LEM EMU4535

Micro lectret capacitor, powered by a 1.5 V LR06 battery.
Three position switch: OFF, MUSIC (full bandwidth) and VOICE (low-cut filter).

OVERALL OPINION

I used a couple of micro repeatedly to recordings and sound of jazz.

Its main default is to take lots of atmosphere. The manufacturer sells it as trs directive, but I asked for a moment even if it n'tait not omnidirectional.

However, it is extremely musical! On piano, it is soft trs, we can place trs (trs!) prs strings never catch the sound of hammers and the sound is natural. The sound is always right trs, although it does not feel equilibrated effect of proximity. By overhead, I have mixed feelings may be giving it a sound "too far". I did not try to vote.

I have tried many pickups, both in-home studio in the garage, or in professional studio. Of Neumann, AKG, Audiotechnica, Oktava, Shure, Sennheiser, Rode

When I Discoveries its price (around 180 euros nine), I hallucinated I would have thought it was well worth the double! Probably the best quality price I found (with the Oktava, but that's a typical trs the LEM is more mat)

Electret cardioid microphone (wide)
Use? Acoustic instruments, stereo pair (sound)

OVERALL OPINION

Used for 4 years, it is my reference microphone. If lean, I can sell the stuff - but I never considered parting with these microphones.

It lacks bass, but really its sound identity - a right, rather dry, but very musical.
Cardioid wide, it takes a lot of atmosphere.

I love him close in on string instruments. Piano, guitar ... By this very, very close mic strings. The sound is natural, still retains the atmosphere, and gives me a sound that I can not find with another microphone. Sound can be a little more distinctive "large diaphragm", but with little serious, that's typical of a small capsule.

Overhead in, it can easily be quite remote, and can be difficult to collect the level of the snare. Will have one pad under the capsule, but it is not very practical.
In stereo pair, it is very nice - like it has a sound. It's not Neumann, Schoeps not, it's LEM, is something else. For the sound, unfortunately, the background noise is quite high.

Which is a shame, because the capsule itself is exceptional - only 1dBA background noise more than a Schoeps, for example. Other microphones were built with the capsule. Jean Hiraga had published an electronic modified for this microphone. But fishing electronics, battery, 1.5V is practical because it allows mobile recording hundreds of hours of battery life, but does not blow the dynamics of the maximum attainable. Resistance loading the capsule is known to be too low (see yahoo group micbuilders). There have been modifying the micro companies, but it is somewhat out of fashion.

In the end, I think a micro exceptional, it can be improved yes, but as it is already very good ... If we add to this that it is built like a tank, and the capsules will cost you spare a euro 100aine the pair (if you can convince the manufacturer, which is becoming harder, make stocks ), it was a good animal to come out safely on the ground - and that's what it was made.

Color sound quite different from Oktava, also excellent, but much more mellow / less grainy.

I would do if this choice? I do it again this choice. The only question is how much to take.