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Crown CM700

Condenser Professional Microphone

By Mark DarnellPublished 7 years ago 2 min read
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CM700's "Great for everything you throw at them!

*Pros: Small, Smooth Sound, Priced right! They sound like a "million dollars".

*Cons: These mic's are now obsolete. And very little support is out there for them, if you need them to be serviced.

I have used these microphones professionally for years. Both in my recording studio (Groovebelly Recording Studio -GRS) and live in concert. The latest live situation was at the annual "Elkhart Jazz Fest," in Elkhart Indiana. I had the pleasure of working with legendary microphone engineer and recording engineer/author Bruce Bartlett mixing sound at the jazz fest.

Bruce always likes to use a matched pair of CM700 microphones on the grand piano. This always sounds smooth and natural. In the past, we have often used different Mic’s that are provided by the sound company for further miking of the other instruments.

A lot of times, we've used things like Shure 57’s & 58’s and an assortment of EV Mics which, on the Friday night when we set everything up, we put up Shure SM58’s on most of the saxes & horns. We had more of these provided with the system so we went with it.

On the second day of the fest, starting off early in the morning, I suggested to Bruce that we should switch the entire instrumentation Mics to Crown's CM700’s. We had both commented that we didn’t like how the other mic’s sounded the night before (harsh).

Bruce agreed and we proceeded to switch all the instrument mics out to CM700’s. We were then amazed by what we heard. We proceeded to Mic the Rob Parton Big Band (from Chicago) with CM700’s. 5 CM700’s on the saxes, 1 spot Mic for solos for the trombone & 1 spot Mic for the trumpets. Also miking the guitar cab with 1 CM700.

This helped give the big band a smooth natural sound. We then proceeded to Mic as many instruments that weekend with CM700’s as possible.

These Mics just can’t sound bad! Everything they are put in front of just sounds awesome! Did I mention that Bruce and Steve Mills designed these things? Well, they did! Way to go Bruce Bartlett and Steve Mills!!!

Some Applications the CM700's shine on:

  • electric and acoustic guitar
  • snare drums
  • tom toms
  • wind instruments
  • all percussion
  • studio vocals

Spec's: From Crown Audio are the following...

  • CM-700 Specifications
  • Type: Cardioid condenser.
  • Transducer: Back electret condenser.
  • Frequency response (typical): 30 Hz to 20,000 Hz
  • Polar pattern: Cardioid
  • Impedance: 190 ohms, balanced. Recommended minimum load impedance 1000 ohms.
  • Open-circuit sensitivity: 2.5 mV/Pa* (–52 dB re 1 V/Pa*).
  • Power sensitivity:–52 dB re 1 mW/Pa*.
  • Equivalent noise level (self-noise): 1 dB SPL typical A-weighted (0 dB=.0002 dyne/cm2).
  • S/N ratio: 73 dB at 94 dB SPL.
  • Maximum SPL for 3% THD: 151 dB with 48Vphantom, 142 dB with 12V phantom.
  • Polarity: Positive pressure on the diaphragm produces a positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3 of the output connector.
  • Output connector: 3-pin male pro audio connector.
  • Switch: Flat, low-cut and bass rolloff.
  • Operating voltage: Phantom power, 12 to 48 volts, positive voltage on pins 2 and 3 with respect to pin 1 of output connector.
  • Current drain: 3.2 mA..
  • *1 pascal = 10 microbars = 10 dynes/cm 2 = 94 dB SPL.
  • These mic’s are perfect for home studion and pro- recording also. Once they listed for $289.00 and also came available as “matched pairs”.
I bet you can’t use just one! Try them out!
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About the Creator

Mark Darnell

Mark R Darnell started music on trumpet at 10 and Guitar/Bass/Drums at 12. After returning home from Anderson University studying music Industry and Performance has been playing in the Michiana music scene for over 38 years. Nashville too.

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