[LAU] OT: Microphone choice for pipe organ

[Jonathan Gazeley]

Hi all,

In the past I've recorded a church choir and organ, using a pair of 
small condensers[1] in an X-Y layout for the choir, and a single 
large-diaphragm condenser[2] for the pipe organ (which is at the other 
end of the church).

The large condenser copes extremely well with the organ, and it sounds 
great when the choir and the organ play together, but during the solo 
organ parts, the organ sounds a bit "mono".

Today, I recorded again but used two inexpensive dynamic microphones[3] 
in an X-Y pair for the organ. I was pleasantly surprised by the general 
recording quality and sound colour of the dynamic mics - I thought they 
wouldn't stand up against the much more expensive condenser. It also 
sounds good in stereo - although these cheap mics have a fairly loud 
background hiss. What can you expect from a 3-pack for £25?

So, is anyone able to recommend good quality but inexpensive dynamic 
mics that can cope with the loud SPL of a pipe organ at ten feet, have a 
low background noise, and don't mind being at the end of a 20m XLR cable?

Another choice might be for me to buy another pair of C-2s (which are 
excellent), although I'm not sure how well they will cope with the low 
frequencies of a pipe organ (as low as 15Hz).

I could also try a pair of large-diaphragm condensers, such as the 
Behringer C-1 [4]. Any thoughts?

Cheers,
Jonathan


[1] Behringer C-2 http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/C-2.aspx
[2] Behringer B-1 http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/B-1.aspx
[3] Behringer XM1800S http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/XM1800S.aspx
[4] Behringer C-1 http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/C-1.aspx