Microphones comparison

Date: 4/4/10
Duration: 3 hours

Recently I have experimented using different microphones for different jobs with mixed results. I have used certain microphones such as dynamic mics where I would normally reach for a condenser (hi-hat miking etc). I wanted to test the microphones to build a profile of the actual microphone and its characteristics.
I also compared the difference between similar microphones from different brands. I mostly compared more established brand (ie AKG and Shure) against a less known and smaller brand of microphone manufacturer (Red 5 Audio) to compare results.

Comparison of brands

I began the comparison between Large diaphragm condenser microphones. Between the AKG C214 and the Red 5 RV8

I used the two microphones to record acoustic guitar using identical settings on the Focusrite Twin Track Pro, recorded them separately making sure the positioning of the mic relative to the guitar is close as possible.

Here is the first recording (AKG C214):

And here is the Red 5 RV8:

And here is the tracks inside Logic 8:

As you can seen from the picture above, the AKG is more sensitive to sound pressure and is picking up more signal than the Red 5 mic.
Listening test between the two confirms the difference in levels. Another key difference between the two mics is the Red 5 mic is slightly bass light. The AKG has more bass response and is generally more balanced between the two. But Red 5 RV8 been priced at less than half price that of the AKG C214, considering that the performance is pretty good.

Experience in the past has shown the RV8 is also slightly less sensitive to high frequencies (cymbals etc) and tends to subdue the upper frequencies. I have found it to be an excellent ambient mic for drums and other instruments, I also use it to mike up guitar cabs time to time.
But the overall winner is the C214 with its balanced sound and natural response. It has extended bass response, clear mids and excellent high frequency response.

Kick mic comparison

Next I compared two kick drum mics, the AKG D112 and the Red 5 RVD1. Same settings, same positioning was used in recording the samples. Both mics were placed just inside the bass drum facing where the beater struck the batter head.

Here is the AKG D112:

Here is the Red 5 RVD1:

And here are the two tracks next to each other in Logic 8:

Visually it is immediately obvious that the AKG D112 is more sensitive than the DVR1 mic.
Listening test between the two mics is harder to classify than the previous recordings. The D112 has fuller sound but the RVD1 seems to have a more focus sound. The RVD1 seems slightly lacking in the lower bass frequencies but tighter upper bass frequencies. The D112 has good low end but seems the sound is less focused and not as defined as the other mic.
The implementation of these mics will depend on the type of kick drum sound I want to achieve. If I'm recording a heavy metal band with lots of kick drum pattern, I may choose the RVD1 because of the focused sound but most other musical genres I may opt for the D112 for its fuller sound.