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Author Topic: Church Mic  (Read 59567 times)

Billy Yates

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Church Mic
« on: February 08, 2008, 12:06:34 AM »

Greetings all...
After the NAMM Show Petri Dish affair (everybody got sick) I have finally caught up on things in the shop. I found time to repair an SM2, an RCA BA6A and now I have a Church Mic, one of approximately 200 made...a very robust and well machined item at that.
My question: Does any one here know of its origins and history? I only have a sketchy run down about this...designed by a guy named Church, err...capsules from Germany etc.
I am drawing up a schematic for reference and taking pictures if anyone is interested. another thing that I must find out is cleaning capsules. I won't undertake this mind you but I am sure there are those out there who have done this and whether it is worth it. The capsule on this mic is a bit dirty.
Seeing how this is a rare and expensive item I feel that its important to research any course of action in order to restore it to its full potential.
Thanks,
Billy Yates
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Billy Yates
Venice Amplifier Co
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"Mix? What mix? Oh, that mix...it's easy!
Because it's all Digital, the only thing you have to do is pour a bunch of zero's and one's into a blender and push "mix". Then, you pray."

compasspnt

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Re: Church Mic
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2008, 12:08:47 AM »

Hey Billy,

Try a Search on Klaus' Forum.

There have been several threads mentioning Church mics.
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Billy Yates

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Re: Church Mic
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2008, 12:11:19 AM »

Thank you Terry. And how have you been?
Billy Yates
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Billy Yates
Venice Amplifier Co
310 425 2566
AES Member 72975
 
"Mix? What mix? Oh, that mix...it's easy!
Because it's all Digital, the only thing you have to do is pour a bunch of zero's and one's into a blender and push "mix". Then, you pray."

compasspnt

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Re: Church Mic
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2008, 12:14:47 AM »

All good.

How's that EMT?

Let us know whatever you find out from your meanderings in the Church.

These were made by Stanley Church at MGM in the 50's to be somewhat like a 47 crossed with a C12 (M7+6072), although most 47/12 afficianados don't agree that it quite got there.

Still should be very good if kept up though.
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Billy Yates

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Re: Church Mic
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2008, 12:23:08 AM »

The EMT...
Finished restoring the electronics, installed but not in the tie lines yet. I'm waiting for the studio to be dark for a few days to catch up on maintenance. Still waiting on the EMT 240, but I do have a 245...does that count?
As to the Church Mic vs U47...all I can say is Capsule, Tube, Transformer. I'll post a thread over at Klause's forum and see what I dredge up. I'm too tired to search the archives tonight.
Thanks again Terry.
Billy Yates
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Billy Yates
Venice Amplifier Co
310 425 2566
AES Member 72975
 
"Mix? What mix? Oh, that mix...it's easy!
Because it's all Digital, the only thing you have to do is pour a bunch of zero's and one's into a blender and push "mix". Then, you pray."

J.J. Blair

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Re: Church Mic
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2008, 01:26:54 AM »

Basically, it's a M7 or K47, a 6072 and a Triad transformer.  I used one of Pearlman's recreations, and thought it sounded like a 47 with too much 10kHz and not enough bottom, and all the people familiar with the originals said that's what they sound like.  But they were supposed to be much better for film sound than U47s.  

If you have any questions about them, I'm sure Dave can help you out.  

Ever since J Po used them, and then turned Jon Brion on to them, they became the cool thing.  

It would be nice if you could take some good pics and upload them for some of our mic porn collections, though.
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Larrchild

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Re: Church Mic
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2008, 01:57:04 AM »

I think it was better suited for distance micing or lower levels than a 47.
I used one once on acoustic guitar and it had wicked-good detail, but on anything much louder, it folded.
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Larry Janus
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Brian Kehew

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Re: Church Mic
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2008, 02:41:34 AM »

I borrowed one of Jack Puig's once and it made the greatest female vocal I've ever recorded. All the people I know who have them are DAMN serious about gear, none too trendy and all listen closely rather than buy on trends. Damn good mics, but your mileage may vary. FWIW I've never liked C12s on anything, so there you go...

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Brian Kehew

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Re: Church Mic
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2008, 02:43:11 AM »

BTW - I know a church that might sell some of their dynamic mics. They would be easy to flog on Craigslist (as "old Church Mic") and piss people off! RACING over to your house to snap them up, and then they see....
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Silvertone

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Re: Church Mic
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2008, 07:37:35 AM »

J.J. Blair wrote on Fri, 08 February 2008 00:26



Ever since J Po used them, and then turned Jon Brion on to them, they became the cool thing.  





Oh JJ, they were "cool" far before this.

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Larry DeVivo
Silvertone Mastering, Inc.
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To see some of our work please click on any of the visual trailer montages located at... http://robertetoll.com/  (all music and sound effects were mastered by Silvertone Mastering).

phantom309

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Re: Church Mic
« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2008, 10:12:48 AM »

Brian Kehew wrote on Fri, 08 February 2008 00:41

I borrowed one of Jack Puig's once and it made the greatest female vocal I've ever recorded.



If you're talking about that green body one in 96, that was a special moment. I remember 3 other mics being put up for that session and that one was an easy winner. Was that the Eleni record?

Have you heard the Pearlman clone yet?

Billy, did you get one of the Bomb Factory mics?
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J.J. Blair

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Re: Church Mic
« Reply #11 on: February 08, 2008, 11:46:22 AM »

No, I'm talking about the one they used on the Grays record.  Maybe that one is truly special, because everybody else I know who has used one has not been as excited about them.

Yes, I had the Pearlman for a few days, and it just was not my thing.  I even posted some sound clips on Klaus' forum, if you want to do a search there.
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studio info

They say the heart of Rock & Roll is still beating, which is amazing if you consider all the blow it's done over the years.

"The Internet enables pompous blowhards to interact with other pompous blowhards in a big circle jerk of pomposity." - Bill Maher

"The negative aspects of this business, not only will continue to prevail, but will continue to accelerate in madness. Conditions aren't going to get better, because the economics of rock and roll are getting closer and closer to the economics of Big Business America." - Bill Graham

phantom309

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Re: Church Mic
« Reply #12 on: February 08, 2008, 12:01:35 PM »

J.J. Blair wrote on Fri, 08 February 2008 09:46

No, I'm talking about the one they used on the Grays record.  Maybe that one is truly special, because everybody else I know who has used one has not been as excited about them.

Yes, I had the Pearlman for a few days, and it just was not my thing.  I even posted some sound clips on Klaus' forum, if you want to do a search there.


Thanks JJ, but that was actually a q to Brian.
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Those that can't get carried away, should be.
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http://www.mellotron.com
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Barry Hufker

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Re: Church Mic
« Reply #13 on: February 08, 2008, 01:30:12 PM »

A lot of 10k makes a lot of sense.  As boom mikes for film sound you'd want that high end to make up for highs lost through air absorption over a distance.  I can't believe they were ever intended to be used for close miking.
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Billy Yates

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Re: Church Mic
« Reply #14 on: February 08, 2008, 03:22:32 PM »

What Barry said makes sense. The 2 engineers that I have talked to about these mics, Ross being one of them sounded excited about their use. Acoustic guitar and group vocals and surely a very good room mic. I'll post some pictures some time today.
After taking the mic apart last night I kept thinking that the transformer looked a bit puny and certainly not enough iron to even compare to a 47. At any rate, it is always cool to get a hold of a unique and rare microphone to check out. The comments posted here coupled with my close up electronic observations and application in the studio should yield some very compelling information to share.
What the hell...it beats playing golf.
Billy Yates
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Billy Yates
Venice Amplifier Co
310 425 2566
AES Member 72975
 
"Mix? What mix? Oh, that mix...it's easy!
Because it's all Digital, the only thing you have to do is pour a bunch of zero's and one's into a blender and push "mix". Then, you pray."
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