy to get a good acoustic guitar sound.

Another thing that has been on my list for a while is the PPA LD-3, which is a multi-pattern tube mic. They're $200 too, but I don't think I've seen a multi-pattern tube mic for that cheap anywhere. Normally that'd mean they suck, but I've read some reviews and they seem to stack up against much more expensive mics pretty well. I think you can only buy them directly from Pacific Pro Audio here. It's definitely something I'm hoping to pick up soon.

paulrichards7 · Post by **paulrichards7** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 2:59 pm

Thanks for that guys
Will check em out
Paul

calaverasgrandes · Post by **calaverasgrandes** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 12:53 am

thanks to M Joly for hipping me to the Apex 460, multi pattern, tube condenser.
Probably my next mic.

paulrichards7 · Post by **paulrichards7** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 3:59 am

hi calaverasgrandes
thanks for that
paul

antilog · Post by **antilog** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 9:57 am

I'm pretty happy with my Apex 415 multipattern. Great utility mic, inexpensive ($109 + free shipipng). Used an a variety of instruments, and handy for M-S arrays.

antilog · Post by **antilog** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 10:40 am

calaverasgrandes wrote:thanks to M Joly for hipping me to the Apex 460, multi pattern, tube condenser.
Probably my next mic.

Woah I just noticed the variable polar pattern, not just 3 patterns, but 6 additional patterns in between.

Michael_Joly · Post by **Michael_Joly** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 11:12 am

And another way to think of the polar pattern switch is "capsule-based EQ" - when the polarization is changed at the capsule the on axis response changes slightly as well as the polar pattern.

So if you use something like a Real Traps Portable Vocal Booth to control the amount of room sound reaching the mic, you will then be able to concentrate on the EQ changes that are possible via the pattern selector switch. There are some very useful spectral curves hiding at the in between positions

antilog · Post by **antilog** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 2:08 pm

MJ - Thanks for idea, sounds golden.

Off topic tangent - I have an MCA SP1, which I modded with Scott Dorsey's design, and is a huge bang for the buck. I do a lot of live recording, and it is definitely a go-to mic. Sounds great on a drum kit, very smooth and balanced.

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MCA SP1 multi pattern similar

MCA SP1 multi pattern similar

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