NID (New Interface Day) and Mic query

[Skinnyman]

After using a Behringer U-phoria 1820 for years, I just took delivery of a Solid State Logic SSL 2+ Mk2 and I am blown away. 
 

The Behringer has served me well for nearly a decade; totally reliable, well put together, the line inputs are decent, lots of connectivity and monitoring options and the headphone amps handle high impedance headphones easily. The only real downside is that it can be a bit noisy and that can be an issue with recording vocals and acoustic guitar (which I’m now doing more of).
 

So I decided to treat myself to a new audio interface and narrowed down the choice to the Motu M2/M4 and the SSL. In the end, the SSL won out because GuitarGuitar had a decent price on it.

 

It’s a different form factor to the Behringer so I’ve had to rearrange the desk a bit to accommodate it but that’s freed up space elsewhere and given me a bit more room overall. Construction is reassuringly solid with the exception of one of the low-cut buttons which wasn’t seated properly - a bit of jiggling has dropped it into place now and it works perfectly. 
 

Headphone amps are good and strong, as good or better than the Behringer, sound quality is excellent and the noise floor is virtually inaudible. I haven’t used it in anger yet but my quick tests have been very positive - the mix preamps in particular seem really good. There’s a “life” to the recordings that was missing from the Behringer and my acoustic guitar sounds fantastic. Well, up to the point where I try to play it. 
 

So, very happy…..

 

 …..and yet the GAS keeps coming

 

I’m now after a matched pair of small diaphragm condenser mics specifically for recording acoustic guitar (and possibly as ambient mics for recording a choir). With a budget for the pair of £150 or less, I’ve narrowed it down to the SE Electronics SE7, MXL 603s or Thomann’s Tbone SC140.

 

Does anyone have any hands-on experience of any of these? And, specifically, any issues I should be aware of? At £99 delivered, the Tbones are the cheapest and have excellent specs so I’m interested to know if there are any reasons to avoid them?

 

 

[leftybassman392]

Hi mate. Long time no see.

 

 

A little bit off the point, but have you considered Rode?

 

I have a matched pair of M5s, and to my ears they sound pretty damn good for the price. A bit more than the Tbones, but still well within your budget.

 

Just a thought...

 

 

[Skinnyman]

39 minutes ago, leftybassman392 said:

Hi mate. Long time no see.

 

 

A little bit off the point, but have you considered Rode?

 

I have a matched pair of M5s, and to my ears they sound pretty damn good for the price. A bit more than the Tbones, but still well within your budget.

 

Just a thought...

 

 

Hi Lefty,

 

I did look at the Rodes but dropped them to 4th place behind the SEs, MXLs and Tbones based solely on reading the specs which didn’t seem quite as good for the M5s. Problem is, of course, that specs on paper don’t really tell you what your ears are going to experience which is why I’d like folks’ hands-on opinions. From the sound of things, the M5s might be worth another look - they’re certainly in the right price range. Off down the YT rabbit hole I go then 😁

 

Thanks!