Kurt Foster has some pretty good gear comparisons on his [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.nowherer…"]Nowhere Radio site[/]="http://www.nowherer…"]Nowhere Radio site[/]. Listen to the RNP comparisons.

Also, there's The Listening Sessions, and excellent resource for listening to gear.

The C1, like many Chinese mics, can be pretty bright. People continue to compare it to the U87 which is pretty much like comparing apples to Stroganoff.

The C1 can do wonders on some sources but can sound horrible on others. This is so for almost any mic or piece of gear. The U87 is a much smoother sound with less hi freq boost but costs about 5 times as much.

You might try a tube pre like a Sebatron or "The Brick" to warm things up a bit but I think you really are looking for something a bit warmer in the mic department. I recommend the KEL HM-1 mic, which sells for $99 shipping included. I think they are back ordered currently but I would still go ahead and order one or two before they "raise the parking rates".

In my use of the HM-1, I was very surprised how similar to a U87 it sounded on one particular male vocal part I recorded... not exactly like the U87 but close enough I would have a hard time telling you which was which in a blind test. Kel offers a 21 day return no questions asked policy on the HM-1 so it's hard to get burned. If ya' don't like it, send it back!

hi kurt ---isn't it true that most people EQ the u-87 bumping up the highend???I heard this is done alot....The C1 is kinda setup that way already...Yea i think your right about running it thru some tubes can round it out nicely....dont you think Two mics should be compared without EQ.or maybe with EQ..cause with EQ you can really change a mic
I'm not sure what my point is .... :evil:

THX ALOT !!!

This was exactly what I was looking for.

Is it normal that I only hear sound differences and little quality differences?

And another little question:What are your opinions on a Giraffe 9 Pre-amp?
What would you say about sending a Studio Projects C1 through a Giraffe 9 ? (in general, I know it depends on style)

what is a Giraffe 9

I have never heard a Giraffe 9. I would correct you on that spelling of the name but I don't want to make a link on Google to Jakobs company. While he's a very sharp guy, we don't have a very warm or fuzzy feeling about him because of the way he acted when he hung here with the now defunct DIY group. He and a few of his cohorts really screwed a good guy (Kev), basically stealing the forum out from under him when they created an insurrection. I don't do business with those kinds of folks and I don't recommend their products.

I am not sure what you meant when you said "I only hear sound differences and little quality differences".....

mikE@THECAVE wrote: isn't it true that most people EQ the u-87 bumping up the highend???

I don't, especially with vocals or acoustic guitars. The U87 is plenty bright. Just look at the frequency response plot that comes with each one. I actually find the mids to be just a bit anemic with the U87.... the solution I have found that works best for me, is to run the U87 through a Sebatron vmp pre. The way the U87 loads the vmp is a perfect complement. I think the Universe intended the U87 and the vmp for each other. The fist time I heard my U87 through the vmp, I said to myself, "Self, this U87 finally sounds like it looks!"

i see maybe it was the older model of the u-87 that they use to tweek.Sound like a great match with the sebamp....

[quote=Kurt Foster]I have never heard a Giraffe 9. I would correct you on that spelling of the name but I don't want to make a link on Google to Jakobs company. While he's a very sharp guy, we don't have a very warm or fuzzy feeling about him because of the way he acted when he hung here with the now defunct DIY group. He and a few of his cohorts really screwed a good guy (Kev), basically stealing the forum out from under him when they created an insurrection. I don't do business with those kinds of folks and I don't recommend their products.

Well my dad is building one so don't have to worry :P

And about the quality: I mean , I hear perfectly good results with cheap gear and sometimes worse results with expensive gear.
So my conclusion is that I'm going to stay low budget.
My Intention is to create a recording that is equivalent to the quality of a professional recording.
Downsampled on 128 kbs MP3 that is :P
Is that impossible, or worth the try?

Anythings possible .... hell monkeys might fly out of my but for that matter. Doesn't mean it's gonna happen.

How is your Dad building one? I looked at the site and it said details for that pre are yet to be announced. I couldn't even learn what design it is a knock off of..

C1 samples with guitar

In case you are interested, I recorded this sample for anyone interested to hear the C1 through an Avalon AD2022:

[[url=http://[/URL]="http://members.cox…"]Studio Projects C1[/]="http://members.cox…"]Studio Projects C1[/]

Hope this helps a little.

wow sounds real nice thru that pre
are you happy with that sound Rick?

Ummm... My dog vomiting into a 55 gallon drum would sound great through an Avalon... Regardless of mic!

I guess this helps settle the "money well spent for a mic or preamp" debate!

:P

yea a good pre can put that C1 over the top :lol:

roguescout wrote: Ummm... My dog vomiting into a 55 gallon drum would sound great through an Avalon... Regardless of mic!

:P

The analogy is great. My imagination provided some unsavory visuals to compliment it, but thanks for the laugh.

keep your dog to yourself :D

NO DOG DISS'N ALLOWED.............period.

I used a fairly matched pair of U87's for years and the highs were just fine thank you very much. I did find a need to roll off the bottom when used as overheads. And roll off when used as the primary mic on several acoustic tracks....but boosting the highs???? That could be dangerous. There is a decided difference in the older models as compared to the newest. The best 87 I ever heard was one a friend brought over to the studio . His dad had brought it over from being stationed in Germany in the 60's. It operated on BATTERIES if needed as well as an external power supply like a 67. No english words anywhere on it or the manual. Thing sounded like God Shouting. You could definately mic the ants farting.

My friend larry has 2 of those with the batteries. They do sound like God shouting. sensational mics.