Mobilemike Posted March 10, 2016 Report Posted March 10, 2016 Hey all, My main shotgun mic for about 4 years has been a trusty Sanken CS3 with the mod to make it a CS3e. Recently I needed another shotgun, so I picked up a second, new Sanken CS3e. I put them up together just for kicks and there is a small but definitely noticeable sound difference between the two. It's subtle but definitely there. The newer one is a little warmer sounding, with a bit more bottom end; the older one is a bit brighter. Interestingly, if I swap the foam windscreens between the two mics I can get them to match quite a bit better. If I put a thicker (cheaper) windscreen on the old one, and a nicer, more open-cell windscreen on the new one, the sound difference is practically negligible. I know this is a subtle thing, and probably a silly question. I also know that I can send the old back to Sanken for a checkup, but I wanted to ask you guys first as quite a few of you probably have experience with these mics, to see if the sound differences are normal or if they are something I should get looked at. Thanks! -Mike Quote
soundtrane Posted March 10, 2016 Report Posted March 10, 2016 buddy, you need a good drink and enjoy your time in NYC... wish i were out there... Quote
Glen Deakin Posted March 10, 2016 Report Posted March 10, 2016 Are you happy with the sound of both mics other than the slightly slightly different sound? If so then enjoy both mics. If it's bugging you that much send back. A good drink sounds good. Quote
Constantin Posted March 10, 2016 Report Posted March 10, 2016 What are they like without any foam? Quote
Mobilemike Posted March 11, 2016 Author Report Posted March 11, 2016 Haha thanks guys! I probably do need a drink... and a nap... but if we can't nerd out about microphones then how else are we going to have fun? 4 hours ago, Constantin said: What are they like without any foam? Without foam they are as described above - the older one is thinner and brighter; the new one is warmer and has a bit more bottom. I've attached sound samples here. Both mics were aligned with capsules as physically close as possible, each going into a channel of a Millennia HV3c preamp into Pro Tools. The new mic had about 3db more gain than the old mic, so I digitally matched the gain in Pro Tools between the two mics. -Mike Sanken CS3e old.wav Sanken CS3e new.wav Quote
NJT Posted March 11, 2016 Report Posted March 11, 2016 A few manufacturers do make small changes to microphones throughout their production. It's quite likely that during the time between your first and second CS3, Sanken decided to give it a slightly flatter response. Quote
Jim Feeley Posted March 11, 2016 Report Posted March 11, 2016 That could surely be, but I'd hope Sanken would document such a change, especially to a piece of professional kit. Maybe the older element aged or got contaminated and less responsive? Mike, the difference is interesting. Maybe contact Plus24, the US distributor (IIRC), give them the serial numbers, ask them what's up? If they don't know off the top of their head, the might be able to get the straight scoop from Sanken. http://plus24.net Quote
greyfoxx Posted March 11, 2016 Report Posted March 11, 2016 Could it be the RFI mod? After a certain point in the serial numbers Sanken changed the wiring to improve RFI. Since yours started life as a CS3 then its possible. Quote
Nick Ray Harris Posted March 13, 2016 Report Posted March 13, 2016 Don't forget the subtle differences between all mics in the same line, which is why when buying stereo pairs it's desirable to get consecutive serial numbers. ive heard mics of the same model that are years apart in manufacture that sound noticeably different. Quote
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