by Dean Farley
Leomuser@aol.com

Part 1 was: "Microphone Mania": http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/990920/3.shtml?nl61

Part 2 was: AKG ACOUSTICS MICROPHONE REVIEW http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/990927/8.shtml?nl61

This week: *** Conneaut Audio Devices (CAD and Equitek) ***

Once in a great while, you accidentally stumble across something that is SO spectacular, it makes you see double after throwing you against the wall. This is exactly what occurred when I first tested the microphone products from Conneaut Audio Devices.

When I asked the kindly folks at CAD to send me a test sample of their Equitek E-100 "Supercardioid" condenser microphone, I actually received a matched pair of them for evaluation! This was to be only the first surprize as I soon discovered. After charging up the E-100's NiCad batteries, I was ready to plug in and give them a trial run.

First, I believe it is in order to quickly explain how these beauties work. The E-100s are designed unlike any other microphone I have ever used as they give you more option methods in how to power them up. You have the choice of using both the E-100's batteries in conjunction with a 48 volt phantom power supply (using the mics in this way keeps their internal batteries charged up, also giving the mics a tremendous additional supply of voltage to work from). You then have TWO other options which can come in super handy in case of the event there is no phantom power available: You can use regular alkaline 9 volt batteries [warning: DO NOT plug this mic into a phantom power supply when using standard alkaline 9 volt batteries, you'll surely REGRET IT!] OR you can use the E-100's own internal NiCad rechargable batteries for up to 6 hours of use with a simple twist of an internal switch!

A few other highlights of these incredible mics is the sheer output that they produce, These babies have SO much output, you have to be careful! Microphone preamps can be used with the E-100's, but believe me, you must be cautious again when taking the E-100's serious output into consideration. If you are the type of musician who feels that mic preamps are crucial to your "sound", the A.R.T. Tube PAC and Dual MP units are truly stellar choices for this application, undeniably, one of the best of the lot that are currently available today.

The absolute proof is in their sound...they are TOTALLY "flat" all the way down to 10Hz. This fact alone gives you an unbelievable "slap of reality" as you now (finally) have the opportunity to hear your instrument (or any sound source) as it truly is... in it's "natural state", uncolored and uninhibited by any frequency that older microphone technologies innocently force upon you from their old inherent designs.

The E-100 is unequalled in transient speed, clarity of tone, versatility in any application, ease of operation and placement, not to mention just plain cleverness and its very convenient size. Wait, we're not through yet, another sobering fact quickly makes it's way to the forefront...their PRICE! For about $469 each, you cannot beat these microphones at ANY price point! I would say very honestly, that for me, if I never used another microphone (regardless of brand or reputation) for the remainder of my musical career, the Equitek E-100s would keep me in top creative form for good.

Why muddle up the already beautiful sound of my vintage instruments (or amplifiers) with a mic that doesn't reproduce them exactly as they naturally are? "FLAT" is where it's at and CAD is where I am staying... these microphones have brought me more musical flexibility and tonal fulfilment than any microphone before it at any price...."vintage" or not! By the way, the CAD90 is a far superior dynamic mic, too. This particular mic STOMPS on any other dynamic that has ever crossed my path. You have the capability to "push" the CAD90 amazingly hard to analog tape ( the VU meters slammed far past their normally acceptable "speeding limits") with astonishingly delicious musical results. The tape's "compression" just beautifully dripping from the monitors! If you don't try out all of the models (listed above) soon, you will be missing the boat! Need I say more?

Oh, I do have one more thing to add; if you happen to find out that your favorite music store doesn't stock the CAD90, by all means DEMAND that they get them, even if they try to convince you into purchasing a Shure SM57 instead. Once you hear the CAD90, you'll finally forget about the SM57 once and for all.

If you're wondering at all what happened to CAD's evaluation mics, let's just say that they have found a nice new home in my studio... I HAD to have them, so now, not only do I own the matched pair of E-100s but have an additional pair of CAD90s in the arsenal. Between these four mics, they do it ALL, whatever the application requires, CAD delivers the goods.

Equitek E-350 ($899 retail) Quick news flash....just when I thought these tests were coming to a conclusion, CAD surprized me [again] with the arrival of their latest and top of the line Equitek Series microphone, the E-350. YIKES, this company out of Ohio is definitely going to scare the living daylights out of any of their competitors. In both acoustic and electric tests the E-350 had my blood boiling! The sound this large diaphragm condenser mic produces is extremely huge, tight, warm, focused, airey, and very "live."

Another great feature is that ALL polar patterns shine and sound fabulous with this gem; usually, the "figure-eight" patterns of other microphones aren't too exciting for me, but here it ROCKED. The E-350's whopping 1.3 inch capsule and shock mount are completely the work of a mad scientist hell-bent for sonic perfection. I have the feeling that CAD is a company that is on a one-way ticket to stellar legendary status; again the E-350 ultilizing the same advanced high speed OpAmp technology that is found in their E-100 and E-200 microphones. This unit has an incredible punch and clarity that speaks for itself!

By this time, I was asking myself, "What the hell are these guys going to come up with NEXT?" I found out that just as my tests were ending, they really had only started! Watch out big guys, CAD is on a roll and you better get out of the way, put up your white flag of surrender or be shot down for sure! The E-350 will replace quite a few of your old favorites once you witness its complete spacial authority and the magnificent way it brings every little timbrel nuance to life. Another bullseye for CAD and everyone who has the sense to go listen to one immediately after reading this commentary. As for me, I'm "lost in space" once again [for the third time]...speechless and amazed with only one thing to utter.....ahh, next please?

END of MICROPHONE REVIEW (part 3 of 3)

Review by Dean Farley
Leomuser@aol.com

Part 1 was: "Microphone Mania"

Part 2 was: AKG ACOUSTICS MICROPHONE REVIEW