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Post by bluegrassdan on Jun 24, 2020 21:43:46 GMT -6
Howdy all, Breakthroughs come with second-guessing and gathering opinions from end users. I have two mic input transformers to choose between. Both can be wired 1:5 or 1:10, allowing four options. (I will likely add switchable ratios on the front panel, but I need to choose either Crimson or Cinemag.) For anyone who is interested in helping me make this decision, please take a listen to the four vocal samples and vote/comment. www.dropbox.com/sh/bcyamu2zjcoth6a/AADf6-pYBC8ff-cfkSUQvWQta?dl=0Vocals were through a U87ai (nose on the pop filter for consistency), through the input transformers, and into my tube preamp. Thanks in advance! |
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Post by Ward on Jun 25, 2020 10:10:52 GMT -6
What a delightful exercise to take part in! Bless your soul.
I am torn between the Crimson 1:5 and Crimson 1:10
The 1:10 has a lot more smear on the higher louder notes, BUT it's kinder on the lower pitched quieter passages.
And the 1:5 is the opposite.
but, when it comes down to it, the Crimson 1:5 was kinder to my ears and those are the only ones I can comment on.
And what a beautiful bit of singing!!
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Post by christopher on Jun 25, 2020 11:39:50 GMT -6
I liked the 3rd clip 1:5 best; first clip 1:5 next best; 1:10's were very close calls but I liked the cinemag #2, but really all 4 are very usable. The 1:10 seemed to be more detailed? sharp? (ward probably explained it best) The 1:5 had something smooth and interesting to me.
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Post by NoTomorrow on Jun 25, 2020 12:29:16 GMT -6
I preferred the Cinemag 1:5. It has more muscle in the low mids and a little less high end. I always find it easier to just add a high shelf to a flatter recording than to have to start EQing in the low mids to fix a vocal that's lacking some weight. I thought the other transformers all sounded (slightly) scooped compared to the Cinemag 1:5.
Preamp sounds killer
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Post by matt@IAA on Jun 25, 2020 12:41:15 GMT -6
Prefer the Cinemag as well, and the 1:10 sounds a bit more "driven" than the 1:5... not in a bad way, just preferred the 1:5 to it.
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Post by Guitar on Jun 25, 2020 15:09:56 GMT -6
I'm gonna have to go with the Cinemag 1:5. To me it sounded the most "accurate" or "true" which is something I seek a lot with sound reproduction. The other ones seemed to color the sound a bit much, compared to that one. They seemed less present or revealing of the vocal performance in subtle ways.
You could derange the sound later with your favorite processors, in my estimation. Or keep it more true to source. I also have no idea what the sound was in the room, haha. There's just a clear vibe to me with the Cinemag 1:5 here.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Jun 25, 2020 16:09:22 GMT -6
Here are my personal thoughts...
Before trying the Crimson, I thought I was satisfied with the Cinemag 1:5. But there is something unnaturally "metallic" in the 5k-8k range that bugs me.
The Cinemag 1:10 has a very gentle rolloff that starts at 4k and goes down -1.5dB at 20k. But it also does this mid-forward thing that sounds kinda nasal. It's the exact same transformer design as Jensen. (I simply don't like this one.)
The Crimson simply sounds more musical to me compared to Cinemag. At 1:5 it is less dense and has some pleasent air, which would be nice on sources like acoustic instruments. At 1:10 it is more robust and colored.
I am likely going to add a ratio switch for 1:5 and 1:10 to allow for both options.
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Post by Guitar on Jun 25, 2020 16:52:31 GMT -6
I am hearing mainly a more low frequency leaning on the Crimson vs a more high endy thing on the Cinemag like you were saying. I guess it's a preference after that. I'd probably high pass filter that Crimson vocal a little bit.
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Post by EmRR on Jul 2, 2020 10:43:17 GMT -6
The Crimson is bringing out some sibilance the Cinemag does not; makes sense given the curves you posted at GroupDIY. The predominate difference is that top EQ. The Crimson seems mid scooped because of it. I might vote for a different one in a different source/mic context.
I can't get past the metallic rasp thing of the 87 to note any difference there, I hear a grainy thing in all samples. The Crimson treble brings out a different part of it.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 2, 2020 10:58:39 GMT -6
Much prefer both of the 1:5's
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Post by jamiesego on Jul 2, 2020 18:12:22 GMT -6
Headphones might be skewing my choice but I thought the Crimson 1:10 had a pleasant color. Sounds the most old school. The cinemag 1:5 seemed the "cleanest" by a small margin.
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