Long story short... I had a pair of NT5s, I now don't, so need to replace them.

I was never overly blown away by the NT5s. Slightly harsh. Wasn't even particularly blown away by our old KM184s. I was looking at alternatives a year or so ago and the beyer 930s seemed to get a great name. Maybe being a little less bright as the NT5s?

There were also another pair of 'smooth' SDCs mentioned in a similar bracket to the beyers but I can't for the life of me think what they were??? Something is telling me gefell?

Basically I'm looking for a nice smooth SDC with some bottom. Low cuts and pads are handy but I wouldn't say essential. Not over sound anyway. Wouldn't mind going vintage/second hand either.

Cheers all.

Studio name soon to be changed to - 'the money pit'

--------------------
http://www.loverslanestudios.co.uk

That's probably the Geffel M300s. Check out Hugh's review. Not familiar with the Beyers, but the M300s would be a step up from NT5s, both quality and price wise. They still have a HF lift but would not sound as hard as the NT5s.

What's the application?

Bob

--------------------
www.bickerton.co.nz

Cheers Bob!

Ac Guitar, Overheads, Hi Hats, Ensembles etc etc... The usual, really.

One thing that does set the NT5s apart from both the Gefell and Beyers, is the inclusion of interchangeable capsules. Shame really as the Omni caps were always something I was looking to go for in the future, if I still had the NT5s.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be up any kind of creek if I had to settle for another pair of NT5s, perfectly nice mics and I'd get some change back, even from some 55s. But I just have the niggling feeling I should look into something a little more special if I'm being forced to make another purchase.

--------------------
http://www.loverslanestudios.co.uk

Hahahaha!

Just realized the Gefells WERE in the same ballpark as the beyers... For a single! ... So back to the Beyers.

To be honest £600 - £700 is wild dreams domain but a possibility after a few months. Anything over that isn't worth looking at for now.

Proper Doh! Moment!

--------------------
http://www.loverslanestudios.co.uk

Used 451's?

J

--------------------
www.jackruston.com

Quote Jack Ruston:

---

Used 451's?

J

---

Very good idea! Although, surprisingly, I've never used them. Been used on me, drum OHs, but I couldn't comment on the sound as I've no idea what the signal chain was.

How would you class the sound of the 451s? Off to 'mic data' now for some specs.

--------------------
http://www.loverslanestudios.co.uk

Quote Persuazion:

---

Cheers Bob!

Ac Guitar, Overheads, Hi Hats, Ensembles etc etc... The usual, really.

One thing that does set the NT5s apart from both the Gefell and Beyers, is the inclusion of interchangeable capsules. Shame really as the Omni caps were always something I was looking to go for in the future, if I still had the NT5s.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be up any kind of creek if I had to settle for another pair of NT5s, perfectly nice mics and I'd get some change back, even from some 55s. But I just have the niggling feeling I should look into something a little more special if I'm being forced to make another purchase.

---

That's a tough one as the omni capsules are really nice and you may end up using them more than you think!

Bob

--------------------
www.bickerton.co.nz

I was gonna mention 451s as well. I'm thinking of divorcing the missus and marrying mine...

--------------------
"We knocked on the doors of Hell's darker chambers..." But no-one answered, so we went to the pub instead.

Even if I had 451s (and they're also on my shopping list, waiting for the right price!) I'd still want NT55s. As Bob says, the omni caps are fabulous and I've never found the cardioids wanting for drum metalwork, my lovely KM184s having relegated them to hat/ride duties.

For acoustic guitar the NT55 omnis hit the mark many, many times.

--------------------
An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.

Haven't used 451s much, but seem to remember they're fairly bright, which may not be what you're looking for. The 930s on the other hand look like they might have a flatter top end.

Bob

--------------------
www.bickerton.co.nz

Yes I think a flatter top is definitely what I'm after. Bearing in mind, Elf, it was me that sold you those ovely KM184s! So I'm clearly having problems with the sound of the NT5s and 184s, which i'd say is mainly down to the hyped top.

Hmmm.... Still very keen to get a shot at these NT5 Omnis, mind!

--------------------
http://www.loverslanestudios.co.uk

Quote Persuazion:

---

Bearing in mind, Elf, it was me that sold you those lovely KM184s!

---

I remain grateful for that my old chum!

Quote Persuazion:

---

Hmmm.... Still very keen to get a shot at these NT5 Omnis, mind!

---

Those NT55 omnis get as many outings on acoustic guitar as the KM184s and receive a lot of admiring comments from clients - to the point where some of them insist on me using them even when I know it's really not appropriate and have to try to explain!

If you want to PM me I'll try to rustle up an example of the NT55 omni for you to hear.

--------------------
An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.

I have a pair of Chameleon Labs TS-1 and love them.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep09/articles/chameleonlabsts1.htm

Quote Bob Bickerton:

---

Haven't used 451s much, but seem to remember they're fairly bright, which may not be what you're looking for. The 930s on the other hand look like they might have a flatter top end.

Bob

---

The 451s are quite bright.

The 930s are much classier.

Reg

--------------------
Google less; read more!

Quote RegressiveRock:

---

Quote Bob Bickerton:

---

Haven't used 451s much, but seem to remember they're fairly bright, which may not be what you're looking for. The 930s on the other hand look like they might have a flatter top end.

Bob

---

The 451s are quite bright.

The 930s are much classier.

Reg

---

Thanks Reg. Can you compare the classyness of the 930s to the NT5s?

And thanks Elf! Some clips would be great if you get the time! Say hi to mi 184s

--------------------
http://www.loverslanestudios.co.uk

I have NT55s so I have the omni option and I also have Oktava 012s with cardioid, Hypercardioid and omni caps. I veer alarmingly from the Rodes to the Oktavas and back right now because (I think) my ears have been a bit out of sorts over the last few months. I get good results with one or the other but I ought to point out that I use omnis most, for classical AB recordings. I've used the Oktavas in a Decca tree with DPAs as outriggers, and they weren't embarrassingly outclassed.

Quote Persuazion:

---

Quote RegressiveRock:

---

Quote Bob Bickerton:

---

Haven't used 451s much, but seem to remember they're fairly bright, which may not be what you're looking for. The 930s on the other hand look like they might have a flatter top end.

Bob

---

The 451s are quite bright.

The 930s are much classier.

Reg

---

Thanks Reg. Can you compare the classyness of the 930s to the NT5s?

And thanks Elf! Some clips would be great if you get the time! Say hi to mi 184s

---

The MC930 is another nicely tamed mike, shooting in the same in the same design territory as the Gefell M300, but not quite so controlled at the top end. I'd class it as a good alternative to the KM184 with the same levels of clarity and off axis rejection.

They are a step up from the NT5 with cardoid cap, but as with all these things, after a certain level these things are incremental. You might not notice a huge diference when using the MC930 as an overhead for example because the signals will be loud, but recording a quiet steel-string guitar, the attention to frequency response will shine through. Also, (and this last bit made souns a little counterintuitive), I find the less bright a mike is (when rejection and clarity are good) the better my personal impression of stereo imaging is in XY.

Reg

--------------------
Google less; read more!