I bought recently one and can confirm this is a good mic for a really good price. Compared it with a Neumann KM184 and did not see big problems. It's much brighter than the Neumann and not so neutral, but takes EQ well. The sensitivity for sides and back is quite low, while there is nearly no coloration - astonishing. So, great buy. And you can ask yourself how it's possible to make a mic which is nearly as good as another that costs 10 times more. One more indicator that expensive mics are in many, many cases overpriced low tech with circuit designs which are 40, 50, 60, 70 years old. So forget the "high tech" claims heard from the manufacturers - it's pure low-tech. And chinese companies show us, that you can produce it cheap (which does not mean that expensive mics are useless, it's also psychology in the game).
Absolutely nailed it. I am all about supporting quality companies, but not when they are priced 10 times higher than someone else. Stuff like this mic is sooo underrated.
When you watch music videos from the 60s and 70s, especially if the band is making a special appearance on some other show, a lot of the times they're using small diaphragm condenser mics, whereas these days most bands just use dynamics. Sort of an interesting transition. If I was going to outfit a band though, I'd have them all use handheld condensers.
Hi! The problem of explosive sounds is being solved. I made a pop filter for this microphone on a 3d printer. Plus a regular windscreen for the shure SM58.
Got a second one after realising how good the first was... And so cheap! 2 for ~50$ unbelievable. For speech i recommend throwing on a dead cat filter; really focuses the lows, getting this vintage radio crispiness
How did I miss this one?! I thought the CM60 sounded pretty good, especially for the price. I got the MXL 550/551 on super-sale over the holidays to get my first small diaphragm condenser (that I have absolutely no need for). Microphone addiction, am I right?
This Mic is also branded as "Pronomic SCM-1" here in Germany. I own three of these. Performs really well for its price. SNR is not the best, about 20-25 dB I'd guess, but totally fine as long as you are somewhat close to the source.
Yeah. Like with most small diaphragm pencils. Comparing it with my Sennheiser E614 the noise is about 4 dB quiter. Hence, it should be around 20 dB after all. On par with the Behringer B5 in practice. Seems to be the lowest you can get in the price range. The Rode NT5 should be 2-3 dB quieter ... which has its price though.
Thanks for all these reviews, I'm just getting started and anytime I search for a low priced mic, it seems that you have a video for it. I bought a Takstar CM63 which is just a few dollars more than this one, it has bigger vents, a little longer and higher sensitivity. I don't know if you have a review yet and I really can't find much data on it. Taking a gamble as I doubt it'll be much different than the CM60.
I appreciate that! Kind of my goal to have the random cheap mics covered on youtube. As far as the CM63, I have NOT had that one in my hands yet, but of course now I want to....even though I am with you as I doubt its MUCH different.
@@ObscureMics Well I really appreciate all the random cheap mics that you review. I'm not ready to spend $600+ for a mic, especially if I don't have the techniques down (I want to do nature field recordings). I also like how a lot of the cheap mics seem to be the best for modifications. In pretty much all of them you can replace a few capacitors for a cheap and easy upgrade. And later, you can replace the capsules for a more serious upgrade. The CM60 is one of those that's popular for it, and hopefully the CM63 as well.
@@stephaniea9722 absolutely. I personally am not sure that a $600 mic is ever a great idea. There are ones for 200/300 that sound like mics that cost 10x more
@@ObscureMics I’ve got a couple of pencil condensers, maybe if I get caught up I’ll do that. I’ve been wanting to do a pinecone epoxy turning project for a while. I think that would be a fun one.
Honestly, to me this microphone sounds almost like an expensive Schoeps mic. It seems to have a similar tone and timbre. It's very subtle, but the frequency curve is very close, to my ears at least.
My only objection to this is the plosives, and honestly I haven't seen a pencil mic that doesn't love grabbing air yet. I'd like to see more companies build handhelds around these capsules.
I bought recently one and can confirm this is a good mic for a really good price. Compared it with a Neumann KM184 and did not see big problems. It's much brighter than the Neumann and not so neutral, but takes EQ well. The sensitivity for sides and back is quite low, while there is nearly no coloration - astonishing. So, great buy. And you can ask yourself how it's possible to make a mic which is nearly as good as another that costs 10 times more. One more indicator that expensive mics are in many, many cases overpriced low tech with circuit designs which are 40, 50, 60, 70 years old. So forget the "high tech" claims heard from the manufacturers - it's pure low-tech. And chinese companies show us, that you can produce it cheap (which does not mean that expensive mics are useless, it's also psychology in the game).
Absolutely nailed it. I am all about supporting quality companies, but not when they are priced 10 times higher than someone else. Stuff like this mic is sooo underrated.
Indeed low tech.
When you watch music videos from the 60s and 70s, especially if the band is making a special appearance on some other show, a lot of the times they're using small diaphragm condenser mics, whereas these days most bands just use dynamics. Sort of an interesting transition. If I was going to outfit a band though, I'd have them all use handheld condensers.
I do love me some handheld condensers
Hi! The problem of explosive sounds is being solved. I made a pop filter for this microphone on a 3d printer. Plus a regular windscreen for the shure SM58.
God bless 3d printers
The PopStopper 3000 - For when you need to use a microphone in a wind tunnel.
Nailed it
Preety cool pencil condenser. Sounds really good i have to say. Great price
This mic actually doesn't sound bad at all but if i need a pencil condenser definitely spending a bit more
The monoprice one sounds a bit better to me and is often cheaper
You had an IUD for your wind screen
LOL
Sounds good to me. I'd like to hear it on acoustic guitar.
I can do that
Not bad. Probably not a great self-noise level, but for $25? Pretty darned good.
Really is. And yeah I believe self noise is in the high teens
Got a second one after realising how good the first was... And so cheap! 2 for ~50$ unbelievable.
For speech i recommend throwing on a dead cat filter; really focuses the lows, getting this vintage radio crispiness
Nice! I'll try that!
I've got a CM60 since 2015...6? i forgot honestly.
Still going well today
How did I miss this one?! I thought the CM60 sounded pretty good, especially for the price. I got the MXL 550/551 on super-sale over the holidays to get my first small diaphragm condenser (that I have absolutely no need for). Microphone addiction, am I right?
Yep. Don't need it? Don't matter. Get it!
This Mic is also branded as "Pronomic SCM-1" here in Germany. I own three of these. Performs really well for its price. SNR is not the best, about 20-25 dB I'd guess, but totally fine as long as you are somewhat close to the source.
Yeah I figured that's the one shortcomi g was the self noise
Yeah. Like with most small diaphragm pencils. Comparing it with my Sennheiser E614 the noise is about 4 dB quiter. Hence, it should be around 20 dB after all. On par with the Behringer B5 in practice. Seems to be the lowest you can get in the price range. The Rode NT5 should be 2-3 dB quieter ... which has its price though.
@@Prodigy309 I'd say at that point it's worth going for the MK-012 if anyone is considering the NT5.
Thanks for all these reviews, I'm just getting started and anytime I search for a low priced mic, it seems that you have a video for it.
I bought a Takstar CM63 which is just a few dollars more than this one, it has bigger vents, a little longer and higher sensitivity.
I don't know if you have a review yet and I really can't find much data on it. Taking a gamble as I doubt it'll be much different than the CM60.
I appreciate that! Kind of my goal to have the random cheap mics covered on youtube.
As far as the CM63, I have NOT had that one in my hands yet, but of course now I want to....even though I am with you as I doubt its MUCH different.
@@ObscureMics Well I really appreciate all the random cheap mics that you review. I'm not ready to spend $600+ for a mic, especially if I don't have the techniques down (I want to do nature field recordings).
I also like how a lot of the cheap mics seem to be the best for modifications. In pretty much all of them you can replace a few capacitors for a cheap and easy upgrade. And later, you can replace the capsules for a more serious upgrade. The CM60 is one of those that's popular for it, and hopefully the CM63 as well.
@@stephaniea9722 absolutely. I personally am not sure that a $600 mic is ever a great idea. There are ones for 200/300 that sound like mics that cost 10x more
If you have a friend with a lathe you could make some really interesting enclosures.
I wish I did
@@ObscureMics I’ve got a couple of pencil condensers, maybe if I get caught up I’ll do that.
I’ve been wanting to do a pinecone epoxy turning project for a while. I think that would be a fun one.
Honestly, to me this microphone sounds almost like an expensive Schoeps mic. It seems to have a similar tone and timbre. It's very subtle, but the frequency curve is very close, to my ears at least.
Well that's glowing. I've yet to test a crappy SDC
Thanks Bark - Is that windscreen in the description? peace
Is now
@@ObscureMics Thanks - I'd like to get a couple . . . I need to remember to use your links when I shop.
Much appreciated
The wonderful thing about those links is that you could click a link to buy a mic but everything you add to your cart gives me credit 🤯🤯🤯🤯
@@ObscureMics I know . . .
Yup, another bargain basement find. You just need to own stock in a foam factory to use it.
Lol truth
1:47 -3,2,1 - 2:16 - oblong object
i lauged my ass off - great video
Appreciate the heck out of that!
whats it like for overheads and acoustic guitars?
Full sounding on acoustic. Overheads I do not know
Can I record acoustics guitars with it?
Yeah they would work quite well to capture the resonance of the low end while also being nice up top
@@ObscureMics thanks bro
...this type of mic is almost always used to record instruments... the best pencil mics in the world also have no plosive protection.
Right. But they absolutely work well on voice in a lot of cases
My only objection to this is the plosives, and honestly I haven't seen a pencil mic that doesn't love grabbing air yet.
I'd like to see more companies build handhelds around these capsules.
Really confusing that they don't
mine plain just don’t woek
Thats no good