Bryan Beasleigh
May 14th, 2004, 08:10 PM
In an effort to share my discoveries and trials I have the new sequel to "As the wallet empties".
I really need a shotgun. My Schoeps and Oktavas won't cut it for every situation. I should have a mic that has more reach and that will operate outdoors in all weather. Part of more reach is greater rejection and a presence boost.
I'm very lucky that I wandered into Trew Audio in Toronto and met Glen Trew. Glen is an institution on the RAMPS user group and very much on the bleeding edge of audio technology. His latest projects include Jersey Girl.
I recorded the various mics on my PMD670 and on the clips Glen rotated the mics while counting to indicate off axis responses. I'm amazed that this man went to those extaordinary lengths.
The players are
The sanken CS-3. The sanken has great side rejection on all frequencies, even the lows. The rear lobe usually found on shotguns just isn't there, which is a major bonus. Problem is, the mic sounds way too thick and rich, I just don't like it. it's also very expensive.
The CS1 is a damn fine little mic and at 19mm by about 7 inches is tiny. The side and rear rejection is as good as the CS-3 without the honey thick fog that permiates the sound (JMHO) It's a nice sounding mic with crisp voice reproduction and very neutral.
Some have said it's flat on the bottom end, but in fairness, that's just because the mic rejects all frequencies even the lows. usually even a shotgun is almost omnidirectional at low frequencies.
The CS1 is worthy of consideration and it sells for around 780 US. Don't look for bargains as this mic is rarely discounted.
The MKH60 is a very low noise short shotgun. It's sound is crisp and has the sennheiser richness. It's similar to the MKH416 but it defaults to a totally flat output. It does have a switchable high pass (low cut) filter, a switchable mid range presence peak (to make it sound like the 416) and a 10 db pad.
This mic sells for $1450US new. If I buy it will be used. This mic is in the running.
The MKH416 is everything the MKH60 is with it's presence boost switched on. I was partial to the flat setup on the MKH60. The 416 can be bought for $1000 - 1050.
What i have now is a clip with the 416, MKH60 , cs1 AND cs3 alternating several times. The time line on vegas has marker flags set with the mic model. My wife has threaten to leave home if i don't stop playing that clip.
I usually try and make a demo clip with a voice other than mine. Glen has a southern drawl and a somewhat sibilent voice while I have a very deep voice. This is a perfect trial
if your interested i could email some of the clips.
On a side note i did listen to the AKG SE300B and the CK93 (Hyper) capsule and the sennheiser MKH50 (also a hypercardoid). The CK93 has some of the qualities of the schoeps but at a fraction of the price (350)
The MKH50 was very clean and crisp. it's in the same league as the Shoeps but with it's own unique sound. (1160 US).
I really need a shotgun. My Schoeps and Oktavas won't cut it for every situation. I should have a mic that has more reach and that will operate outdoors in all weather. Part of more reach is greater rejection and a presence boost.
I'm very lucky that I wandered into Trew Audio in Toronto and met Glen Trew. Glen is an institution on the RAMPS user group and very much on the bleeding edge of audio technology. His latest projects include Jersey Girl.
I recorded the various mics on my PMD670 and on the clips Glen rotated the mics while counting to indicate off axis responses. I'm amazed that this man went to those extaordinary lengths.
The players are
The sanken CS-3. The sanken has great side rejection on all frequencies, even the lows. The rear lobe usually found on shotguns just isn't there, which is a major bonus. Problem is, the mic sounds way too thick and rich, I just don't like it. it's also very expensive.
The CS1 is a damn fine little mic and at 19mm by about 7 inches is tiny. The side and rear rejection is as good as the CS-3 without the honey thick fog that permiates the sound (JMHO) It's a nice sounding mic with crisp voice reproduction and very neutral.
Some have said it's flat on the bottom end, but in fairness, that's just because the mic rejects all frequencies even the lows. usually even a shotgun is almost omnidirectional at low frequencies.
The CS1 is worthy of consideration and it sells for around 780 US. Don't look for bargains as this mic is rarely discounted.
The MKH60 is a very low noise short shotgun. It's sound is crisp and has the sennheiser richness. It's similar to the MKH416 but it defaults to a totally flat output. It does have a switchable high pass (low cut) filter, a switchable mid range presence peak (to make it sound like the 416) and a 10 db pad.
This mic sells for $1450US new. If I buy it will be used. This mic is in the running.
The MKH416 is everything the MKH60 is with it's presence boost switched on. I was partial to the flat setup on the MKH60. The 416 can be bought for $1000 - 1050.
What i have now is a clip with the 416, MKH60 , cs1 AND cs3 alternating several times. The time line on vegas has marker flags set with the mic model. My wife has threaten to leave home if i don't stop playing that clip.
I usually try and make a demo clip with a voice other than mine. Glen has a southern drawl and a somewhat sibilent voice while I have a very deep voice. This is a perfect trial
if your interested i could email some of the clips.
On a side note i did listen to the AKG SE300B and the CK93 (Hyper) capsule and the sennheiser MKH50 (also a hypercardoid). The CK93 has some of the qualities of the schoeps but at a fraction of the price (350)
The MKH50 was very clean and crisp. it's in the same league as the Shoeps but with it's own unique sound. (1160 US).