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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 24, 2013 13:02:28 GMT -6
In this incarnation, the CV4 definitely has less bottom. But like I said, this was before the final revision. I think they definitely sound pretty similar even there. Same flavor.
I'm sure someone could come in and pick it to fucking death, but come on, you gotta admit...they sound pretty damn close even like this.
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Post by sozocaps on Jul 24, 2013 13:12:22 GMT -6
It does sound much improved from the stock CV4 clips(no more harsh thin highs and no more scoop). There is a more relaxed transient thing going on with the 251 and a more full low mid strangely only under louder passages but its close under low volume passages.... sounds like electronics possibly... I do like the way the new CV4 compresses on very loud singing, its like the edge goes away when you push it hard(more reason to believe electronics). But overall the new CV4 does sound good!
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Post by matt on Jul 24, 2013 13:30:00 GMT -6
In this incarnation, the CV4 definitely has less bottom. But like I said, this was before the final revision. I think they definitely sound pretty similar even there. Same flavor. I'm sure someone could come in and pick it to fucking death, but come on, you gotta admit...they sound pretty damn close even like this. Looking forward to hearing the final revision. A go-to vocal mic is my #1 gear priority right now, and this just might be it. Thanks for the info and uploads!
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Post by Shannon on Jul 24, 2013 18:39:01 GMT -6
Hey guys its awesome to see all the interest. I am new to the forums and the manner that goes with it.
Just wanted you to know I've been busy working on the mod. I should have Johnkenn done this weekend and look forward to the sound files . Like he said those files that are posted were done before the final tweaks. I think everyone will like it very much, but as we all know - you can't make everyone happy. But it does address the top zing, which was the main goal and it is no longer there after the mod. The 3 micron thickness alone is a big difference by itself . You will notice finer detail in everything just simply because of the ability to move and catch air movement at such a smaller scale.
I saw one article about upgrading to a hand picked tube - that would be great, but due to the fact we used a 9 pin tube - only the NOS EF800 and one other will work... so selection of tubes and flavors are limited. I've been thinking of making a coupler that will simply plug into the existing tube mount to adapt and correctly wire some of the classic tubes out there. Just considering it, so not yet completely laid out...
Thanx agian
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 24, 2013 18:54:18 GMT -6
Thanks for coming on, Shannon! On your birthday too!.
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Post by Tastliketape on Jul 25, 2013 19:52:09 GMT -6
My studio partner picked mine up today an was real impressed said SSSMMMOOOOOTh
I'll. Try to get him to let me post a/b clips he has a stock mic Shannon got this shit right
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 25, 2013 21:16:20 GMT -6
I went over today and I believe I sang through yours...Very nice...The proof will be in the pudding.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 27, 2013 21:28:27 GMT -6
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 31, 2013 8:42:43 GMT -6
So - just got my mic back from Shannon...and the difference is AMAZING. We're going to work on some official male/female examples, but I might post one just because I can't wait... The first thing I notice is that the Top end has been dramatically smoothed out - no more sibilance and that un-pin-downable zing on top...also, the midrange is more pronounced and muuuuuch smoother. The 1-4khz range is no longer harsh to my ears...it's actually very usable and pleasant. To me, the mids are now the absolute star of the show. The bottom is also tightened and not boomy and rumbly. Overall, I would say the tone is "buttery" (I know, I know, descriptions are so pretentious) - a very, very smooth midrange...I've heard several 251's that I would describe as "woody" or "reedy" - almost buzzy in the mids like a double reed instrument - which sound fantastic...Jeff's is definitely more in the smoother, buttery camp - which is also fantastic. This mod is VERY similarly voiced. Maybe if Jeff comes back down, I can get him to bring it and we can shoot them out.
I still have the option of making a few tweaks, but I just don't know where I would ask for it. My initial reaction was maybe to add a little more bottom...but it kind of sits perfectly right now - I would just be taking it out.
BTW - I was kind've amazed at how differently it takes EQ...Adding eq is fabulous now. I guess it's just taking what's there and amplifying it...so if the stock was somewhat harsh to begin with, then you got even more of it when you boosted it.
Man - I'm over the moon about it!
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Post by matt on Jul 31, 2013 9:28:36 GMT -6
Overall, I would say the tone is "buttery" Mmmmm, butter: Land-O-Lakes, or Challenge? Myself, I'm a Challenge user.
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Post by lolo on Jul 31, 2013 9:31:54 GMT -6
Nice. Thanks. Now I wanna send mine too
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Post by Martin John Butler on Jul 31, 2013 10:20:58 GMT -6
Great files there Matt, thanks for posting them. I'm looking forward to hearing your new mic John. In the files Matt posted, I thought the modded CV4 sounded like the 251 and an AKG 414 had a baby. Not a bad thing at all, but I would more than likely enjoy it with Shannon's new mod if it's been smoothed out some.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 31, 2013 10:23:34 GMT -6
Did Matt post some files? I'm not seeing them...
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Post by matt on Jul 31, 2013 10:30:42 GMT -6
Did Matt post some files? I'm not seeing them... It weren't me. I am in mic limbo.
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Post by tonycamphd on Jul 31, 2013 10:41:24 GMT -6
great news john! I'm curious to hear what you think about her after dating her for a little while? fast forward a week, and heres john when he see's another mic, "Ooooh look at her! she's hot!" lol
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Post by Martin John Butler on Jul 31, 2013 11:02:49 GMT -6
oops, it was the files John posted a page back I'd listened to.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 31, 2013 11:05:19 GMT -6
I've actually dated the same mic (CV4) for about three years now...A freaking record. I already liked the CV4 a lot. I absolutely don't see me buying anything else unless I added another mic. I can say with absolute certainty that I've not owned a mic of this caliber - ever. (With the mod, that is). The Wunder CM7 was close (not talking sound, but overall smoothness), but I had issues with the "bitey-ness" of that mic. Mike Castoro was nice enough to send a ton of different capsules with different picofarad measurements (don't ask)...and it seemed like when I would try one with lower pF, I wouldn't have enough top and higher, it was too toothy in the mid-range. That being said, I'm TOUGH on 1-4kHz...I'd love to try the CM7 again, though. I think Mike was dialing in the sound for a while.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 31, 2013 13:52:46 GMT -6
Check it out...I did a little sound clip before we do an official shootout between the two. A couple of things to take into account when listening. These are bare-bones clips. This is me just running through a verse/half chorus. This is not tuned. There is no reverb. There is no compression. No EQ. I ain't freaking Marvin Gaye. So, don't go into this listening for a finished product. Listen for the differences in the mics and how they handle the frequencies across the dynamic range. To me, the stock CV4 sounds really good at the beginning. Really nice open tone, but as I start pushing harder, the Chinese zing becomes apparent. Listen to the word "Girl..." at around 16 seconds in each clip. The stock CV4 has a major tinny zing when pushed. The mod doesn't. Listen to the pre-chorus at 30 seconds. The mod just handles it so much better. Also, to me, the mod has much more midrange info - so much smoother in the 900hz-3.5khz range. I know in a mix, the mod has SO much more information to tweak and mold in comparison. I might post a "produced" version too with EQ/comp/verb so we can see how it translates to the real world. STOCK CV4 - snd.sc/1ebM2PGMODDED CV4 - snd.sc/12Gopz2Jeff's 251 was kind've the goal in mind to try and have a reference...but certainly - there are limitations on what can be done. But - this is the sound I wanted and I can still pay the mortgage. I feel like Shannon got me exactly what I asked for.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 31, 2013 13:55:25 GMT -6
And yes, I downloaded a karaoke track from itunes so I wouldn't have to play the damn thing...
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Post by Martin John Butler on Jul 31, 2013 14:26:16 GMT -6
Much better, but still a little sibilant around "you SSSHHould understand"..
I think you're voice sounds good.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2013 18:05:17 GMT -6
Hey John,
the modded mike sounds so good. It feels just like a different mic.
How much does it come to buy the CV4 and get the mod?
Nice voice too by the way.
777artin
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Jul 31, 2013 18:21:58 GMT -6
Check it out...I did a little sound clip before we do an official shootout between the two. A couple of things to take into account when listening. These are bare-bones clips. This is me just running through a verse/half chorus. This is not tuned. There is no reverb. There is no compression. No EQ. I ain't freaking Marvin Gaye. So, don't go into this listening for a finished product. Listen for the differences in the mics and how they handle the frequencies across the dynamic range. To me, the stock CV4 sounds really good at the beginning. Really nice open tone, but as I start pushing harder, the Chinese zing becomes apparent. Listen to the word "Girl..." at around 16 seconds in each clip. The stock CV4 has a major tinny zing when pushed. The mod doesn't. Listen to the pre-chorus at 30 seconds. The mod just handles it so much better. Also, to me, the mod has much more midrange info - so much smoother in the 900hz-3.5khz range. I know in a mix, the mod has SO much more information to tweak and mold in comparison. I might post a "produced" version too with EQ/comp/verb so we can see how it translates to the real world. STOCK CV4 - snd.sc/1ebM2PGMODDED CV4 - snd.sc/12Gopz2Jeff's 251 was kind've the goal in mind to try and have a reference...but certainly - there are limitations on what can be done. But - this is the sound I wanted and I can still pay the mortgage. I feel like Shannon got me exactly what I asked for. HOLY SHIT!!! Knocked me back in my chair. WOW!!!! E-mailing Shannon now. Talk soon.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 31, 2013 19:11:10 GMT -6
Honestly, I just hope these files do it justice. These are just me doing it in my shitty little studio and I was kind of scared it wasn't the big difference that I was hearing. People aren't really used to hearing raw files with vox - not even me...I'm usually going through some chain. So, sometimes when I do a RAW shootout like this, it can leave a little to be desired. Then there's always somebody that comes along and says, "I think they both sound like shit.." blah, blah...So - sometimes I post raw files with hesitancy.
Put it this way - this mod gives me infinitely more to work with when mixing. No fighting with the zing and the most surprising to me - it takes EQ so well. I guess that makes sense though - if the frequency of the mic has changed, it's obviously going to sound better when it's boosted.
Here's the low down. I ain't saying I know everything. I'm a professional songwriter and I've made a living singing and producing - but I'm always learning. I can't sit here and tell you that I would have recognized this sound ten years ago - hell five years ago...But I've spent ten years of buying $5000 mics and still not getting what I wanted, I've figured out what works for me...and most of the time, that same thing would work on everybody. I've learned a ton from mixing and a ton from singing into them and being frustrated at what came out of the other end. I'm extremely happy with this end result. It was definitely worth it for me - maybe some won't feel the same way...But for me, I am completely satisfied.
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Post by lolo on Jul 31, 2013 19:41:10 GMT -6
I actually listened to the files in the car this morning while driving to work. And the mod did sound better to me. I like my CV4 alot, and its my workhorse. So anything that can make it sound better is worth it for me.
I still want to try the foam over the mic that Cowbay suggested, just havent had time yet. starting on new demo soon so will give it a go.
About the CV4 Mod, not sure if I would want to send my mic halfway around the world $$$ wise.
Some of the benefits of living in the U.S :-)
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Post by jsteiger on Jul 31, 2013 19:44:28 GMT -6
I still think it's the pre's but whatever.......
Just kidding!! Shannon is awesome. I emailed him a few hours ago about re-skinning my C12A's.
I think it's kinda hard to envision someone with a stock CV4 not wanting the mod. Hell, I would also assume more CV4's will sell and go straight to Shannon. It's very hard to beat for the cost.
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