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Post by geoff738 on Aug 7, 2019 14:05:56 GMT -6
The ongoing SM7 thread has lots of love for the Beyer 201. Felt it deserved its own thread.
so, what do you like about it, what are you using it on.
There were several posts of folks preferring it to a 57, for example.
I picked up mine about the time I stopped tracking drums, but I did use it on snare. Some of you were of the opinion that the 57s off axis response was less than stellar, and I’m not going to argue, but I’ve heard the same opinion on the 201 as well.
The 201 is marketed as a hypercarioid I believe, but I’m not sure I hear it quite that way.
so, other than snare, where else does it shine for you?
Ive tried on guitar cabs but honestly prefer ribbons or an SM7 if using a dynamic.
Cheers, Geoff
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Beyer 201
Aug 7, 2019 14:17:10 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by Tbone81 on Aug 7, 2019 14:17:10 GMT -6
I’ll bite...I love it on snare, the HH bleed it picks up is sooo much more musical and pleasant sounding than a 57. Love it on electric guitars, especially if you’re trying to minimize bleed or room tone. Sounds good on percussion but usually isn’t my first choice there. Same for vocals.
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Post by johneppstein on Aug 7, 2019 14:37:58 GMT -6
The ongoing SM7 thread has lots of love for the Beyer 201. Felt it deserved its own thread. so, what do you like about it, what are you using it on. There were several posts of folks preferring it to a 57, for example. I picked up mine about the time I stopped tracking drums, but I did use it on snare. Some of you were of the opinion that the 57s off axis response was less than stellar, and I’m not going to argue, but I’ve heard the same opinion on the 201 as well. The 201 is marketed as a hypercarioid I believe, but I’m not sure I hear it quite that way. so, other than snare, where else does it shine for you? Ive tried on guitar cabs but honestly prefer ribbons or an SM7 if using a dynamic. Cheers, Geoff The 201 does everything a 57 does except sound crappy.
If you have a chance to see an actual pen graph printout of a 57 you'll find that its presence region is really quite ragged. If you have a chance to compare printouts of several 57s you'll find that no two are the same. A pen graph printout of a 201 is smooth - there's a presence peak but it isn't ragged and comparing two or more shows that they are close to identical. Beyer used to furnish such plots with their mics, IDed by serial number. They also used to guarantee that any two mics of a given model could be used as as matched stereo pair. I'm not sure if they still do.
The 201 also has a tighter pattern.
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Beyer 201
Aug 7, 2019 14:41:26 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by stormymondays on Aug 7, 2019 14:41:26 GMT -6
I never found a reason to take it off the snare but I would use it for anything with confidence if I needed to.
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Post by johneppstein on Aug 7, 2019 14:44:34 GMT -6
I never found a reason to take it off the snare but I would use it for anything with confidence if I needed to. It's my go-to snare mic for live work where I don't want to risk my KM84. If I need another, I have two....
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Post by svart on Aug 7, 2019 14:53:17 GMT -6
Hmm. I've had two of the M201, one with the tuechel and the other XLR. I bought the first one 15 years ago due to all the ongoing love they get in the forums. I expected angels and the voice of God.. I got a slightly brighter SM57 with nasal sounding off-axis.
I sold it.
About 5 years ago I bought another one thinking maybe it was a version difference, or that my ears had "grown up" since the last one.
slightly brighter 57 with nasal off-axis.
Sold it too.
Audix I5 or the Audio-Technica ATM63HE are much more like you'd think the M201 should be based on the descriptions alone.
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Post by jeremygillespie on Aug 7, 2019 14:58:53 GMT -6
Hmm. I've had two of the M201, one with the tuechel and the other XLR. I bought the first one 15 years ago due to all the ongoing love they get in the forums. I expected angels and the voice of God.. I got a slightly brighter SM57 with nasal sounding off-axis. I sold it. About 5 years ago I bought another one thinking maybe it was a version difference, or that my ears had "grown up" since the last one. slightly brighter 57 with nasal off-axis. Sold it too. Audix I5 or the Audio-Technica ATM63HE are much more like you'd think the M201 should be based on the descriptions alone. I’m with you. Thought I was using an abused or bad mic first time I used the 201 on a snare. i5 gets the snare love from me now.
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Beyer 201
Aug 7, 2019 15:22:32 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by gouge on Aug 7, 2019 15:22:32 GMT -6
i tried to love the m201 but only ended really liking it on bass cab.
i havent found a dynamic replacement for the 57 on snare yet
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Post by Tbone81 on Aug 7, 2019 15:40:52 GMT -6
Agreed that the audix i5 is a fine snare mic. But I’m a little confused that anyone would consider its off axis sound as nasal. “Nasal” is how I’d describe the 57...but as always ymmv, go figure.
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Post by bradd on Aug 7, 2019 15:47:59 GMT -6
I really like it on snare and actually prefer it to KM84s in that application. I don't often use a dynamic on acoustic guitar, but the M201 makes a very nice AG mic.
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Post by mcirish on Aug 7, 2019 16:25:03 GMT -6
Hmm. I've had two of the M201, one with the tuechel and the other XLR. I bought the first one 15 years ago due to all the ongoing love they get in the forums. I expected angels and the voice of God.. I got a slightly brighter SM57 with nasal sounding off-axis. I sold it. About 5 years ago I bought another one thinking maybe it was a version difference, or that my ears had "grown up" since the last one. slightly brighter 57 with nasal off-axis. Sold it too. Audix I5 or the Audio-Technica ATM63HE are much more like you'd think the M201 should be based on the descriptions alone. I too have read all the glowing reviews on the 201 and have really been interested in picking one up. I'm sure glad to read your review. I use the Audix i5 and the ATM63 on snare all the time. It's funny you should mention the two mics I already own. I've always been partial to the i5. It's got a bit more air than a 57 and the bleed doesn't sound too bad. On a side note, I also have MD421's I bought for toms. I paid a fair amount for mine. they are earlier versions. They are OK, except the cymbal bleed is unusable and I have to heavily gate or cut the parts. I picked up some very inexpensive ATM230 mics for toms and they are absolutely great in every way. It's funny how the "best" mics are not very often the best.
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Post by wiz on Aug 7, 2019 16:41:38 GMT -6
Love it on snare..... don’t like the i5
Cheers
Wiz
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Beyer 201
Aug 7, 2019 16:49:27 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by Tbone81 on Aug 7, 2019 16:49:27 GMT -6
Hmm. I've had two of the M201, one with the tuechel and the other XLR. I bought the first one 15 years ago due to all the ongoing love they get in the forums. I expected angels and the voice of God.. I got a slightly brighter SM57 with nasal sounding off-axis. I sold it. About 5 years ago I bought another one thinking maybe it was a version difference, or that my ears had "grown up" since the last one. slightly brighter 57 with nasal off-axis. Sold it too. Audix I5 or the Audio-Technica ATM63HE are much more like you'd think the M201 should be based on the descriptions alone. I too have read all the glowing reviews on the 201 and have really been interested in picking one up. I'm sure glad to read your review. I use the Audix i5 and the ATM63 on snare all the time. It's funny you should mention the two mics I already own. I've always been partial to the i5. It's got a bit more air than a 57 and the bleed doesn't sound too bad. On a side note, I also have MD421's I bought for toms. I paid a fair amount for mine. they are earlier versions. They are OK, except the cymbal bleed is unusable and I have to heavily gate or cut the parts. I picked up some very inexpensive ATM230 mics for toms and they are absolutely great in every way. It's funny how the "best" mics are not very often the best. It’s funny, I love 421’s on sooo many things EXCETP for Toms. I feel like it’s been way over sold as a Tom mix and way undersold In every other application
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Beyer 201
Aug 7, 2019 18:19:40 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by svart on Aug 7, 2019 18:19:40 GMT -6
Hmm. I've had two of the M201, one with the tuechel and the other XLR. I bought the first one 15 years ago due to all the ongoing love they get in the forums. I expected angels and the voice of God.. I got a slightly brighter SM57 with nasal sounding off-axis. I sold it. About 5 years ago I bought another one thinking maybe it was a version difference, or that my ears had "grown up" since the last one. slightly brighter 57 with nasal off-axis. Sold it too. Audix I5 or the Audio-Technica ATM63HE are much more like you'd think the M201 should be based on the descriptions alone. I too have read all the glowing reviews on the 201 and have really been interested in picking one up. I'm sure glad to read your review. I use the Audix i5 and the ATM63 on snare all the time. It's funny you should mention the two mics I already own. I've always been partial to the i5. It's got a bit more air than a 57 and the bleed doesn't sound too bad. On a side note, I also have MD421's I bought for toms. I paid a fair amount for mine. they are earlier versions. They are OK, except the cymbal bleed is unusable and I have to heavily gate or cut the parts. I picked up some very inexpensive ATM230 mics for toms and they are absolutely great in every way. It's funny how the "best" mics are not very often the best. Interesting. I didn't know about the atm230. I use the old ATM25's on toms and they're good enough. Not a whole lot of bleed and there's enough top and bottom to work with. Certainly better than the MD421 on toms for bleed.
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Post by geoff738 on Aug 7, 2019 18:50:27 GMT -6
I too have read all the glowing reviews on the 201 and have really been interested in picking one up. I'm sure glad to read your review. I use the Audix i5 and the ATM63 on snare all the time. It's funny you should mention the two mics I already own. I've always been partial to the i5. It's got a bit more air than a 57 and the bleed doesn't sound too bad. On a side note, I also have MD421's I bought for toms. I paid a fair amount for mine. they are earlier versions. They are OK, except the cymbal bleed is unusable and I have to heavily gate or cut the parts. I picked up some very inexpensive ATM230 mics for toms and they are absolutely great in every way. It's funny how the "best" mics are not very often the best. Interesting. I didn't know about the atm230. I use the old ATM25's on toms and they're good enough. Not a whole lot of bleed and there's enough top and bottom to work with. Certainly better than the MD421 on toms for bleed. The Stones supposedly used the ATM 25 on Charlie’s toms. Don Was era. I like them there too. Never really tried it anywhere else other than kick drum. Maybe bass cab? Been so long. Anybody like the 201s on toms? I’m guessing not enough “meat” but could be wrong. Cheers, Geoff
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Beyer 201
Aug 7, 2019 18:56:05 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by jamiesego on Aug 7, 2019 18:56:05 GMT -6
Off topic but I’m also a fan of the ATM230 as well as the ATM25 on kick and toms respectively.
There’s an engineer in town who uses a 201 on snare and I dig the sounds he gets. I’ve been really close to pulling the trigger on one. I love M160’s and 260’s. I feel like Beyer is an underrated company sometimes.
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Post by lpedrum on Aug 7, 2019 21:44:24 GMT -6
I'll have to dig out my 201 again. I tried it on snare for a while but it just seemed dull and boxy to me at the time. I switched to a 57 with a Yellow Crimson Mod and that's been my go to on snare for a while--more open sounding and picks up more of the snare wire sound. As for the ATM25, it was the go to floor tom mic in a couple of big time NYC studios for a while. It does a thing, but it's a very modern, scooped thing, and that's not MY thing. I have one but it rarely gets used.
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Post by svart on Aug 8, 2019 7:47:07 GMT -6
I'll have to dig out my 201 again. I tried it on snare for a while but it just seemed dull and boxy to me at the time. I switched to a 57 with a Yellow Crimson Mod and that's been my go to on snare for a while--more open sounding and picks up more of the snare wire sound. As for the ATM25, it was the go to floor tom mic in a couple of big time NYC studios for a while. It does a thing, but it's a very modern, scooped thing, and that's not MY thing. I have one but it rarely gets used. I don't necessarily find that the ATM25 is more scooped than any other.. I always end up carving huge amounts out of the toms anyway.. But then again I always use the ATM25's with CAPI 312's which have that lively midrange thing which might balance them out a bit. I might pick up a set of the ATM230's and see if they can replace the ATM25's.. And then sell the ATM25's for a profit..
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Post by drsax on Aug 8, 2019 10:12:51 GMT -6
My 201 lives on the snare. I like it better there than my i5 and 57’s
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Post by johneppstein on Aug 8, 2019 11:50:33 GMT -6
Interesting. I didn't know about the atm230. I use the old ATM25's on toms and they're good enough. Not a whole lot of bleed and there's enough top and bottom to work with. Certainly better than the MD421 on toms for bleed. The Stones supposedly used the ATM 25 on Charlie’s toms. Don Was era. I like them there too. Never really tried it anywhere else other than kick drum. Maybe bass cab? Been so long. Anybody like the 201s on toms? I’m guessing not enough “meat” but could be wrong. Cheers, Geoff When I was with FM Prods the 201 was our standard rack tom mic.
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Post by johneppstein on Aug 8, 2019 11:55:39 GMT -6
I feel like Beyer is an underrated company sometimes. They certainly are and I hope things stay that way!
Beyer is still family owned and I would really hate to see them become another takeover victim.
Also, according to Wikipedia they are the oldest still functioning audio company in the world.
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Post by svart on Aug 8, 2019 11:58:43 GMT -6
My 201 lives on the snare. I like it better there than my i5 and 57’s When I was shooting out the 201, I5, 57, D1, ATM63, ATM63HE, beta57, beta57a, M80 and some others, I found that the direct tone from the snare wasn't all that different between any of them. If I got the capsule roughly the same distance from the head, the general tone was the same with more highs or lows depending on the mic. The real difference was the bleed from the stuff around. The 201 just had a strange off-axis tone that was harder to manage in the mix even if it had a slightly better balance than the 57, and the hyper pattern wasn't nearly as tight as other hyper mics. I didn't think the 201 had a great enough difference in the on-axis tone to warrant the hassle of the off-axis bleed.
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Beyer 201
Aug 8, 2019 17:59:13 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by drsax on Aug 8, 2019 17:59:13 GMT -6
My 201 lives on the snare. I like it better there than my i5 and 57’s When I was shooting out the 201, I5, 57, D1, ATM63, ATM63HE, beta57, beta57a, M80 and some others, I found that the direct tone from the snare wasn't all that different between any of them. If I got the capsule roughly the same distance from the head, the general tone was the same with more highs or lows depending on the mic. The real difference was the bleed from the stuff around. The 201 just had a strange off-axis tone that was harder to manage in the mix even if it had a slightly better balance than the 57, and the hyper pattern wasn't nearly as tight as other hyper mics. I didn't think the 201 had a great enough difference in the on-axis tone to warrant the hassle of the off-axis bleed. in my room I liked the 201 bleed much better than the others. As far as the direct snare sound, I liked the 201 best as well. I’d happily use any of the standards though
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Beyer 201
Aug 8, 2019 18:17:00 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by shoe on Aug 8, 2019 18:17:00 GMT -6
I really like the M201 TG on guitar cab. To me, it's the dynamic that I would pick if I am only going to use one mic per cab, but I also have had great luck blending it with an old Unidyne III.
I find it to be able to sound more neutral for guitar cab compared to most other options, which is what I like about it.
On the flipside, I tried it on saxophone with high hopes and it was way too bright.
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Post by johneppstein on Aug 8, 2019 21:14:19 GMT -6
My 201 lives on the snare. I like it better there than my i5 and 57’s When I was shooting out the 201, I5, 57, D1, ATM63, ATM63HE, beta57, beta57a, M80 and some others, I found that the direct tone from the snare wasn't all that different between any of them. If I got the capsule roughly the same distance from the head, the general tone was the same with more highs or lows depending on the mic. The real difference was the bleed from the stuff around. The 201 just had a strange off-axis tone that was harder to manage in the mix even if it had a slightly better balance than the 57, and the hyper pattern wasn't nearly as tight as other hyper mics. I didn't think the 201 had a great enough difference in the on-axis tone to warrant the hassle of the off-axis bleed. That's rather strange, pretty much diametrically opposed to my experience. Are you certain that the 201 you tested was not damaged or defective?
I have occasionally (but rarely) encountered defective Beyers - they tend to be a bit more delicate than some other dynamics and there is some possibility that it might have been damaged in shipping. If the mic had been damaged the damage might not be apparent in a basic visual inspection. When I got my M88 I brought it from the store directly to a gig and was startled to discover that it sounded really wrong, unlike other 88s I'd used. Took it back to the dealer who gladly exchanged it after a comparison. Whatever was wrong with it did not show in a visual inspection.
I have seen a number of various Beyers that were damaged in onstage use, in ways that were visible on opening the mic(s).
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