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

C-42 vs. C-4

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

Re: C-42 vs. C-4

brad3e wrote:
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.

A quick question on the Josephson C42's (for drum overhead applications). Does anyone have issues overloading the standard C42 with loud Rock drummers? I see they make a "C42H" that has a built-in Pad for high SPL sources, but the pad is not defeatable :( (and you raise your equivalent noise almost 20dB on quieter applications). I also don't see the C42H avalible in matched pairs? Is that correct? Should I worry about overloading the standard C42 with a hard Rock drummer and standard "Spaced pair" overhead techniques?

Thanks for any info, as I am heavily eying these mics, and will likely buy a pair soon...

:cool:

I'm going to up this because I'm curious about the same thing.

Also, do you think these Josephson's will go up in price anytime soon?

Unless you have plans to record shuttle launches and shotguns, I would skip the high SPL version. Especially if you plan on recording acoustics with them at all (which sounds really really nice). I used the standard spaced pair setup with my matched pair this past weekend with a pretty loud drummer and they sounded great. Unless you have really crazy mic placement technique, I don't think you'll overload them.

What overheads are you looking to replace?

Thanks for the info, Reggie! I guess as long as we are not tight-micing a snare, we are fine with the standard C42...

I am currently expanding/replacing most of my "semi-pro" mics. Currently for Overheads, I either use Groove Tubes GT-44's (Tube 3/4" Condensor) which are smooth - but a hair dark, or AKG C2000B's - which are bright, but harsh. I really like the GT-44's, but my bands' styles lend themselves to that "sheen" on the cymbals, and I have to add that "sheen" in the digital realm with the GT-44's. With the C42's, I am hoping on less EQ and processing to get my desired sound. Now, I just need a room worthy of recording in :( .

:cool:

Cool; Kinda glad I didn't get the GT44's now. I had looked into those, too. One of the main deciding factors was that I wasn't sure my crappy mic stands would hold their weight without slipping down after an hour or two. How pathetic is that!?
I think you would like the C42s for a brighter sound, but I think the mojopie guy doesn't like them so much for snare mic as well. But they weren't really meant as a snare mic probably. If you are wanting the brightest, I think AKG C451's are about as bright as it gets.

Rooms are tough. My vault ceiling living room does OK with a bit of treatment. But I have to make it a little more dead than I would like, and then put a touch of reverb on later.

Have you thought of the Avenson ST0's 500 bucks a pair, supposed to be able to hang with Earthworks. Check it. THey are omni not card by the way.

Thanks J3, I'll check them out. My rooms are crappy, so I'm leaning towards Cardioid (or the C414 Multipatterns). I may just bite the bullet, and do C414's. I know the C42 and C414 are quite different monsters (and different $$$), but the C414 can perform on Overheads and ANYTHING else :). I'm still figuring out my long-term mic locker goals, and my current budget. I'm sure I'll have a room worthy of omni's ONE day (When, is the question).

Reggie - I do like the GT44's - they are just not "bright". The Drum Tracks I just laid with the GT44's are growng on me more everyday. For $400 a pair with shockmounts - they are STILL a no-brainer IMO :D .

:cool: