Large Diaphragm Condenser Shootout! AT4050, NT2000, AT4033a, Sputnik

Chadfish

Chadfish

Veteran
This is a shootout I did with 4 popular LDC (large diaphragm condenser) mics placed in an array that allowed me to record samples into all 4 mics simultaneously. In the video I play each sample 4 times (one time for each mic), starting with a voice over sample, then a couple measures of each track from a mic check song I use to test new mics. The Key to the mic numbers is at the very end of the video, so don't go there if you want to remain objective. There will be a warning so you can turn it off.


Below you can link to a web page that has the 16bit 44.1k wave of the shootout to check out. You can even download a zip file (141mb) with all the song tracks so you can put them in your NLE so YOU can switch between mics and really hear the differences, which are subtle. You can also listen to the "New Mic" song just for kicks. Also if anyone s interested in doing a REMIX using the song tracks, just set your NLE to 91 beats per minute and go for it. I'd love to hear what you do with it.

http://precisionintermedia.com/chadswebstuff/

The array...
attachment.php
 
Last edited:
From an audio novice's point of view: i think the first mic had the "fullest" sound, and probably gives the most to work with in post. the fourth sounded like there was a little less going on, but to me it sounded the best for voice as it was. that being said, it seemed a little lacking for the guitar and i think the second provided the cleanest sound across all frequencies. I'm still very new to sound and i was listening on decent headphones since my speakers are pretty lousy, so forgive me if my newbishness shows ^.^
 
Hey it doesn't matter if you're experienced or not. You have ears, and you like what you like. The only thing I disagree with you on is the 4th mic on voice. I think the mic is clear sounding too, but it lacks the fullness that I like to have on VO work. But that's just my opinion. There are "experienced" listeners who will disagree with eachother too, so when it comes to the character of mics, it's pretty subjective really. And most differences can be corrected with EQ.

Thanks for participating!
 
Which one would you most prefer for voice or for any other applications that you may use one of these mics for?
 
Interesting Alan My choice would be the opposite:

1. Sputnik
2. NT2000
3. AT4050
4. AT4033a

But I might switch 1 & 2 in that list because through this test I heard some essssss I didn't like in the Sputnik. Hard to tell because I'm usualy up really close, which accentuates the proximity effect, and for this test I was back a bit so all mics were the same distance from the voice. I like the 4033a, but I prefer more body for VO. I used to read bright mics as "more clear" but now I prefer a nice full sounding mid-range to accentuate my baritone voice.
 
LOL! It's complete opposite from your picks.

I specifically picked 1 as 4033a because it accentuates the 8-10k really well, but not as high as the NT2000. I particularly don't like how the Sputnik deals with high-transient responses and has less proximity, thus I picked it as 4. Mics 1-3 sounds darker by the clip, meaning there's a dip around 600-800Hz from 1-2-3. The 2 sounds the most even throughout the entire frequency response, so AT4050.
 
Oh wait. You were guessing which mics were which number? Oops! I thought you were picking your favorites in order of preference.

SPOILER ALERT- Below is the key:




Mic 1: NT2000
Mic 2: Sputnik
Mic 3: AT4050
Mic 4: AT4033a
 
Chadfish said:
Oh wait. You were guessing which mics were which number? Oops! I thought you were picking your favorites in order of preference.
Click to expand...

Heh, how would I pick my favorite if I/we didn't know which mic is which? :) The results are a complete flip-flop from my guess.
 
Next time you do a shootout, let me know. I might be able to arrange (from my day job) for a loaner out of our stock (CV-12, CK7, CV-28, etc.)
 
Hi Chadfish, i'm one of those newbe who follows your contributions in this forum and has become your net student over time, although i have very little knowledge about microphones, but i just wanted to ask you if that microphone arrangement you have in that picture can produce a conclusive experimental result. Aren't the magnetic forces in those mics cut through each others alot?
 
I've never heard of a one mic's magnetic properties affecting another mic. Look at stereo mics. They are two mics really close. And I hope you have more net teachers than me! There are many more experienced people on these forums than I.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top