Thread: C42 vs. C4 matched pair

I'm kinda wondering the same thing. Anyone have any experiance with both of these mikes?

Hi,

Thanks for pushing us back to top so maybe we get a response from any users out there. I checked out your site, your studio looks real nice!

I have a question for you for the Great River MP-2NV, what application do you mainly use this pre for? Please provide any comments if you can as I am looking at both this and the Avalon AD2022 for my next purchase. I will be using which ever one I go with for Male Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitar. Thanks!

Hey guys:

You're comparing apples and oranges here. The C4 (SP) is a decent mic. The Josephson is (IMHO) a world-class mic. Kind of like comparing a Huffy to a Harley. While the C4s have the really cool interchangeable capsules, that's probably their only advantage. The C-42s have such a clear, unhyped sound that are capable of pulling out the most subtle details of any performance. If you need a pair of mics for little money and are pleased with decent sound, go for the C4's. If you need a pair of mics that will last you the rest of your lives and will thrill you the entire time, go with the Josephsons.

Just my thoughts...

J...

hi, that's all I needed to hear, just wasn't sure as the Josephsons are still fairly inexpensive compared to some other Matched pairs, thanks for your reply


Brad

You know, I read the above post that I just made about these, and I came off sounding a bit harsh towards the C4's. While it's true they aren't in the same league as the Josephsons, they are a good mic. I still suggest that if I were to have to choose between the two of them, I would go Josephson, but there aren't many better values in sound and quality on the market above the C4's. (Oktava MK012 and AKG Blue Line come to mind)

Thanks again!

J...

I too have a pair of the C4's, and I agree Jeremy, they're a cool little mic. Nice, but not earth shattering. They will give you a good sound for the money, but even without hearing them against the Josephson's, I don't think it's worth comparing. (And I'd LIKE to own a pair of Josephsons someday!)

I have A/B'd the C4's against a pair of vintage KMi84's that I own and use for a lot of solo work, etc. and while they are close, the Neuman's still win every time. Smoother, silkier and just a more complete sound overall.

But still, for just under $300, you cannot beat the C4's for a backup or starter pair of mics that come in a cool case and have interchangeable capsules: Omni AND Cardioid.

What are the Josephson's going for these days, btw?

about $899 for matched pair for C42

Originally Posted by brad3e

I have a question for you for the Great River MP-2NV, what application do you mainly use this pre for? Please provide any comments if you can as I am looking at both this and the Avalon AD2022 for my next purchase. I will be using which ever one I go with for Male Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitar. Thanks!

I've got the 2NV (and a pair of C4's!) and use it for lots of things. I run a Brauner Phantom C through it with various male vocals and it sounds fantastic - big, colorful, sits very well in the mix with little or no EQ. I also use with it the C4's on acoustic guitar - again, the results are beautiful. Depending on the guitar and the player, the sound is clear, woody and resonant in a good way. I've also run bass guitar directly into the DI jack and it's gigantic (the bass tone that is). I've used the GR with a variety of mics in front of guitar cabs with great results - SM57's, SP B1's and C1's, and most recently a KEL Audio HM-1 (a very interesting little mic by the way). Recently used the GR to record didgeridoo and native american flute - used the HM-1 on the flute and the Brauner on the didgeridoo. Again, I was thrilled with the results. Also just recorded a guy doing electric violin (think Jean Luc-Ponty style stuff) with the GR. Client was blown away by the results.

You really can't go wrong with the Great River. Wish I had 7 or 8 more of them. A fabulous piece of kit and worth every single penny you pay for it.