Mike's Mics: Stellar CM-3

Friday, January 1, 2010

Stellar CM-3

The Stellar CM-3 is a tube condenser microphone manufactured by Acltron Electronics of China and rebadged as the Stellar CM-3 (Alctron model T50P). As is with all condenser mics, the Stellar CM-3 requires an external dedicated power supply.

Generally speaking, tube condenser microphones have a “warmer” character than their equivalent phantom powered counterparts (although, this is not always true). In the case of the Stellar CM-3, this microphone seems to work well on acoustic string bass. It exhibits somewhat of a “crisp” quality that actually seems to enhance the articulation of a pizzicato “walking” bass line. Although I haven’t tested this mic with other string instruments, it exhibits all the necessary characteristics that I can safely recommend it for violin, viola, etc. I’m hoping to test it on piano shortly & post an update.

I don’t recommend this mic on amplified strings, as its inherent “crispness” might take on an edgy quality that might have to be toned down in the mix. If this microphone is used on horns, I would advise that it be placed slightly off axis to take some of the edge off.

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Mike's Mics

Here, you'll find reviews of inexpensive condenser and ribbon microphones with the emphasis on acoustic instruments. If you’re a pianist, percussionist, clarinetist, harpist, violinist, trombonist, etc., this blog may give you enough helpful information to make a more informed decision regarding which budget-priced studio microphone will work best for you.

Most online user reviews of inexpensive studio microphones seem to relate only to how these mics sound on drums, electric guitar cabs and vocals. There is relatively little information about how these microphones work on acoustic instruments and ensembles.

There are currently only a few companies in China that build most of the inexpensive condenser and ribbon microphones available here in the United States. They are almost always “rebadged” and sold under various company monikers (MXL, Nady, Behringer, Apex – to name a few).

There’s an unfortunate tendency to sneer and bad-mouth any equipment that comes from China, particularly microphones. Some of this is justified as quality control is frequently inconsistent and noticeable variations in the sonic character of these Chinese microphones can be very noticeable between samples of the same make and model.

Inexpensive Chinese microphones certainly don’t compare to the high-dollar “boutique” microphones by Neumann and Telefunken. Nonetheless, the overall quality of these inexpensive microphones is surprisingly good for their price range and many of them prove quite adequate for acoustic instrument/ensemble recording projects.

The question then becomes,” Should I spend $5,000.00 on a microphone when a $500.00 microphone will work almost as well?” Yes, the $5,000.00 Neumann U87 will sound better, but does it sound $4,500.00 better? For many musicians on a tight budget (like me), the answer is almost always no.

If you play an acoustic instrument, this blog will hopefully give you enough helpful information so you can make a more informed decision regarding which budget-priced studio microphone will work best for you.

Enjoy.