Thoughts On the CAD CM217?

[JamalPiper]

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...REE?sku=271324

I've only been able to find a single review, Harmony Central I believe. The person said they distorted on cymbals in a live setting...

They're so dang cheap, not the best sign. But I've seen some cheap stuff really shine.

[af-dcwave]

CAD has been making mics for a long time. They have some inexpensive mics that are really good sounding - the Cm217 is not one of them. They are very brittle sounding and they do not handle high SPLs well without distorting.

My recommendation is to look on ebay for an MXL603s ($99 or less). These are great mics and use the same capsule found in the KM84. If you send it to Oktavamod they can change out of few electronics for a very low price and you have a mic that competes head to head the KM84.

[JamalPiper]

alright, thank you very much.

I'll look into the 603.

[GZsound]

I would suggest going with the Samson C02 mic.

You can get one for $70.

The CAD CM217 is really designed for overheads with a pretty mid range frequency response and not a lot of high end.

The Samson C02 gets great reviews.

The reason you can't find any reviews of the CAD CM217 is because it has been part of their drum mic kits and not sold individually until just recently.

Get the Samson C02..great mics for the money.

[swellis01]

I've been pretty happy with my CADs. I own a pair of m177s, an M9 tube (Tung-Sol 12AX7), awesome on male vocal, and an E300, great for acoustic and mono drum room mic in omni and a Trion 7000 ribbon (guitar cab). All great mics but have their own characteristics. The exception was the Cad drum pack mics. I picked them up quite a while ago and was not very happy with the sound. They have all since been replaced with 57s, some audix, and a senn. 602 in the kick and a Studio Projects B1 on the outside front.

I have the Samson C02s currently on overheads as well and can say they have been sounding good on my kit.

That being said, I just picked up a couple of Royer Copies from ebay and have installed new Lundahl transformers in them. They are to be put through a Sytec pre as my new set of overheads. There are a lot of cheap ribbons out there and, after some research, found that generally speaking, ribbons pretty much all work the same way. A lot of their sound has to do with the transformers. So, I figured I would pick up some on the cheap and do a little soldering. They sound GREAT!

I'm on a bit of a ribbon kick lately. They get so much praise for many things, especially as overheads. Can't wait to get them going.

This might be another option for you as far as overheads go.

S

[GZsound]

I also am a big CAD fan. I have an M179, two M177's, a GXL 2400, four older American made CM17 condensers and a Trion 7000 ribbon.

They make great mics for the money as far as I'm concerned, but their drum mic kits don't seem to generate much interest.

I also have always gone more "traditional" on my drums. SM 57 on snare and toms, D112 or Audix D6 on kick and I use two of my CAD CM17 condensers for overheads and one M177 for a room mic...with pretty good results.

I totally love my CM17 condensers. I had a couple Shure SM81's and sold them.. I have a couple Octava MC012's and use the CAD's more often.. just solid good sounding mics.

I have not tried the CAD GXL 1200 condensers, but for the money they also seem like a good deal.

[af-dcwave]

I think my Trion 8000 is a-okay. The drum pack stuff sounded like cheap midrangy, sizzly garbage. Which is where I heard the 217s I believe.

[Englaisfitz]

Anyone any idea how to fix them? I think I may have blown one, probably by turning on the phantom power while the board was already on... I took the mic apart, and as far as I can see, it LOOKS OK, but doesn't work. Any obvious signs to look for?
Thanks,

Mark