[Ty Ford]

Thanks to Hank Alrich for sending me an MCA SP1.
I have just uploaded some two channel files to my server.
TLM 103 versus SP1 and Rode NT2-a versus SP1.

The files are now loading into my On Line Archive into a folder called
TLM 103 NT2a SP1.

Hank, the SP1 went into the mail back to you several hours ago.

Enjoy

Ty Ford

--Audio Equipment Reviews Audio Production Services
Acting and Voiceover Demos http://www.tyford.com
Guitar player?:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RZJ9MptZmU

[Steve King]

"Ty Ford" wrote in message
news
Thanks to Hank Alrich for sending me an MCA SP1.
I have just uploaded some two channel files to my server.
TLM 103 versus SP1 and Rode NT2-a versus SP1.

The files are now loading into my On Line Archive into a folder called
TLM 103 NT2a SP1.

Hank, the SP1 went into the mail back to you several hours ago.

Enjoy

Ty Ford

--Audio Equipment Reviews Audio Production Services
Acting and Voiceover Demos http://www.tyford.com
Guitar player?:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RZJ9MptZmU

Can't seem to locate the files. Are they in: Gear Reviews Mics, Gear
Reviews Other, or ??

Steve King

[Ty Ford]

On Sat, 10 Mar 2007 15:31:33 -0500, Steve King wrote
(in article ):

Top Level Steve.


The files are now loading into my On Line Archive into a folder called
TLM 103 NT2a SP1.

Ty

--Audio Equipment Reviews Audio Production Services
Acting and Voiceover Demos http://www.tyford.com
Guitar player?:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RZJ9MptZmU

[Steve King]

"Ty Ford" wrote in message
. ..
On Sat, 10 Mar 2007 15:31:33 -0500, Steve King wrote
(in article ):

Top Level Steve.


The files are now loading into my On Line Archive into a folder called
TLM 103 NT2a SP1.

Well, that's a very interesting comparison ... the TLM103 vs. the SP1. On
first listening the Neumann sounded a little brighter that the SP1, but
otherwise very similar. Then I added about 5db Low Q boost centered around
2.5kHz to the SP1 and it became hard for these old ears to tell the
difference. Let's see. The TLM103 at about $800 is 20x the cost of the SP1
at $39. I'm not thowing away my good mics, but I am relieved that I wasn't
crazy recently to pick the SP1 for a Spanish language narrator with a bit of
edge to his voice ;-)

Steve King

[Mike Rivers]

On Mar 10, 2:15 pm, Ty Ford wrote:
Thanks to Hank Alrich for sending me an MCA SP1.
I have just uploaded some two channel files to my server.
TLM 103 versus SP1 and Rode NT2-a versus SP1

What's an SP1? Is that the cheap mic that Jim Williams mentions every
time someone mentions a more expensive cheap mic?

So, putting on my producer's hat, what did YOU think? I don't have the
patience to download the files and get them to someplace where I can
listen to them over something more useful for comparison than Minimus
7 speakers on my "good" computer.

[hank alrich]

Ty Ford wrote:

Thanks to Hank Alrich for sending me an MCA SP1.
I have just uploaded some two channel files to my server.
TLM 103 versus SP1 and Rode NT2-a versus SP1.

The files are now loading into my On Line Archive into a folder called
TLM 103 NT2a SP1.

Hank, the SP1 went into the mail back to you several hours ago.

Whew, that's a relief, considering my investment in that sucker! Hope
you had some fun. I'll get those files and give a listen.

--
ha
Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

[hank alrich]

Steve King wrote:

"Ty Ford" wrote...
Thanks to Hank Alrich for sending me an MCA SP1.
I have just uploaded some two channel files to my server.
TLM 103 versus SP1 and Rode NT2-a versus SP1.

The files are now loading into my On Line Archive into a folder called
TLM 103 NT2a SP1.

Hank, the SP1 went into the mail back to you several hours ago.

Can't seem to locate the files. Are they in: Gear Reviews Mics, Gear
Reviews Other, or ??

Steve King

Heh, ain't it somethin' the way he dillys us 'round like that? You'd
think "he'll post the link", but you'd be wrong. g

--
ha
Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

[hank alrich]

Mike Rivers wrote:

Ty Ford wrote:

Thanks to Hank Alrich for sending me an MCA SP1.
I have just uploaded some two channel files to my server.
TLM 103 versus SP1 and Rode NT2-a versus SP1

What's an SP1? Is that the cheap mic that Jim Williams mentions every
time someone mentions a more expensive cheap mic?

Yes, it's that one. I finally succumbed to curiousity and spent about
$94 on a pair of them, including shipping and CA state sales tax. Ever
since, I've been seeking shock mounts that don't cost more than the
mics. g I think I've found 'em at BSW, from On Stage, about $25 each.

So, putting on my producer's hat, what did YOU think? I don't have the
patience to download the files and get them to someplace where I can
listen to them over something more useful for comparison than Minimus
7 speakers on my "good" computer.

I think it's sort of stupidly good for the money, and actually not bad
regardless of cost. i wanted to hate it but the times I've put it up the
tracks were entirely usable. I look forward to either modding it myself,
if I can figure out what to put where and where to get the what to put
there, or sending it to Jim for the mods.

I think one of the reasons it sounds decent is that it's
transformerless, using a clone of the Schoeps circuitry. I still hear a
little edge that I don't hear in some much more expensive LDC's (this
has a 20 mm. diaphgram, sort of a smal LDC), and I wonder if the mods
will reduce that. But seriously, for what it sounds like and what it
cost, I can't see paying one cent more for a Chinese cardioid LDC. I've
heard several that cost many multiples of forty bucks that don't sound
as good.

The construction is not on a par with some famous name brands, the
cicuit board being mounted on some leftover Erector Set parts. When
reassembling it one must be careful not to try to tighten the body
solidly, because it will never feel solid in the way a U87 does, and if
one keeps twisting I'm pretty sure the Erector Set parts will give up
the cheese ghost in this particular machine.

--
ha
Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

[-zero[_2_]]

"hank alrich" wrote in message
...
Ty Ford wrote:

Hank, the SP1 went into the mail back to you several hours ago.

Whew, that's a relief, considering my investment in that sucker! Hope
you had some fun. I'll get those files and give a listen.

Hank,
Was this the one back from Jim Williams?

-zero

[BEN]

hi; who sells them?

[Geoff]

hank alrich wrote:


solidly, because it will never feel solid in the way a U87 does,

Must be pretty flimsy then, cos my U87 feels lilke an empty beer can in
comparison to RODE NT1000, K2 etc.

Of course that is a design feature of the U87 that totally complements the
overall sound...


geoff

[Don Pearce]

On Sat, 10 Mar 2007 14:15:00 -0500, Ty Ford
wrote:

Thanks to Hank Alrich for sending me an MCA SP1.
I have just uploaded some two channel files to my server.
TLM 103 versus SP1 and Rode NT2-a versus SP1.

The files are now loading into my On Line Archive into a folder called
TLM 103 NT2a SP1.

Hank, the SP1 went into the mail back to you several hours ago.

Enjoy

Ty Ford

--Audio Equipment Reviews Audio Production Services
Acting and Voiceover Demos http://www.tyford.com
Guitar player?:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RZJ9MptZmU

Just downloaded the two smaller files (TLM103/SP1), and as they stand
they can't be compared fairly. The SP1 needs to be given an extra
1.5dB of gain to bring it up to the same level. That being done, it is
really very similar to the TLM103. In much the same way as the fun and
games we had with the NT1-A, a very minimal amount of eq will make
them indistinguishable.

Where they do differ considerably is in the quiet pause, where the TLM
drops to a much lower residual noise level than the SP1.

d

--
Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com

[Arny Krueger]

"BEN" wrote in message


hi; who sells them?

No, he solders some fancy capacitors in them and somehow thereby overcomes
the random tensioning of the diaphragms. ;-)

[Mike Rivers]

On Mar 11, 12:20 am, (hank alrich) wrote:

I think it's sort of stupidly good for the money, and actually not bad
regardless of cost.

Lots of that these days, but I think the secret to making a really
good mic is still safe with those who still do it. We tolerate a lot
of "really good for the money" today because we tend to use more mics
than we used to, probably in part to imitate the big studio sessions
of the 80s, and partly because of availability.

I don't need any more mics, otherwise I'd be curious and probably try
one myself. I've heard similarly good reports no the small capsule
Behringer and Samson mics.

The construction is not on a par with some famous name brands, the
cicuit board being mounted on some leftover Erector Set parts.

Hmmmm . . . . well I guess they weren't meant to be taken apart, but
the cheaper they are, the more we're inclined to do that.

[Arny Krueger]

"Don Pearce" wrote in message


Just downloaded the two smaller files (TLM103/SP1), and
as they stand they can't be compared fairly. The SP1
needs to be given an extra 1.5dB of gain to bring it up to the same
level.

I came up with a 1 dB difference, but the 103 was still the louder one.

That being done, it is really very similar to the TLM103. In
much the same way as the fun and games we had with the
NT1-A, a very minimal amount of eq will make them
indistinguishable.

This time the differences are mostly in the midrange. The 103 is a bit
brighter this time.

Where they do differ considerably is in the quiet pause,
where the TLM drops to a much lower residual noise level
than the SP1.

I don't think a 1.5 dB difference is that much all by itself, however much
of the difference was probably masked by other noise sources. The noise in
the SP1b could be the most obvious quality difference.

[Meindert Sprang]

"Mike Rivers" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 11, 12:20 am, (hank alrich) wrote:

I think it's sort of stupidly good for the money, and actually not bad
regardless of cost.

Lots of that these days, but I think the secret to making a really
good mic is still safe with those who still do it. We tolerate a lot
of "really good for the money" today because we tend to use more mics
than we used to, probably in part to imitate the big studio sessions
of the 80s, and partly because of availability.

I don't need any more mics, otherwise I'd be curious and probably try
one myself. I've heard similarly good reports no the small capsule
Behringer and Samson mics.

The problem is, however, that professional dares to admit having tested a
Samson of Behringer... :-)

The construction is not on a par with some famous name brands, the
cicuit board being mounted on some leftover Erector Set parts.

I have a couple of Samson CL15's and these are very rigidly constructed.
Die-cast housing and the PCB is mounted firmly in the die-cast frame.

I am curious whether a professional ever tested and compared one of these
against the "industry standards".

Meindert

[Don Pearce]

On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 08:15:46 -0400, "Arny Krueger"
wrote:

"Don Pearce" wrote in message


Just downloaded the two smaller files (TLM103/SP1), and
as they stand they can't be compared fairly. The SP1
needs to be given an extra 1.5dB of gain to bring it up to the same
level.

I came up with a 1 dB difference, but the 103 was still the louder one.

That being done, it is really very similar to the TLM103. In
much the same way as the fun and games we had with the
NT1-A, a very minimal amount of eq will make them
indistinguishable.

This time the differences are mostly in the midrange. The 103 is a bit
brighter this time.


I equalized the levels in the midrange - that's probably why we came
up with different gain figures. The brightness difference is very
slight - I would be hard pressed to know which mic I was hearing if it
was simply taken off the shelf and stuck in front of somebody.

Where they do differ considerably is in the quiet pause,
where the TLM drops to a much lower residual noise level
than the SP1.

I don't think a 1.5 dB difference is that much all by itself, however much
of the difference was probably masked by other noise sources. The noise in
the SP1b could be the most obvious quality difference.


Looking a bit more carefully it is clear that everything on the screen
is external noise.

d
--
Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com

[Scott Dorsey]

Mike Rivers wrote:

Lots of that these days, but I think the secret to making a really
good mic is still safe with those who still do it.

If that... sometimes it seems like they have forgotten it. I see no
other explanation for the C-3000.

I don't need any more mics, otherwise I'd be curious and probably try
one myself. I've heard similarly good reports no the small capsule
Behringer and Samson mics.

I have yet to see any small-diaphragm Chinese-made mikes that I would
consider okay, with the exception of the punched-metal omni electrets.
The truth is that it's just harder to make a small diaphragm mike than
a large diaphragm mike, and the tolerances required are greater.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Ty Ford]

On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 00:20:24 -0400, hank alrich wrote
(in article ):

Steve King wrote:

"Ty Ford" wrote...
Thanks to Hank Alrich for sending me an MCA SP1.
I have just uploaded some two channel files to my server.
TLM 103 versus SP1 and Rode NT2-a versus SP1.

The files are now loading into my On Line Archive into a folder called
TLM 103 NT2a SP1.

Hank, the SP1 went into the mail back to you several hours ago.

Can't seem to locate the files. Are they in: Gear Reviews Mics, Gear
Reviews Other, or ??

Steve King

Heh, ain't it somethin' the way he dillys us 'round like that? You'd
think "he'll post the link", but you'd be wrong. g

For each of those files? With all due respect, bite me.

Ty


--Audio Equipment Reviews Audio Production Services
Acting and Voiceover Demos http://www.tyford.com
Guitar player?:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RZJ9MptZmU

[Les Cargill]

BEN wrote:

hi; who sells them?

I'd love to be corrected, but they look to be
out of production.


--
Les Cargill

[hank alrich]

-zero wrote:

"hank alrich" wrote...
Ty Ford wrote:

Hank, the SP1 went into the mail back to you several hours ago.

Whew, that's a relief, considering my investment in that sucker! Hope
you had some fun. I'll get those files and give a listen.

Hank,
Was this the one back from Jim Williams?

-zero

No, it's stock. I even sent Ty the original packaging, which has the
look and feel (make that "appearance and heft") of HOSA cable packaging,
designed to hang on a peg wall. Eventually I'll send Ty a mod'd one,
once I have one mod'd.

--
ha
Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

[hank alrich]

Les Cargill wrote:

BEN wrote:

hi; who sells them?

I'd love to be corrected, but they look to be
out of production.

And I've been wondering about that. It's possible that this is the best
side-address mic Marshall has offered, and at the lowest price in their
line. Leaving out even a cheap transformer helps lower the price, yet
raise the performance. I wonder if this thing is disappearing because if
word got all the way out it would cannibalize much of the rest of their
line.

--
ha
Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

[Mike Rivers]

On Mar 11, 10:05 am, Ty Ford wrote:

For each of those files? With all due respect, bite me.

Even I was able to find the download link . . . eventually.

Chomp!

[Les Cargill]

hank alrich wrote:
Les Cargill wrote:


BEN wrote:


hi; who sells them?

I'd love to be corrected, but they look to be
out of production.


And I've been wondering about that. It's possible that this is the best
side-address mic Marshall has offered, and at the lowest price in their
line. Leaving out even a cheap transformer helps lower the price, yet
raise the performance. I wonder if this thing is disappearing because if
word got all the way out it would cannibalize much of the rest of their
line.



You'd think that would be pretty clear before they got out to
start with. Nothing wrong with marking 'em $200 to keep the
bottom from falling out.

--
Les Cargill

[hank alrich]

Les Cargill wrote:

hank alrich wrote:
Les Cargill wrote:

BEN wrote:

hi; who sells them?

I'd love to be corrected, but they look to be
out of production.


And I've been wondering about that. It's possible that this is the best
side-address mic Marshall has offered, and at the lowest price in their
line. Leaving out even a cheap transformer helps lower the price, yet
raise the performance. I wonder if this thing is disappearing because if
word got all the way out it would cannibalize much of the rest of their
line.

You'd think that would be pretty clear before they got out to
start with.

Not unless they actually listened to the mics.

Nothing wrong with marking 'em $200 to keep the
bottom from falling out.

What? That's like $150 "wrong"! g

--
ha
Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

[Steve King]

"hank alrich" wrote in message
...
Les Cargill wrote:

hank alrich wrote:
Les Cargill wrote:

BEN wrote:

hi; who sells them?

I'd love to be corrected, but they look to be
out of production.


And I've been wondering about that. It's possible that this is the best
side-address mic Marshall has offered, and at the lowest price in their
line. Leaving out even a cheap transformer helps lower the price, yet
raise the performance. I wonder if this thing is disappearing because
if
word got all the way out it would cannibalize much of the rest of their
line.

You'd think that would be pretty clear before they got out to
start with.

Not unless they actually listened to the mics.

Nothing wrong with marking 'em $200 to keep the
bottom from falling out.

What? That's like $150 "wrong"! g

I can find no source for these mics. I think that means that the ones Hank
and I have are now VINTAGE! I can see the Ebay prices skyrocketing soon.
And, all because of Ty's "endorsement". Thanks, Ty.

Steve King

[hank alrich]

Steve King wrote:

"hank alrich" wrote...
Les Cargill wrote:

hank alrich wrote:
Les Cargill wrote:

BEN wrote:

hi; who sells them?

I'd love to be corrected, but they look to be
out of production.


And I've been wondering about that. It's possible that this is the best
side-address mic Marshall has offered, and at the lowest price in their
line. Leaving out even a cheap transformer helps lower the price, yet
raise the performance. I wonder if this thing is disappearing because
if
word got all the way out it would cannibalize much of the rest of their
line.

You'd think that would be pretty clear before they got out to
start with.

Not unless they actually listened to the mics.

Nothing wrong with marking 'em $200 to keep the
bottom from falling out.

What? That's like $150 "wrong"! g

I can find no source for these mics.

Go to: http://www.pssl.com

In the seach window put: mca sp-1

I think that means that the ones Hank
and I have are now VINTAGE! I can see the Ebay prices skyrocketing soon.
And, all because of Ty's "endorsement". Thanks, Ty.

Sooner or later they will be vintage. I'm already approaching vintage
myself, so they better hurry up and get these out of production.

--
ha
Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

[Ty Ford]

On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 00:06:10 -0400, hank alrich wrote
(in article ):

Ty Ford wrote:

Thanks to Hank Alrich for sending me an MCA SP1.
I have just uploaded some two channel files to my server.
TLM 103 versus SP1 and Rode NT2-a versus SP1.

The files are now loading into my On Line Archive into a folder called
TLM 103 NT2a SP1.

Hank, the SP1 went into the mail back to you several hours ago.

Whew, that's a relief, considering my investment in that sucker! Hope
you had some fun. I'll get those files and give a listen.



Just a thought.....What if the SP1 Hank sent me was the only one they got
right and the rest were pure crap?

Regards,

Ty Ford


--Audio Equipment Reviews Audio Production Services
Acting and Voiceover Demos http://www.tyford.com
Guitar player?:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RZJ9MptZmU

[Ty Ford]

On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 15:49:46 -0400, Steve King wrote
(in article ):

"hank alrich" wrote in message
...
Les Cargill wrote:

hank alrich wrote:
Les Cargill wrote:

BEN wrote:

hi; who sells them?

I'd love to be corrected, but they look to be
out of production.


And I've been wondering about that. It's possible that this is the best
side-address mic Marshall has offered, and at the lowest price in their
line. Leaving out even a cheap transformer helps lower the price, yet
raise the performance. I wonder if this thing is disappearing because
if
word got all the way out it would cannibalize much of the rest of their
line.

You'd think that would be pretty clear before they got out to
start with.

Not unless they actually listened to the mics.

Nothing wrong with marking 'em $200 to keep the
bottom from falling out.

What? That's like $150 "wrong"! g

I can find no source for these mics. I think that means that the ones Hank
and I have are now VINTAGE! I can see the Ebay prices skyrocketing soon.
And, all because of Ty's "endorsement". Thanks, Ty.

Steve King



I endorsed nothing. I hooked it up, mooshed some noise through it and
uploaded it, even though pansy-handed people like Hank had to break a sweat
to find the link. Jeeze Hank, bookmark the spot so you won't have to hurt
your lilly whites again. (As per the RAP AQ, You'll notice I have yet to
employ the term audio ****.)

Regards,

Ty Ford




--Audio Equipment Reviews Audio Production Services
Acting and Voiceover Demos http://www.tyford.com
Guitar player?:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RZJ9MptZmU

[Ty Ford]

On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 11:43:21 -0400, hank alrich wrote
(in article ):

-zero wrote:

"hank alrich" wrote...
Ty Ford wrote:

Hank, the SP1 went into the mail back to you several hours ago.

Whew, that's a relief, considering my investment in that sucker! Hope
you had some fun. I'll get those files and give a listen.

Hank,
Was this the one back from Jim Williams?

-zero

No, it's stock. I even sent Ty the original packaging, which has the
look and feel (make that "appearance and heft") of HOSA cable packaging,
designed to hang on a peg wall. Eventually I'll send Ty a mod'd one,
once I have one mod'd.



The blister pack has the look of something you might find at "The Dollar
Store."

Regards,

Ty Ford

--Audio Equipment Reviews Audio Production Services
Acting and Voiceover Demos http://www.tyford.com
Guitar player?:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RZJ9MptZmU

[Arny Krueger]

"Ty Ford" wrote in message

On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 11:43:21 -0400, hank alrich wrote
(in article ):

-zero wrote:

"hank alrich" wrote...
Ty Ford wrote:

Hank, the SP1 went into the mail back to you several
hours ago.

Whew, that's a relief, considering my investment in
that sucker! Hope you had some fun. I'll get those
files and give a listen.

Hank,
Was this the one back from Jim Williams?

-zero

No, it's stock. I even sent Ty the original packaging,
which has the look and feel (make that "appearance and
heft") of HOSA cable packaging, designed to hang on a
peg wall. Eventually I'll send Ty a mod'd one, once I
have one mod'd.



The blister pack has the look of something you might find
at "The Dollar Store."

My guess is that these are made up out of capsules that couldn't past muster
for more expensive mics. Given how cheap Marshall mics can be, that is a bit
scary. Not that I don't personally own nearly a half-dozen Marshall mics.
;-)

It would be fun to test say 10 samples, and see how the deficiencies stack
up.

[Arny Krueger]

"hank alrich" wrote in message

Arny Krueger wrote:

My guess is that these are made up out of capsules that
couldn't past muster for more expensive mics.

I kind of doubt they even bother to check that kind of
stuff for mics in this sandlot ballpark. If they did,
they wouldn't be in this mic business; they'd be in that
other mic biz where that kind of detail is considered
important. g

The pair I have seem decently matched.

I'd like to be able to download a pair of mono recordings or a stereo
recording made from a pair of them mounted togehter like Ty does.

[hank alrich]

Arny Krueger wrote:

My guess is that these are made up out of capsules that couldn't past muster
for more expensive mics.

I kind of doubt they even bother to check that kind of stuff for mics in
this sandlot ballpark. If they did, they wouldn't be in this mic
business; they'd be in that other mic biz where that kind of detail is
considered important. g

The pair I have seem decently matched.

--
ha
Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

[hank alrich]

Ty Ford wrote:

hank alrich wrote:

Ty Ford wrote:

Thanks to Hank Alrich for sending me an MCA SP1.
I have just uploaded some two channel files to my server.
TLM 103 versus SP1 and Rode NT2-a versus SP1.

The files are now loading into my On Line Archive into a folder called
TLM 103 NT2a SP1.

Hank, the SP1 went into the mail back to you several hours ago.

Whew, that's a relief, considering my investment in that sucker! Hope
you had some fun. I'll get those files and give a listen.



Just a thought.....What if the SP1 Hank sent me was the only one they got
right and the rest were pure crap?

I couldn't tell one from the other in the pair I bought, and I'll bet
Jim Williams has seen at least a reasonable sample of these. He's been
touting them for several years now. I could've sent you the pair, but I
didn't want to spend so much on postage that I could have bought another
mic.

--
ha
Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

[drichard]

Pro Sound Stage and Lighting shows them as in stock, for $39.95. I'm
not sure if that's up-to-date, or not.

Dean

On Mar 11, 2:49 pm, "Steve King"
wrote:
"hank alrich" wrote in message

...





Les Cargill wrote:

hank alrich wrote:
Les Cargill wrote:

BEN wrote:

hi; who sells them?

I'd love to be corrected, but they look to be
out of production.

And I've been wondering about that. It's possible that this is the best
side-address mic Marshall has offered, and at the lowest price in their
line. Leaving out even a cheap transformer helps lower the price, yet
raise the performance. I wonder if this thing is disappearing because
if
word got all the way out it would cannibalize much of the rest of their
line.

You'd think that would be pretty clear before they got out to
start with.

Not unless they actually listened to the mics.

Nothing wrong with marking 'em $200 to keep the
bottom from falling out.

What? That's like $150 "wrong"! g

I can find no source for these mics. I think that means that the ones Hank
and I have are now VINTAGE! I can see the Ebay prices skyrocketing soon.
And, all because of Ty's "endorsement". Thanks, Ty.

Steve King- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

[Les Cargill]

drichard wrote:

Pro Sound Stage and Lighting shows them as in stock, for $39.95. I'm
not sure if that's up-to-date, or not.


It is, it is. Mine came in to-day.

snip

--
Les Cargill

[[email protected]]

On Mar 10, 8:20 pm, (hank alrich) wrote:
Mike Rivers wrote:
Ty Ford wrote:
Thanks to Hank Alrich for sending me an MCA SP1.
I have just uploaded some two channel files to my server.
TLM 103 versus SP1 and Rode NT2-a versus SP1
What's an SP1? Is that the cheap mic that Jim Williams mentions every
time someone mentions a more expensive cheap mic?

Yes, it's that one. I finally succumbed to curiousity and spent about
$94 on a pair of them, including shipping and CA state sales tax. Ever
since, I've been seeking shock mounts that don't cost more than the
mics. g I think I've found 'em at BSW, from On Stage, about $25 each.

So, putting on my producer's hat, what did YOU think? I don't have the
patience to download the files and get them to someplace where I can
listen to them over something more useful for comparison than Minimus
7 speakers on my "good" computer.

I think it's sort of stupidly good for the money, and actually not bad
regardless of cost. i wanted to hate it but the times I've put it up the
tracks were entirely usable. I look forward to either modding it myself,
if I can figure out what to put where and where to get the what to put
there, or sending it to Jim for the mods.

I think one of the reasons it sounds decent is that it's
transformerless, using a clone of the Schoeps circuitry. I still hear a
little edge that I don't hear in some much more expensive LDC's (this
has a 20 mm. diaphgram, sort of a smal LDC), and I wonder if the mods
will reduce that. But seriously, for what it sounds like and what it
cost, I can't see paying one cent more for a Chinese cardioid LDC. I've
heard several that cost many multiples of forty bucks that don't sound
as good.

The construction is not on a par with some famous name brands, the
cicuit board being mounted on some leftover Erector Set parts. When
reassembling it one must be careful not to try to tighten the body
solidly, because it will never feel solid in the way a U87 does, and if
one keeps twisting I'm pretty sure the Erector Set parts will give up
the cheese ghost in this particular machine.

--
ha
Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

The hard sound from these is a result of some of the parts they use.
The cap off the casule is a mono ceramic, bad choice. I use a MIT
MultiCap there. I replace the 2sk170 fet which I find to sound cloudy
to a fast J305 from Siliconix. The bipolars are changed to Hitachi
2sa1083's. I up the polarization voltage from 40 to 57 volts which
increases output by around 5 db. That plus the lower noise
semiconductors makes this a very quiet mic. The ouput caps are
enlarged to allow 20 hz to pass and those are bypassed with more MIT
caps. I use Dale RN55 resistors for the audio path. Panasonic FM
electrolytics are used for long term reliability. Some of mine I
installed Kimber black pearls silver teflon wire off the capsule.

I have 14 of these. They are the best cheepo mic made. Many users have
reported that these hold up well against the Fatherland originals. I
agree.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[Mike Rivers]

On Mar 17, 11:26 am, wrote:

The cap off the casule is a mono ceramic, bad choice. I use a MIT
MultiCap there. I replace the 2sk170 fet which I find to sound cloudy
to a fast J305 from Siliconix. The bipolars are changed to Hitachi
2sa1083's. I up the polarization voltage from 40 to 57 volts which
increases output by around 5 db. The ouput caps are
enlarged to allow 20 hz to pass and those are bypassed with more MIT
caps. I use Dale RN55 resistors for the audio path. Panasonic FM
electrolytics are used for long term reliability. Some of mine I
installed Kimber black pearls silver teflon wire off the capsule.

Not much left of the original than the capsule and the case, is there?
Have you done any experiments with damping the metal parts or opening
up the grill?

[drichard]

Hi Jim,

Do you do this as a service for others? If so, how much do you charge
to upgrade an SP1 as you've described? Do you have a website?

Thanks,

Dean

On Mar 17, 9:26 am, wrote:
On Mar 10, 8:20 pm, (hank alrich) wrote:





Mike Rivers wrote:
Ty Ford wrote:
Thanks to Hank Alrich for sending me an MCA SP1.
I have just uploaded some two channel files to my server.
TLM 103 versus SP1 and Rode NT2-a versus SP1
What's an SP1? Is that the cheap mic that Jim Williams mentions every
time someone mentions a more expensive cheap mic?

Yes, it's that one. I finally succumbed to curiousity and spent about
$94 on a pair of them, including shipping and CA state sales tax. Ever
since, I've been seeking shock mounts that don't cost more than the
mics. g I think I've found 'em at BSW, from On Stage, about $25 each.

So, putting on my producer's hat, what did YOU think? I don't have the
patience to download the files and get them to someplace where I can
listen to them over something more useful for comparison than Minimus
7 speakers on my "good" computer.

I think it's sort of stupidly good for the money, and actually not bad
regardless of cost. i wanted to hate it but the times I've put it up the
tracks were entirely usable. I look forward to either modding it myself,
if I can figure out what to put where and where to get the what to put
there, or sending it to Jim for the mods.

I think one of the reasons it sounds decent is that it's
transformerless, using a clone of the Schoeps circuitry. I still hear a
little edge that I don't hear in some much more expensive LDC's (this
has a 20 mm. diaphgram, sort of a smal LDC), and I wonder if the mods
will reduce that. But seriously, for what it sounds like and what it
cost, I can't see paying one cent more for a Chinese cardioid LDC. I've
heard several that cost many multiples of forty bucks that don't sound
as good.

The construction is not on a par with some famous name brands, the
cicuit board being mounted on some leftover Erector Set parts. When
reassembling it one must be careful not to try to tighten the body
solidly, because it will never feel solid in the way a U87 does, and if
one keeps twisting I'm pretty sure the Erector Set parts will give up
the cheese ghost in this particular machine.

--
ha
Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

The hard sound from these is a result of some of the parts they use.
The cap off the casule is a mono ceramic, bad choice. I use a MIT
MultiCap there. I replace the 2sk170 fet which I find to sound cloudy
to a fast J305 from Siliconix. The bipolars are changed to Hitachi
2sa1083's. I up the polarization voltage from 40 to 57 volts which
increases output by around 5 db. That plus the lower noise
semiconductors makes this a very quiet mic. The ouput caps are
enlarged to allow 20 hz to pass and those are bypassed with more MIT
caps. I use Dale RN55 resistors for the audio path. Panasonic FM
electrolytics are used for long term reliability. Some of mine I
installed Kimber black pearls silver teflon wire off the capsule.

I have 14 of these. They are the best cheepo mic made. Many users have
reported that these hold up well against the Fatherland originals. I
agree.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

[drichard]

Hi Les,

Yes, I got one too. For $40 it's worth it just to play with. And
except for the ultra-cheesy packaging, I'm very pleasantly surprised.
I can find things to use this mic on, for sure.

Dean

On Mar 16, 10:10 pm, Les Cargill wrote:
drichard wrote:
Pro Sound Stage and Lighting shows them as in stock, for $39.95. I'm
not sure if that's up-to-date, or not.

It is, it is. Mine came in to-day.

snip

--
Les Cargill