Just bought an MC740 on a whim, equivalent of 200 quid.

Put it up against a few other LDCs for a quick test - sounds interesting, less hyped than a C414 TLII, smoother top end than a TLM103 - but I have a cold right now - so pretty blocked up.

Any users out there? How do you rate it?

Just curious..................

Bob

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www.bickerton.co.nz

You got that one for a song
It is a great little mike ... smoother (mellower) than a U87 if not as sensitive, and I am still in the comparison process with a 414
I have had one for many years, and bought it second hand for something like £850, so it looks to me like you got a great bargain
I am finding that it somehow suits my voice better than the U87 for some songs
Like all mikes it won't be perfect for everything

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Sam

Quote Bob Bickerton:

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Just bought an MC740 on a whim, equivalent of 200 quid.

Put it up against a few other LDCs for a quick test - sounds interesting, less hyped than a C414 TLII, smoother top end than a TLM103 - but I have a cold right now - so pretty blocked up.

Any users out there? How do you rate it?

Just curious..................

Bob

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They are a nicely voiced and well put together mike and you have done very well at that price.

I have been beaten at the post several times at the £400 mark over here on eBay.

Reg

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Interesting Reg ... quite frankly I wouldn't dream of selling mine for anything like £400

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Sam

Quote whis4ey:

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Interesting Reg ... quite frankly I wouldn't dream of selling mine for anything like £400

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They come around at that price occasionally and I have wanted one for some time.

For example, if I was offered the cash for a new U87Ai, I would personally aim at

1) a Gefell UMT70; or
2) a Beyerdynamic MC740

...and keep the spare cash for "other investments".

Reg

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Interesting you mention the UMT70. I remember trying the cardioid version (MT71?) some years ago and I have the feeling the MC740 may have a similar sound.

Sounds like it'll be a great mic to have onthe stable.

Bob

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www.bickerton.co.nz

Quote Bob Bickerton:

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Interesting you mention the UMT70. I remember trying the cardioid version (MT71?) some years ago and I have the feeling the MC740 may have a similar sound.

Sounds like it'll be a great mic to have onthe stable.

Bob

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I am truly jealous, Bob, you have got yourself a steal there!

Reg

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They're wonderful things.

I've pointed them at pretty much all things brass and a variety of vocal sources and they never seem to disappoint.

I'm in a lucky enough position to be able to borrow one / a couple / a few when I need them.....I think most of the UK second hand ones make their way there

The little bugger (or should I say the gentleman of a certain size) outbids me every time!!!

Reg

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Quote RegressiveRock:

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The little bugger (or should I say the gentleman of a certain size) outbids me every time!!!

Reg

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I just let him......then borrow them mainly just for postage....assuming he isn't using them.

Quote Aural Reject:

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Quote RegressiveRock:

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The little bugger (or should I say the gentleman of a certain size) outbids me every time!!!

Reg

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I just let him......then borrow them mainly just for postage....assuming he isn't using them.

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But I only want one!!!



Reg

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Quote RegressiveRock:

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Quote Aural Reject:

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Quote RegressiveRock:

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The little bugger (or should I say the gentleman of a certain size) outbids me every time!!!

Reg

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I just let him......then borrow them mainly just for postage....assuming he isn't using them.

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But I only want one!!!



Reg

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That's just how it starts......

Do you know if the 840 is anything to write home about?

Reg

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Quote RegressiveRock:

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Do you know if the 840 is anything to write home about?

Reg

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Personally never used one, but I'm led to believe that the magic of the 740 isn't in it....IIRC it was a pretty complete redesign.

Quote Aural Reject:

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Quote RegressiveRock:

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Do you know if the 840 is anything to write home about?

Reg

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Personally never used one, but I'm led to believe that the magic of the 740 isn't in it....IIRC it was a pretty complete redesign.

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That's what I heard.

Guess it is back to competing with the Celt!

Reg

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I offered him a used one a few months back and he said that he thought he had finally accumulated enough of them, so I guess there's a chance for the rest of us on eBay.

The 840 is not as good. The change in shape of the headbasket hasn't done it any favours for a start. The 740 is the one to go for. Very good mics.

J

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www.jackruston.com

I think he bought another two a couple of weeks ago, Jack....

We'll never win!

Maybe he just lulls us into a false sense of security so that we'll become complacent. And then he strikes again.

J

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www.jackruston.com

Just seen this thread from last year and wanted to add my thoughts. I picked up a 740 about a year ago and haven't used it loads, but I have found it quite bright. Not so much a presence boost as a sibilance boost, which has been quite splashy on cymbals and female voices. In fact I used it to record the vocals for the recent jazz band article, so you can hear it here: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan13/articles/session-notes-media.htm

Quote mjfe2:

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Just seen this thread from last year and wanted to add my thoughts. I picked up a 740 about a year ago and haven't used it loads, but I have found it quite bright. Not so much a presence boost as a sibilance boost, which has been quite splashy on cymbals and female voices. In fact I used it to record the vocals for the recent jazz band article, so you can hear it here: <a href="/sos/jan13/articles/session-notes-media.htm" target="_blank">http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan13/articles/session-notes-media.htm& lt;/a>

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Interesting.

I have two now one very early one and one from very near the end of their run. They record guitar very nicely in the fig-8 configuration and I have used a pair in that configuration on a singer-songwriter type. I have also used them on my own male voice. I have yet to unleash them on female voices, I will seek an opportunity to do so.

However, yes, they are much brighter than the Gefell UM70 I mentioned further up this thread. I have not compared the old one to the young one yet. I guess I should have a go.

Reg

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I've used mine exclusively on vocals since I bought it, in fact it's been my preferred choice most of the time. It's somehow more open than the TLM103, a little more HF lift but somehow less strident, so perhaps less presence as you suggest.

So it could be an issue with sibilant vocalists. I quite like it on my own voice, but then I keep coming back to the SM7 for that particular task.

Bob

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www.bickerton.co.nz

I like the 740 a lot, and prefer it to the replacement 840, although thats still a nice mic. Yes the 740 is bright compared to many, a bit like a C414 in that respect. It wouldn't be my first choice for female vocals generally, but works well on male voices usually. Sibilance is usually a mc placement issue rather than a mic selection issue, in my experience.

H

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound