Re: AT811 a sweet little mic

I've been using them since the early 80's. They started as the ATM 11
and then changed the name (but not the mic) to 811. As the original
post says, they are quite mellow, not the least bit edgy. I like them
for using on stage for acoustic instruments (guitar, viollin, mandolin,
marimba etc.). They do a pretty good job of rejecting off axis sound.
They produce a very pleasant full sound on an acoustic guitar (from
about 9 inches they have lots of warm bass).

I've also used them in the past for recording with non phantom powered
systems, right into a video camera, cassette, mini disk, or directly
into our Kurzweil. It's nice to have one decent mic that works with
consumer equipment without phantom.

By the way, mine does not work with Phantom!

That said, they aren't normally as good as any of the current breed of
inexpensive condensers I have (I don't have Octavas or any of the other
under $200 condensers). They don't have the clarity or high end I
really need for most situations.

I can imagine situations where they would be great (my glockenspeil for
instance is hideously shrill, the musical saw we use has too much
scratchy high end, and my woodblocks have too much click when played
with regular sticks).
These are the circumstances I usually use a Beyer M88, or AKG 414 ULS,
or Rode NT1.

I'm sure the noise floor is higher than comparable phantom powered
mics, but it isn't that bad and works fine with normal volume
instruments. I've even found it acceptable for gathering sound effects
from quiet sources (the wind, a pond full of frogs etc.).

There is no pad (or hi pass filter), and they easily distort at high
volume. They don't work as a close mic on toms or trumpet for
instance.

Ken Winokur

.

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