Mic comparison

[AcornHouse]

Wasn’t sure where to post this, but I think it fits here best. Move if you must, O Moderators of Wisdom!

Today’s video isn’t a song (well, not a whole song), but rather a test. I recorded the same verse using 4 different mics in a simple home setup of the mic going into a little iRig preamp into the iPad’s video recorder. No processing, no thousand dollar preamp, no isolation booth; just a simple living room setup anyone could do. The mics are all large diaphragm condensers I got on sale over the years. Which one do you think sounds best? Does it sound best for both vocals and guitar, or does one sound better for the vocals and one better for the guitar?

You will be graded! (But everyone will receive an A!)

 

[dreadnut]

They all sound very similar to me but I think "C" is the one.

 

[walrus]

They all sound very similar to me but I think "C" is the one.

+1. I can't hear a huge difference, either. "C" may be a bit better...

walrus

 

[AcornHouse]

The louder your listening volume is, the more differences you might hear. At softer volumes, there is less of a difference. But, that’s what I wanted to find out. So many of these mic comparisons are done in high end studio environments, but most people aren’t going to be listening to YouTube videos on hi-def equipment, through dedicated audiophile speakers. They’re listening on their phones or computers.

(Although I can hear distinct differences between all 4 through my ipad’s speaker(s).)

 

[AcornHouse]

Don’t forget to reply with which you prefer, people!

 

[GGJaguar]

I listened through ear buds and then through speakers at normal music listening volumes. I liked Mic C the best. It had a little more presence making for a more "3-D" sound.

 

[fronobulax]

"Open ear" headphones, normal to low listening volumes. I am hard pressed to hear a difference between A, B and D. C is definitely different and I would use words like "brighter" and "clearer" to describe the difference.

I didn't really notice the difference on the vocals, just the guitar.

I'f you are looking for one mic to rule them all, I'd try working with C for a while and seeing if you like the results and they are consistent.

See, sometimes we do read and try to be helpful. ;-)

 

[Stuball48]

Depended on what I was snacking on. I am leaning toward A because I had a bite of ice cream when it played.
Very little difference to my ear. Whichever one you were singing into when you were happiest most likely is best.

 

[AcornHouse]

So far, mic C seems to be the winner. And when I first listened through that was my choice. I’ve listened to the clips numerous times now, both streaming from YouTube and in the original clips. I do notice that YouTube does temper the differences more than the original clips (which just goes to show NEVER just go by what something sounds like on YouTube.) I still hear differences between all 4. I still like C, but I also think A is good. C seems to have more top end sparkle, but possibly a little too trebly. A has a nice brightness but is maybe a little more balanced. B just seems flat and D doesn’t get a good balance between vocals and guitar. (For good reason on that one. D is an older Soviet Oktava MK-219 which, because of its physical shape and unique mount, isn’t as good at an omnidirectional sound capture.
B is an MXL 910, not their best. A is an Audio-Technica AT-2035 and C is an AKG C2000B. Both good mics for this purpose that won’t break the bank. And for streaming on the web in a YouTube clip, you don’t really need more.

 

[Nuuska]

Hello

I listened it, too - but I'm not having any favorite - first reason being that in my job I try to reproduce the original sound as faithfully as can be done with whatever tools I have at that job. Second reason is - when I work long time with a band - I sort of merge into the group - being essential part of their sound - therefore my opinion of the sound is as good as any. But when listening to stuff that I can not hear acoustically or do not know before - I can not give answer.

I'm sure, that folks who are not in my position can simply say : "I prefer X over Y" - and that's that.

If the variations between those examples had been more pronounced - then I might have a public opinion. There could be much more to explore with different mic positions - different acoustic rooms etc - to find out which mic really suits you best.