Lewitt v Neumann - The LCT040 Match is 1/6th the price of a KM184, can a mic this cheap be any good?

[@doubledark2]

Lewitt certainly seem to be great mics; their AKG heritage is there in the background but they seem to have thrown off the conservative thinking shackles of the "old guard" and produced some innovative mics (like the LCT 640); which many took as a gimmick and therefore dismissed the entire brand. Thank you from Down Under for your efforts; look forward to the next installment.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

HI DD - to be honest I haven't heard the 640 but it looks like a very interesting mic. Austrian Audio, who actually have a lot of AKG's old facilities in Vienna have a very similar product in the OC818 - down to the App for changing the polar diagram. I think once I have done the 040 and 140 videos I'll see if I can get a 640 for review. Have you managed to get any direct experience of Lewitt's more expensive mics? Ta like, ppm6.

[@donatellodiclemente7527]

Good job for Lewitt and exceptional value for money. I'm here because i want to buy a 040 matched pair. But it's incredible how Neumann mics always sound better and more natural of every-single-mic out there. I'm not a brand guy, i'm more "whatever it works". But after a lot of tests and comparisons i'm now able to spot a neumann in every blind test. Because they are just perfect. Amazing.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Thanks Donatello - well right now I'm working on Neumann KM184 v Audix SCX1, though I believe the SCX1 is actually an MBHO microphone made in Germany! It will be a good test for you. The Lewitt's are very good value for money no doubt but the KM184 has a legendary reputation for a reason! Ta like, ppm6.

[@TheConsideredMan]

Hi...You made mention of the Lewitt LCT140's briefly; have you done a comparison of those against the LCT 040's I wonder?

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Thanks for pointing out a gap in my videos!! I'm sorry I haven't yet done that but I should. I do have a couple of videos of the 140 against more expensive offerings. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4SuhGlpjN6Iisk kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJmchoSvjclmrs0 I will certainly add that video idea to the list. Good of you to drop by. Ta like, ppm6.

[@Bring_MeSunshine]

I couldn't help myself. I know it's not mentally healthy, to seek out others, to validate my own purchase decisions, but in the case of the LCT 040 Match (which I bought a pair of) there didn't seem any need, because they cost so little, for a matched pair of SDC's. They make a nice addition to my mic collection, which already had a LCT 440 Pure included. I'd recommend Lewitt to anyone

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Hi, we do love validation, I certainly do! Thanks for the feedback, It's always good to get personal recommendations and the important thing is that they come from honest assessments about what we've bought. That sometimes takes a while. I think the fact you can buy a useful mic that is well made for less than £100 is a miracle. Yes I know it's a miracle not manufactured in Vienna, but there you go. So thanks for the pointer to the LCT440, one question about the LCT 040 - have you run into issues with self noise? Ta like, ppm6.

[@vminator]

Had a pair of KM184's. Returned them and got the Rode TF-5's. Much much better.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Thanks for dropping by. I haven't tried teh Rode TF-5s, I must look out for them. I have a lot of SDCs and love them all, or nearly all, in varying degrees. I think the 184s are good enough to be classics and cheap enough to be a bargain. Ta like, ppm6.

[@tasteapiana]

You narrowed in on the main difference straight out of the gate. The KM184 informs the listener of exactly what is going on in the field, you didn't even need to state where you were in relation to the capsule, whereas the LC040 is responding less like a refined directional microphone and more like a super wide cardioid with a very sibilant diaphragm mechanism (I won't even call it a capsule). This is not knocking the Lewitt, at all. It is what it is and for those who don't care that what they get in the end, in situations that require any isolation whatsoever, will not be what they had initially envisioned - it is perfectly fine. That said, if you want to mic a piano within 50' of a drum kit (or literally anything else that can put out over ~80db) and have any control over it live to 2-trk or later on its own track (also, it not being totally pushed under by higher pressure sounds within 45 degrees of 0), spend the extra $600. I dig recordings that are raw and have weird mic placements where the guitar is swamping the horn mics or the drum overheads have maybe 3db more drums in them than vocals, because I enjoy analyzing them not listening to them for enjoyment. In total isolation, a $15 1990s Radio Shack 1/8'' corded electret mic running on 2 AA batteries can give a great sound, out in the real world where there is anything in addition to what you want to capture - not so much. That's really close to where I would place the Lewitt, which is the same distance away from sanity as is comparing it to a KM184. Really glad you do these things, I wouldn't have the nerve (and I would p ss a lot of people off lol).

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Thanks TP - my theory is nerve is cheap and opinions are free! Neumanns on the other hand.... Still hoping Santa will bring me a U87... Ta like, ppm6.

[@yobhsiFehT]

Yeah, my only remotely interesting takeaway here is that, while the Neumann obviously slays on-axis, I actually preferred the Lewitt off-axis. What IS its polar pattern?? lol

[@vincentsweeney5007]

For those of us who live further away, what does " a bit of a snip" mean?

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Sorry Vincent - 'a snip' is a bargain. Interestingly I've had a lot of observations, comments, complaints about the noise level of the sE8. And I've just done a very rough and ready test. In terms of quote figures the sE8 should be about the same as the Neumann KM184 at 13dB(A), then the Line Audio CM4 at 16dB(A) then the Lewitt 140 at 20dB(A). I made some recordings last night to check and I found... Neumann quietest (what you would expect) CM4 next best, then the sE8 and finally the Lewitt. Now the tests I did were at about 65dB of gain so you would have to be recording something very quiet to reproduce this in the studio. But I mention it none the less. Ta like, ppm6.

[@ramencurry6672]

If you’re talking to an international audience, don’t use local neighborhood phrases that people won’t understand

[@juan2luna]

Didn't understand your conclusion, can you please explain?

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Hi Juan - my conclusion is that the Lewitt, like several affordable mics, provides very acceptable levels of performance for not a lot of money. However that still leaves you with some work to do as there's a large amount of personal preference here. Did you prefer the sound of the Neumann? If not buy the Lewitt. If you did then did you prefer it enough to spend the extra? Assuming you have the extra to spend on mics at the moment. And if you decide the Lewitt is more your thing, there will be value checking out it's similarly priced competitors. Notably the sE8 and the Line Audio CM4. Ta like, ppm6

[@juan2luna]

@@ppmtv-qh9qk Thank you very much for your answer. I already had the Lewitt in mind (that's how I found your video 😉) so it confirms my idea! By the way, the SE8 is double the price.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

H Juan, thanks for the update. The pricing of the sE8 is a bit mysterious to me. It was under £120 I think when I did the video but now is nearly £190, Lewitt seem to have held their prices down. You might also want to check out the Line Audio CM4 - a brilliant mic, though again a bit more expensive than the Lewitt. Ta like, ppm6.

[@argy-ji2zf]

Lewitt vs Neumann !!! in door they may sound the same , but outdoor the Neumann are better .

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Thanks Mourad - that's a very good point - I do pretty much all of my tests in doors, the main problem is the UK is a very windy country! Thanks for stopping by. Ta like, ppm6.

[@JAROCHELOcesarcastro]

This is good to know. Can you say why? I just bought the Lewitt for studio applications but I mostly work live outdoors events and I was thinking on using them

[@johnlentokone7318]

I have found a few reports that LCT040 will generate very strong 53 kHz noise peak which can overload mixers.

[@mackchurch1816]

Thanks John - I've had no problems as yet, can you point me to any of the reports? Ta like, ppm6.

[@johnlentokone7318]

@@mackchurch1816 Those are not in English forums. Could you test your LCT040 with a 192 kHz audio interface? At least Soundcradft Signature 12 mixer will output 53 kHz signal when usin LCT040. The leveln indicator hows higher level than normally because of that 53 kHz signal. LCT040s take maximun power from phantom power.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Hi John - I've sent a note to Lewitt asking if they have any info on the issue. But your example set up would be helpful. You plug the 040 into your Soundcraft Signature 12 and the output level indicators on the Signature 12 are higher than you expect. Am I right? Or is the 53KHz noise appearing at the computer end so the output of the desk is clean but you get the high frequency noise at the computer recording end? And do you only get this when the sample rate is set to 192KHz? Ta like, ppm6.

[@johnlentokone7318]

@@ppmtv-qh9qk I don't personally have those equipment. The 53 kHz is present at the output. It's not present at the computer recording because the sampling rate is only 48 kHz. The 53 kHz is present at the computer if you use 192 kHz audio interface.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

@@johnlentokone7318 Thanks John - I'll see what Lewitt say. Ta like, ppm6.

[@nealo814]

Lct340 is closer to neumann but the discontinued it. I have one and was planning to get another but now prices are same as buying a km184

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Hi Neal - you started me wondering about the 'mid price' between the cheaper options and the KM 184. Two mics spring to mind (neither of which I have!) the Shure SM81 at about £300 and the Austrian Audio CC8 which is closer to £400. Of course neither help if you are looking for a 340 to use as a pair with your existing mic. I suppose if you liked the Shure you could sell the 340 and pick up two SM81s and not be too out of pocket. Thanks for dropping by. Ta like, ppm6.

[@9odyssey]

Hi squirel! I just need to ask what it is, today what it is.. why do you never actually compare the sound of the mics you show? Thanks ;)

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Hi - what sort of comparison did you have in mind? Ta like, ppm6.

[@9odyssey]

@@ppmtv-qh9qk Hi. I just thought you would compare the 2 mics with a singer. You bring great comparisons but it is hard to properly check the difference without someone actually singing on the mics.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

@@9odyssey Thanks for the clarification. I'm no singer but I'll keep my ears out for a tame one. Ta like, ppm6.

[@OliverSchliffkowitz-zv3wj]

The best on neuman is, that most source sound good, but sometimes gives Microphones that works perfect for one. For female voiceactor sounds the Rode NtG 3 better than the so high frequenz Mkh416. And her I think for spezial voices the lct 040 sound better than the Neuman or Gefell. But in the industry of Voiceacting, its important that most voices sound "perfect", because it must be fast and good work.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Thanks for sharing your experience Oliver and you make some good points 'horses for courses' is idiom for this - no one horse suits every race. The challenge of professional work is as you point out needing to get good and to get it fast. That's why people rely on industry standards like the KM184 and the 416. Ta like, ppm6.

[@OliverSchliffkowitz-zv3wj]

@@ppmtv-qh9qk Thanks :) Yes industry standarts, but sometimes, is a new place for new gear. E.g. is the Weissklang V13, V17 or the new L1 today on introductory price 299€. Weissklang make the microphones in Germany like Gefell or Neumann ! And omg I love this :D

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Hi Oliver - just had a look at the Weissklang website - very interesting and that new L1 is very, very tempting. The noise figure is excellent and the samples provided sound great. I just wish they had gone for a flatter curve like the bigger V series mics. Thanks for the pointer. Ta like, ppm6.

[@OliverSchliffkowitz-zv3wj]

@@ppmtv-qh9qk So if there is interest, I can also record something with the V17, so clean except for normalization. For the recording, however, I speak in my main language: German. In the KZbin video descriptions, I would give information on the speaking distance once with wind protection and without wind protection. From conversations with the Weissklang team I know that after the V13 there was a desire to create a microphone that sounds clean and linear , but with a slight increase in treble, which sets in early so that it is noticeably more relaxed than with Gefell or Neumann. For me, the V13 sounds too clean, since people hear differently in different frequency ranges, not only in terms of intelligibility but also in terms of loudness. Although the V13 is super linear when you look at it from a purely technical point of view, it is a bit cool from the biological noise perception of humans. The V17 then sounds to me like a mix of better Neuman and Gefell. Spoken word in German is also a good way to find out with longer texts whether the micro is well suited for softer languages ​​such as English.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Hi Oliver - I think it would be great to have a video of the V17 - I would probably buy the L1 to start with but the more info and videos the better. Ta like, ppm6.

[@rouvenwildeggerbitz7759]

Nice MindPrint DTC in the back! Isn't it?

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Hi Rouven, 10 out of 10 for 'outboard spotting'! I have mixed feelings about my MindPrint. On the one had I love it, it sounds great it is uber flexible and looks the part. However earlier this year I decided to sell it - needed the space. However the front panel has 34 spring loaded push button illuminated switches. And the springs get tired and the switches get lazy. I spent a week taking it apart and working the springs cleaning the contacts and I still couldn't get 100% of them to work every time. And rather than sell it with a health warning I decided to keep it and work the switches regularly till they all behaved themselves. I better get too it then! I should do a video sometime as the MindPrint is a much overlooked bit of kit. Have a good Christmas and I do like your Christmas video, though sadly I never paid enough attention to Miss Gauss in my German classes! Ta like, ppm6.

[@rouvenwildeggerbitz7759]

@@ppmtv-qh9qk 😂🤘🏻Thank you! The christmas songs are Kind of satire in dialect. So many Germans won‘t understand it either.😂 If you need a contact for spare parts or talk about the DTC: I now the guy who invented it and the factory who „built“ it is about 20 minutes from my hometown. Merry christmas!

[@dodo13500]

I have put my 2 414's away and am now using 2 new 040's for overheads.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Well that is a recommendation!! Do you prefer the sound of the 040s or is it a convenience thing or maybe the shape of the pattern? Always good to have real world experience so thanks for sharing that? Ta like, ppm6.

[@dodo13500]

@@ppmtv-qh9qk Love my 414's but really didn't realize how much of the kit they picked up. I was trying to get my overheads to pretty much take care of the cymbals and not the whole kit. My room mic's took care of that along with the close mic's. I was seeing such good reviews on the 040's I figured at $200 let's go for it. They pick up nice crisp cymbals and much less kit. Great little mic's!

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

That sounds like a top tip. Ta like, ppm6.

[@Arkayem]

On your voice the 040 sounds better at 90 than it does on axis

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

With my voice anything is possible - I'll sing next time, you'll get the picture! Ta like, ppm6.

[@DWHarper62]

Lewitt's slice my ears off with the high end... The sE SE7 for $230 a matched pair is 4 db quieter and better low end extension with a smoother high end...

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Thanks DW - I'm a little cautious of sE's self noise figures. My sE8s are quoted at 8dBA but I'm not sure. The main issue may well be where the noise is, spectrally it's higher up the frequency curve and they are audibly noisier than KM184s, which are also quoted at 8dBA. Having said that I love the sE8s and one day I must get round to giving the sE7 a whirl. Thanks for pitching in. Ta like, ppm6.

[@RDYC]

Just on the vocal, no comparison- the Neumann is great and the Lewitt is shrill. It sounds like an electret.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Hi, Thanks for feeding back. The Neumann is a stone cold classic, been in production for years and actually is not that expensive if you look at other high end mics from Schoeps etc. Ta like, ppm6.

[@Ehabmxd]

hi Brother .. how r u .? i missed u 🌹

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Hi Bro - been celebrating the incarnation over Christmas. Hope you are well. Ta like, ppm6.