14 Microphones Compared (Video Link)

[Jim Fogle]

This is a video comparing the recorded sound of 14 microphones while an acoustic guitar is fingerpicked. The microphones range in price from $99 US for a stereo pair up to $1,500 for a stereo pair. Dynamic, ribbon and condenser microphones are used. https://youtu.be/pX285gq_DF0

[ajm]

One note about the video: It's only 5 minutes long.
Straight to the point and not a lot of yakking.
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unless of course, you like watching videos of someone demonstrating the latest version of a Tube Screamer (which everyone already knows what it does) and taking up 15 minutes to do it.

[Jim Fogle]

I posted a link to this same video in another music forum. What do you guys think of this response?

Hands down, the most incompetent mic comparison that I’ve ever seen or heard.

Comparing a dynamic to stereo pair to another dynamic with a thick foam screen to single condensers and an active ribbon with absolutely no context is ridiculous. This guy doesn’t even try to keep the diaphragms the same distance from the guitar and since some were stereo pairs, that would be impossible anyway.

Oh wait—the same reverb was used on all 14 mismatched tests. That doesn’t make this so-called shootout any less silly.

This is the equivalent of a dog show where a couple sheep and a cow were included in the lineup.

The Sweetwater tests try to duplicate the same conditions when they compare mics so you know that you are actually hearing the differences.

Do you consider these valid points?