i have a M9.. the mic sounds GREAT simply in my console pres(Tascam m2600) but i've used it with a valley audio 401 and a aphex 207. sounds great so far through any good pre.. so i can bet the rnp or grace 101 is gonan sound great too..

I think Fletcher was right when he told me this mic was a sleeper...so far it's done everything I hoped it would and then some

Don

if you happen to have the stock tube still in it and it sounds good... wait til you change it to a groove tube ecc83.. i did mine over a week ago and it really opend the mic up.. i don't usually have to eq vox now.. when i do its just a slight cut here and there..

it takes about 1-2 minutes to do.. just take the mic apart.. pull out the stock tube, place the new one in it and let it warm up for a little while

Here is a web site for [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.cadmics…"]CAD MICS[/]="http://www.cadmics…"]CAD MICS[/] .

The M9 sure looks nice! What does it cost?

Type:
Side address, true condenser.
Capsule:
1.1" inside diameter, gold sputtered.
Frequency Response:
Capsule: 10Hz - 20 kHz.
Head Amplifier: 4Hz - 200KHz
Polar Pattern:
Cardioid.
Impedance:
Low (200 ohms nominal).
Output Level At 1 kHz.:
Open Circuit Voltage:
-53 dB (0 dB = 1 volt per microbar).
-56 dB (0 dB = 1 volt per microbar).
Dynamic Range:
118.5 dB (Noise floor to max SPL @ less than 0.2% THD).
120 dB (Noise floor to max SPL @ less than 5.0% THD).
Equivalent Noise Level:
15 dB Equivalent SPL, A weighted.
Maximum Output Level:
+8 dBV (@ 140 dB SPL, less than 5.0% THD).
Maximum SPL:
154.5 dB SPL (-16dB pad).
156 dB SPL (-16dB pad).
Total Harmonic Distortion:
Less than 0.2% @ 138.5 dB SPL without pad.
Less than 5.0% @ 140 dB SPL without pad.
Switches:
Hi-Pass: (3dB @ 100Hz.)
Pad: 0dB & -16dB (Non-Capacitive)
Capsule Capacitance:
68 pF.
Powering:
Included MV200 analog power supply.
Connector:
7 pin XLR, on microphone and power supply.
3 pin XLR, audio out from power supply.
Cable:
Professional quality 7 conductor, 30 ft. long. Gold plated connectors.
Finish:
Blue housing, satin nickel plated screen assembly with black accents.

That is one flat frequency response chart! One of the best I have ever seen!

[ November 13, 2003, 05:26 PM: Message edited by: Kurt Foster ]

About $400 street price. Looks nice.

drbam

Originally posted by drbam:
About $400 street price. Looks nice.

drbam

Wowzeer! That's looks like a great mic for the price... I think I'll email the company and see if I can get one to review ... :D

Originally posted by Kurt Foster:
Here is a web site for [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.cadmics…"]CAD MICS[/]="http://www.cadmics…"]CAD MICS[/] .

The M9 sure looks nice! What does it cost?

Type:
Side address, true condenser.
Capsule:
1.1" inside diameter, gold sputtered.
Frequency Response:
Capsule: 10Hz - 20 kHz.
Head Amplifier: 4Hz - 200KHz
Polar Pattern:
Cardioid.
Impedance:
Low (200 ohms nominal).
Output Level At 1 kHz.:
Open Circuit Voltage:
-53 dB (0 dB = 1 volt per microbar).
-56 dB (0 dB = 1 volt per microbar).
Dynamic Range:
118.5 dB (Noise floor to max SPL @ less than 0.2% THD).
120 dB (Noise floor to max SPL @ less than 5.0% THD).
Equivalent Noise Level:
15 dB Equivalent SPL, A weighted.
Maximum Output Level:
+8 dBV (@ 140 dB SPL, less than 5.0% THD).
Maximum SPL:
154.5 dB SPL (-16dB pad).
156 dB SPL (-16dB pad).
Total Harmonic Distortion:
Less than 0.2% @ 138.5 dB SPL without pad.
Less than 5.0% @ 140 dB SPL without pad.
Switches:
Hi-Pass: (3dB @ 100Hz.)
Pad: 0dB & -16dB (Non-Capacitive)
Capsule Capacitance:
68 pF.
Powering:
Included MV200 analog power supply.
Connector:
7 pin XLR, on microphone and power supply.
3 pin XLR, audio out from power supply.
Cable:
Professional quality 7 conductor, 30 ft. long. Gold plated connectors.
Finish:
Blue housing, satin nickel plated screen assembly with black accents.

That is one flat frequency response chart! One of the best I have ever seen!

The M9 is nice. The real star of the CAD line, though, is the VX2.

the VX2 is a nice mic also.. i'm really liking cad's higher end mics..

as for the price.. most ppl have them these days for $399.. some for $525.. but 8thstreet.com has a sale for $299..

i got mine direct from omnitronicsLLC for $278 plus shipping...
for that price, no mic can touch it..

Kurt the mic looks great, built very well also.. the mics a little heavy and with the shock mount it will make an avg mic stand/boom fall over, so be sure you have counter weight or a heavy stand..

if you happen to have the stock tube still in it and it sounds good... wait til you change it to a groove tube ecc83.. i did mine over a week ago and it really opend the mic up.. i don't usually have to eq vox now.. when i do its just a slight cut here and there..

Thanks for the tip

Don

I just recived a response from CAD mics. They are sending out an M9 for me to review.. as soon as I get done with that and return it, I will request a VX 2.
I think CAD has made a breakthrough with the design of these two mics. I was not a fan of their older designs, on paper, or in use ... but these two mics look very good (on paper) and if they live up to thier specs, I am sure they will enjoy wide use. Especially at these prices.

I've also found the VSM (which is I'm guess between the sound of the VX2 and the Equitek series) for about $550 - and that lists at $1,300 - geeez!! I've been interested in these mics for years but not much talk about them.

I will record some samples using these mics and post them so everyone can hear them in action. Pehaps I will get them soon enough to use them to record some of the "Cheeseburgers" project.. We have a sax player coming in soon, that would be a wonderful test..

Sorry I can't post a sample of them with a RNP.. I don't have one here.. I guess I will just have to use my cruddy Amek Neve 9098 .... :D

Kurt,

I'm waiting the samples...
I have a M9 mic and like very very much.
Ok, is not a VX2 but is a great sound...

Can I post a sample too ???

thanx...

Originally posted by Thi_mont:
Kurt,

I'm waiting the samples...
I have a M9 mic and like very very much.
Ok, is not a VX2 but is a great sound...

Can I post a sample too ???

thanx...

Please do! Kurt

Originally posted by Kurt Foster:
I just recived a response from CAD mics. They are sending out an M9 for me to review.. as soon as I get done with that and return it, I will request a VX 2.
I think CAD has made a breakthrough with the design of these two mics. I was not a fan of their older designs, on paper, or in use ... but these two mics look very good (on paper) and if they live up to thier specs, I am sure they will enjoy wide use. Especially at these prices.

Kurt,

Any progress on the CAD M9 evaluation?

Originally posted by sdelsolray:

Originally posted by Kurt Foster:
I just recived a response from CAD mics. They are sending out an M9 for me to review.. as soon as I get done with that and return it, I will request a VX 2.
I think CAD has made a breakthrough with the design of these two mics. I was not a fan of their older designs, on paper, or in use ... but these two mics look very good (on paper) and if they live up to thier specs, I am sure they will enjoy wide use. Especially at these prices.

Kurt,

Any progress on the CAD M9 evaluation? Bump.

It's here ... probably be tracking again early January..

Originally posted by Don Nafe:
Hi All

Was wondering if anyone had any real world experience with this mic/pre combo?

Thanks in advance

Don

I have a pair of M9s and a pair of RNPs . . . what would you like to know? I think you can get away with 'less bright' (that is, not so 'sparkly', not 'not so smart') positioning with them than other tube mics (except for the Groove Tubes ones with the dongle on the diaphragm) . . . I like one on the bout end of acoustic guitar (but on the strings they are too 'tooth grinding', again like the Groove Tubes competition) . . . although CAD doesn't mention modifying the diaphragm, they do claim the power supply intentionally amplifies lower order harmonics (like the Oktava MKL 2500, but without the steep rolloff from 10k on up)

I'd like to know what tube ECC83s are ~ 12AT7s? I have some of those lying around . . .

I sell these mics so I decided to plug one in to check it out. I think the last description was pretty accurate. It's a little more "tubby" sounding which is quite a bit different from your usual pro-sumer Chinese mics with the hyped high-end. I'm curious about the tube switch. Can you describe what changes it made tone wise?

Can you all please post sound samples, I'm VERY intersted in this mic.

I am going to be recording some vocals tonight at my young friends studio, based around 2 KORG D1600's. I will be using both a Studio Projects VTB1 and an older Tascam M5 channel strip for input. I will let you all know my impressions tomorrow ....

Perikoresis,

I'd like to know what tube ECC83s are ~ 12AT7s? I have some of those lying around . . .

ECC83 = 12AX7

Dean

We did some listening comparisons last night of the CAD M9 tube microphone, using a VTB1 mic pre into a KORG D1600. I choose to use this less expensive pre and recording format because I feel the M9 will be most used by people who are using less expensive recording systems and I wanted to see how it performed in that arena.

We compared it to a Studio Projects B1 on vocals and the difference was appearent. The M9 is definatly warmer but to my ear it seems to have as much air as the B1. At first listen I can see how someone might think the M9 didn't have much top end but if you roll off the lows a bit, it becomes more appearent.. it's actually the added lows that lend to the perception that this is a darker sounding mic. It is very warm sounding.

Along with vocals we tried the M9 on overhead on a drum kit and on a stand up bass. I found it to be a bit "woofy" on the double bass but I should add that we didn't really mess around with placment much. However on the drum kit, I was very impressed with the M9s performance. The whole kit sounded very natural and the kick, snare and all other elements of the drum set were very well defined.

I will be doing much more extensiive evaluations soon in preperation for a review but my first impressions are that I like this mic very much ...

Kurt Foster

cool! are you going to try putting a groove tubes ecc83 tube as well as it has been suggested? that would be a killer comparison- maybe even the mic could compete with more "expensive" offerings...

No, the mic is on loan to me from CAD for review so I don't want to change anything. But I will be comparing it to my U87ai through a MP2NV or the 9098 as well as my Sebatron (to see how things sound through two tubes), as well as a Mackie and let you all know how it compares ..

Kurt Foster

What happened to the sound samples?

Sample clips are on the way. They will not be from that session however, they will be comparisons with a U87ai and perhaps a few othe medium and large diaphragms I have around here..

I won't be able to record the samples with the RNP either because I was asked to return it. This is why I encourage manufacturers to allow me to keep the sample pieces for an extended period..... that way I can do ongoing comparisons with new stuff that hits the market. Some are happy to comply and some aren't.

Warning! I have one of these (serial number 46) and the pins that go into the cable to the power supply all got bent and they don't fit together anymore. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the construction, just be careful when pluggin it in and unplugging it. I just noticed this today so i'm going to contact cad and i'll tell you how they respond.

Alright,

I posted on the cad message board and got zero response. So i just took it apart last night and fixed it the best i can. It works now but i still have to work pretty hard to get those connectors to line up right...takes me maybe a minute or two of trial and error.

Oh well, just be careful with those pins!

Please let us know if you do get a response from CAD ....

I can understand how the pins could get bent but on the other hand, a little due caution and not forcing something when it doesn't fit correctly will go a long way towards avoiding this type of thing ... Just be happy that it's a $500 mic and not a tuchel multi pin connector on a $6500 AKG C24 ....

By loosening the screws on the connector shell, you should be able to slide the shell back over the cable exposing the connector, so you can take some needle nose pliers and straighten the pins out ....

Kurt Foster

Bending a wee pin on a tube mic is a bummer :(, though I guess there are worse things that can happen.

I bent a pin on my K2 about the 2nd time I used it - through carelessness, of course. I was unhappy and then felt like an idiot. Everything got straightened out and is fine now.

I have now a clear method and am careful every time I hook the thing up, as the mic is large and heavy, the cradle is large and a bit awkward, and getting everything on to the stand requires a bit of care. I don't hurry.

My heartrate would have increased even more if it had been a $6000 mic! :shock:

so i fixed the pins...

And then tested it and had no problems...had my brother put down some vocals on a bunch of tracks that i had laying around just for the fun of it. Sounded great.

Today i go to set up the M9 and the capsule is just sputtering and giving almost no volume. I hold it up the light and see the capsule is up against the side of the screen!!!

So i finally get it out of there (takes about 15 minutes to figure out the puzzle...not an easy mic to pull apart...but i did it...) and i see there is sticky glue all over the capsule and screen and no glue holding the bottom of the capsule piece in place.

So somehow i guess the tube heat melted it right off (in like 2-3 hours of use the other night!!!!).

Now i'm trying to contact cad about how to clean it and what glue i should use to fix it.

I LOVE how this mic sounds, by the way and hope i can use it again soon. Just wanted to share my experience and if anyone has any tips on how to clean and repair this, please let me know.

Thanks!

Ohh bummer! This is the kind of thing that happens when sophisticated gear (even the inexpensive kind) is put into the hands of people who don't have expierence with that type of equipment.

It's not your fault ... the M9 owners manual does not warn you that the heat from the tube can change the way the mic sounds (best case) or even damage the capsule ... (worst case) . This is why tube mics are usually "hung" upside down, so that the heat from the tube can rise up and away from the capsule.

While we are at it I will add that if you get a ribbon mic, you have to be sure to bag it when it is not being used and when the mic is moved.. Even if it is on a stand and you want to move it just across the room, be sure to put the bag over it so the air movment created by moving the mic does not stretch the ribbon.

Kurt Foster

Yeah, but i've been in tons of expensive studios where people DIDN'T hang their tube mics upside down. And these were long 8 hour sessions and with mics way more expensive than an m9.

But with that being said, i've always hung it upside down until that day because i wanted to try a position i saw in a catalogue (which actually was really flattering to vocals).

Damnit!

Anyone know how to clean this stuff off without damaging the mic?