FWIW: CM3 vs m179

[wbajzek]

I'm currently borrowing Anton's Line Audio CM3s, to decide if I want to buy them. I am going to borrow another set of mics I want to try out to compare, but in the meantime, I have made a comparison with my CAD m179.

Each of these files is one of those two mics, simultaneously recorded and level-matched with a test-tone (generated with my metronome, at the 12th fret of the guitar) to less than 0.1dB. They diaphragms are less than an inch apart, at arm's length, pointing at the 12th fret of my guitar. The CAD was set to wide cardioid, like the Line.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/597433/mic3.wav
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/597433/mic4.wav

I apologize that there's a little bit of clipping in some spots; that was user error (preamp set a little too hot) and not the fault of the mics.

See what you think.

[rick-slo]

Mic4 is better sounding of the two clips - fuller bodied sound.

[sdelsolray]

I prefer the mic4 recording's midrange.

[anton]

I think whichever one is the Line Audio CM3 sounds the best.

[wbajzek]

Originally Posted by anton

I think whichever one is the Line Audio CM3 sounds the best.

I think both mics sound good and similar at this distance. I don't seem to be able to use the CAD much closer than this without my 3rd string overwhelming its diaphragm, or something. The CM3 does much better up close.

[moon]

I'd pick mic 4 too.

[Fran Guidry]

I can't tell them apart in a double blind ABX.

Fran

[wbajzek]

Originally Posted by Fran Guidry

I can't tell them apart in a double blind ABX.

Fran

I haven't done the ABX yet (left for a road trip soon after posting that). I know which mic clipped more than the other, so that's a bit unfair, but I will try it with sections without clipping and I suspect I won't be able to tell the difference either. I know the CAD had a bit of a treble boost but that may not be apparent with a classical guitar.

The main thing it tells me is that even if I buy the CM3s (probably will) I should hold on to the CADs. I have not had much success using them to mic the guitar closely, but someday if I have a better room to work with, I may appreciate having low-noise omnis.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by wbajzek

...See what you think.

HI wba...

I think that had I been listening to either recording for fun, I'd not have even entertained the thought that a different mic would have been better…

[wbajzek]

I finally ABX'd them. I got 100% on the first try, but after that couldn't do better than 80%. I only hear a difference in the very high frequencies and it is slight. At that distance, they behave almost indistinguishably, except for the CAD's lower noise floor.