Studio Projects C1 Condensor Mic?

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 23 Dec 2020 4:19 pm

Anyone have any experience with these mics? I just inherited one and am not sure what, if anything, it's suitable for.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Jimbeaux

Scott Denniston · Post by **Scott Denniston** » 24 Dec 2020 5:59 am

I have one Jim. When it came out decades ago it was hyped as a Chinese knockoff of a Neuman U87. As I recall it was somewhere under $200. I've only dabbled some with home recording but it seemed to me to be an excellent vocal recording mic. Very full and very sensitive. I don't have much to compare it with though. I remember there were several rave reviews when it came out. I'm sure it probably wouldn't compare well with a $3500 U87 though.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 24 Dec 2020 6:45 am

Try it for recording ! It might be a bit sensitive for live work. I use a Lawson version of that mic on my steel.

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 24 Dec 2020 7:02 am

I have one also, and it's still available at around 300.00. As Scott noted it was one of the first large diaphragm Chinese condenser mics, and was regarded fairly highly at the time.

It's definitely a decent mic and worth having around. I've used mine on vocals and acoustic guitar with some decent results, but as with most mics it just depends on the source.

Rick Abbott · Post by **Rick Abbott** » 24 Dec 2020 7:24 am

Here's a link to the gearslutz review page:

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/reviews ... ts-c1.html

Mike Schwartzman · Post by **Mike Schwartzman** » 24 Dec 2020 3:29 pm

Yes Jim...I have one. Bought it when they first came out. I've not tried it with instruments, just vocals. Usually run it thru a compressor into a recording with a pop filter in front of it. I think it's a fine bang for the buck mic.
I don't own a "big bucks" mic to compare it to, but Rick's link to some reviews is a pretty good overview.

Brett Lanier · Post by **Brett Lanier** » 27 Dec 2020 11:07 am

I have a C1 as well as a U87. The C1 really holds up! Not quite on the same level as a U87 but they're a very similar type of mic. Both are large diaphragm, both have a high pass and pad, both silver...

You could use the C1 for vocals, drum overhead, on a steel amp (maybe along with a dynamic or ribbon), room mic, acoustic guitar. A good thing to do in order to get to know a mic is set it up, get your headphone monitor rig going, then just speak into it, play acoustic guitar into it, or whatever. You'll get a feel for the proximity effect, the pickup patterns, etc.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 28 Dec 2020 5:59 am

It looks to be a FET type mic rather than the tube U87. I prefer fet mics to the tube type for the steel. The fet mics I use have a different response time that works for me. I have not used the C1. My comparison of tube vs fet has been with Lawson and Neumann.

Brett Lanier · Post by **Brett Lanier** » 29 Dec 2020 9:09 am

I'm not really an expert on the circuitry of a U87 but I'm fairly certain there's no tube in it. The U67 is a tube mic though.
I've seen U87's that have been modded to use a tube, making it more like a U67. I also like the ss mics for steel. Been using the AKG 414 TL2 or B ULS. Both seem pretty good, but I think I prefer the transformerless TL2.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 29 Dec 2020 9:10 am

Thank you all for the input. I appreciate it.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 29 Dec 2020 2:34 pm

Brett,
You are correct sir! I was mixing it up with the 47.