Miktek C5 Small-diaphragm Condenser Microphone Reviews
The small-diaphragm condenser microphone is a critical studio tool — and the Miktek C5 is a great choice for this important job. From drum overheads, hi-hats, and percussion to acoustic guitar, piano, strings, and woodwinds, the C5 faithfully captures the fast transients and rich nuance of the source. And thanks to its high SPL handling, the C5 performs beautifully on brass instruments as well. Miktek packed tons of value into the C5. Its diminutive "pencil mic" form factor is easy to get into tight spaces, and it's fitted with Miktek's MK5a 1/2" cardioid capsule, which offers a full-bodied, super-linear response. The C5 also comes with Miktek's MK5b omnidirectional capsule, which doubles the versatility of this little wonder. Thanks to its meticulous design and hand-selected components, the Miktek C5 delivers the warmth and sweet musicality we associate with coveted vintage mics.
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Due to unforseen circumstances, Miktek is currently experiencing manufacturing delays on this product. Please contact us to either secure your place in line for the earliest possible future shipment or discuss product alternatives.Customer Reviews
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Highest Rated Reviews
After All These Years
I've had my C5 pair for 7 years now and I just put them up on a vintage HD 28 Martin for the first time in a few years - and wow! They sounded so amazing. Here's the real kicker - I thought I had the cardioid capsules on them, and they were the Omni's. When I replaced the Omni's with the cardioid capsules, I literally jumped up and said "there it is"! I kinda forgot how much I love these mics. I don't know how popular they are, but you should try them before dumping unnecessary cash on KMs or Schoeps. Seriously.
Best mic for acoustic guitar
I have the matched pair and they are the best acoustic guitar mics. I get a great level of detail with plenty of warmth without hyped highs. The stereo bar is a great addition, making it simple to cover both the traditional 12th fret and the body, or just using X-Y backed up a bit. I have not used the omni capsules yet, but it is great to have the option included.
Loving the c5
I recorded the c5 on an acoustic guitar alongside an akg 14 and a mxl 993. The 414 was nice but a bit muddy and the mxl has a lack of bottom end with a sort of a bitey top end. The c5 has such a nice balance. Very warm but with a an open top end that wasn"t shrill. I can"t wait to test it on more sources. I bought this mic mainly to track my acoustic guitar. I have been tracking with the 414 but i end up having to do more surgical eq than I"d like to get a sound I want to use in a mix. This c5 really impressed me and is now my go to for tracking acoustic instruments .
C-5 Omni caps
This my 3rd review of the C-5. I had been wishing that Mik-Tek would make omni caps for the C-5. I had read reports on the net that said in fact these caps were indeed being made, yay !! Contacted my SE Matt and was informed that they were special order but he could get them. Placed my order on Monday got them on Wednesday. They were as expected, outstanding on acoustic guitar, no surprise there. What really made me say WOW though was using them as OH's on a drum kit. Didn't even need to mic the floor toms, the pick-up was that good. If you, like me, bought the C-5 before these caps were available, do yourself a favor a get a omni cap for your C-5, you won't be disappointed.
My favorite!
My favorite mic for acoustic guitars, mandolin, violin... I have a stereo pair of those for the past three years and I've always found a good use for them in every recording session..
It always wins whenever I have to choose from a Neumann km184 or an AKG C 451 B.
Thank you so much Simon Picazo for all the great gear you have always pointed out so assertively!
Another C-5
This review may seem a little redundant since some of what I am about to say I covered in my review of the Grace m101 micpre. But I digress. I bought my 1st C-5 a couple of months ago and was absolutely amazed at how good it sounded on acoustic guitar, my main app by the way. Fast forward a couple of months.... I order another C-5 and a stereo bar so I can record the acoustic (a 1955 Martin d-28) in stereo. I know in theory you buy a matched pair to record in stereo. But I (obviously) didn't. So how did the two mics "sound" side by side ? Amazing, wonderful, beautiful , outstanding...well you get the idea. The C-5 ships with a frequency graph plot and these two mics, tho a couple of months apart, their respective plots showed only 1-2 dB difference at around 12K. Did I hear a difference? Nope, would some one else hear a difference, maybe. But since it's in my studio and I didn't, the point is moot. Quality tells, the proof is in the "sound" pudding. Bottom line, singlely or in pairs, the C-5 is an amazing mic.
One Word: Wow !
Put this mic through a Grace m101 pre, and on the 12th fret @ about 12" out of a 1955 Martin D-28. That old guitar never sounded so good. The C-5 captures what my ear hears, only better. Amazing mic.
Favorite vocal mic, as well
I use it on acoustic guitar, but it's great on vocals, better than any I've tried (nearly all Rodes, USA CADs, ADK). I even like it better for vocals than the Miktek C7 as it's truer, more transparent. Now I have to sell a bunch of mics, since this is the main one I use now.
My New Go to SDC!
Got to use my new Miktek C5. WOW! The guitar sounded like the guitar and the banjo sounded like the banjo! I have many small diaphragm condenser but this one is now my go to. I had the pleasure of meeting Mike from Miktek last December. It was great to meet someone so passionate about their products! After hearing this mic I plan on purchasing more Miktek products.
You Record what u hear~~~
im using it for acoustic guitar recording... i cant record my Taylor GS richness and sweetness before i get this Miktek C5...
It capture very nice sweet tone at 12th - 14th fret .
is a "WONT REGRET" SDC Microphone!!!
