looking for a Small Diaphragm Condenser

p/u a pair of crown C-700's. They are very, very good in almost any application & won't break the bank.

You'll find a pair in most major studios.

I really like the Octava MK 12,sometimes called MC 12. I have a pair, and they are very good for overheads, acoustic guitar, and other small condenser chores. They also look classy.

You only need the cardioid. Dont pay for omni or hyper cartriges.

Do a web search for reviews of this mic. There are lots of comments from the field.

I'd recommend the AKG -451......around 450.00 USD

Everyone should own at least two MXL 603s - and now...... the 604 ----- I just audtionied the 604 (comes in omni and card with a replacable cap) there is a really cheap mod for the 603S that costs less than $15 and it makes the mike scary - even the mic snobs I know have avoided comment ......

http://www.mxlmics.com

Then go to Radio Shack - get a soldering iron and do this:

The post below was sent to me by someone - I wish I could properly credit the author - your mileage may vary...

Thanks to Tim Harbin for helping - Gus Smalley for the mod makes the mics sound much more open, and in fact quite brilliant.

Change ceramic caps C3 and C4 from .22uf ceramic to .22uf Metal Film Panasonic caps

Digi-Key part # - ECQ-V1H224JL

Change the capsule/Gate cap C13 (on back of PC board) from a .001uf (1000pf) ceramic to a 1000pf Xicon Styroflex polystyrene cap

Mouser Part # - 23PW210

After those 3 simple cap changes the already decent mic becomes wonderful. I will be using thes mics more and more. I did the same mod to a pair of MXL 990s which use the same circuit (dif. layout) and capsule. The 990s do sound different due to the side address capsule mount and screen structure, but also nics (not as nice as the 603s).

I recommend a decent iron with a clean tinned tip, and desoldering braid for removing the old parts. Apply the braid, then the iron to the braid, and when the braid soaks up the solder (turns silver) the lead is clean. then just use the hot iron to poe the leads through, leaving holes for the new components.

This mod is very easy and should take about 10-15 minutes.

Here are some pics of the mic innards before an after. If you like the mod report back here with your findings. For the price everyone should have a pair of these.
http://www.pbase.com/sbushman/image/39069407.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/sbushman/image/39069409.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/sbushman/image/39069413.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/sbushman/image/39069410.jpg


-D

Fingers and Don, thanks for the mod info. Will do. Im pretty impressed with the 603, but I often times have to double mic with a LDC a few feet from the acoustic git, then blend in a small amount of the LDC into the mix with the 603, adjusting the phase on the LDC to capture just a hint of the hollow sound. Sounds like this mod might accomplish that, or something similar.

zumba

ORIGINAL: taylorman

Folks,

Thanks for the great suggestions. I am intrigued by the 603 and the mod. I may very well look into that. Anyone else have experience with the AKG C451 B? I can get a really good price on it so that is a possibility too. Thanks for the info.

Peace ~

The C451b has a huge open sound but that's not good in all situations, you had been have a quiet and good sounding room to record in.

ORIGINAL: taylorman

Thanks for the info Frank. unfortunatley, the room I use to record is not the quietest place with the computer in the same room and all.

DonM mentioned the 604 as well. Any thoughts on the 603s verses the 604? Can the mod be done to the 604 as well?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to make the most informed decision.

Peace ~

T:
I didn't bring the 604 home from my dealer yesterday, we just did some tamborine and Acoutic Guitar tests with the card capsule. The mic is $99 - I'm working on a deal with my dealer and I hope to add a 604 with both caps and then I'll let you know if they put the same compenents on the board.

-D

Taylorman,

I use a matched pair of Shure sm81's on my Taylor acoustic. The pair will run you around $700.00. I use them in the same room where my computer resides. They are very low-noise as well. I use them in a variety of configurations and they sound great, especially with the Taylor! I just move around the room to find that sweet spot along with moving the mics in different areas to capture a good sound. They are great mics and you can't beat the price for the pair!! Sometimes I'll use 1 KSM44 and a sm 81 for a different tone. You really have to experiment a little ( actually a lot) to see what works best. Your room, guitar ,mics , and style of playing will determine that. I position the mics away from the computer so as not to pick up fan noise. Works for me. Hope this helps.

The audix scx-one is pretty amazing. Very clean, very low self-noise, brutal output level, interchangeable capsules. ~ $450 USD. Wonderful on acoustics.

I recommend the Sennheiser e614 - very nice and only about $200 new.

I have also used mine on a lot of vocals. Suprisingly it works excellent on guitar cabs , no midrange bump and captures cleans or heavy distortion well. I have also used as an overhead stereo pair on local highschool choir.

I manage a local music store, and have recently been looking for the exact same thing you mention....the solution came in the Audio Technica AT2041SP studio pack: you get BOTH a very good large diaphragm and small diaphragm condensor mics for about $250.00 Canadian ( I think in the US that would be $7.00....just joking my Canadian friends!). Should be under $200.00 US....check the reviews!