Happy Halloween! Ok, it has been way too long since I’ve updated on here. Been keeping busy with various projects and the usual real life stuff.
So I’m totally digging my modified CAD GXL3000 microphone and I’ve been using it exclusively since the beginning of September (www.oktavamod.com).
When I originally bought the CAD, I thought it wasn’t too bad. Decent bang for the buck ($120 CAD) since it included a -10db pad, three polar patterns and a bass roll off. I was fairly happy with it at first, but then I started really hearing the “tinny” sound people often mention when discussing budget, Chinese made condensers. It really showed up on my very “medium” sounding and somewhat sibby voice. It wasn’t long before I began researching for an affordable replacement.
Sometimes I hate the internet when researching products. Expert reviews verses user reviews, so many different opinions, brand bashing, etc. Everyone says something different. One minute I think I have made a decision and then the next, I read someone saying, “I would never use Microphone A because . . . blah blah blah.” Back to square one.
I know it’s best to try a mic out at the shop, but the closest shop to me is over 2hrs away. Researching online and eventually purchasing online is how I have to shop for these things.
Anyway, for a while I had convinced myself I needed the Shure SM7B. It’s a dynamic mic and I figured it would be suitable for VA stuff and the punk rock yelling I like to do sometimes. A much beefier sound than the CAD. But at $400, it was a bit more than I wanted to spend.
Then I read about the KEL HM-2D condenser. It was supposed to sound a lot like a SM7B, but with the flexibility of a condenser. I read lots of good stuff about it and liked the samples I heard, so I ordered one and was happy.
But then I started reading about mic mods and eventually noticed Oktavamod being mentioned over and over again for their ability to take a cheap condenser and make it sound like $3000 microphone. Nothing but great reviews. Hmm, my CAD was on their list of mics that could be modified.
I had to wait a month before they could work on my CAD, but it was worth it. Here’s a sample of the modified CAD GXL3000 and my KEL HM-2D. I think you need some decent speakers or headphones to really hear the difference between the two mids.
Gotta run for now, but I’ll post again soon with a project update list.