QTC1 - Do you own one? What do you use it for?

[Nika]

I'm just going to throw up a bunch of topics of different microphones. If you own one, please reply! The best way to get information and opinions around is for everyone to chime in!


Thanx!
Nika.

[Nika]

I guess I'll go ahead and chime in to this one.

I do indeed own a pair of QTC1's and use them for a multitude of things.

The way I see it, omni mics can be used either as distant stereo mics, or close up mics. These are two distinctive ways of using omnis. I tend to prefer the QTC1's for the closeup scenarios - acoustic guitar at less than 6", upright bass, accordian, banjo, trumpet, about 1" from the bell, etc.

Does anyone else out there have opinions on omnis? I'm anxious to hear...... More to come from me later.


Nika.

[blue_sky]

A qtc1 is a wonderful mic.

the extended top end is magic. I do feel you need to run it thru a colorful sounding micpre because it is truly flat in response.

but most large diaphram mics don't have the top end extension that it has and you can most definitely hear it.

I run a qtc1 thru a tubetech mp1a micpre and it's wonferful on acoustic guitar. i've tried the neve 1272 and calrec 1061 and i prefered the tubetech micpre the best with this mic; the neve would be my 2nd choice because it's very colorful sounding. the calrec is very clinical and flat in response in my opinion.

on acoustic, you can use the mic close (6") or set it back 2 feet and get a great sound. just different.

sounds great on vocals also.

[Nika]

Blue,

Do you have any other omni-only mics?


Nika.

[Geo]

Folks, I'm enthused with all the Earthworks Omnis. I have QTC1s and TC30ks, and have used SROs. They just blow fire :) Seriously, they are incredibly clean and natural which is what I like in a recording. I use them on drums, acoustic guitar, piano, voice, harmonica, accordion, trumpet, saxophone, flute, clarinet, bassoon, bass and guitar cabs., outdoor nature recording, and other things that slip my feeble mind.


I think the world of these guys for the super products they are making. They are getting more recognised, and will become a mainstay company for recording equipment. They are a USA company, too, rah! rah! David Blackmer, the founder, is the guy who invented the dbx noise reduction system, I believe. Does anyone recall that?

[Nika]

Earthworks is indeed headed up by David Blackmer and his son Eric. David was the founder of DBX, the company that did the noise supression and much more.

So I'll ask you, Geo...do YOU have any other omni-only mics?

Thanks for posting!
Nika.

[blue_sky]

Nika,

the qtc1 is the only omni only mic i have. why do you ask?

i own a stereo pair of z30x's which i bought from your assistant.
the qtc1 i bought as a demo for $600 - great deal.

[Nika]

I was just wondering how you would compare it to other omni mics that you may have. Just looking for open opinions, that's all.

There sure isn't a lot out there in the world of omni mics.

As I mentioned above, I have a pair of QTC1's (and a LAB102 Earthworks preamp to match them) and am very pleased with them. They're probably my most used mics. I recently did a big "omni" shootout over an orchestra and the QTC1's fared very well.

That's all. Thank you for your thoughts.

Nika.

[Geo]

Well, I really have a lot of appreciation for David Blackmer's direction toward clean, unadulterated audio reproduction. I'm just not a "man of color" when it comes to sound. I know I'm in the minority on this during this apparent current trend for recording engineers to add their own "brush strokes" to the audio. For those of us who want to hear it like it sounds, the David Blackmers of the world are bringing us closer :)


"So I'll ask you, Geo...do YOU have any other omni-only mics? "

No Sir, only Earthworks. I can't see the point of spending money for anything else. I did a LOT of research before buying my first mics. I'm an electrical engineer, and a lifelong audio enthusiast, so I actually use and understand the measurement data and performance graphs, and know how to relate them to sonic results. There jsut isn't anything out there (that I know of) that is even close to Earthworks at anywhere near the price, so I have no inclination to purchase anything other than their omnis at present.

[Nika]

Geo,

Thank you for your reply. That's good information. The Earthworks are certainly clean and unadultering of the sound.

I'm not sure that there are really BETTER omni mics per se, just different, and if the flavour of the Earthworks is what you like then I think you're dead on the money having them! I, too, have studied the charts and graphs (and 27 color glossy photos with the circles and arrows and a paragaph on the back of each explaining what each one was to be used as evidence against us) and made my decisions based on like information.

As you know, I've got a pair myself and am very happy with them.

Nika.

[Geo]

As you can imagine, Nika, I'm not accompanied by a seeing-eye dog :)

And I must take issue with "flavour of the Earthworks". What makes the Earthworks so appealing to me is their absence of "flavour". At least "flavour" the way I see "flavour". My thinking is that to "flavour" is to alter, or change. My ideal is to avoid that, and that is the goal of Earthworks, so we "align" in philosophy. In this regard, it is pretty easy to define "better". Better, loosely described, is the mic whose electrical output most closely matches the air pressure variation presented to the diaphragm. ...Techno-babble...
-Geo