audio technica mics

[Oliver Fuchs]

I read some good things about different audio technica mics in the cafe so I sent an email to their custumer support for advice. Their "technical support manager" plays mandolin himself and he suggested either the "AT 831R" (clip on mic) or the "AE5100" (a great diaphragm condenser, that look like a smal condenser) for live use (medium volume with a hole folk-rock-band).

Does anybody have experiences with one of these mics?

[Ken Sager]

A bandmate uses an AT831 for the violin and clawhammer banjo and I think the mic sounds fantastic. I'm looking at one for my octave mando so I can use it on the tenor banjo, too. They really do sound good for live applications and don't tend to feedback when it gets loud.

By the way, what's an a hole folk-rock-band?



Best,
Ken

[steve V. johnson]

I haven't used the AT 831, but I use AT35xPro clip-ons for fiddles all the time. A clip-on condensor mic is wonderful for acoustic instruments in general, in my experience, provided that you don't need really loud monitors onstage. We're an acoustic trio, so we use the AT35 on TJ Hull's fiddle, I use a large-diaphragm condensor for bouzouki and guitar and Min Gates uses an EV dynamic mic in very close for bodhran and bones. We don't need real loud monitors, so the condensors work fine.

You will need to remember where you are onstage, and you'll learn to remember NOT to hold your mando and it's mic in front of the monitors!!

If you have five or more players with open mics onstage, &/or a drum kit, you'll probably have to use condensor mics very carefully. Clip-ons perhaps less carefully, tho.

The AE 5100 has been very favorably reviewed for acoustic instruments by some very respected audio pros. I haven't used one, but I've looked at specs and prices and it looks like a very nice mic.

To some extent, the choice has to do with how much you want to move around the stage.

I, too, wondered about "...with a hole folk-rock-band." ???? <G>

stv

[Pete Martin]

I've played in a couple of folk rock bands that had some A holes

[Ken Sager]

Every band I've played in had at least one...

[Oliver Fuchs]

sorry, just forgot the "w". I meant a "whole band" with drums, guitars, electric bass and vocals (so I have to expect feedback problems). So maybe the 831 is here more suitable then the AE5100?

Tonight I used the pro37 for my eastman 515. We played at very low volume. It worked, but has a tendency to high frequency feedback. But I think it makes a great mic for recording mandoline and acoustic guitar at home (very nice clear and punchy sound; though maybe not the "warmest" sounding mic...).

[steve V. johnson]

I had a guy put a -pair- of Pro37s on my bouzouki on a festival stage once... Not something I would have done, but he was happy with it. They are quite inexpensive. I haven't seen the frequency response plot for them, but I'd expect them to be bright, but from that one time, I think that, with some messing with their placement, they might be good onstage mics.

I had to move back from them and had to be very careful about how the face of the instrument was pointed, relative to the Pro37.

stv