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Double Bass Small Diaphram Condensers For Double Bass

Ric Vice

Ric Vice

Supporting Member
Jul 2, 2005
14,294
12,463
Olivette, Missouri
#1
Having purchased two Remic DB 5400's ( Green LB and Red) and owned a AMT SP25B, DPA 54OO, Audio Technica 35 and demoed the Xlson (Chuck Israels) I feel that this group of microphones are pretty significant in the transition to smaller and smaller microphones, best suited for Double Bass in live performance. So are their others? I also owned the Ovid copy of the 4099 which died really fast.
I realize the Nadine isn't one I've used but it's pretty big to be called a "small diaphragm.
 
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#4
Chris Fitzgerald said:
Ric - the RE 20 is a dynamic, actually. I have one and it sounds great. The Nadine is listed as a “medium to large” diaphragm condenser.
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Thanks for reminding me of that, it was to big for me. When I used one ,I kept knocking the bass agianst the RE 20, yikes! Nadine won't fit on a Mike Pecanic Compensated Tailpiece, but I think it warrants discussion,
so I guess I just renamed the thread "Medium and Small Diaphram Condensers" :)

kkenda11 said:
As far as small diaphragm condensers go, I’ve used the Line Audio CM3 (replaced by CM4) and the Scheops mk41.

Both work well on an H clamp though maybe less convenient than tiny mics like the AMT or DPA.

I was surprised how close the line audio sounded to the Scheops.
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Great to know, I have a pair of Line Audio CM3's that I use for recording, I'll try one live out in the music room and if that works I'll take it on a gig. Thanks!! The other advantage of the Line Audio CM's is that they are really affordable.
 
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#7
Nathan Levine said:
There is always the Schoeps body CMC6 with a super cardioid MK41 Capsule to consider.
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This is a great mic. The current Shoeps catalog shows there's a side address version of the MK41 - it seems the side address would be a great match for the double bass. My MK41 on H-clamp has to stick out quite a bit - this is fine for pizz but can get in the way when handling a bow.
 
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#8
Maple said:
This is a great mic. The current Shoeps catalog shows there's a side address version of the MK41 - it seems the side address would be a great match for the double bass. My MK41 on H-clamp has to stick out quite a bit - this is fine for pizz but can get in the way when handling a bow.
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There’s also a special cable that allows one to separate the capsule from the amplifier. This would allow you to just mount the capsule on the bass and put the amplifier somewhere else out of the way.
 
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#9
The Countryman Isomax Omni. Before an "important" gig (in my world), I did a more thorough comparison of the omni and the hypercardioid version. While the hc "gets the job done", the omni gives the possibility of a more realistic tone. Plus lower wind and handling sensitivity. It does not sound like the Telefunken from the shootout in another thread, but I can work with it.
Ofcourse the capsule only version Schoeps could be fascinating. But then I would have to ditch the rubber band tech...
Edit: Sorry for the double picture. The bridge leg placing is where I have settled.
 

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#11
LaFaro01 said:
As said before I also want to check out the Schoeps MK 41 on the CMC 6 Preamplifier as part of the Schoeps-named "Colette"-series ;)
The mentioned active(?) cable KC seems to be not really "low-cost"..:p but if it's a game-changer.. why not ... :)
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I used to work with a four CMC6s. Two had Mk4 capsules and two had the rare Mk6 capsules. The Mk6 were side address and switchable between omni, cardioid, and figure-8. I used them primarily in ORTF to mic grand pianos. I would describe the sound as accurate, authentic, slightly warm, clear/revealing. Unfortunately the Mk6 capsule has been discontinued and if you buy one, chances are it's broken and cannot be repaired.

I will add that Schoeps are way out of my price range.
 
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#12
Wasnex said:
I used to work with a four CMC6s. Two had Mk4 capsules and two had the rare Mk6 capsules. The Mk6 were side address and switchable between omni, cardioid, and figure-8. I used them primarily in ORTF to mic grand pianos. I would describe the sound as accurate, authentic, slightly warm, clear/revealing. Unfortunately the Mk6 capsule has been discontinued and if you buy one, chances are it's broken and cannot be repaired.

I will add that Schoeps are way out of my price range.
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It looks like the Schoeps MK2 (17 grams) plus Collette cable and corresponding mic amp could be "my thing". But I have not even looked at the prices.
 
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#15
Small Diaphragm Condensers are great for double bass! But while they are "small" they are also big -- too big to mount without an H-clamp. I'm coming to prefer my bass as naked as possible for better resonance. For studio recording with mic stands, I found a good position for a pair of matched Telefunken M60 small diaphragm condensers in an X/Y stereo configuration about 8-10 inches in front of where I pizz the strings. (Both are cardioid pattern.) The X/Y provides a tight center for the stereo image. The result is a bit of "3D" feel to the tone and air. I blend that with a LDC with omnidirectional pattern about 3 feet in front of the bridge. Lots of possibilities for micing the double bass.

Telefunken M60s on double bass.JPG
 
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#17
Ric Vice said:
Neither the Remic, DPA 4099 Dvote Core, Audio Technica 35, or the AMT require the H Explore Audio H Clamp I’ve owned and mounted all of those microphones on my bass. :)
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While it's a narrow distinction, SDC is a term in the audio world usually associated with capsules sized about like the Telefunken M60. The DPA 4099 and other mics in its size range are tiny by comparison. The word "tiny" is often used with the micro lapel mics -- also in that size range. It sounds like the idea for your original post was more focused on tiny condensers?
 
#18
Povl Carstensen said:
It looks like the Schoeps MK2 (17 grams) plus Collette cable and corresponding mic amp could be "my thing". But I have not even looked at the prices.
Click to expand...

Agreed, unfortunately that will set you back @ $2,200.00 U.S. (the cable is $600.00) It’s an exceptional microphone if you have the funds and a H Clamp will work on your bass. The MK 41 is the hypercardoid version.
 
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