Mic Shootout - Cheap Condenser vs. Cheap Dynamic on Muted Trumpet

[SweetDan]

So as not to step all over [mention]paulman[/mention]'s new mic thread, I'm putting my (small) contribution to the recording arts here, in the form of a mic shootout. The topic at hand is recording a muted trumpet (Harmon mute, Miles-style!). The set-up was in the family room of the house, about 16x20 feet with 11-foot ceilings, with the normal furnishings of a family room - carpet on the floor, sofa/loveseat combo, blinds on the windows, with no real acoustic treatment. The mic was about 18-24 inches from the bell of the trumpet, pointed more or less straight at it.

The mics used were an Electro-Voice CO9 (dynamic) and a Blue Spark (condensor). The mics were placed as close together as possible to enable capturing the same performance with both. Pre-amps were those on a Tascam 2-channel interface, nothing special, and there were no f/x at record time nor is there any applied to the tracks.

First clip:

trumpet1_spark.mp3

trumpet1_co9.mp3

Second clip:

trumpet2_spark.mp3

trumpet2_co9.mp3

Results: I preferred the sound of the E/V CO9; it sounded fuller in comparison to the Spark. Additionally, the Spark's sound had a somewhat unpleasant, piercing sound in the upper frequencies.

[Greg_L]

I agree. I like the EV better.

[vomitHatSteve]

Spark is definitely brighter

[Lt. Bob]

I preferred the CO9 ....... to me they're one of the great bang-for-the-buck mics.
..... I also have some CO7's which is another cheap EV that performs well.

I'm an EV guy actually ...... a few years ago everyone was blowing out the EV N/D 767's (my preferred live vocal mic) for 50 bucks.

I bought 8 of them!!



I'm miked up thru my death and beyond!