ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,817
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Post by ericn on Jun 7, 2019 6:34:45 GMT -6
Do they sell them anymore? I didn't think anyone made them now. I think they are kits you DIY. I’m sure it isn’t a bad sounding mic, and I keep telling myself I should take a road trip to the middle of nowhere KS to check out the AMI-TAB homestead, but at the end of the day it comes down to the capsule. For the $ I think Barbaric and Signal Arts are the way to go. Having somebody who has built a fair amount of mics and knows what’s going to contribute what to get you where you want to be. I think Adams Barbaric and the reasoning behind his choice of tube and transformer are a great example of this. Would I have made the same choice? Probably not, but based on what Adam stated I fully endorse his choice for him and it probably would make me jealous if I was in the room listening to it, I just would personally make different choices and if I had one built that way Adam would probably love it as well. Having a builder who can help you wade through this stuff and get the most out of your money and as close to what you want for every penny.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jun 7, 2019 6:35:09 GMT -6
How's the Tab-Funkenwork 49? Anyone try that one? Do they sell them anymore? I didn't think anyone made them now. At this point I’d just talk with Chris from Barbaric Amplification or Chad from Signal Arts Electronics. Both use their own PCBs and will build the mic to your specifications; capsule choice, transformer, tube, etc. www.signalartelectronics.combarbaricamplification.com
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Post by brenta on Jun 7, 2019 6:56:35 GMT -6
Damn you Adam you know how I love UMT70’s ! I love it to, that's why I have it...but word to the wise. Don't compare it to a BA-49 with an M7 I’ve mentioned this a couple times on RGO but I sold my Gefell UM70S (which is the best iteration of the Gefell 70 IMHO) to fund my Barbaric 49 build and I don’t regret it. I should probably keep my mouth shut about how great the Barbaric mics are otherwise Chris is gonna raise his prices and I still have more mics I want him to build for me.
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Post by brenta on Jun 7, 2019 7:05:00 GMT -6
I do and I tried a few incarnations of it before picking it up; a FleA 49 with a F47 cap and 6S6B-V tube, FleA 49 with an F7 Cap and AC701K tube, FleA 249 with an F7 cap and 6S6B-V tube. Mine has a F47/49 (K49) capsule instead of the stock F7 (M7) capsule. I preferred it to the M7 when I tried it and its just a hair more open and less beefy. Totally a personal preference. I also went with their stock 6S6B-V tube instead of opting for the AC701k for an additional cost. That was a tougher decision for me and I've even spoken with Ivan about sending it in to have them install an AC701K for me. I can say wholeheartedly that I love this microphone on both my wife and I.
What's cool is their FleA 49 Next has the exact same electronics as the FleA 49 vintage, except for the PCB which is different to accommodate the cheaper body kit. So if you want to try it out you can get one used for $2200-2500 if you watch the auctions and it will come stock with the F7 capsule and 6S6B-V tube. Ivan said he would make one for me with their F47/49 capsule which would closely match my FleA 49 Vintage if I wanted.
You can hear a clip of Emily singing on the FleA 49 at 2:45 of our studio vocal reel: https%3A//soundcloud.com/vincent-ricciardi/ev-studio-vocal-demoI hate to link to the purple site, but I have some comparison clips of acoustic guitar on this page including my FleA 49, U87ai, BLUE Bottle Rocket Stage II with B6 Capsule, and RMS 269. It’s toward the middle of the page. www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/850980-rms-audioworks-2.htmlDoes Flea make their own transformers or do they use someone else’s? AMI makes two M49 transformers: the BV11 and BV11R. The BV11 is the historically correct version which is designed to work with the AC701k. The BV11R has additional low end and low mid response to compensate if you are using a different tube besides the AC701k. I went with the BV11R and a 6S6B-V instead of the BV11/AC701k to save some coin. The BV11R is a good option if you want more low end but don’t want to spend the money and deal with the risk involved of buying a AC701k.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,817
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Post by ericn on Jun 7, 2019 7:31:03 GMT -6
I do and I tried a few incarnations of it before picking it up; a FleA 49 with a F47 cap and 6S6B-V tube, FleA 49 with an F7 Cap and AC701K tube, FleA 249 with an F7 cap and 6S6B-V tube. Mine has a F47/49 (K49) capsule instead of the stock F7 (M7) capsule. I preferred it to the M7 when I tried it and its just a hair more open and less beefy. Totally a personal preference. I also went with their stock 6S6B-V tube instead of opting for the AC701k for an additional cost. That was a tougher decision for me and I've even spoken with Ivan about sending it in to have them install an AC701K for me. I can say wholeheartedly that I love this microphone on both my wife and I.
What's cool is their FleA 49 Next has the exact same electronics as the FleA 49 vintage, except for the PCB which is different to accommodate the cheaper body kit. So if you want to try it out you can get one used for $2200-2500 if you watch the auctions and it will come stock with the F7 capsule and 6S6B-V tube. Ivan said he would make one for me with their F47/49 capsule which would closely match my FleA 49 Vintage if I wanted.
You can hear a clip of Emily singing on the FleA 49 at 2:45 of our studio vocal reel: https%3A//soundcloud.com/vincent-ricciardi/ev-studio-vocal-demoI hate to link to the purple site, but I have some comparison clips of acoustic guitar on this page including my FleA 49, U87ai, BLUE Bottle Rocket Stage II with B6 Capsule, and RMS 269. It’s toward the middle of the page. www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/850980-rms-audioworks-2.htmlDoes Flea make their own transformers or do they use someone else’s? AMI makes two M49 transformers: the BV11 and BV11R. The BV11 is the historically correct version which is designed to work with the AC701k. The BV11R has additional low end and low mid response to compensate if you are using a different tube besides the AC701k. I went with the BV11R and a 6S6B-V instead of the BV11/AC701k to save some coin. The BV11R is a good option if you want more low end but don’t want to spend the money and deal with the risk involved of buying a AC701k. Most likely Flea has a custom made to order by some OEM supplier. Winding machines are not cheap and there are a ton of experienced OEM winders around the world that can wind a decent transformer. Also in Fleas corner of the world you can probably get away with some things in the manufacturing process that you can’t in larger countries because of modern environmental regulations.
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Post by adamjbrass on Jun 7, 2019 7:51:14 GMT -6
I love it to, that's why I have it...but word to the wise. Don't compare it to a BA-49 with an M7 I’ve mentioned this a couple times on RGO but I sold my Gefell UM70S (which is the best iteration of the Gefell 70 IMHO) to fund my Barbaric 49 build and I don’t regret it. I should probably keep my mouth shut about how great the Barbaric mics are otherwise Chris is gonna raise his prices and I still have more mics I want him to build for me. Even if he raised his prices, it would still be the deal of the century.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,817
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Post by ericn on Jun 7, 2019 8:15:10 GMT -6
I’ve mentioned this a couple times on RGO but I sold my Gefell UM70S (which is the best iteration of the Gefell 70 IMHO) to fund my Barbaric 49 build and I don’t regret it. I should probably keep my mouth shut about how great the Barbaric mics are otherwise Chris is gonna raise his prices and I still have more mics I want him to build for me. Even if he raised his prices, it would still be the deal of the century. Look at it this way if more people buy from him he probably won’t have to raise prices to keep the lights on😎
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Post by nudwig on Jun 7, 2019 12:20:25 GMT -6
How's the Tab-Funkenwork 49? Anyone try that one? That's what Chris put together for me. I had ordered my with the Thiersch redline M7 but ended up finding an old K49 (I probably already mentioned he built me a mini 47 with that M7 which is also awesome). Nice metal work, everything is solid. Sounds amazing.
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Post by indiehouse on Jun 7, 2019 12:32:29 GMT -6
How's the Tab-Funkenwork 49? Anyone try that one? That's what Chris put together for me. I had ordered my with the Thiersch redline M7 but ended up finding an old K49 (I probably already mentioned he built me a mini 47 with that M7 which is also awesome). Nice metal work, everything is solid. Sounds amazing. You like the metal work? I really dislike cheap metal work on mics. I'd also want a Neumann K47/49. I already have a Thiersch M7 in a U47 build. But man, those things are expensive new, and hard to find used.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jun 7, 2019 15:13:44 GMT -6
Does Flea make their own transformers or do they use someone else’s? AMI makes two M49 transformers: the BV11 and BV11R. The BV11 is the historically correct version which is designed to work with the AC701k. The BV11R has additional low end and low mid response to compensate if you are using a different tube besides the AC701k. I went with the BV11R and a 6S6B-V instead of the BV11/AC701k to save some coin. The BV11R is a good option if you want more low end but don’t want to spend the money and deal with the risk involved of buying a AC701k. I'm not sure if they do it themselves in house or have an OEM supplier, but it's definitely proprietary. I'm also pretty sure that they are historically accurate and not like the BV11r that AMI produces.
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Post by nudwig on Jun 8, 2019 2:00:47 GMT -6
That's what Chris put together for me. I had ordered my with the Thiersch redline M7 but ended up finding an old K49 (I probably already mentioned he built me a mini 47 with that M7 which is also awesome). Nice metal work, everything is solid. Sounds amazing. You like the metal work? I really dislike cheap metal work on mics. I'd also want a Neumann K47/49. I already have a Thiersch M7 in a U47 build. But man, those things are expensive new, and hard to find used. Well, I wouldn't call it Neumann-nice but it's solid enough for me. I don't doubt that the sound has a big influence over how I view the mic though. I definitely lucked out finding that K49 just at the moment I needed it.
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Post by Vincent R. on Aug 14, 2019 12:21:31 GMT -6
I’ve posted a bunch of clips of me singing into my FleA 49, but here is a studio vocal Emily did for an upcoming online video game. We recorded it using the FleA 49 into my Dan Alexander (Neve 1272) into my Apollo silver face. Mix was done by the composer.
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Post by roundbadge on Aug 19, 2019 16:20:58 GMT -6
Had the next 49 demo Ok sounding mic but didn’t sound like a vintage Neumann 49 to me. I like the flea 47.
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Post by Vincent R. on Aug 20, 2019 19:50:33 GMT -6
Had the next 49 demo Ok sounding mic but didn’t sound like a vintage Neumann 49 to me. I like the flea 47. Both of mine have a K47 instead of the M7. I felt it got closer when I did that. The AC701k is hard to replicate. Without it all of the clones are a little off.
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Post by roundbadge on Aug 20, 2019 20:43:25 GMT -6
Had the next 49 demo Ok sounding mic but didn’t sound like a vintage Neumann 49 to me. I like the flea 47. Both of mine have a K47 instead of the M7. I felt it got closer when I did that. The AC701k is hard to replicate. Without it all of the clones are a little off. yeah I'd be curious to hear w/ the k47. the flea 49 sounded kinda vanilla/plain next to the real 49.
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Post by Vincent R. on Aug 20, 2019 20:49:04 GMT -6
I’d love to hear mine next to a real deal M49. I haven’t had the pleasure yet. Sooner or later. For now I love what I’m getting from them though.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Aug 20, 2019 21:21:38 GMT -6
Funny, I guess it really is about compatibility. The Neumann M49 I tried sounded like Minnie Mouse on my vocal compared to the Neumann U67 I tried in the same studio. Same SSL 9000, no EQ or compression.
https%3A//soundcloud.com/martin-john-butler/mic-shootout-1-m49
https%3A//soundcloud.com/martin-john-butler/mic-shootout-1-u67
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Post by Vincent R. on Aug 21, 2019 5:57:28 GMT -6
Very much so Martin John Butler . Same room, same take, same M49C you used, might be another of their U67s though. Both directly into the SSL Console with no EQ or compression. Just a little plate reverb on the voice:
U67 Most Wonderful Time.mp3 (1.65 MB) I will say the U67 might have fared better with a little more proximity as opposed to the 2ft I was singing from.
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Post by Chad on Aug 21, 2019 10:06:58 GMT -6
ALWAYS love that song, Martin.
Yeah, wow.
M49 = MJB is 5 feet tall. U67 = MJB is Andre the Giant.
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Post by teejay on Aug 21, 2019 10:25:29 GMT -6
You gentlemen both sound great no matter the mic, a testament to your gifts and hard work. But certainly the ones you've targeted bring out your best.
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Post by avgatzeblouz on Aug 21, 2019 12:01:10 GMT -6
That's what Chris put together for me. I had ordered my with the Thiersch redline M7 but ended up finding an old K49 (I probably already mentioned he built me a mini 47 with that M7 which is also awesome). Nice metal work, everything is solid. Sounds amazing. You like the metal work? I really dislike cheap metal work on mics. I'd also want a Neumann K47/49. I already have a Thiersch M7 in a U47 build. But man, those things are expensive new, and hard to find used.
I went the DIY route as well, and could not be happier. Poctop PCB, Neumann K49, FAB transformer, and Phaedrus AC701k electronic tube. Sounds phenomenal. A pair for 3000$. If money was easy, I would have gone the exact same path, but with a Flea bodykit.
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Post by indiehouse on Aug 21, 2019 12:11:53 GMT -6
You like the metal work? I really dislike cheap metal work on mics. I'd also want a Neumann K47/49. I already have a Thiersch M7 in a U47 build. But man, those things are expensive new, and hard to find used.
I went the DIY route as well, and could not be happier. Poctop PCB, Neumann K49, FAB transformer, and Phaedrus AC701k electronic tube. Sounds phenomenal. A pair for 3000$. If money was easy, I would have gone the exact same path, but with a Flea bodykit.
Does Flea still sell the M49 body kits?
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Post by indiehouse on Aug 21, 2019 12:13:21 GMT -6
Funny, I guess it really is about compatibility. The Neumann M49 I tried sounded like Minnie Mouse on my vocal compared to the Neumann U67 I tried in the same studio. Same SSL 9000, no EQ or compression. https%3A//soundcloud.com/martin-john-butler/mic-shootout-1-m49https%3A//soundcloud.com/martin-john-butler/mic-shootout-1-u67Same take? Are those vocals level matched? The M49 feels lower in volume to me. It also feels like you were closer to the U67 than the M49.
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Post by avgatzeblouz on Aug 21, 2019 13:06:43 GMT -6
I went the DIY route as well, and could not be happier. Poctop PCB, Neumann K49, FAB transformer, and Phaedrus AC701k electronic tube. Sounds phenomenal. A pair for 3000$. If money was easy, I would have gone the exact same path, but with a Flea bodykit.
Does Flea still sell the M49 body kits? No idea. Back then it was 1000€.
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Post by teejay on Aug 21, 2019 15:02:16 GMT -6
Does Flea still sell the M49 body kits? No idea. Back then it was 1000€. Currently the website for Mechanical Kits & Parts says "M49 - not available now". Also curious to hear you used the Phaedrus tube. Was just looking at those today, but haven't found a lot of "real" feedback on their sound. I know that Robert at RMS Audio offers to use them in his builds. Thought I might see if Chris/Barbaric would entertain that as well.
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