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Sound Test of different microphone types (and why I always say to get a cloudlifter for Dynamic mics)

The Flying Sloth

Morning / Afternoon / Evening all.
I know I've been fairly absent for the last few months but I have returned (thankyou, thankyou, keep the applause coming)
After a recent purchase I figured it was about time to do another Mic test session to help people decide what type of microphone they should be considering purchasing if they want to step up from the standard USB and headset mic space.
I am by no means finished testing the microphones, I still have a few to go but I thought I'd post this here as somewhat of a taster.
There is another Klark Teknik CT1 that should be arriving in the next day or so to allow for tests with and without an inline preamp for the dynamic and ribbon mics.
There are also a few tube mics that will need some time to warm up that I will go through when I have the inline preamp in hand (will do a nice long test session)

Current plan is to test normal speaking voice about 15CM away from the capsule with a pop filter in place, 'plosive and sibilance testing included. 
These mic tests have been and will be performed in an untreated bedroom with no reflection shield or anything of the like so it should be relatively comparable to most members here.
The tests have been performed using the same Gain on the interface (about a 3 o clock position) and I will break down the mics by category.
Audio files will be supplied as raw files and volume normalised so you can better see the sound quality and flavour differences
Below are the current plans for tests to do, all multipattern mics will be tested in cardioid with no low cut or PAD engaged.
Here are the RAW files recorded so far

 

LARGE DIAPHRAGM TRUE CONDENSER
- Edge Terminated (More similar to AKG Mics)

  -ADK Vienna MK8 (Very bright, for acoustic guitar and pop / female vocals)
  -Advanced Audio CM414 (Designed to be a copy of a vintage AKG C414)
  


- Centre Terminated (More similar to Neumann Mics)
  -Superlux CMH8C (Budget mic, out of production since 2001, managed to pick up a few NOS, great allround mics for when you just need to hear something)
  -Groove Tubes GT67 (tube mic, a beast unto itself, not directly copying any one Neumann piece despite the name, Out of production for about 20 years)
  -Advanced Audio CM47se (tube mic, clone of the vintage Neumann U47 with Peluso K47 capsule, excellent excellent microphone for male vocals)


SMALL DIAPHRAGM AND ELECTRET MICS
-BM800 ($10 ebay special, sucks badly, will test with and without Phantom power so you can see how bad it is out of the box)
-Behringer C2 ($25 music store special, Good for the price)
 

   

OTHERS
-Tbone MB75 (Clone of Shure SM57 that in the opinion of the internet sounds decidedly better than the original, will test with and without inline preamp)
-Random cheap stage mic from the pawn shop (will test with and without inline preamp)
-Cascade Audio Fathead 2 (Ribbon microphone, very dark sounding, Will test with and without inline preamp so you can see that it is absolutely necessary)


Let me know if you have any other requests / ideas so I can record them at the same time 🙂
Thanks all

 

Sloth's the name, audio gear is the game
I'll do my best to lend a hand to anyone with audio questions, studio gear and value for money are my primary focus.

Click here for my Microphone and Interface guide, tips and recommendations
 

For advice I rely on The Brains Trust :
@rice guru
- Headphones, Earphones and personal audio for any budget 
@Derkoli- High end specialist and allround knowledgeable bloke

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