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Post by forgotteng on Mar 23, 2019 13:45:19 GMT -6
Ok I know there are a hundred posts of this sort of thing but I am truly at a point of consumer confusion so those interested can chime in and those that think I'm a dufus..... well it would be entertaining to have your input too.
I have about $800 to spend on a mic. I might be able to expand to $1000 for the right deal. I want to up my Vocal mic game. Currently I have a Stellar CM-5, a Rode K-2 and a Groove Tubes GT66 I want something slightly different and would like to take a step forward. I do have a preference for one reason or other to tube mics. I have been thinking about Advanced Audio CM48t or CM47. I have also heard good things about Luke Audio AL-Y56. What I would really like is an Audio Technica AT5040 but that is a little rich for me. I also have been looking at the Roswell mics. Of course I considered using my discount on a Stam SA67 but not sure I want to wait. Am I missing something out there?
Then I also thought of picking up 2 Shure SM7's although I typically use my Heil PR30's for dynamic vocal duties. I also considered a pair of Royer R-10's to add to my Rode NTR's. The more I shop the more confused I get. Any thoughts?
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Post by Johnkenn on Mar 23, 2019 13:57:59 GMT -6
Running out right now but I’ll come back with a longer reply later. My initial thought? Sell those other mics, and add it in with the $800 and get the TG Mic.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Mar 23, 2019 15:37:42 GMT -6
Ok I know there are a hundred posts of this sort of thing but I am truly at a point of consumer confusion so those interested can chime in and those that think I'm a dufus..... well it would be entertaining to have your input too. I have about $800 to spend on a mic. I might be able to expand to $1000 for the right deal. I want to up my Vocal mic game. Currently I have a Stellar CM-5, a Rode K-2 and a Groove Tubes GT66 I want something slightly different and would like to take a step forward. I do have a preference for one reason or other to tube mics. I have been thinking about Advanced Audio CM48t or CM47. I have also heard good things about Luke Audio AL-Y56. What I would really like is an Audio Technica AT5040 but that is a little rich for me. I also have been looking at the Roswell mics. Of course I considered using my discount on a Stam SA67 but not sure I want to wait. Am I missing something out there? Then I also thought of picking up 2 Shure SM7's although I typically use my Heil PR30's for dynamic vocal duties. I also considered a pair of Royer R-10's to add to my Rode NTR's. The more I shop the more confused I get. Any thoughts? You've got a commercial studio right? What genre do you mainly work on? |
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Post by chessparov on Mar 23, 2019 15:46:45 GMT -6
Based on recordings I've heard, of a singer/songwriter (Shannon Adkins), on a different website... The Luke microphone sounds excellent.
My understanding is that your CM-5, is kinda C12-ish. The GT66 is also supposed to sound nice, but the self noise is way high (23 db A weighted!).
And the K2 AFAIK "neutralish". FWIW there are some Sterling 66's (later rebranding of Groove Tubes) microphones for sale, around low $200's (or less). I have a similar situation, with my mint MXL V69me, which has a self noise of 22db A weighted, and is only worth around $150-but fun to mess with.
In any event, there is something to having one great microphone, instead of a number of good to very good ones.
I'd seriously consider John K's advice above. For me, my first "wow vocal microphone" heading up the price food chain... Is the new Bock Soundelux U195.
New $1250, used around $700-800. It also has the FAT switch, which IMHO sounds "tube-like". The TG also is a terrific choice, and has even more tonal options.
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Post by Johnkenn on Mar 23, 2019 16:11:18 GMT -6
holy crap - why didn’t I think of this. The Omni8 TF01. Just a fantastic mic and I believe it’s $999. It’s honestly a bargain at that price.
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Post by chessparov on Mar 23, 2019 16:29:07 GMT -6
Great suggestion. I was very impressed at NAMM with it.
Chris
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rpc
Junior Member
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Post by rpc on Mar 23, 2019 17:05:29 GMT -6
I've got a pair of TF08 landing in the next week (right Mark?) - I'll put in my 2 cents then, though I gotta say John's demos are mighty impressive. Be aware that this pair took 3 months ARO - not as bad as the SA-67, but not the mikes to purchase if you're in a hurry. I waited a LOT longer for my VL37s, though, while Mark sorted out the body issues, and they were well worth the wait - best string mikes ever!
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Post by forgotteng on Mar 23, 2019 17:48:52 GMT -6
You've got a commercial studio right? What genre do you mainly work on? Yes I do have a commercial studio. I mainly do anything from singer-songwriter stuff to americana, folk rock, jazz, pop rock, gospel. Mostly everything but really heavy rock stuff. |
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Post by forgotteng on Mar 23, 2019 17:54:31 GMT -6
I need to study up a little on this Omni8
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Post by ragan on Mar 23, 2019 18:16:11 GMT -6
Just going off John’s clips, I think it’s a really solid contender.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Mar 23, 2019 18:42:19 GMT -6
You've got a commercial studio right? What genre do you mainly work on? Yes I do have a commercial studio. I mainly do anything from singer-songwriter stuff to americana, folk rock, jazz, pop rock, gospel. Mostly everything but really heavy rock stuff. All of those genres call for a great vocal sound. If you're not doing much hard Rock stuff, skip the SM7's, sell a kidney, and grab a Flea 47 or some similarly impressive mic.  |
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Post by bluegrassdan on Mar 24, 2019 9:13:00 GMT -6
I agree with the Flea. Best mic short of the real thing. All of those genres call for a great vocal sound. If you're not doing much hard Rock stuff, skip the SM7's, sell a kidney, and grab a Flea 47 or some similarly impressive mic. |
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Post by jtc111 on Mar 24, 2019 9:39:20 GMT -6
It may not be doable right now but the Flea 47 is whole different level of microphone. I took your route and bought a bunch of economically priced microphones along the way ...MXL V69, Oktava MK319, AKG Solidtube, AKG C414, Blue Kiwi, etc... it was an expensive journey. If I knew then what I know now, I'd have passed on all those mics and saved for the Flea. The first time I used it, the first thought I had was "Oh... that's what a great mic is supposed to sound like." If you don't need the omni pattern, you could get away with the "Next" version which is around $3k. A great mic probably should be part of your long-term plan and the Flea is a great mic.
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Post by sean on Mar 24, 2019 10:18:44 GMT -6
Yeah, it’s a drag, but have a couple really great vocal microphones saves you time mixing and hold their value well.
But, there’s a big difference between $800 and $3000 so maybe look for a second hand Pearlman or Lawson microphone. A friend of mine has good things to say about Roswell microphones as well.
If you are looking for a darker microphone the Blue Mouse is a good value on the used market
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Post by Martin John Butler on Mar 24, 2019 13:19:28 GMT -6
There are finally some very good choices under 1k. The Lewitt 540 sounds like an AKG414, but with a better low end, The Warm WA47 sounds better than a dozen MXL's, Roswell's making very good workhorse mics now. Stam's mics have really top notch components, but you need to be able to wait a while. There's also the Golden Age and the Soyuz 0-19 for a little more money.
I had the Bock 195, (same as the Soundelux), and it was good, but honestly, not great. So, I kind of agree with John. The new TG mic is a monster, and you can use some of the different settings to give you tonal variety so every instrument you track doesn't have the same exact sound.
Sell those solo mics and get one really good one first. You can add more flavors as you go, but one great mic is way better than three mediocre ones.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2019 13:54:32 GMT -6
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Post by chessparov on Mar 24, 2019 14:16:29 GMT -6
Bock put a new/improved capsule and some internal electronic upgrades, in the new version of the U195. Fully comparable to a U87ai, for example now IMHO.
Like a modded AI, with the upper midrange smoothed out, and more "air" around 12KHz. Chris
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Post by Johnkenn on Mar 24, 2019 14:47:45 GMT -6
Another good thing about the TG Mic is that Chandler products hold their value extremely well.
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Post by spock on Mar 24, 2019 14:48:29 GMT -6
I own Soundeluxe iFet7 serial number 3 (bought it new,) I might part with.
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Post by Johnkenn on Mar 24, 2019 14:48:35 GMT -6
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Post by chessparov on Mar 24, 2019 15:41:03 GMT -6
Ifet (above) is another great mic...
Chris
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Post by aremos on Mar 24, 2019 18:23:21 GMT -6
You mean the V4. I LOVE all the Schoeps stuff & am waiting to try it again in a better environment as it was at NAMM years ago & it's really impossible to make any determination there. But really liked the little I heard. You can even record phenomenal vocals with any of the CMC6 (or CMC5) capsules specially the standard MK4! And it costs around $1500. - for both capsule & amp. |
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ericn
Temp
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Post by ericn on Mar 24, 2019 19:22:31 GMT -6
Used Gefell UM70, probably the most useful vocal mic for less than $1K.
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Post by chessparov on Mar 24, 2019 21:15:15 GMT -6
IIRC you prefer the transformer version?
Chris
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Post by forgotteng on Mar 25, 2019 2:18:10 GMT -6
Good ideas gents. I don't see me ever owning a Flea with the market I am in. I would be more interested in the TG before dropping coin on the Flea. I also am the kind of guy that doesn't like to sell gear unless I'm truly never using it. especially mics and guitars. You never know when you will need the color or inspiration of a different tool.
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