I bought mine from Bai Fei Li directly. Good construction. I haven't had a chance to really use it on a gig, but I did plug it in and compare it to some other mics. Low self noise and just a good out-of-the-box sound.
Funny enough, I prefer the sound before you added the EQ! Perhaps now that you're using the MT-48, the added high-freq lift vs. the Apollo renders the added high-freq and mid lift unnecessary necessary. Sounds great Mark - you da man
Super impressed tbh. I'm a producer by trade, and I've had countless great mics through the years, but I'm seriously considering switching out a load of my b-roll mics for some of these. I've ordered one, and a V5. I'll do a few instrument recording tests and link them to you! Have you tried the 414 with the 34mm capsule? What would the benefit there be? Slightly warmer, more forward mids? Thanks for your content. Super cool!
You're very welcome. And yes, please let me know what your experience is with these mics, especially for music. I have not tried the 414 with the 34mm capsule, but I have the v10 with the same 34mm capsule and I'd bet they probably sound the same. Kind of a V-shape frequency response with high end detail, but very little in the low mids. Not exactly what I'm looking for, but I know it's a sound that some people like.
There are many valid reasons for having held off on the BFL mics before. In the US, you are taking a chance on a store that you don't know or trust, on a mic company that has had some reports of poor QC, with expensive shipping that will not get you the mic until after you forgot you ordered it, with no practical path for returns. Amazon ordering changes everything. Mine will arrive tomorrow. I don't need it. I am perfectly happy with my stable of mics led by the 103. But I love mics. What can I say? On a different note, that meow cat milk recall meow was premature. I have been meow drinking it steadily without meow any ill effects. Cheers!
Call your vet if you start pooping in a sandbox. Yeah, having it on Amazon will be huge for them. I had been trying to tell them that too many people don’t know Aliexpress or trust it for the reasons you said. Let me know what you think of it when you get it. It’s a surprising little thing, especially if you love mics.
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff thank for answering! You mean, doesn't matter if they have change some small parts of the circuit, the 34mm just doesn't match with the mic style! Like using all terrain tire on Ferrari! 🤣🤣
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff I just ordered the 25mm! My first mic ever! For home recording (voice, acoustic guitar...etc) what do you recommend as second mic? Should I buy another BaiFeili C414 or is there another complementary and cheap option?
I’ve wondered that too. The neutral top end would keep cymbals from being too bright, but they may be too sensitive over the kit of a real heavy basher. I’d love to hear a report back from someone who has tired them as OH’s.
@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff Ok I watched it again. I think I assumed 34mm because in the unboxing segment it looked like a 34mm. Do you still have this mic? Do you know if the micparts V57 kit would fit in it?
What a killer deal! Just curious, have you tried the Warm 414? It's got a Cinemag transformer in it and based on the old EB 414 from what I understand, so kind of a different beast, but it's also relatively inexpensive.
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoffI don't have any personal experience with the brand, but seems to be hit and miss. Some people just rave about their stuff, others say meh. I did a session 4-5yrs ago at a studio with some Warm stuff in the rack and asked about it -- the response was "it sounded good when it worked..."
@@marmaladecreammedia There's a photo somewhere on GroupDIY of the inside of a WA67 and it looks like Steve Wonder soldered it together. I had their MPX preamp here for a demo and tried like hell to make it sound good for VO and the closest I got was something somewhat interesting but overall I thought it was trash. I don't like the value proposition of Warm Audio gear. Some say they are cheap clones, I say they're overpriced junk.
No, but I'm not a huge fan of the K87 capsule on a flat circuit like this one, so I'm guessing it would sound a lot like their V10 mic, or the V47. I would never buy this mic with a 34mm capsule unless I intended to swap out the stock cap for a K47 or C12 style capsule.
I completely understand, We just got a stereo pair of shure545 to accompany our two vintage 545's work horses. It just depends on how good it sounds in the studio for room mics, reverb chambers and piano.
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff if they see this comment I think they should send you the BAIFEILI U87AI so it can be reviewed so we can all hear what it sounds like before we buy it 😆 Let’s get this petition started 😂
It would be interesting if you compared this ProAr and the Bai Fei Li with the same preamp configuration and process since watching the Bai Fei Li video it feels somewhat different. Greetings!!
I just ordered this from Alibaba yesterday and was seriously rolling my eyes for paying more and having to wait. However, I'm not seeing a discount at the moment. Right now it's listed for $79.99, discounted from $99.99. I paid $73 and change, so I will be content to wait the extra week or two and hope for the best.
I saw these and noticed the resemblance. They’re gonna sell much more going this route. Hope they do this with more offerings! Edit: I notice a black Proar that looks like a v10 for $60? Is this the coveted BFL?
I agree. I think this mic will finally get recognized by a mainstream audience with Amazon and help BFL bring more of their great bargains to us. Yeah, that black V10 looking mic has the same 25mm electret capsule as the 414. All the ProAr stuff is Bai Fei Li. It's their special brand for Amazon. Same mics. Just a different badge.
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoffthis is good news for budding artists/engineers on a tight budget. Oh I see, the V10 has a 34mm capsule so the black one is less expensive with the electret
I just surfed Amazon for a moment and noted that the Neat Worker Bee II is currently listed at $55. Nothing wrong with the Bai Fei Li, but at that price the Neat is an absolute steal.
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff Fair enough. I watch your videos in hopes that you can help elevate me beyond the realm of mediocrity. Although I'm not sure at my age and dozens of years of listening to music through crappy headphones if my ears can tell too much of a difference.
What style capsule does this use?
25mm electret. A pretty good one too.
I bought mine from Bai Fei Li directly. Good construction. I haven't had a chance to really use it on a gig, but I did plug it in and compare it to some other mics. Low self noise and just a good out-of-the-box sound.
They are such cool little mics.
Funny enough, I prefer the sound before you added the EQ! Perhaps now that you're using the MT-48, the added high-freq lift vs. the Apollo renders the added high-freq and mid lift unnecessary necessary. Sounds great Mark - you da man
That’s the beauty of this cheap little thing. You can really shape the sound and it doesn’t fall apart like most mics in this price range.
I bought 5 of these. 2 from Baifei Li directly, and 3 more from Proar. Absolutely the same great aounding mic
Glad you like them!
Hello. Did you buy 25mm or 34mm?
Super impressed tbh. I'm a producer by trade, and I've had countless great mics through the years, but I'm seriously considering switching out a load of my b-roll mics for some of these. I've ordered one, and a V5. I'll do a few instrument recording tests and link them to you!
Have you tried the 414 with the 34mm capsule? What would the benefit there be? Slightly warmer, more forward mids?
Thanks for your content. Super cool!
You're very welcome. And yes, please let me know what your experience is with these mics, especially for music. I have not tried the 414 with the 34mm capsule, but I have the v10 with the same 34mm capsule and I'd bet they probably sound the same. Kind of a V-shape frequency response with high end detail, but very little in the low mids. Not exactly what I'm looking for, but I know it's a sound that some people like.
Sounds great. So the one Amazon is selling has a 25mm capsule. Is that what you have?
Yes.
There are many valid reasons for having held off on the BFL mics before. In the US, you are taking a chance on a store that you don't know or trust, on a mic company that has had some reports of poor QC, with expensive shipping that will not get you the mic until after you forgot you ordered it, with no practical path for returns.
Amazon ordering changes everything. Mine will arrive tomorrow. I don't need it. I am perfectly happy with my stable of mics led by the 103. But I love mics. What can I say?
On a different note, that meow cat milk recall meow was premature. I have been meow drinking it steadily without meow any ill effects. Cheers!
Call your vet if you start pooping in a sandbox.
Yeah, having it on Amazon will be huge for them. I had been trying to tell them that too many people don’t know Aliexpress or trust it for the reasons you said. Let me know what you think of it when you get it. It’s a surprising little thing, especially if you love mics.
its garbage dont be fooled by these snakeoil salesmen
First of all, thank for such amazing content!
What version do you recommend for recording acoustic guitar and voice, the 25mm version or 34mm? Why?
I wouldn’t recommend the 34mm version ever. Like many similar mics, the capsule is mismatched to the circuit. Get the 25mm.
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff thank for answering! You mean, doesn't matter if they have change some small parts of the circuit, the 34mm just doesn't match with the mic style! Like using all terrain tire on Ferrari! 🤣🤣
@@rodrihand Yup. The 25mm capsule will give you a much more balanced sound and much better low mids with this circuit.
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff I just ordered the 25mm! My first mic ever! For home recording (voice, acoustic guitar...etc) what do you recommend as second mic? Should I buy another BaiFeili C414 or is there another complementary and cheap option?
@@rodrihand See what qualities you like about this mic first, then go from there.
Wonder if they're good on drum overheads like the actual C414s?
I’ve wondered that too. The neutral top end would keep cymbals from being too bright, but they may be too sensitive over the kit of a real heavy basher. I’d love to hear a report back from someone who has tired them as OH’s.
I know its been awhile but the Amazon link points to a 25mm version. It's still 80 but there is a 10% coupon.
That’s the version in the video.
@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff huh. Ok I thought you said 34. My bad.
@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff Ok I watched it again. I think I assumed 34mm because in the unboxing segment it looked like a 34mm. Do you still have this mic? Do you know if the micparts V57 kit would fit in it?
@@billkaroly I do have this mic and unfortunately, the body shell is too small to accommodate the Mic parts v57 kit.
What a killer deal! Just curious, have you tried the Warm 414? It's got a Cinemag transformer in it and based on the old EB 414 from what I understand, so kind of a different beast, but it's also relatively inexpensive.
Yo man! I haven’t. Overall, I hadn’t been impressed enough with Warm 414 samples I’d heard to pick one up.
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoffI don't have any personal experience with the brand, but seems to be hit and miss. Some people just rave about their stuff, others say meh. I did a session 4-5yrs ago at a studio with some Warm stuff in the rack and asked about it -- the response was "it sounded good when it worked..."
@@marmaladecreammedia There's a photo somewhere on GroupDIY of the inside of a WA67 and it looks like Steve Wonder soldered it together. I had their MPX preamp here for a demo and tried like hell to make it sound good for VO and the closest I got was something somewhat interesting but overall I thought it was trash. I don't like the value proposition of Warm Audio gear. Some say they are cheap clones, I say they're overpriced junk.
Did you buy any of the 34mm C414’s to compare against the 25mm?
No, but I'm not a huge fan of the K87 capsule on a flat circuit like this one, so I'm guessing it would sound a lot like their V10 mic, or the V47. I would never buy this mic with a 34mm capsule unless I intended to swap out the stock cap for a K47 or C12 style capsule.
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff cool deal.
What is the difference of the capsule from 25 mm to 34mm, came to test the two with different diaphragms?
25mm is an electret. Flatter more neutral frequency response. My preference for this circuit.
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff Thank's
Just got one! As a prime member it comes tomorrow thats just too good to pass up. Im wondering if i need a stereo pair????
Woohoo!!! That’s a great question. I do think there is a very valid argument towards having a stereo pair of any mic.
I completely understand, We just got a stereo pair of shure545 to accompany our two vintage 545's work horses. It just depends on how good it sounds in the studio for room mics, reverb chambers and piano.
Is this a good first mic to have?
Yes. Just make sure you use an interface or sound card with phantom power.
Can you please please please review the BAIFEILI U87AI lol 😆
Thanks you!
Great video as always and great deal on the 414!
Only if they send me one and I doubt that's going to happen.
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff if they see this comment I think they should send you the BAIFEILI U87AI so it can be reviewed so we can all hear what it sounds like before we buy it 😆
Let’s get this petition started 😂
Hey Mark! I already have a Rode NT1-A. Would you recommend it anyways, as an addition or replacement?
I would totally recommend it as an addition to the collection as it will have a very different and more neutral tonality than your NT-1
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff Alright, I'll put it on my list then, thanks! :)
It would be interesting if you compared this ProAr and the Bai Fei Li with the same preamp configuration and process since watching the Bai Fei Li video it feels somewhat different. Greetings!!
They are identical in every way except branding.
Or was it some EQ and/or compression turned on on the previous C414 video
@Mark and anyone
Can I ask which one's better? The version with a 25mm or 34mm capsule? Thanks!
I have only used the 25mm version. I’m not a fan of the compromised midrange sound of k67 style capsules on flat, transformerless circuits.
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff Thank you, Mark! That's an important range! I'll get the 25mm! All the best and thanks for covering these in your channel!
And now it begins.
Yup. The ProAr invasion has begun
I just ordered this from Alibaba yesterday and was seriously rolling my eyes for paying more and having to wait. However, I'm not seeing a discount at the moment. Right now it's listed for $79.99, discounted from $99.99. I paid $73 and change, so I will be content to wait the extra week or two and hope for the best.
Let me know what you think b
I saw these and noticed the resemblance. They’re gonna sell much more going this route. Hope they do this with more offerings!
Edit: I notice a black Proar that looks like a v10 for $60? Is this the coveted BFL?
I agree. I think this mic will finally get recognized by a mainstream audience with Amazon and help BFL bring more of their great bargains to us. Yeah, that black V10 looking mic has the same 25mm electret capsule as the 414. All the ProAr stuff is Bai Fei Li. It's their special brand for Amazon. Same mics. Just a different badge.
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoffthis is good news for budding artists/engineers on a tight budget. Oh I see, the V10 has a 34mm capsule so the black one is less expensive with the electret
I just surfed Amazon for a moment and noted that the Neat Worker Bee II is currently listed at $55. Nothing wrong with the Bai Fei Li, but at that price the Neat is an absolute steal.
I wouldn’t steal the Neat even if it was free.
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff I'd love to know why, if you ever care to waste your time explaining.
Not interested in looking at any more beginner mics.
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff Fair enough. I watch your videos in hopes that you can help elevate me beyond the realm of mediocrity. Although I'm not sure at my age and dozens of years of listening to music through crappy headphones if my ears can tell too much of a difference.
@@milesian1Irc, Dracomies made such a comparison
This C414 has a transformer in the circuit
You’re right. I totally forgot that it does. It has a small 2.5:1 transformer.
Шикарный микрофон. Хочу такой заказать
It Actually Has A Transformer
So it does.
What EVER! Hahahaha. I’m posting this on my community tab! Thanks!
It’s a ProAr C414 world and we’re just living in it, baby.
@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff hahaha!
Right? Right? Right? ok, Right. 😆
😂😂
Sounded better flat on the video. I’d pass on this mic.
The wrong demographic line forms to the left.
sponsored by baifeili...
I should. Right?
im a beginner to this kind of stuff, but how do I apply EQ to a mic?
There are plenty of tutorials on TH-cam about EQ.