Earthworks QTC40mp Omnidirectional Small-diaphragm Condenser Microphone - Matched Pair Reviews
Capture "true" sound at Sweetwater! The QTC40 microphone provides a true and accurate representation of sonic events as they happen in the air. This means you get the REAL sound, the sound that's really there. Naturally, the QTC40 mics are whisper quiet, enabling you to mic even the most subtle vocal or choir passage with no noise! You get the super-flat frequency response of the TC Series combined with a noise floor that's under this world (get it)! If what you crave is tonal purity and low noise, the QTC40 is THE mic of choice!
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Sweetwater Reviews
Carson McClain
Jeff Barnett
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Highest Rated Reviews
Like you're there in the room
I bought a matched pair of these mics that were made before they were branded as the QTC-40 (then called the QTC-1) and wow - I am truly impressed at the exacting reproduction of the source sound that is achieved. Of course, it takes great speakers to really enjoy that level of detail in replication, and audio captured with these translates so well on truly unembellishing speakers, like pair of S8s. If you're looking for mics with an EQ response with all the sparkling bumps in the 5k-15k hz range, these are not for you; however, if you're looking for a truly accurate reproduction of the source, with no embellishments or takeaways whatsoever, these are what you want. Perfect for high-end acoustic instruments that inherently sound fantastic. I recommend using a matched pair rather than a single mic, then carefully carving out a space in your mix for each instrument, setting the L/R mix a few degrees apart, and giving each instrument a place. It's like you're there in the room.
I'd give 6 stars if I could!
I bought a matched pair of these (then called the QTC1) in 2001, and I STILL use them 2 or 3 times a week. For classical recording or capturing full range instruments accurately these can't be beat.
I've used many other high-end mics, and nothing has ever come close to the detail and realism of these.
Great transparent mics
I've specialized in location recording of classical music (choral, organ, chamber, and orchestral) for over 30 years, always using a "purist" approach: one mic per stereo channel. I've used a variety of good mics from Shure, AKG, Sennheiser, Neumann, and nothing has come close to the transparency of the matched pair QTC 40, which I have feeding an Earthworks mic preamp and then Apogee Rosetta A/D conversion.
Part of the transparency comes from the very small diaphragm. The laws of physics dictate that means a small trade-off in ultimate noise floor compared to larger diaphragm mics. But I've never heard a larger diaphragm mic with the degree of neutral "you are there" quality that these mics offer. The trade-off is worth it for my ears.
Very accurate
I'm a film composer and I bought 2 matched pairs based on very high recommendations from people in the industry, and I'm very happy so far. I've used them on accoustic guitar, a baby grand piano, a hammered dulcimer and various percussion instruments. The results for all of these have been very good. I'm quite surprised by how much level they can take before clipping. You will hear everything with these mics, so you better have a quiet studio! :)
Great sound, yes! Quiet, not so much...
I purchased these hoping for a very quiet noise floor. That just wasn't there. However, f you are recording in a situation where you don't need absolute silence these are wonderful mic's. As a spaced pair for drum overheads ambient mic's on piano close mic'ing a strummy guitar, they are stellar!
Buy them, but don't expect silence if you are, maybe on more step like the DPA 4006 is needed. (That mic' would get a 5 star rating from me.)
not reccomended
There's a pair of these at my university and I've had the chance to get well acquainted with them but have never liked the sound one bit. First of all, they run super hot, and are in danger of distorting even with my preamp gain all the way down. a pad switch would be very nice. I was recently trying to use them for room, alongside some 414's for spots, in a classical piano recital. Ended up switching the Earthworks out for some Shure Beta 181's with omni caps and was instantly much happier. The QTC's have a high noise floor, are so hot they distort easily, and are flat enough to lack any character whatsoever. a flat response sounds cool in theory, but when you're trying to get a usable recording, flat just sounds, well, flat. For something so expensive they end up sounding rather cheap.
btw I haven't only used them for rooms, I've given them a chance as drum overheads, piano spots, and spots for a few different string instruments, and a few different choir recordings. the choir sounded by far the worst on these, and that application is even recommended in their marketing.
I'd love to give other Earthworks mics a shot because the company does seem to put a lot of care into their products. The draw seems to be the transient response. Maybe I'll have better luck if I try out one of their drum kit systems. Unfortuneately the QTC40's just miss the mark by a long shot for me.
