mikevarela Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 Hey guys, finding this forum very helpful. Starting to build a rig to go out and grab FX and AMB. I've got a RODT NT4 for stereo and will purchase a shotgun soon for spot mono fx and DX... but... I'm looking into buying a pencil set with replaceable capsules for cardioid and omni. Idea being cardioid for xy and spaced and omni for larger spacing. I like the NT4 but the AMB is a little busy with the XY pattern. I'd love to space out the mics a few feet, omni would help too. Thinking I could get a workhorse in a mic with two capsules. Thinking RODE or SE for these. any experience with this and how durable are the capsules when switched out. also any sound advice towards this? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Reineke Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 Since Mike is laying low: It depends It's like asking. 'which automobile should I buy'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrd456 Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 What is a pencil mic ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Deakin Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 Long and round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Gilbert Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 With a rubber on the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikevarela Posted April 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 ha. very helpful guys..... Pencil mics are SDC mics usually 5-6 inches in length. often found spot micing drums kits. Great with stereo bars. http://www.seelectronics.com/se5-mic http://www.rode.com/microphones/nt55 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Radlauer Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 I think you answered your own questions with the selection you have listed.. The modified Oktava MK12's are also very popular..And they sound decent as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJBerto Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 I have a pair of the older version Studio Projects C4s. I use them a lot, they're fairly low noise, and nice balanced sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Deakin Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 ha. very helpful guys..... Pencil mics are SDC mics usually 5-6 inches in length. often found spot micing drums kits. Great with stereo bars. http://www.seelectronics.com/se5-mic http://www.rode.com/microphones/nt55 Thanks. Learn something new every day. [emoji1]. Seriously though as long as dirt and dust or moisture does not get in between there really should not be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramallo Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 AKG Blue series Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikevarela Posted April 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 Hmmm, looking at the BLUE series now. Very nice. Any history with these versus the RODE mics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos Maeda Posted April 21, 2015 Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 I have a matched pair of Joly-modified Oktavas with all the caps and am very happy with them. Will eventually buy a pair of his large diaphragm capsules to round out my pseudo bottle-cap system. Heard good things about Busman mics as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Deakin Posted April 21, 2015 Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 MKH8000 series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Reineke Posted April 21, 2015 Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 The Audio-Technica 40 EL series, AT4049 Omni; AT4051 Cardioid and AT4053 Hypercardioid is regarded by most folks as a decent sounding low/mid priced mic. (around $600, additional capsules are around $250) If considering the Oktava 012, read up on the caveats.. handling/wind noise, counterfeits, quality control, dealers, ect. The Bussman mic appears nice, but the sensitivity kind of low, so a quiet preamp would be wanted if recording low SPL sources, same with the Oktava. BTW, how much you looking to spend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted April 21, 2015 Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 Just so you know... If you really like the sound of the NT4, and your main goal is the ability to control mic separation and configuration, a Rode NT5 cardioid uses the same capsule as the NT4 does. It's not my first recommendation, but something to be aware of in your decision making. BTW, there is an aftermarket capsule that can just screw onto the NT5 as a replacement. It is claimed to offer a noticeable improvement. I don't know if the diaphragm placement within the capsule makes it suitable for use with the XY configuration of the NT4. If that replacement is of interest to anyone, let me know and I'll look up the link when I'm at my main computer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramallo Posted April 21, 2015 Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 Hmmm, looking at the BLUE series now. Very nice. Any history with these versus the RODE mics? I had the Rode NT4 and NT5. IMMO the Blue are better microphones, Blue: better sound, no extreme high freq roll off, similar noise level (The AKG have smaller diaphragm), pre polarized capsule (very insensible to humidity), easily changed capsules and strong clamp system, one membrane fig 8, stellar hypercardioid (CK93) (Schoeps for poorman), high pass filter and pad. Very strong and durable, but not the paint NT4 NT5: Cheaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beartrax Posted April 21, 2015 Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 schoeps … they require a budget higher than rode, but most never regret the money spent and they can often be found used … Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solid Goldberger Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 schoeps … they require a budget higher than rode, but most never regret the money spent and they can often be found used … Yeah, I'm shocked that in this of all places that Scheops isn't the first, second, and third reccomendation. E. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Deakin Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Sennheiser, Schoeps,. DPA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantin Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Yeah, I'm shocked that in this of all places that Scheops isn't the first, second, and third reccomendation. That's because the OP was steering in the direction of Rode or SE. To me that seemed like Schoeps, Sennheiser 8000, DPA, etc were out of his budget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 What Constantin said. The OP seemed to make it pretty clear that we were talking about low budget offerings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Reineke Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 "The OP seemed to make it pretty clear that we were talking about low budget offerings" > That's what I assumed. In fact the OP's original post was only one line, "I'm looking into buying a pencil set with replaceable capsules", but was subsequently embellished after my reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Deakin Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Apex microphones make an cheap pencil mic with switchable capsules. I think its a model 180. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Just so you know... If you really like the sound of the NT4, and your main goal is the ability to control mic separation and configuration, a Rode NT5 cardioid uses the same capsule as the NT4 does. It's not my first recommendation, but something to be aware of in your decision making. BTW, there is an aftermarket capsule that can just screw onto the NT5 as a replacement. It is claimed to offer a noticeable improvement. I don't know if the diaphragm placement within the capsule makes it suitable for use with the XY configuration of the NT4. If that replacement is of interest to anyone, let me know and I'll look up the link when I'm at my main computer. I heard back from Michael Jolly (oktavamod.com) (yes, he's the Oktava mod guy) that his replacement capsule for the Rode NT5 does not fit the NT4 X-Y mic, as the new capsule is a bit too wide to fit side-by-side in the fixed positions of an NT4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikevarela Posted April 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Ive tried (at least what I thought) of the Oktava pencils and was not impressed. Lot's of handling noise and distortion from the slightest amount of wind. I'm not interested in replacing my NT4 capsules, the mics fine as is. Actually I really want two OMNIs but if at all possible to grab changable capsules for those then all the better. And yes, top gear is top. But always mentioning the best of the best isn't always the best. "Hey, what's a good car to buy?" A BMW 7 series..... Not really much help when budget doesn't permit. But, the responses here have been great. I've got to see where I might rent a couple of the AKG Blue series here in LA. I'd love to test them Being that I already have the NT4 I might stray from the NT55's for similarity in color. Trying to spend about 1200 and under for two with capsules. I'm a post guy and have those financial concerns too (software, plugins and speakers etc...) Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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