I´m searching for two overhead-mics for drums in our big band.

These AT-mics seems to be a good deal, especially in Europe (about 380.- € each)

My questions to the group:

1. Can I get any better mics at 380.- $/€

2. I want use these mics also for stereo recordings. Should I buy 4051 or 4053?



Greetings from Bavaria!

Markus

On 1 Mar 2004, Markus Gerg wrote:

I=B4m searching for two overhead-mics for drums in our big band.

These AT-mics seems to be a good deal, especially in Europe (about 380.- =
=80 each)

My questions to the group:

1. Can I get any better mics at 380.- $/=80

2. I want use these mics also for stereo recordings. Should I buy 4051 or=
4053?

Markus

Markus,

I have a pair of the AT 4051/53 (both sets of capsules), and they are
great mics. I've not used the omni capsule with mine.

I've done numerous recordings with both capsule sets, and they are a
wonderful value. I assume you are talking about $380 each. I found
myself using the 4053a mostly when trying the 4053 vs. the 4051 in ORTF or
XY.

Although I've never tried them as drum overheads, I have used them as PA
sound reinforcement for chamber groups (overheads - 4053a), and they
worked great.

They have a higher self noise than Neumann KM-140s and Schoeps (CMC-641)
that I own, and I've not used mine to record since buying the Schoeps.

Doug

(Markus Gerg) wrote in message . com...
I´m searching for two overhead-mics for drums in our big band.

These AT-mics seems to be a good deal, especially in Europe (about 380.- ? each)

My questions to the group:

1. Can I get any better mics at 380.- $/?

2. I want use these mics also for stereo recordings. Should I buy 4051 or 4053?


I'm not too sure about the 4053 but Electronic Musician just had an
article on small diaphram condensers and the 4051a was featured. They
ran tests and comparisons between a bunch of mics and the AT4051a did
pretty good. They tested a few string musicians who all loved it on
violins and acoustic guitar. Though it was mentioned that the highs
are a bit harsh. Also I have heard that the 51a is one of the better
mics in its price range for recording in stereo live. As far as the
drums go the article mentioned that they didn't do the drum test for
some reason.

Markus Gerg wrote:
I´m searching for two overhead-mics for drums in our big band.

These AT-mics seems to be a good deal, especially in Europe (about 380.- € each)

My questions to the group:

1. Can I get any better mics at 380.- $/€

I don't think so. That's a good bit less than they sell for in the US.

2. I want use these mics also for stereo recordings. Should I buy 4051 or 4053?

Depends on the room that you are working in. The 4053 is cleaner off-axis,
though, and would tend to be my first choice, but you will have to pull back
more. Not so good in a wide and shallow room, usually much better in a
narrow and deep room.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

I've been working some with a paar of Kurt Albershardt's C460B's that
have been audio updated by Jim Williams, and I must say they are rather
nice microphones. I think Jim gets $150-175 for the mod's, so decent
used ones (capsule-wise, as Jim replaces all of the elecrtonics) at a
good price would be great mic value, IMO.

--
ha

I have a pair of 4051a's. I use them for drum overheads and for
stereo recording. They are very natural sounding. They don't have
the extreme high end boost (or low end) that most of my other small
diaphram mics have (Neumann KM 84i, Shure SM 81, AKG 451). They have
a really smooth off axis coloration which makes them very useful for
these two purposes. But, be aware that they don't have the
flattering quality of some other mics.

Ken Winokur

hank alrich wrote:

I've been working some with a paar of Kurt Albershardt's C460B's that
have been audio updated by Jim Williams, and I must say they are rather
nice microphones. I think Jim gets $150-175 for the mod's, so decent
used ones (capsule-wise, as Jim replaces all of the elecrtonics) at a
good price would be great mic value, IMO.

--
ha

Jim also upgrades 4051a for lower noise and flatter response. They are
on the clean side, they don't add much color to the sound.

Thank you all for your helpful comments!

I´ve ordered a pair of the 4053 for testing. I´ll report my
experiences after that. Maybe I´ll add a pair of 4049-capsules for
enhanced flexibility at a reasonable price.


Markus

Markus Gerg wrote:
Thank you all for your helpful comments!

I´ve ordered a pair of the 4053 for testing. I´ll report my
experiences after that. Maybe I´ll add a pair of 4049-capsules for
enhanced flexibility at a reasonable price.

I have a pair of 4051s. I bought a set of the 4049 capsules for them,
but sold them, they didn't sound as neutral to me.