Rode TF-5 or Austrian Audio OC818 Pair

[joegavin]

I know there are many differences between an LDC pair and SDC pair. My only use would be for intimate acoustic guitar. I (think) have narrowed my search to these two possibilities. It’s not that there aren’t many other GREAT mics for this task, but I am currently in a state of microphone paralysis with all the choices available and have to make a decision and move forward. I recorded an album 20 years ago and was very happy with the sound. This was in a professional studio and they used a pair of C414s into a vintech pre. I don’t know which specific iteration on the 414s. I know that Hugh is a big fan of the TF-5 pair. Anyone other insights on these two?

[Sam Inglis]

Unfortunately I think the number of people who will have had the opportunity to compare these two mics in this specific application is likely to be close to zero. I like the OC818 and I'm sure it would do a grand job, but I have never used the TF5.

From an objective point of view the OC818's lower self-noise might be an advantage if you're recording really quiet fingerstyle guitar.

[Hugh Robjohns]

These are both excellent mics, but quite different in their facilities, obviously.

The OC818s are obviously quieter than the TF5s because the physics of LDCs and SDCs work that way... although actually the TF5s are a little quieter than many SDCs (at 14dB SPL) and the OC818s are a little noisier than the best LDCs (at 9dB SPL). In practice, neither will give any noise problems ose miking an acoustic guitar.

The OC818s are multi-pattern, of course, which can be very useful in providing options for different techniques in different environments.

The TF5s are one trick ponies, in that respect, but they do that trick exceptionally well.

The 'standard' studio instrument mic for many engineers has been the Neumann KM84 — as Sam mention in his mic comparison thread — and the TF5 was designed to be an improved KM84, which I think it achieves.

In particular, the TF5s have a very smooth HF response which I find nicely flattering (in the way a KM184 isn't!).

In contrast, the OC818s are a little more 'peaky' which gives a sense of more detail and definition (although that does vary a little with different polar patterns).

The OC818s are nominally twice the price of the TF5s, although you'll find deals that make them only 50% more expensive.

At the end of the day, both are good, professional standard mics easily capable of delivering release quality sound if used appropriately in an suitable acoustic environment.

They have slightly different sound characters, but both are perfectly competent for acoustic guitar recording. The OC818s are more versatile, and slightly quieter, but also more expensive and much bulkier.

I'd be quite happy to use either....

[rggillespie]

Unfortunately I think the number of people who will have had the opportunity to compare these two mics in this specific application is likely to be close to zero'

There's always one though isn't there and here I am!

Like yourself by the sounds of things I read all the reviews at the time, I was looking for mics to record my OM/dreadnought acoustics and did at one stage own both mics. As has been said you'll get wonderful recordings with either.

I think it's as described really, the TF5 are a little warmer sounding and 818 a little clearer/brighter. I wasn't thinking of stereo recording at the time so I sold the TF5, which I've have come to regret as I'd now like to try stereo recording.

I've kept the 818 as it's so versatile and I was using it for vocals and other things. The 818 comes very complete with a hard case, accessories, pop screen etc and its has the remote control app. My one gripe with it is, the sliders are hard to see without shining your phone light on them.

The TF5 comes in strong cardboard box with stereo bar, so maybe worth thinking about if you're traveling around with them. I've ended up using mid and side for my recordings and sometimes 2 mics one at the 12th fret and the other on the lower bout. I prefer using omni more than cardioid, for reasons I can't explain.

If I had a choice of either, I think maybe the tf5 would be my 1st choice but if I was buying, the 818 set would be the one as it does allow you plenty of options to try other methods.

Some online sellers offer 30 days returns, so maybe buy a set, try them and see how you get on, sale or return. The Tf5s held their value well, I got back almost all of what I paid for them. Hope it goes well for you joegavin

[joegavin]

I like the OC818 and I'm sure it would do a grand job, but I have never used the TF5.

From an objective point of view the OC818's lower self-noise might be an advantage if you're recording really quiet fingerstyle guitar.

I agree that either would be great for my application. I think I suffer from this idea that something other than what I get would have been the better choice. Thanks for the insights.

[joegavin]

Thanks Hugh. I agree on all points. I think the TF-5 may be the winner here for me. The problem is, every time I get comfortable with making a purchase I think of another possibility! Just since my original post the Gefell M300 and M930 have attracted my attention again, even though I had eliminated them from my short list.

[Drew Stephenson]

They're all great mics, pick one and go for it.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Pick any one...

...or you'll end up like me and buy them all...

[joegavin]

Yes! I’ve seen your list of mics and it’s quite impressive!

[joegavin]

Unfortunately I think the number of people who will have had the opportunity to compare these two mics in this specific application is likely to be close to zero'

There's always one though isn't there and here I am!

Like yourself by the sounds of things I read all the reviews at the time, I was looking for mics to record my OM/dreadnought acoustics and did at one stage own both mics. As has been said you'll get wonderful recordings with either.

I think it's as described really, the TF5 are a little warmer sounding and 818 a little clearer/brighter. I wasn't thinking of stereo recording at the time so I sold the TF5, which I've have come to regret as I'd now like to try stereo recording.

I've kept the 818 as it's so versatile and I was using it for vocals and other things. The 818 comes very complete with a hard case, accessories, pop screen etc and its has the remote control app. My one gripe with it is, the sliders are hard to see without shining your phone light on them.

The TF5 comes in strong cardboard box with stereo bar, so maybe worth thinking about if you're traveling around with them. I've ended up using mid and side for my recordings and sometimes 2 mics one at the 12th fret and the other on the lower bout. I prefer using omni more than cardioid, for reasons I can't explain.

If I had a choice of either, I think maybe the tf5 would be my 1st choice but if I was buying, the 818 set would be the one as it does allow you plenty of options to try other methods.

Some online sellers offer 30 days returns, so maybe buy a set, try them and see how you get on, sale or return. The Tf5s held their value well, I got back almost all of what I paid for them. Hope it goes well for you joegavin

Thank you for the well wishes! For just a little more than the AA pair I could get the Tf5s and a single OC818, that would give me MS options as well. Or just a pair of Gefell M930s or M300s! See.. there I go again! Seriously though, thanks for chiming in.

[Bob Bickerton]

I’m not familiar with either microphone, and whilst I’m aware that you say you’re only looking for a pair to record acoustic guitar, do you have any other microphones and/or other potential recording uses?

I’d imagine both, along with many other options, would be fine for your intended application, and so the nuance of personal preference is something that only you can make a call on, and then, only after trialling options…… not very helpful eh?

But another consideration is how experienced you are at recording, mic positioning and the acoustic of the room in which you intend to record, as these will have a bigger impact on the recording outcome than the difference between the proposed microphones.

Personally, I like to have the option of a matched stereo pair of SDCs (small diaphragm cardioid mics) for stereo applications, as well as the option of SD omnis and of course LD multi-pattern mics or ribbons for mono sources such as vocals and instruments that don’t particularly benefit from a stereo recording approach. So that may be a conversation for you to have.

And an anecdote for consideration. Some years ago I was asked to record a (classical) acoustic guitar and the artist had just recorded an album with someone in a studio, with a full range of ‘bells and whistles’. The album, in my opinion, was heavily over-processed, and indeed took a great deal of work to get to a point where the artist was anyway happy with the outcome.

The artist was deeply shocked when I put up a couple of cheap (Rode) spaced omnis and got a better result with a minimum of fuss! But, I recorded them in a cathedral, had a good idea of what placement I wanted and what microphone to use. This is an example of knowing what you’re doing in the right space wins out.

What are you using now to record and what is it you don’t like about it?

Bob

[James Perrett]

Thanks Hugh. I agree on all points. I think the TF-5 may be the winner here for me. The problem is, every time I get comfortable with making a purchase I think of another possibility! Just since my original post the Gefell M300 and M930 have attracted my attention again, even though I had eliminated them from my short list.

Just recently, under somewhat sad circumstances, I've had the chance to try around 60 different mics on a couple of acoustic guitars. From this experience I would have to say that you really need to try the mics on your particular instrument. While the expensive mics that I tried usually gave acceptable results on both guitars, there were a couple of real cheapies that were also very impressive on the guitar that I was using - although not necessarily as impressive on my son's guitar.

If you don't already have a pair of Line Audio SDCs then I'd highly recommend investing in those to start with as they will give a very usable sound for not too much money.