View other reviews for this product:
AudioArtist « A Great Mic »
Published on 09/11/12 at 13:13The CAD M179 is a well built condenser mic with quality and options rarely, if ever, found for it's price range.
I personally have never used it live, I bought it for in-studio work only, but I think with the proper caution necessary for using ANY condenser live you should not have any major issues.
OVERALL OPINION
A first look at the M179 will reveal 5 different pick-up patterns, a low cut filter, and a -20db pad! Many microphones that sell for much more do not include any of these options and some that do only have a few.
For the price, the options alone should be an attraction for the "ever thrifty" buyer. But the CAD M179 also delivers a really good sound. Not the best, yet just as good if not better than many other competitively priced models from other companies.
The M179 performs brilliantly on a wide range of sources. Acc. Gtr., Elec.Gtr, Bass cabs, Upright, Vocals, and pretty much everything else. I would suggest having a pair for certain sources, like a grand piano for instance.
Another thing to note is the versatility of this mic. I've found that it does an amazing job with off-axis applications. Here is a crude example of mic-ing a vocal like this: position the mic about 1 foot away from the singer and aimed just over their head. I hope you get the gist of that otherwise I appologize for not getting my point across.
The M179 also shines in distant or room mic applications. If you have a decent live drum room and you're looking for that full room type sound, try putting the M179 way off in the opposite corner from the drum kit, then mix it in accordingly with your close mics. The M179 will not dissapoint and it has a high enough spl rating to handle that loud of a source. The same also applies with getting a good room sound with guitar or percussion. The M179 handles these applications equally as well.
The only complaint that I have with my personal M179 is that the XLR connector literally fell out of the casing. This is fixable but is honestly a real pain to accomplish.
I've, of course, used many, many different condenser mics over the years and I must say that the CAD M179 is a versatile and fairly high quality option when stacked up against the competition.
Does it sound like a high dollar Neumann? No, just No. Is it good? Yes, a resounding Yes. The CAD M179 is a solid choice and if you get yours like I got mine it also comes with a nice metal, padded carrying case as well.
I personally have never used it live, I bought it for in-studio work only, but I think with the proper caution necessary for using ANY condenser live you should not have any major issues.
OVERALL OPINION
A first look at the M179 will reveal 5 different pick-up patterns, a low cut filter, and a -20db pad! Many microphones that sell for much more do not include any of these options and some that do only have a few.
For the price, the options alone should be an attraction for the "ever thrifty" buyer. But the CAD M179 also delivers a really good sound. Not the best, yet just as good if not better than many other competitively priced models from other companies.
The M179 performs brilliantly on a wide range of sources. Acc. Gtr., Elec.Gtr, Bass cabs, Upright, Vocals, and pretty much everything else. I would suggest having a pair for certain sources, like a grand piano for instance.
Another thing to note is the versatility of this mic. I've found that it does an amazing job with off-axis applications. Here is a crude example of mic-ing a vocal like this: position the mic about 1 foot away from the singer and aimed just over their head. I hope you get the gist of that otherwise I appologize for not getting my point across.
The M179 also shines in distant or room mic applications. If you have a decent live drum room and you're looking for that full room type sound, try putting the M179 way off in the opposite corner from the drum kit, then mix it in accordingly with your close mics. The M179 will not dissapoint and it has a high enough spl rating to handle that loud of a source. The same also applies with getting a good room sound with guitar or percussion. The M179 handles these applications equally as well.
The only complaint that I have with my personal M179 is that the XLR connector literally fell out of the casing. This is fixable but is honestly a real pain to accomplish.
I've, of course, used many, many different condenser mics over the years and I must say that the CAD M179 is a versatile and fairly high quality option when stacked up against the competition.
Does it sound like a high dollar Neumann? No, just No. Is it good? Yes, a resounding Yes. The CAD M179 is a solid choice and if you get yours like I got mine it also comes with a nice metal, padded carrying case as well.