Recommend me a pair of mics for acoustics, piano...

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mrb
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Recommend me a pair of mics for acoustics, piano...

Post by mrb » Fri Jan 24, 2014 10:28 pm

Hi,

I'm slowly but firmly building up my mic locker (see below), and it's time to get a stereo pair.Probably SDCs as I haven't got any? Tubes ones, not sure about this.

I like to know your recommendations. Hopefully it will not the be necessarily the most expensive piece of gear.

Budget can be $1500 max. if I can get them cheaper that's great.
I'm happy with Beyers M160s as my OHs, so these new pair would be used more for stereo ambient, pianos and specially acoustic guitars.
It would be cool I can get omni as well.

Those are some of the options I'm considering:

-Shure KSM141
-Sure Sm81.
-Beyer Mc930.
-Mojave M100. Sounded great on Larry Crane's video but I'm not sure they worth the extra money.

PS: Coles 4038? OK, they are not SDCs and not sure about those on guitars but they are in my wish list for a long time :oops:
Thanks!


---
MICS

AKG C414 EB
Pearlman TM1
AKG D12
AKG D112
Altec 639b
beyer 69
beyer 201
beyer 160 X2
Ev re-20
Ev 666
Ev 635a
Shure SM57 X3
Shure SM58
Sehnnheiser 421
Max RB

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A.David.MacKinnon
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Post by A.David.MacKinnon » Sat Jan 25, 2014 11:30 am

looks like you've already got a 414. I'd look for another one to match. They're never the exciting mic but they sound great on everything.
You also can't go wrong with a coles.

The Scum
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Post by The Scum » Sat Jan 25, 2014 1:55 pm

Unless you loathe the C414, a second one gives you a lot of options, especially with the switchable patterns. Blumlein, M/S, etc.

If you've got your heart set on a pair of SDCs, the Josephson C42's are pretty killer.
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blungo2
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Post by blungo2 » Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:23 am

Just to throw something in sideways, i love my pair of Avenson STO-2 on piano and a lot of other things . To my ear, they're some of my most natural sounding mics.

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Scodiddly
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Post by Scodiddly » Sun Jan 26, 2014 1:29 pm

The KSM 141 are nice. And a lot of people really like the newer Beta 181 mics.

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blungo2
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Post by blungo2 » Sun Jan 26, 2014 2:10 pm

If i had loads of dough i'd love to try a pair of Josephson E22s, not SDC though...

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Post by vvv » Sun Jan 26, 2014 4:28 pm

FWIW, I have Studio Project C4's and they seem very worthy. They appear to be something like top-of-the-line Chinese Schoeps-types, but come with a card and omni capsule each and a stereo mount and clips and pop screens - I believe they are only sold in matched pairs. I got 'em used cheap on the E-bog, mebbe US$200-250?

I will say I bought 'em for OH's, but ended up using AT4040's, what I love.
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Nick Sevilla
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Post by Nick Sevilla » Sun Jan 26, 2014 7:31 pm

Earthworks.

They even have a piano specific rig.

http://www.earthworksaudio.com/products/
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frshwtrbob
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Post by frshwtrbob » Mon Feb 03, 2014 7:37 am

mrb, FWIW and ymmv --I started out w/ a pair of SM81's but needed more highs for that "percussive/slice thru the mix" pick strum guitar sound so I got a pre-owned Josephson C42 to try out. I liked it so much I got another for XY apps!! Years later, I had a GAS attack and finally went for a European Neumann KM84 correctly strapped @ 200ohms. It's everything its reputation boasts but I still wind up reaching for the C42's 50% of the time.

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Post by wardshorsehead » Tue Feb 04, 2014 9:49 am

I actually like the SM81s for overheads, but not so much for acoustic instruments. They sound kind of dark and a little boxey to my ears...probably why I like them as overheads, as they minimize the sizzle on cymbals.

I have a pair of AKGC451s that I use a lot, and have coveted my friends Josephson C42s since borrowing them a few times.

Of course, a second 414 could open up some options in terms of patterns. Then again, you could get a pair of C451s, and use them however you want, pairing one as the mid with your 414 in figure 8 as the side for mid-side, if you choose.

So...my vote is a pair of C451s, so you can use them individually in mono, together in stereo, and mating one with your 414 in mid-side.

chorga1
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Post by chorga1 » Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:07 pm

Beyer Dynamic MC930, though there are many excellent sdcs in this price range.


I'd say narrow it down to 3 and test em in your studio!

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Jeff White
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Post by Jeff White » Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:41 pm

Pair of vintage KM84s if you can swing it. If not, those Michael Joly modified Oktava MK-012s are excellent mics, and you can get the multi-capsule stereo set for a little over a grand, or the cardioid-only pair for $829!

http://www.oktavamodshop.com/product_in ... cts_id=108
http://www.oktavamodshop.com/product_in ... cts_id=109

I own a MJ-modified pair of MK012s AND a vintage 1976 KM84. They really sound *very* similar. Both are excellent microphones for a variety of applications, including piano.

Jeff
I record, mix, and master in my Philly-based home studio, the Spacement. https://linktr.ee/ipressrecord

chorga1
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Post by chorga1 » Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:51 pm

There's a pair of mc930s on gearslutz for $700 right now.

Purty slammin deal...

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Post by drumsound » Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:52 pm

Stock MC012 sound good on piano and acoustic guitars as well.

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Jeff White
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Post by Jeff White » Tue Feb 04, 2014 1:01 pm

drumsound wrote:Stock MC012 sound good on piano and acoustic guitars as well.
+1
I record, mix, and master in my Philly-based home studio, the Spacement. https://linktr.ee/ipressrecord

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