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R/E/P => R/E/P Archives => Whatever Works => Topic started by: Warren Mcstay on January 31, 2009, 07:57:54 PM

Title: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: Warren Mcstay on January 31, 2009, 07:57:54 PM

Hi guys,

I'm looking to purchase a matched pair of LDC's, unfortunately I'm on a budget of around

Title: Re: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: organica on January 31, 2009, 08:19:45 PM

 i think that  nt1's are ok , nt1a's are better .  quiet and colorless . not bad . for the same money you can get 1 Rode k2 which could be a better choice

Title: Re: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: Warren Mcstay on January 31, 2009, 08:44:46 PM

a crowley wrote on Sat, 31 January 2009 19:19

i think that  nt1's are ok , nt1a's are better .  quiet and colorless . not bad . for the same money you can get 1 Rode k2 which could be a better choice

Sorry, I meant NT1a's. As for the k2, I have access to a Brauner Vm1 and I also have a budget Red5 audio RV15 so I'm not really in demand for a tube mic.

Thanks

Title: Re: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: Derek DiFilippo on January 31, 2009, 08:59:02 PM

Hi Warren.

My comments and this thread might be better suited for the "Budget" forum here.

For guitar, vocals, and overheads, my best experience with ~$400 LDCs are Shure KSM32s.  They are actually 3/4" diaphragms... somewhere in between SDCs and LDCs.

My other experience with "matched" pairs in this rough price range are the Rode NT1s, Audio Technica AT-4050s, and AKG 414 BULS.  If I could find another old Gefell UM70s to go with my single, I'd vote for those as a pair... but that's too far out of your stated price range.

Of course, much will depend on your personal taste and on the instruments & sounds you are working with.

The KSM32s are built like tanks, reach very low (good for bass & kicks), are quite even up top (not brittle).  The threaded stand mount is brilliant.  Not a bad mic at all for ~$400 each.  Worth checking out.

Title: Re: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: mattrussell on February 01, 2009, 09:16:50 AM

yes, stretch your budget and get KSM32's.  probably the most useful mic i've ever used.  for rock i've used it on just about everything there is to record and most of the time, it's fantastic sounding.  in fact, i was just talking with an engineer last week and the two of us agreed that it's never the wrong mic for a lead vocal.  sometimes, it's the WOW mic on vocals, but it's never wrong.  when your choices are few, having a pair 32's at your disposal is HUGE.  

Title: Re: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: tom eaton on February 01, 2009, 10:39:00 AM

Another vote for the KSM32.  I have pairs of the 32, 44 and 141 and they all get used all the time... great mics regardless of price and a deal at the prices you can get them for.

tom

Title: Re: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: wwittman on February 01, 2009, 03:51:22 PM

I am dubious about any pair of $400 mics being truly "matched" in any MEANINGFUL way

Title: Re: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: Warren Mcstay on February 02, 2009, 01:34:39 PM

wwittman wrote on Sun, 01 February 2009 14:51

I am dubious about any pair of $400 mics being truly "matched" in any MEANINGFUL way

Not the first time i've been told this. Anyone else got any comments?

Would it be worthwile saving a little bit cash and just buying two 'unmatched' mics?

Title: Re: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: Tomas Danko on February 02, 2009, 03:21:30 PM

Warren Mcstay wrote on Mon, 02 February 2009 18:34

wwittman wrote on Sun, 01 February 2009 14:51 I am dubious about any pair of $400 mics being truly "matched" in any MEANINGFUL way Not the first time i've been told this. Anyone else got any comments? Would it be worthwile saving a little bit cash and just buying two 'unmatched' mics?

One method is to begin by avoiding brands that are ridiculously uneven from unit to unit, and then find a store that won't mind handing you a large bunch of them in the store. You can plug them in and listen to them until you find one you like better than the others, somehow. And then you try and find a second one that doesn't sound too different in terms of tonality, noise etc

Once you're home, you can hook them up in front of a speaker playing white noise or something, then you try and gain-match them as closely as possible. Flip the polarity on one signal and see how much they cancel out each other. The more they do, the better.

If it's not even close, rinse and repeat at the store by asking to change one of the mics for another one...

Title: Re: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: wwittman on February 02, 2009, 03:35:55 PM

except in the most critical and unusual circs, I don't find having truly matched mics is all that important.

You obviously don';t want them WILDLY different, but that's all.


So, yes, I think that perhaps waiting and buying two better quality, but 'unmatched', mics is a better idea.

Title: Re: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: rankus on February 02, 2009, 03:48:05 PM

wwittman wrote on Mon, 02 February 2009 12:35

except in the most critical and unusual circs, I don't find having truly matched mics is all that important. You obviously don';t want them WILDLY different, but that's all. So, yes, I think that perhaps waiting and buying two better quality, but 'unmatched', mics is a better idea.

Sage advice.  Matched pairs are most useful for classical type stereo work etc... if its for OHds and general duties with occasional stereo micing don't worry about it.

Rode mics seem to have a great consistency from unit to unit IME.

I used to deliberately use two completely different mics for Over Heads and get decent results (I say decent cuz I'm no WW)

Title: Re: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: tom eaton on February 02, 2009, 04:05:21 PM

You'll find the answer if you search your soul and ask:

WWWWD?

Title: Re: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: compasspnt on February 02, 2009, 05:24:25 PM

Or perhaps, what would he want...

WWWWW?

Title: Re: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: Harland on February 02, 2009, 05:41:28 PM

compasspnt wrote on Mon, 02 February 2009 17:24

WWWWW?

Now there's some high signature potential...

Title: Re: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: Tom L on February 02, 2009, 05:41:30 PM

compasspnt wrote on Mon, 02 February 2009 13:24

Or perhaps, what would he want... WWWWW?

that would make a great website...

www.WWWWW

Title: Re: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: compasspnt on February 02, 2009, 06:21:02 PM

Darn.

Just found out that the Poet already has such a gambling website.

Title: Re: Matched pair of large diaphragm condensers.
Post by: Warren Mcstay on February 02, 2009, 08:43:43 PM

Thanks for the sound advice guys. I've already been enlightened by WWWWW in the past, again sound advice.

Thanks.