Small Diaphragm Condenser Mic Shoot-Out for Flamenco Guitar - special guest Jose Fermín Fernandez

Here’s a mic shootout between some really nice small diaphragm condenser mics (SDC’s) - the Neumann KM84 and the KM184, the Soyuz 013 Fet, and the AKG C460B. Are they really that different? And once you add a little reverb are they still so different? And would you pay twice as much for a 60 year old mic as for the new incarnation with a warranty? We had our friend, the amazing guitarist Jose Fermín (@joseferminfernandezoficial9828), come play for us and we recorded him with all four mics simultaneously to see how they sound in the specific application we care about - recording a flamenco guitar with a single mic.  NOTE: This video is quieter than usual because we chose not to use any compression or limiting whatsoever that might (would) affect the sound of the mics. The signal chain here is microphones into Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt mic pres (because it’s what I have enough of and honestly they sound pretty great) straight into Pro Tools. The reverb is the UAD EMT140 emulation. I level matched as best as I could, and there is no EQ or compression whatsoever. All of the mic pres were set to 52db of gain, and no pads or filters were used on mics that had them or on the Ensemble (i.e. no Soft Limit, high pass).  The only variable here is the mic placement. I placed the four capsules as close together as I possibly could without them touching, but of course it’s impossible to have them in exactly the same spot.  It's not a scientific test or anything. More of a real-world test of the mics in the setting most of us use these mics in these days - recording at home under the best conditions we can manage. The guitar is a 1969 Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso flamenco Blanca. Strings are La Bella 2001 Medium Tension. None of these links is an affiliate link (two of the mics here are discontinued anyway) - just some info in case you want to learn more about the mics. KM84 https://recordinghacks.com/microphone... KM184 https://vintageking.com/neumann-km-18... Soyuz 013 Fet https://vintageking.com/soyuz-su013-s... ‪@soyuzmics‬ AKG C460B https://recordinghacks.com/microphone... ‪@aliffurrohman.s.r7477‬ ‪@apogeedigital‬ ‪@GeorgNeumannGmbH‬ 0:00 - Intro 0:28 - What’s the point of this? 0:47 - Methodology 1:11 - Controversial Reverb Decision 1:49 - The Mics - Neumann km84 2:23 - The Mics - Neumann km184 2:44 - The Mics - Soyuz 013 fet with cardioid capsule 2:59 - The Mics - AKG C460b with CK61 Capsule 3:23 - Listen to the km84 5:23 - Listen to the km184 7:24 - Listen to the Soyuz 013 fet 9:23 - Listen to the AKG C460b 11:22 - Conclusion? === Learn flamenco guitar online with a clear, structured approach. Flamenco Explained is an online flamenco guitar learning platform designed for people who are new to flamenco — from complete beginners to experienced guitarists — who want to understand rhythm, technique, and structure, not just copy videos. A clear, step-by-step way to learn flamenco guitar without feeling overwhelmed or intimidated. — WHAT IS FLAMENCO EXPLAINED Flamenco Explained is the most comprehensive flamenco guitar learning resource available in English, with 900+ in-depth video lessons covering technique, rhythm (compás), styles (palos), falsetas, and guided learning paths. Flamenco can be taught, learned, and understood. Instead of relying on mystique or rote imitation, Flamenco Explained focuses on clarity, structure, and musical understanding — so you know what you’re playing and why. A STRUCTURED PATH OR DEEP EXPLORATION — YOUR CHOICE If you’re new to flamenco or want strong foundations, you can follow The Camino — a guided learning path that takes you step by step from fundamentals to complete flamenco guitar solos. If you already have experience, you can explore the library freely, including: • Technique breakdowns • Palos (flamenco forms) • Falsetas and solo material • Accompaniment for singers (cante) and dancers (baile) • Topics rarely explained elsewhere Lessons are clearly organized so you can study broadly or focus deeply on exactly what you need. — TRY FLAMENCO EXPLAINED — RISK FREE You can try Flamenco Explained with 14 days of full access, risk free. • 900+ high-quality video lessons • Downloadable notation and TABs • Multiple camera angles and HD video • Progress tracking • Supportive learning community 👉🏽 Start here: https://youcan.flamencoexplained.com/...