The MCA SP-1

Did you ever see a condenser microphone in a blister pack. I know we're used to wood boxes, metal boxes, at least plastic boxes but a blister pack? Yep, that's the way you get the MCA SP-1. Now that's funky.

I bought two after I read the favorable tape-op review. The one that said that you just knew that out of all the cheap chinese condensers there just had to be a good one. Well it is in fact a good one.

I've used mine twice so far.

I used them as a stereo pair recording acoustic music at Bunky's Breakfast in Helena, Arkansas. I had them up close to the stage at the right and left corners. In the center I had my Superlux CM-H8C set to cardiod.

They did not do as good as the Superlux at noise rejection from the rear. When there was a crowded noisy restaurant the Superlux gave a superior focus on the music. However I also recorded a set with a near empty restaurant. This set came out in beautiful stereo and the MCA mics sounded as good as the Superlux. I ended up blending all three mics. The SP-1s gave me stereo and the Superlux allowed me to crisp up the center stage activity.

Then I tried the SP-1 as a vocal mic overdubbing a part. I used the Audio Technica AT4054 like a stage mic and the SP-1 was about 8 inches above it pointed at my forehead or the bridge of my nose. I sang about a foot back from the mics. Later I played back just the vocal parts for soundwoman. Neither she nor I could reliably distinguish the tracks. The $40 SP-1 competed head to head with the superb AT 4054. Now that was a surprise.

I noticed that PSSL still had these listed in their catalog. Here's the link.

http://www.pssl.com/Search?q=sp1&x=0&y=0&by=s

This is a discontinued item and when they're gone I expect them to be higher on the used market than they are new. That's why I list them as soon to be uncommon.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

These mics (the MCA mics) were pushed by Jim Williams as cheap mics to experiment with on mods a few years ago.

Which is why I would have my eye on getting one or two. Royer mod anyone?

Bear

Hi,

Yeah for $40 you can learn about modding mics at low risk. I think there is a pro mod for this mic too.

I already had to mod one of them. I had a bad ground and it was giving me hum. I disassembled the case and found the problem. Then I cut a 1/4 inch piece of silver wire and bent it around the metal where they are supposed to ground. When I reassembled the mic I couldn't make it hum.

Still I'll have to be careful if I ever take it apart again not to lose that little piece of wire.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry