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Re: Shure 183

Subject: Re: Shure 183
From: Rob Danielson <>
Date: Mon, 27 Dec 2004 12:47:28 -0600
At 2:45 AM -0800 12/27/04, <> wrote:
>Walt,
>
>you said that the 183 has
>>  a much higher self noise than the MKH20
>True, but consider the price.
>>  the 183 series loses the low end below 200hz
>Not true.  The microphone itself is flat to below 20 Hz.  Whatever the
>capsule is used with changes the low end response, but the BP version is
>actually slightly (0.3 dB) up at 20 Hz. The MX183 version is 1 dB down at 50
>Hz.

Spent some time with my  R183B/CS122's this weekend. So far, I've 
found the low end characteristics  to be very compatible with natural 
settings. The bass is smoothly contoured down to ~40Hz. I would not 
favor using mkh-20 in this regard.


>  > the 183 emphasizes frequencies above 2khz with a peak of 5dB above at
>10khz.

This response is extraordinarily common with lavaliere mount mics to 
help offset accentuated nasal tones. Most Large condenser omnis 
exhibit it too. I prefer it in omnis.

Curiously, the noise of the Plug-In-Power R183B/CS122/ is more 
"sennheiser-like" than any other plug in power mic I've used with 
~80% of it concentrated above 4K with concentrated bands around 8.3K 
just like the MKH-20's, 30s & 40's. The fact that we are even 
discussing mics with 22dBA and 10dBA self noise at ther same time is 
significant.

When I listen to the comparison of the  R183B/CS122's, the NT-4 and 
the WM61a's, the later two are in the same realm and the R183B/CS122 
produces a huge jump in transparency without significant loss of 
tonal response. The costs are $200, $400 and $14 respectively.

I'm sure everyone recalls the many discussions about low 
noise=phantom mics=preamps= $$$$.  This changes that.  For $480 
(NH900/R183B) I can have a very nice second 16 bit unit that is very 
close in quality to what I got with my MBHO 603/mp2/D7 $3000 kit. Two 
weeks ago I was recommending the NT-4 as the best deal for the bucks 
for MD use, this changes that.

And they are great for use in a dish too. How about an opposing pair 
for a shotgun or little 5.1 arrays? Very flexible mics.

I'm surpised we are committing any time downplaying the importance of 
these mics entering our arsenal. Cheers to Dan (and Rudy who was 
right in there with the first experiments) !

Rob D.


-- 
Rob Danielson
Film Department
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee


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