« Awesome Mic for the Money »

This is a large diaphragm condenser mic with a cardioid pattern. From the way I understand it, it is an American designed, Chinese copy of a Neumann large diaphragm condensor, like the U87 at less than 10% of the cost. This mic has a roll offs at 75 and 150 hz, as well as a -10 or -20 pad. Of course, it can use the standard flat response or no pad. It also came with a shockmount. I give it a perfect rating for characteristics, because although it is lacking the ability to change the mic pattern, the C3 has this ability, meaning that the C1 is available for cheaper. The pads and the roll off frequencies are very handy to have, for those who are lacking mixers with these options.

OVERALL OPINION

I've never been fortunate enough to have worked with a U87, but I can tell you this is the best microphone in my arsenal. It is very quiet, extremely accurate, and has a very smooth, full quality to it. I first purchased the Studio Projects B3, which is also a very versatile mic, but this one blows the B3 (or the B1 for that matter) out of the water. It's my #1 lead vocal mic, but I have also used it to mic a 15 inch bass guitar cab, which captured all of the lows and gave a nice punch. It also sounds wonderful on acoustic guitar. For the money, I've thought about purchasing a second one to use as drum overheads, but it's not in the budget right now. I give it a 9 for a rating because I have heard (and once experienced) a quality control issue on a Studio Project microphone. Fortunately, SP was very good about exchanging that mic for a replacement, even though it was out of warranty.