The shite wot is writ here...
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Keith G wrote:
If I were to have just one mic which would do most things other than
hand held I'd go for a Neumann U87 or AKG C414. Both have been around
for yonks and are readily available secondhand.


Streuth! I've just Googled them quickly and seen some distinctly *non
hobbyist* prices....!!

You'll get a slightly kicked but perfect electronically 414 for about 250
quid, and it won't lose any money unlike a new Russian or Chinese cheapy.
U87 - nearer 400.

Thanks anyway - I've noted them down....!!

Small capsule fixed DP condensers tend to be cheaper. Something like a
Neumann KM 84 was used by the thousand in broadcasting and often end up on
Ebay. Then there's the AKG C451 - perhaps the most used mic ever in TV,
as it was available with so many capsules and extension tubes.


I've got an AKG cart knocking about somewhere....


Recently
re-introduced, IIRC. So it's not just in the Hi-Fi field that retro rules.


:-)



The 451 again often comes up on Ebay for around 100 quid. They still sound
pretty good if a little bright although you have to be careful not to
overload them. However, screw in pads are available. I still use them
quite a bit where a neat 'in shot' mic is needed. The larger U87, etc, can
be visually unattractive in some situations.

Like with all things, these mics need a good power supply to perform
properly. For occasional use, 45 volts worth of PP3s will be satisfactory.
But a tad expensive for if you forget to switch off when not used. I'd
expect about 100-150 hours running time from such a setup.


OK, Plowie - thanks for all that. I've archived it for 'come the time' - the
budget will come from Swim (she's the one who wants the recordings), so I'm
not Shure how much I'll have to play with...??

The shite wot is writ here...
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:

In article ,
Keith G wrote:
However, you seem to be keen on a valve mic so I'll leave any advice to
others. I was glad to see the end of them.

Nevertheless, I would still be interested in your recommendations.

I'm afraid I'm really not well up on what's around mic wise at the - shall
we say - semi pro end of the market.

If I were to have just one mic which would do most things other than hand
held I'd go for a Neumann U87 or AKG C414. Both have been around for yonks
and are readily available secondhand.

I had a U87 for a while.

It's stonkingly good !

Graham

The shite wot is writ here...
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:

In article ,
Keith G wrote:
If I were to have just one mic which would do most things other than
hand held I'd go for a Neumann U87 or AKG C414. Both have been around
for yonks and are readily available secondhand.

Streuth! I've just Googled them quickly and seen some distinctly *non
hobbyist* prices....!!

You'll get a slightly kicked but perfect electronically 414 for about 250
quid, and it won't lose any money unlike a new Russian or Chinese cheapy.
U87 - nearer 400.

U87 ?

I got £400 for mine back in 1976 !

More like £1600 now.

There are some acceptably good 'copies' to be had though for much less.

Graham

The shite wot is writ here...
 

Keith G wrote:

OK, Plowie - thanks for all that. I've archived it for 'come the time' - the
budget will come from Swim (she's the one who wants the recordings), so I'm
not Shure how much I'll have to play with...??

Shure mics are mainly rubbish imho.

Use a decent European one like Sennhesier or AKG.

Graham

The shite wot is writ here...
 

In article ,
Keith G wrote:
Still, if the sound suits you.... I'm a treble fiend myself, though.

Seems it suits more than just me, Martin - Lowther have been making the
PM6 speakers for over 50 years now....

Plenty of examples of devices still being marketed when well past their
sell by date, Keith.

--
*If your feet smell and your nose runs, you're built upside down.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

The shite wot is writ here...
 

In article ,
Eeyore wrote:
You'll get a slightly kicked but perfect electronically 414 for about
250 quid, and it won't lose any money unlike a new Russian or Chinese
cheapy. U87 - nearer 400.

U87 ?

I got £400 for mine back in 1976 !

More like £1600 now.

That's slightly more than the new price for a U87 Ai including VAT.

There are some acceptably good 'copies' to be had though for much less.

If you say so - I've no personal knowledge of these. Reports say they are
a bit variable between samples - not surprising with something which
relies on precision engineering rather than just electronics.

--
*Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you? *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

The shite wot is writ here...
 

In article ,
Eeyore wrote:
OK, Plowie - thanks for all that. I've archived it for 'come the time'
- the budget will come from Swim (she's the one who wants the
recordings), so I'm not Shure how much I'll have to play with...??

Shure mics are mainly rubbish imho.

I'd have been scared to say that, much as I agree.;-)

But the main problem is people see, say, the SM58 on TV or at concerts
used as intended as a close vocal mic where lots of foldback is involved
and decide it's a good mic for anything. Including some who should know
better, unfortunately.

Use a decent European one like Sennhesier or AKG.

Not exclusively. Sanken, for example, make some decent mics.

--
*Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

The shite wot is writ here...
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:

In article ,
Keith G wrote:
Still, if the sound suits you.... I'm a treble fiend myself, though.

Seems it suits more than just me, Martin - Lowther have been making the
PM6 speakers for over 50 years now....

Plenty of examples of devices still being marketed when well past their
sell by date, Keith.

You beat me to it !

Graham

The shite wot is writ here...
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:

In article ,
Eeyore wrote:
You'll get a slightly kicked but perfect electronically 414 for about
250 quid, and it won't lose any money unlike a new Russian or Chinese
cheapy. U87 - nearer 400.

U87 ?

I got £400 for mine back in 1976 !

More like £1600 now.

That's slightly more than the new price for a U87 Ai including VAT.

I've seen them go for that I'm sure. Of course some ppl want an 'original'
which the Ai isn't.


There are some acceptably good 'copies' to be had though for much less.

If you say so - I've no personal knowledge of these. Reports say they are
a bit variable between samples - not surprising with something which
relies on precision engineering rather than just electronics.

A good source of advice on this would be Scott Dorsey in rec.audio.pro

Graham

The shite wot is writ here...
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:

In article ,
Eeyore wrote:
OK, Plowie - thanks for all that. I've archived it for 'come the time'
- the budget will come from Swim (she's the one who wants the
recordings), so I'm not Shure how much I'll have to play with...??

Shure mics are mainly rubbish imho.

I'd have been scared to say that, much as I agree.;-)

But the main problem is people see, say, the SM58 on TV or at concerts
used as intended as a close vocal mic where lots of foldback is involved
and decide it's a good mic for anything. Including some who should know
better, unfortunately.

I couldn't agree more. Did you know that some bands actually fit a different
capsule to avoid the crappy sound ?


Use a decent European one like Sennhesier or AKG.

Not exclusively. Sanken, for example, make some decent mics.

I've never had the pleasure I'm afraid. Some ATs are nice too.

Graham