If your question had been "which mic do you prefer the sound of?", I would've chosen the Neumann. But since your question was "which mic sounds more expensive?", I didn't know what to pick. What is an expensive mic supposed to sound like? The Marshall had character, while the Neumann had a cleaner and, by comparison, duller sound (and duller really just means a more flat, even, neutral response). I think the sound of the Marshall would fatigue my ears after a while.
@BobSellers - Sadly, that's not how it seems to work with microphones, as I'm coming to realize. The cost/quality relationship with microphones doesn't appear to follow a linear curve. A budget mic may get you 90 per cent of the way there, but you have to pay through the nose for the remaining 10. I look forward to the day when $100 will get me a mic that sounds good as today's $1000 ones, but we're not there yet (though the CAD M179 sounds pretty darned good for a $140 mic).
I may have spoken too soon. Check out the mics made by KEL Audio. These are mics that are designed and QC'd in Canada but manufactured in China. Prices range from $200-500. Most of these mics are totally clean and smooth and don't make your ears bleed after repeated listenings. I don't know how durable they are, but based on sound alone, I would probably pick a couple of the models over anything from Neumann. (Note: I am not affiliated with the company.)
cheap mics are usualy brighter so people tends to like them better when A/B with a more expensive mic, but listen to the mids ... they're muddier with the 603 and the km184 sounds more natural to me.
I agree, after listening to the recordings several times, I can notice the difference once I "learn" what to listen for, if that makes sense. I do like both mics however.
That was fun Bob, thanks. I had to listen closely - a few times, but finally I picked B - fully expecting that you had switched A & B and i had picked the cheaper mic. Truth is, my decision wasn't by a big margin. Not $720 worth. LOL Maybe YouTube had something to do with that. The sound quality of YouTube is a bit like demoing Niagara Fall through a straw,. But, I really did enjoy it, Thanks again.
Thanks for listening to the tracks and commenting. I too like the MXL for the price factor. If' I'm recording a live band, I feel a lot better about having a 100 dollar mic exposed to possible gig hazards, instead of an 800 dollar heirloom mic. :)
If your question had been "which mic do you prefer the sound of?", I would've chosen the Neumann. But since your question was "which mic sounds more expensive?", I didn't know what to pick. What is an expensive mic supposed to sound like? The Marshall had character, while the Neumann had a cleaner and, by comparison, duller sound (and duller really just means a more flat, even, neutral response). I think the sound of the Marshall would fatigue my ears after a while.
deadbirdsings 1 month ago
@deadbirdsings
An expensive mic should sound 700 dollars better in this case. :)
BobSellers 1 month ago
@BobSellers - Sadly, that's not how it seems to work with microphones, as I'm coming to realize. The cost/quality relationship with microphones doesn't appear to follow a linear curve. A budget mic may get you 90 per cent of the way there, but you have to pay through the nose for the remaining 10. I look forward to the day when $100 will get me a mic that sounds good as today's $1000 ones, but we're not there yet (though the CAD M179 sounds pretty darned good for a $140 mic).
deadbirdsings 1 month ago
I may have spoken too soon. Check out the mics made by KEL Audio. These are mics that are designed and QC'd in Canada but manufactured in China. Prices range from $200-500. Most of these mics are totally clean and smooth and don't make your ears bleed after repeated listenings. I don't know how durable they are, but based on sound alone, I would probably pick a couple of the models over anything from Neumann. (Note: I am not affiliated with the company.)
deadbirdsings 1 month ago
MXL is good, but on audiophile headphones MXL has much less details and mid freq in sound and mic b sounds a lot warmer and naturally.
Otherwise, for the price MXL 603s is a good choice.
TheAmbasadaRecords 2 months ago
Just want I though the price dont justify the minimum "midle freq" diference. I'll by MXL for shure!
cafony 2 months ago
cheap mics are usualy brighter so people tends to like them better when A/B with a more expensive mic, but listen to the mids ... they're muddier with the 603 and the km184 sounds more natural to me.
flyback777 2 months ago
@flyback777
I agree, after listening to the recordings several times, I can notice the difference once I "learn" what to listen for, if that makes sense. I do like both mics however.
BobSellers 2 months ago
mic A is the neumann
blacklead619 2 months ago
@blacklead619
Mic A is the MXL. :)
BobSellers 2 months ago
How did you have this recorded? I know the kids but what setup did you use to record to your computer? Thanks for your response.
walmartisfun 3 months ago
@walmartisfun
I use a tascam portastudio and load wav files into my computer. I use AUDACITY as the DAW and transfer the files via SD card from my tascam.
BobSellers 3 months ago
That was fun Bob, thanks. I had to listen closely - a few times, but finally I picked B - fully expecting that you had switched A & B and i had picked the cheaper mic. Truth is, my decision wasn't by a big margin. Not $720 worth. LOL Maybe YouTube had something to do with that. The sound quality of YouTube is a bit like demoing Niagara Fall through a straw,. But, I really did enjoy it, Thanks again.
smokinalder 3 months ago
@smokinalder
Glad you enjoyed it, I actually did think about which order to reveal the mics in. :) Thanks for listening to the tracks.
BobSellers 3 months ago
@smokinalder
Thanks for listening to the tracks and commenting. I too like the MXL for the price factor. If' I'm recording a live band, I feel a lot better about having a 100 dollar mic exposed to possible gig hazards, instead of an 800 dollar heirloom mic. :)
BobSellers 3 months ago
to be honest, I really liked mic A =D
ariapro7 3 months ago
@ariapro7
I like the MXL mics as well, especially for the price. By the way, the old Matsumoku Aria Pros are some of my favorite guitars. :)
BobSellers 3 months ago
@BobSellers i actually have a zz deluxe with a custom teal to black sunburst paint job. Its nice but I prefer my Silvertone Apocalypse.
ariapro7 3 months ago
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pnila 3 months ago
Comment removed
pnila 3 months ago
Mic B is much better. Sorry if it's the Neumann.
TheIndieMaster 4 months ago
@TheIndieMaster
Don't be sorry, it's a great mic!
BobSellers 3 months ago
I think the MXL is better because I hate NEUMANN because X@kn expensive:-)
TenaciousSki 5 months ago