Again, SE8 and Oktava are my favorites. They deliver a more fluid and effortless sound. The SE8 in particular handles the dynamics in a very impressive way.
I used a stereo set of sE8 for clean sound recording with my Sound Device Promix 6 without any problems with noise, and some of the sources were very low
SE Omni’s are absolutely fantastic. I use Schoeps & AKG C480 and I’d have no problem using these in conjunction with them. If you’re in a decent room, omni is almost always preferable to more directional patterned mics
They sounded pretty similar until I listened with headphones that had decent base, then the SE8’s really shined. They cover the entire frequency range of the piano well, just like their frequency response chart suggests. And to me the omni’s pick up more reverb in the room compared to the cardio’s though both sound pretty good to me. Thanks for the demo!
I agree! The Oktava sounds wonderful! Full and really smooth, yet, not pushing or missing any frequencies. Great detail. The Studio Project is also good. The sE sounds a bit too hyped in the low end (which I think would work really well for drums). The NT5 is a bit lacking in the low end.
I have the Rode NT5s and I heard the same flaws in this vid as i get on my piano recordings; it has this sort of crunchy, boxy, harshness. While they are very detailed and bright, the mid range crunch doesn't sound great, especially after compression.
For all those fellow flute and woodwind players out there.. if you can not afford a Neumann KM 184, this is the best microphone you can get (provided you use correct positioning). Trust me, I have been there. After buying (and returning some) SM 57/58, Beta 57a, V7, V7x, NT1A, NT1, NT5, Oktava MK012, ... This sounds by far the best on a flute (and probably other woodwinds).
Thanks for your work, but I have a question, in the video it seems that there is only one microphone of each type but you said that you recorded in stereo so I assume that you used an AB technique and that the others are partly not seen. Or am I wrong? Thanks
Exactly, I had the microphones set up in an A-B stereo pattern, so only the left side was visible on camera. The other microphones captured more of the bass side, thus were positioned further back (and closer to the bass strings)
In this comparison maybe Oktava MK012 or Studio Projects C4 would sound better with bass rolloff enabled. Then they would sound perfect. Rode NT5 is loser in this comparison, too thin/flat/lacking in character/nondescript/boring.
Omni
1:53 se8
2:15 nt5
2:38 oktava
3:00 c4
Again, SE8 and Oktava are my favorites. They deliver a more fluid and effortless sound. The SE8 in particular handles the dynamics in a very impressive way.
ya, but they suck for ambient recordings because the noise floor is not so good [not as claimed]
I used a stereo set of sE8 for clean sound recording with my Sound Device Promix 6 without any problems with noise, and some of the sources were very low
They are right up with Schoeps Colette on my Sound Device MixPro 6II. I guess you have tried the miks on different preamps.@@MarkShawMedia
Wow, the Oktava really surprised me! Beautiful!
Oktava in Omni is good. A bit compressing but warm and rich.
Cardioid
0:13 se
0:38 nt5
1:02 oktava
1:28 c4
0:24 se
0:49 nt5
1:14 oktava
1:39 c4
SE Omni’s are absolutely fantastic. I use Schoeps & AKG C480 and I’d have no problem using these in conjunction with them. If you’re in a decent room, omni is almost always preferable to more directional patterned mics
They sounded pretty similar until I listened with headphones that had decent base, then the SE8’s really shined. They cover the entire frequency range of the piano well, just like their frequency response chart suggests. And to me the omni’s pick up more reverb in the room compared to the cardio’s though both sound pretty good to me. Thanks for the demo!
Bass not base
Nice test! Oktava OMNI is my favorite. Studio Project and sE are very good mics too, in this order. I think that I would never use NT5 mic...
I agree! The Oktava sounds wonderful! Full and really smooth, yet, not pushing or missing any frequencies. Great detail. The Studio Project is also good. The sE sounds a bit too hyped in the low end (which I think would work really well for drums). The NT5 is a bit lacking in the low end.
I have the Rode NT5s and I heard the same flaws in this vid as i get on my piano recordings; it has this sort of crunchy, boxy, harshness. While they are very detailed and bright, the mid range crunch doesn't sound great, especially after compression.
that download section is loaded!!!! incredible content, thanks a lot for all the recordinngs, respect!!
hey Adam, yes sure! :) I'm happy I could help
Thanks for al the tests! it is great to have more then drums and guitar ;)
Props to the pianist, Maria Delivicheva, for having to play the same piece over and over and over.
or it was one take and the editor just altered the sound source. :P
@@MrBilloven yes :) . But she is an outstanding (professional) piano player. I have huge respect for her! 🙋🏻♂
LOVE THE OMNI sE!!!! Holy!
A lil muddy yes.. but there is just some much yes outside of that in the sound xD
Anyone feel like these sound pretty similar?
Seems they are using the sE stereo bar which comes free with the matched pair!
Thank you very much.
I do not understand completly ... You used one mono mic always or four of the same kind?
Wonderful playing ❤
For all those fellow flute and woodwind players out there.. if you can not afford a Neumann KM 184, this is the best microphone you can get (provided you use correct positioning).
Trust me, I have been there. After buying (and returning some) SM 57/58, Beta 57a, V7, V7x, NT1A, NT1, NT5, Oktava MK012, ... This sounds by far the best on a flute (and probably other woodwinds).
Thanks for your work, but I have a question, in the video it seems that there is only one microphone of each type but you said that you recorded in stereo so I assume that you used an AB technique and that the others are partly not seen. Or am I wrong? Thanks
Exactly, I had the microphones set up in an A-B stereo pattern, so only the left side was visible on camera. The other microphones captured more of the bass side, thus were positioned further back (and closer to the bass strings)
sE8 omni totally best, studio projects worst, metallic sounding, I use that one only for the click on bassdrum front skin rim placement.
Thank you, what grand piano is this?
It's a Feurich. A great sounding one!
With the NT5 ... what do you recommend for recording a studio grand? Omni oder Cardioid?
Hi Björn, thanks for reaching out! I would go with omni if your room allows it! Take a long look at the sE8 Omni, they are really outstanding!!!
Oktava is the clear winner.
are these the old oe new version oktava?
new version (2-3 years old)
No way would Røde NT5s cost 500 Euros. Current UK price is around £250 for a matched pair. Admittedly, omni capsules would be £75 extra each.
Approximately 300 for the pair + 2x 100 for the omni capsules is around the 500 mark. Cheers!
Looks like in Cardiod Oktava wins, in Omni Se8
In this comparison maybe Oktava MK012 or Studio Projects C4 would sound better with bass rolloff enabled. Then they would sound perfect.
Rode NT5 is loser in this comparison, too thin/flat/lacking in character/nondescript/boring.