I bought this from the Craig Thing, not knowing anything about it.. But an AKG for $50, I'll take it.. and used it in the studio by the Hat and Snare for about a year, It did a great job being small and very accurate.. I't really did make a 57 look bad.. that being said, If I had a pair, I would use them over head.. this little mic seems to do what ever task I give it...
Recently used it for Tracks on 5 songs, Mic'ing an acoustic very close to the sound hole.. It did amazing.. I have only 4 or 5 Good mic's.. A couple large and a couple small diaphragm.. and several dynamics... This isn't my most expensive mic,, But It really has more uses in the studio than the others..

Not for Vocals... or kick drum... But will do just about everything else.. Best Money You can spend for overheads... Don't waist your money on that no-name cheaper nock off crap.. Buy the real deal..

Read More Show Less

I would give it a 5 if I had something to compare to, but I don't! I usually use these as overheads for cymbals but one time used one live on an acoustic guitar - it sounded amazing!

I purchased one of these about two years ago, and (stupidly) used it as a hi-hat mic for about ten months. One session I decided to switch it to a middle-overhead position and I was amazed. The mic I used before was okay, but the clarity and crispness I received from the C430 just blew it out of the water. I immediately bought another one so I could use them as a stereo pair, and I haven't regretted it since.

This summer I recorded using my old set up at a buddy's farm house in Afton. Great room, awesome vaulted ceilings, all wood. I loved the sounds I was able to capture there. But mainly I record in my basement studio, and recently I my Afton friend came up to do some tracking. We compared the drum sounds from his house to the ones I just did in my basement, and he said that as much as he liked the sounds we got at his place he really liked the sounds I got in my basement. He commented specifically on the overhead/cymbal sounds. All from the C430.

Best of all is the price. I can't really afford the super high-end stuff, but I can save for between $100-$250 for a mic. $230.00 is nothing to pay for a good quality mic like this.

Read More Show Less

I've had a pair of these for about two years now, and if you're looking for drum overheads that will give your cymbals some hyped top end and a nice, bright sound that cuts well in a rock situation, these are good mics to have. I mainly use them in the studio, and very minimal EQ is required after tracking because they boost the top end enough to make cymbals shimmer. For the price, they're hard to beat as overheads. They're solid percussion mics as well, but if you're looking for something to use on other instruments (acoustic guitar and such) I'd recommend looking for something with a more neutral sound as opposed to these. Great with rock drums and percussion, though.