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Post by scotmcg70 on Oct 26, 2023 12:04:36 GMT -6
Hello,
So, I've decided my Townsend Sphere isn't going to cut it as I try to take my home studio to the next level. Ideally, I'd like one mic to rule them all, but am open to other options. I was looking at the Lewitt LCT-1040 system, and I like what I've heard and read, seems very versatile, about $3200. I just saw a Korby Kat Convertible come up for sale with the swappable 47,67,251, and C800 capsules. about $5200. I'm not familiar with the Korby, but reviews seem positive. I do wonder with using the same body and not changing the amplifier if it really gets close to the different sounds? Anyone have any insight on either mic system? I'd be willing to spend the $5000 on what amounts to 4 mics, but I'm less inclined to buy 2 - $2500 mics. I record mostly rock bands, or singer/songwriter types if that helps. Thanks.
Scotty
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Post by phdamage on Oct 26, 2023 14:16:44 GMT -6
I have definitely seem those Korby systems sell for a lot cheaper. $5200 seems awfully steep in this age of killer boutique mics for far less. For $5200 or just about, you could have a family of Beesneez tube mics - say a pair of both the 67 clones and the C12A clones or one each of their 67, 47 and an 87? you could cover a lot more bases and have more mics to play with.
Hell, if you're not averse to buying used, the Stam tube mics are killer value also and your dollars could go a lot farther. I have their 47 MKI and their tube 87.
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Post by jacobamerritt on Oct 26, 2023 14:31:48 GMT -6
Hello, So, I've decided my Townsend Sphere isn't going to cut it as I try to take my home studio to the next level. Ideally, I'd like one mic to rule them all, but am open to other options. I was looking at the Lewitt LCT-1040 system, and I like what I've heard and read, seems very versatile, about $3200. I just saw a Korby Kat Convertible come up for sale with the swappable 47,67,251, and C800 capsules. about $5200. I'm not familiar with the Korby, but reviews seem positive. I do wonder with using the same body and not changing the amplifier if it really gets close to the different sounds? Anyone have any insight on either mic system? I'd be willing to spend the $5000 on what amounts to 4 mics, but I'm less inclined to buy 2 - $2500 mics. I record mostly rock bands, or singer/songwriter types if that helps. Thanks. Scotty Curious why you are averse to a couple $2500 mics? Id probably do something like: A decent 87 style ($750ish) - Maybe even a pair of the United Twin87s actually A decent 47 style (2000ish) A decent C12 style (2000ish) Bigger questions - is this specifically for vocals? What preamps are you using? Do you need a decent compressor? You can get alot of bang for your buck these days on a 5000 budget. |
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Post by bradd on Oct 26, 2023 15:01:14 GMT -6
I had a Korby Convertible system with 47, 67M, 251 and 12 heads for many years. The 67M and 251 heads are excellent. I rarely found use for the 47 and 12 heads. I haven't heard the C800 head. A couple of factors would steer me away from buying one today. First, I'm not sure of anyone who services these mics. Mine needed servicing a couple of times over the years. At that time Korby was still in business, and the repairs took an extraordinary amount of time. Without a reliable tech servicing these, I would steer clear. Second, I think you can get two or three more reliable mics for the $5,200 they are asking.
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Post by teejay on Oct 26, 2023 15:10:45 GMT -6
If I'm not mistaken, seawell had and/or has experience with Korby. And per the other two previous comments, there are now some really good options out there without breaking the bank. The Signal Art 47/48 is well-respected and that will run you $1,650-$2,350 depending on the capsule you choose. Also, many positive comments recently on experiences with the Beesneez 67/269, 87i, and new tube and FET C12 all for $2,300 or less. Serrano, Stam, United Technologies, Austrian Audio...there are some really good options these days at very reasonable pricing that sound really, really good. |
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Post by scotmcg70 on Oct 26, 2023 17:04:47 GMT -6
Bigger questions - is this specifically for vocals? What preamps are you using? Do you need a decent compressor? You can get alot of bang for your buck these days on a 5000 budget. Yes, mostly for vocals, but if I can get other uses out of it that would be great! I have an Undertone MPDI-4 as my main go to preamp, plus 8 UAD unison preamps, and will be adding an API 3124 shortly. I have an Audioscape D comp, and a Distressor, with an LA-2A and an 1176 soon to be purchased. To answer why not 2 - $2500 mics. I really didn't want to spend $5000 dollars on mics this round. I was willing to spend that on the Korby system, if it got me 4 really good ones. If I'm only going for two mics, I really need to keep it down around $3000. That's what looks so appealing about the Lewitt LCT-1040, it can cover a lot of ground. I'm afraid I won't be happy with 3 - $1000 mics. And 2 - $1500 mics may not cover all the bases. With what you guys have said about the Korby system, and the idea that he's out of business if it ever needs service, I think will remove it from the conversation. Does anyone have any experience with the Lewitt system? |
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Post by seawell on Oct 26, 2023 17:19:39 GMT -6
I have owned a Korby KAT system for about 20 years now. I love it and use it more times than not over other options. It is definitely light years beyond a mic modeling system. $5,200 is definitely high. The only systems I've seen sell in recent memory were more in the $2,600-$3,200 range which I think is more appropriate. I had the same concerns about service but thankfully when my system needed some work last year, our own Dave Wheeler here was able to take care of it for me. Like bradd mentioned, the 47 and C12 capsules were usually not that great. Having said that, the particular system I have has a really special 47 and C12 to go along with the usual winners which were the 67 and 251 capsules. All in all, I used probably 4-5 Korby systems over the years, including the C800 capsule with one of them. Back in the day you could send a sample of your voice and Tracy would tweak them to specific users request so it makes sense that there will be some variance from system to system. All in all, if you happen to buy one around 2-3k range and all you get out of it are a great 67 and 251 with a usable 47 and C12, it's still very much worth it to me. The 67 was Tracy's modded 67 so it's really more like a M269 with an extended top. It's my favorite vocal mic of all time. I hope that helps! I actually plan on making a Korby video one of these days just to show the sound of the different capsules for anyone that comes across a used system and is interested in them. |
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Post by scotmcg70 on Oct 26, 2023 17:51:57 GMT -6
I have owned a Korby KAT system for about 20 years now. I love it and use it more times than not over other options. It is definitely light years beyond a mic modeling system. $5,200 is definitely high. The only systems I've seen sell in recent memory were more in the $2,600-$3,200 range which I think is more appropriate. I had the same concerns about service but thankfully when my system needed some work last year, our own Dave Wheeler here was able to take care of it for me. Like bradd mentioned, the 47 and C12 capsules were usually not that great. Having said that, the particular system I have has a really special 47 and C12 to go along with the usual winners which were the 67 and 251 capsules. All in all, I used probably 4-5 Korby systems over the years, including the C800 capsule with one of them. Back in the day you could send a sample of your voice and Tracy would tweak them to specific users request so it makes sense that there will be some variance from system to system. All in all, if you happen to buy one around 2-3k range and all you get out of it are a great 67 and 251 with a usable 47 and C12, it's still very much worth it to me. The 67 was Tracy's modded 67 so it's really more like a M269 with an extended top. It's my favorite vocal mic of all time. I hope that helps! I actually plan on making a Korby video one of these days just to show the sound of the different capsules for anyone that comes across a used system and is interested in them. Thank you Seawell! I've been watching your reviews, good stuff! |
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Post by bradd on Oct 26, 2023 20:14:27 GMT -6
Seawell is absolutely right about the Korby 67M head. That mic is special and I’ve never heard a better vocal mic. Good to know Dave can fix them. He’s excellent.
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Post by andersmv on Oct 27, 2023 7:12:21 GMT -6
I’ve never used the Korby mic, but had the 1040 in on review for a few weeks and did a YouTube video and write up for TapeOp. The genius thing with the 1040 is “how” you get those sounds. Having the removable control unit that you can place anywhere with an XLR run is the game changer. Being able to blend the tube/FET options along with patterns gives a ton of options. If you’re a tinkerer and love experimenting, it’s a solid choice.
Having said that, it’s not going to give you a bunch of classic mics in one system, so you very well may be happier with multiple mics or a multi capsule system. The 1040 more or less sounds like multiple versions of itself, the changes can be drastic but keep it in the same ballpark. It’s almost like having a good clean mic that you can run through a lot of different mojo pieces of gear. You have your base sound, and a lot of ways to problem solve and tweak from there. I don’t think it’s going to be a substitute for a mic collection. It is amazing though and I wish I could have swung keeping it. Kind of blew my mind and was a lot of fun. Definitely worth the money.
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Post by scotmcg70 on Oct 27, 2023 7:18:49 GMT -6
Thanks andersmv. That's kind of what I wanted to know about it. I think I'm going to get a Beesneez B67 and a B87i. Then down the line get a 47 inspired mic and a c12 inspired mic either from Beesneez or Stam. Thanks all!
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Post by jacobamerritt on Oct 27, 2023 15:08:17 GMT -6
Thanks andersmv. That's kind of what I wanted to know about it. I think I'm going to get a Beesneez B67 and a B87i. Then down the line get a 47 inspired mic and a c12 inspired mic either from Beesneez or Stam. Thanks all! Another advantage of multiple mics... way easier to compare the sound between a few at once in real time, as opposed to an interchangeable mic capsule system. Don't sleep on the Serrano 87. |
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Post by plinker on Oct 27, 2023 17:07:02 GMT -6
I’ve never used the Korby mic, but had the 1040 in on review for a few weeks and did a YouTube video and write up for TapeOp. The genius thing with the 1040 is “how” you get those sounds. Having the removable control unit that you can place anywhere with an XLR run is the game changer. Being able to blend the tube/FET options along with patterns gives a ton of options. If you’re a tinkerer and love experimenting, it’s a solid choice. Having said that, it’s not going to give you a bunch of classic mics in one system, so you very well may be happier with multiple mics or a multi capsule system. The 1040 more or less sounds like multiple versions of itself, the changes can be drastic but keep it in the same ballpark. It’s almost like having a good clean mic that you can run through a lot of different mojo pieces of gear. You have your base sound, and a lot of ways to problem solve and tweak from there. I don’t think it’s going to be a substitute for a mic collection. It is amazing though and I wish I could have swung keeping it. Kind of blew my mind and was a lot of fun. Definitely worth the money. I remember your TapeOp review -- was waiting patiently for it since Lewitt announced the mic.  |
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