Large Condensers and Tube Mics

Acoustic Test with Condensers

Cymbal Test

Sample MP3's

Acoustic / Condensers:

SE1 | SE2 | SE3 | SE2200
SE3300 | AT4033

Acoustic / Tube and Large Condensers:

SE-GEMINI | SE-ICIS
SE-Z5600 | SE2200
SE3300 | Neumann U 67

Cymbal / Condensers:

SE1 | SE2 | SE3 | SE2200
SE3300 | AT4033

Cymbal / Tube and Large Condensers:

SE-GEMINI | SE-ICIS
SE-Z5600 | SE2200
SE3300 | Neumann U 67

Female Voice / Tube & Large Condensers:

SE-GEMINI | SE-ICIS
SE-Z5600 | SE2200
SE3300 | SE Titan | Neumann U 67 | Audix SCX-25 | Audix CX-112

Male Voice / Tube & Large Condensers:

SE-GEMINI | SE-ICIS
SE-Z5600 | SE2200
SE3300 | SE Titan | Neumann U 67 | Audix SCX-25 | Audix CX-112

Test 1: Acoustic Guitar

For this listening test we went through great lengths to make it as accurate as possible. First we lined all the microphones up and made sure the diaphragm of each microphone was in line with each other on a horizontal and vertical plane. We then lined all the microphones so the grill faces were flush with each other. We used a test tone generator at a fixed distance from each capsule to adjust the microphone pre amps input gain. Then we meticulously measured and placed an acoustic guitar 12" in front of each microphone with the microphone facing the 24 th fret. (Half way between the sound hole and the end of the guitar where the neck meets) Chords and picking was performed and recorded on each microphone.

Two rounds were performed. One with all condensers including small and large, and the second all large condensers and tube microphones.

Test 2: Cymbal

The same techniques were applied for this test except that we made a curvature with the microphones and used a string to make sure the same distance was from the center of the cymbal to each grill of the microphone. This made more sense since the cymbal is more of an omni directional instrument and usually cymbals are miked a further distance away. Because of this, all the recordings are of the same exact performance.

Test 3: Voice

This test was performed exactly like the acoustic test. We used talking and a little melody. Remember the test is not to judge the voice, but how each microphone interprets a different timber out of the performer.

Signal Chain:

Digimax for 8 similar microphone pre's connected via light pipe to HDR24/96. From there the files were extracted into Nuendo and edited for the final MP3's.

For guitar, we used a Gretsch Historic Series G3700 with D'addario EJ15 Bronze extra light strings

For the Cymbal we used a Paiste Signature Series 18" Full Crash