Fuchs ODS 50 - bedroom volume - different mics tested

[Deaj]

I had an opportunity to test four different mics for low volume recording this evening and I was wondering if you guys could give me some feedback.

I used the same guitar (PRS CE24 w/ Seth Lover PU's) through the same amp (Fuchs ODS 50 SLX 1x12 combo w/ Emi Wizard) and the same settings (bridge pickup at full volume & tone / jazz setting, deep swith and mid boost on, OD gain set to 3 o'clock, master low enough to not disturb sleeping family, all other controls at 12 o'clock).

I recorded about 1 minute each with four different microphones (AKG C1000-S small diaphragm condenser, CAD M39 large diaphragm condenser, CAD KBM-412 dynamic kick drum mic, & Shure SM57 dynamic instrument mic) each placed in exactly the same position (positioned just outside the edge of the dust cap, perpendicular to and right up against the grill cloth). The audio interface is the Lexicon Omega USB and recording was done with Sonar3 on my laptop.

I didn't tune my guitar before hand - hope it doesn't offend the ear. :)

If you have a moment please give a listen and post your thoughts.

CAD KBM-412 dynamic kick drum mic (http://home.centurytel.net/flanneldrawers/mic1.mp3)
AKG C1000-S small diaphragm condenser mic (http://home.centurytel.net/flanneldrawers/mic2.mp3)
CAD M39 large diaphragm condenser mic (http://home.centurytel.net/flanneldrawers/mic3.mp3)
Shure SM57 dynamic instrument mic (http://home.centurytel.net/flanneldrawers/mic4.mp3)

Thanks! :)

[scottl]

Thanks Dennis! Amp sounds great as does your playing!

These clips really illustrate why I need a new mic... I think the SM57 may have been my least fave!

Scott

[hendrix2430]

I like the top 2 best, the second seems to be a nice mix between the CADs.

[t0neg0d]

I am really diggin' the C1000-S.

The kick drum mic was suprising... would have never guessed that as the mic.

57 was my least fav... and I agree with Chris on the other CAD... cool but a bit of a funky mid curve.

Damn... I love your playing!

[Woodyworld]

Great to hear all these mic's thanks for posting. Nice playing too.

I liked the C1000 and M39 clips. Strange with the 57 - I'm a little suprised as I really did not like it compared to the others.

I've always got my best tones wth the 57.......eye opener. :rolleyes:

[memphisrain]

STOP IT, STOP IT, STOP IT!!!!



I'm G.A.S.ing so hard to get my Fuchs mod done. I just bought the amp this weekend for the mod (bassman 50) and now I just have to get up the scratch for the mod.

Anyone wanna buy a Sandrail?


mR

Nice clip by the way, only one worked for me though (the second)



Also, Scott, I sent you a PM the other day, did it go through? I had a couple of questions about the production Fuchs vs the Mods.

[Marcello]

for me the 1000 hands down.

I don't think the SM57 is bad, very decent.

[scottl]

PM sent!

Originally posted by memphisrain
STOP IT, STOP IT, STOP IT!!!!



I'm G.A.S.ing so hard to get my Fuchs mod done. I just bought the amp this weekend for the mod (bassman 50) and now I just have to get up the scratch for the mod.

Anyone wanna buy a Sandrail?


mR

Nice clip by the way, only one worked for me though (the second)



Also, Scott, I sent you a PM the other day, did it go through? I had a couple of questions about the production Fuchs vs the Mods.

[Deaj]

Originally posted by memphisrain
Nice clip by the way, only one worked for me though (the second)

Hello and thanks!

I was messing with the files on the server. They should work now :)

Keep us posted on the Fuchs mod!

[Deaj]

Thanks for all of the great feedback everyone!

I'm really pleased with the resulting tone from each mic.

The CAD M39 is thick and warm. The CAD KBM-412 has some attitude. The AKG C1000-S is smoother than I expected. The SM57 surprised me again - not my favorite but useful.

I think I would use any of them. Haven't picked a favorite yet though :)

[journo]

Originally posted by scottl
These clips really illustrate why I need a new mic...
Scott

... and I also oviously need a new amp.

Cheers,

Mats N

[gulliver]

I have a C1000, great for a lot of things including this recording, but don't buy one thinking you're going to use it for recording vocals ... a bit nasal IMHO with low output compared to the large diaphram mics. The C3000 has the higher output, but to me (and my output matched A/B recording) the general sound is much the same.

I like the CADs best, but the C1000 may sound better in a tightly mixed recording as it controls the low end.

[Deaj]

Originally posted by cpokay
Great playing, Deaj! I enjoyed your tracks, nice feel on all of them!

To my ears:

The CAD kick drum mic seems very transparent, makes a nice recording.

The C-1000 has a nice vintage vibe, with nice sparkle.

The CAD large diaphragm lends the most coloration (very mid-dy), but in a good sense, and in the most vintage-sounding way, and it communicates the most detail of the four, I think.

The SM-57 has its own distinct coloration, but holds up well in comparison to the others, and also makes a nice recording.

My favorite? A toss up between the C1000 and the large diaphragm.

Nice tracks, dood.

Thanks man!

I'm really diggin' the top end as recorded with the C1000-S.

[Deaj]

Originally posted by gulliver
I have a C1000, great for a lot of things including this recording, but don't buy one thinking you're going to use it for recording vocals ... a bit nasal IMHO with low output compared to the large diaphram mics. The C3000 has the higher output, but to me (and my output matched A/B recording) the general sound is much the same.

I like the CADs best, but the C1000 may sound better in a tightly mixed recording as it controls the low end.

The C1000-S is a bit of a surprise for me. I've read so many negative comments that my expectations were pretty low. My brother has been using the C1000-S to record his amp for quite a while now and with good results but his recording cab and that mic are part of a particular sound (great tone but definitely different than my sound) and I thought that alot of the character was the mic. We recorded my amp with his C1000-S not long ago and I was very pleased with the result so I picked up a used one cheap. Glad I did! I expect I'll find more uses for it as time goes by.

The CAD M39 makes a pretty nice vocal mic. I've tested it with my own voice and I like what I hear so far.

[Fretmaster]

Definitely the C1000 to my ears. But damn man... did you REALLY get those tones at bedroom volume?! If that's true there's one of dese in my future!:eek:

[Deaj]

Originally posted by Fretmaster
Definitely the C1000 to my ears. But damn man... did you REALLY get those tones at bedroom volume?! If that's true there's one of dese in my future!:eek:

Yes I did. These were actually recorded at around 1:00am and no ones sleep was disturbed. Pretty wild!

[Fretmaster]

Originally posted by Deaj
Yes I did. These were actually recorded at around 1:00am and no ones sleep was disturbed. Pretty wild!


Hot dang!! Put an ODS50 at the top of my Jones list!!:)

[TheTrowerFreak]

The 57 was my least favorite. No surprise there, I've never liked them.

Liked the CAD M39 best. Nice and warm.

TTF

[Deaj]

Originally posted by TheTrowerFreak
The 57 was my least favorite. No surprise there, I've never liked them.

Liked the CAD M39 best. Nice and warm.

TTF


I really like the CAD M39 as well. Performs well as a vocal mic too!