Chances are you've never heard of Shanghai ShuaiYin Electronics, but I'm willing to bet you've got at least one of their affordable microphones in your arsenal. Shanghai ShuaiYin supplies their microphones under private labels for large clients -- many of the new inexpensive ribbon microphones come from this company! Now, Shanghai ShuaiYin is reaching out to their markets directly, offering premium-spec products at an affordable price.
Affordable Quality
Shanghai ShuaiYin, as mentioned above, is no stranger to most value-conscious recording engineers, even if you don't know it.
At this year's NAMM, Shanghai ShuaiYin was showing off their new line of self-branded microphones, and I was lucky enough to bring one home with me -- the SYC-100 large-diaphragm condenser microphone.
While the representatives from Shanghai ShuaiYin couldn't give me a firm retail price on the new SYC-100 microphone, they did say that they hope to target the $175-200 price category. As of 2009, the SYC-100 is available both directly, and through Audix as a rebranded, OEM model.
That puts the SYC-100 in direct competition with some great offerings from major players; finding a customer willing to pay that price for a relatively unknown manufacturer can be hard. However, the quality speaks for itself -- and when many of the major manufacturers trust Shanghai ShuaiYin as their OEM manufacturer, there's no reason to believe endusers won't be doing the same thing. But how does it sound?
At this year's NAMM, Shanghai ShuaiYin was showing off their new line of self-branded microphones, and I was lucky enough to bring one home with me -- the SYC-100 large-diaphragm condenser microphone.
While the representatives from Shanghai ShuaiYin couldn't give me a firm retail price on the new SYC-100 microphone, they did say that they hope to target the $175-200 price category. As of 2009, the SYC-100 is available both directly, and through Audix as a rebranded, OEM model.
That puts the SYC-100 in direct competition with some great offerings from major players; finding a customer willing to pay that price for a relatively unknown manufacturer can be hard. However, the quality speaks for itself -- and when many of the major manufacturers trust Shanghai ShuaiYin as their OEM manufacturer, there's no reason to believe endusers won't be doing the same thing. But how does it sound?
Audio Quality
I found the SYC-100 to be a great choice for vocals. Vocal quality was up-front with robust low-mid range reproduction. Highs were slightly recessed but in a pleasing way; most cheaper microphones tend to have brittle high end, and this microphone delivered a much better experience than some microphones of similar price.
On drums, I found the SYC-100 to work great as an overhead mic, or more specifically, as a great choice on snare and hi-hat. I found that toms sounded a little boxy with this mic, which can sometimes be an asset, depending on the kit and what you're after as your end result.
Acoustic guitar sounded great for fingerpicking and soloing; for full-on strumming, I found the response of the SYC-100 to be a little smeared in the high-mids.
For live recording, the SYC-100 sounded fantastic as a room mic. In a stereo pair, I would assume it would shine brightly.
Overall, the SYC-100 has a great sound signature -- not too brittle, not too bassy, and very rich in the mids. A little more accuracy would be great, but at this price, you can't have everything!
On drums, I found the SYC-100 to work great as an overhead mic, or more specifically, as a great choice on snare and hi-hat. I found that toms sounded a little boxy with this mic, which can sometimes be an asset, depending on the kit and what you're after as your end result.
Acoustic guitar sounded great for fingerpicking and soloing; for full-on strumming, I found the response of the SYC-100 to be a little smeared in the high-mids.
For live recording, the SYC-100 sounded fantastic as a room mic. In a stereo pair, I would assume it would shine brightly.
Overall, the SYC-100 has a great sound signature -- not too brittle, not too bassy, and very rich in the mids. A little more accuracy would be great, but at this price, you can't have everything!
Build Quality & Conclusion
The build quality of the SYC-100 is very impressive. The body is heavy, and can withstand quite a bit of abuse. The hand-machined brass capsule cover is another asset, offering a very stylish presentation.
The body size of the mic lends well to being shockmounted and used as a spot mic, allowing you to reach into spots not normally accessible by other large-diaphragm condensers.
Shanghai ShuaiYin is trying hard to claim a bit of the market share that their OEM customers have cornered, and who can blame them; their direct-sale products are of high quality, and easily accessible for those on a budget.
Despite years of low-quality products streaming out of Chinese microphone factories, the manufacturing process and quality has gotten many times better in recent years. Shanghai ShuaiYin prides itself in hand-manufacturing their products, according to their sales rep I met at NAMM.
My only problem has been the cosmetic build quality. I've had to tighten screws several times on the cosmetic bezel, and have seen the slick exterior become very scratched over time. Still, the sound quality continues to be pristine, and I use the mic often.
Bottom line? A great microphone -- part of a diverse line of affordable microphone options -- which delivers on it's sound quality promises.
The body size of the mic lends well to being shockmounted and used as a spot mic, allowing you to reach into spots not normally accessible by other large-diaphragm condensers.
Shanghai ShuaiYin is trying hard to claim a bit of the market share that their OEM customers have cornered, and who can blame them; their direct-sale products are of high quality, and easily accessible for those on a budget.
Despite years of low-quality products streaming out of Chinese microphone factories, the manufacturing process and quality has gotten many times better in recent years. Shanghai ShuaiYin prides itself in hand-manufacturing their products, according to their sales rep I met at NAMM.
My only problem has been the cosmetic build quality. I've had to tighten screws several times on the cosmetic bezel, and have seen the slick exterior become very scratched over time. Still, the sound quality continues to be pristine, and I use the mic often.
Bottom line? A great microphone -- part of a diverse line of affordable microphone options -- which delivers on it's sound quality promises.