Mic recommendations - figure 8

[jklotz]

I'm looking for a mic that will do a figure 8 pattern so I can experiment with some m/s recording. I've already got a pair of KM 184's, so I'll use one of those for the mid. Any recommendations? I was thinking it might be nice to have a ribbon mic for this, but I'm open to suggestions. It would be nice if I could find something in the $600-$800 range, but I could go higher if it was something I'd get a lot of use from. Any suggestions? Which ones have you guys used that have worked well for this application?

[ronmac]

I highly recommend the Rode NTR active ribbon mic for this application, for the following reasons:

- It fits your budget
- It is active, so does not require a low-noise, high-gain preamp (will work well with any modern preamp or interface with phantom power)
- It has a symmetrical pickup on front and rear lobes (this is important to insure good stereo imaging as part of a M/S pair)
- It sounds great!
- It has a 10 year guarantee, with one free ribbon replacement, if required

A few things to note:

- It is a heavy mic! Weighing 2.3 lbs, you are going to need to use a sturdy mic stand, possibly needing to add counter weights on a boom
- It is fairly rugged, but you will need to consider that all ribbon mics need to be handled carefully

[min7b5]

I didn’t research prices before typing this, but my first thought was a used AKG 414 or Austrian Audio 818. Many people seem to think the Sennheiser MKH-30 is one the very best figure eight mics out there, and very low profile for videos… But it’s figure eight only, and I suspect even used it might be above your biggest.

I did a lot of playing around with a ribbon (Royer 121, 122, R10) as the mid mic for a while, then I think when I started going back-and-forth with the 414 ultimately I really preferred a brighter mic for the sides. I’ll also add anecdotally that I live in 100-year-old house that needs to be rewired, and ribbons are prone to picking up interference so I battled some noise issues.

[KevWind]

Looking at Ribbons will depend on your preamp gain
That said the AEA N 22 ( $ 999 ) is an Active ribbon (with phantom power helps on gain )
Although it will still use a fair amount of preamp gain. ( I have 60 db on my Avid Carbon and I use almost all of it, if I am 12 or more inches away) Note I use a spaced pair so have not tried M/S

[ronmac]

Originally Posted by min7b5

..... Many people seem to think the Sennheiser MKH-30 is one the very best figure eight mics out there, and very low profile for videos… But it’s figure eight only, and I suspect even used it might be above your biggest.
.

I also own a MKH30 and use it with an MKH40 as the mid mic for location sound gigs, sound effects and wildlife/ambiance recordings. It is a great mic, but double the OP's stated budget (used). It is also one of the few Fig. 8 mics that has a truly symmetrical pickup, front and rear.

[Doug Young]

You might take a look at the AT4050. I haven't tried it specifically, but I use the AT4050ST, which is a stereo version in fixed MS, on many of my you tube videos. The 4050 is a 3-pattern mic, so you could use it in multiple ways, and presumably as a side mic would be similar to the side portion of my 4050st.

[min7b5]

Originally Posted by ronmac

I also own a MKH30... a great mic, but double the OP's stated budget (used). It is also one of the few Fig. 8 mics that has a truly symmetrical pickup, front and rear.

You're right of course, I should have looked at prices before commenting earlier. But he did say up to 800. They're 1249 new at B&H, and I saw one over the holidays on eBay for a little over 900 that I almost grabbed.. So I wasn't that far off

Originally Posted by Doug Young

You might take a look at the AT4050..

Nice. I always forget about that one. The 4050 is very under-rated. My friend has an impressive locker at his studio but he seemingly always ends up grabbing a 4050. I've read of others saying the same thing on GearSpace.. We recorded my first two records with 4050's.

[ronmac]

Originally Posted by min7b5

You're right of course, I should have looked at prices before commenting earlier. But he did say up to 800. They're 1249 new at B&H, and I saw one over the holidays on eBay for a little over 900 that I almost grabbed.. So I wasn't that far off

That was a price that I would have jumped on (considering it was in great condition) as they are so hard to find used. People that purchase them seem to keep them forever, for good reason.

[jklotz]

Just doing a little deep diving on the intertube, the Audio-Technica AT4081 seems to get pretty good reviews and is within my budget. Anybody try one of those? I'd like to try a ribbon mic.