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Post by teejay on Jun 12, 2019 16:27:30 GMT -6
I appreciate all of the expertise and knowledge represented and shared on this site. Am wondering in the opinions of those who are willing to share, if attending NAMM would be a feasible opportunity to hear/evaluate some high-end vocal mics. I'm just a home studio guy recording myself, and am looking at several manufacturers. I don't live in close proximity to any studios, so looking at this as a potential way to hear a variety of great mics on my voice. I'm guessing the environment, noise, and opportunity to get on the mics will be a challenge, but it appears to be one place where many would be accessible. I'm trying to figure out a way to severely narrow the field vs. months of buy/try/sell/buy again. I'd rather be spending those months recording. I likely could also then head to VK, but am guessing that place will be a zoo during NAMM as well so getting on the mics there may be tough.
Thanks for any feedback.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jun 12, 2019 16:46:38 GMT -6
Not really so much background noise, so many different signal chains, even with your own headphones you can get at best a very general feel, but I know way to many who found their NAMM perspective wasn’t worth the price of parking in the long run.
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Post by teejay on Jun 12, 2019 17:00:35 GMT -6
Not really so much background noise, so many different signal chains, even with your own headphones you can get at best a very general feel, but I know way to many who found their NAMM perspective wasn’t worth the price of parking in the long run. Thank you, Eric. That's the feedback I'm looking for. I don't want to frivolously spend money for mediocre results (or sickness, as I've heard NAMM often provides). It would need to be a fruitful investment of both time and money. Have some vacation time I have to take before August, so maybe need to spend a week in Nashville and connect with one of the fine studio owners on this site who could sell me a couple of hours of time with their locker. |
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Post by drbill on Jun 12, 2019 18:06:41 GMT -6
A challenge would be putting it lightly. You can at least get an idea of looks, build, customer support, etc., but for actually deciding on which mic suits.....yeah, a challenge.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Jun 12, 2019 18:43:49 GMT -6
@toddj where are you? Someone here might be nearby and able to help.
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Post by chessparov on Jun 12, 2019 20:17:38 GMT -6
I've been fortunate in "wine tasting" various microphones at NAMM because...
I've also had the respective owners, of premium companies, like David Bock/Wade (Chandler)/Wes at AEA/Trevor at Sontronics... To name some of them, actually listen to me, singing on their microphones. Getting their feedback, is a tremendous asset-if that works out.
Brings things to a whole different level...
Chris
P.S. My litmus is if I want to keep singing on a certain microphone, that tells a lot! Certain microphones, including the Bock U99, and the 47 Heiserman's, fit this to a "T".
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jun 12, 2019 20:35:46 GMT -6
A challenge would be putting it lightly. You can at least get an idea of looks, build, customer support, etc., but for actually deciding on which mic suits.....yeah, a challenge. You know I occasionally try to be diplomatic 😁 |
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Post by drbill on Jun 12, 2019 21:23:09 GMT -6
A challenge would be putting it lightly. You can at least get an idea of looks, build, customer support, etc., but for actually deciding on which mic suits.....yeah, a challenge. You know I occasionally try to be diplomatic 😁  Since when? When I'm auditioning mics, I usually try to bring them to the SuperBowl and test them 4th quarter. That is just a good as NAMM. |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Jun 12, 2019 21:45:37 GMT -6
I found it occasionally is quite informative, but more often a waste of time. It depends on the time, the crowds and location. I got a great feel for Samar's excellent ribbon mics, and the Telefunken U47 was great, and later shootouts confirmed my assessment. But there were many times it was terribly frustrating like drbill said.
It's a coin toss, so go and have fun and see what happens, you might get lucky.
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Post by drbill on Jun 13, 2019 0:10:59 GMT -6
BTW, my comments were on Anaheim, which is cacophony X 1000. Nville Namm might be better. I dunno. Never been to summer NAMM.
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Post by chessparov on Jun 13, 2019 1:33:20 GMT -6
"Well I've never been to Nashville, but I kind of like the music".
I'm sure I'd like it even more, my friends that have gone said it's much more laid back.
Chris
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Post by teejay on Jun 13, 2019 6:31:50 GMT -6
@toddj where are you? Someone here might be nearby and able to help. In the Moline, IL area, also known as the Quad Cities (border of IL/IA). I'm about 3.5 hours due West of Chicago, 6 hours SE of Minneapolis, 4.5 hours North of St. Louis, 8 hours from Nashville. Shell Rock, IA is about 2.5 hours from me. Wade (Chandler) offered last year to let me come over to his place and try out his C12/U67/U49. I didn't know much about the REDD at that point, and the TG wasn't yet available. For a number of reasons it's been difficult to take him up on that to this point, and I've also waffled on whether it's better to demo vintage mics to select the flavor, or only demo mics that I could actually afford. |
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Post by drbill on Jun 13, 2019 9:17:05 GMT -6
@toddj where are you? Someone here might be nearby and able to help. In the Moline, IL area, also known as the Quad Cities (border of IL/IA). I'm about 3.5 hours due West of Chicago, 6 hours SE of Minneapolis, 4.5 hours North of St. Louis, 8 hours from Nashville. Shell Rock, IA is about 2.5 hours from me. Wade (Chandler) offered last year to let me come over to his place and try out his C12/U67/U49. I didn't know much about the REDD at that point, and the TG wasn't yet available. For a number of reasons it's been difficult to take him up on that to this point, and I've also waffled on whether it's better to demo vintage mics to select the flavor, or only demo mics that I could actually afford. Haha!! If you go down that rabbit hole, know that it's very deep. And expensive. If you acquire the taste, you'll be hooked. |
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Post by chessparov on Jun 13, 2019 9:31:02 GMT -6
IMHO if you want to simplify, and you have the budget...
If you have denser mixes, a used U87ai in excellent condition, will run about 2K.
This will have "bite", than the flatter U89.
If you're more singer songwriter, and more acoustic oriented (like me)...
Tough to beat a used U89, for around $1600. TLM 67 is another used alternative.
If you want to spend le$$, the Advanced Audio microphones, are very nice sounding. (but not quite "Neumann").
Chris
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Post by teejay on Jun 13, 2019 9:34:39 GMT -6
In the Moline, IL area, also known as the Quad Cities (border of IL/IA). I'm about 3.5 hours due West of Chicago, 6 hours SE of Minneapolis, 4.5 hours North of St. Louis, 8 hours from Nashville. Shell Rock, IA is about 2.5 hours from me. Wade (Chandler) offered last year to let me come over to his place and try out his C12/U67/U49. I didn't know much about the REDD at that point, and the TG wasn't yet available. For a number of reasons it's been difficult to take him up on that to this point, and I've also waffled on whether it's better to demo vintage mics to select the flavor, or only demo mics that I could actually afford. Haha!! If you go down that rabbit hole, know that it's very deep. And expensive. If you acquire the taste, you'll be hooked. LOL! That's why I don't even want to go there. Acquiring that taste would require a second mortgage and the sale of a few bodily organs. I'd like to stick with "I don't know what I don't know." Ignorance is bliss. |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jun 13, 2019 21:41:49 GMT -6
I've been fortunate in "wine tasting" various microphones at NAMM because... I've also had the respective owners, of premium companies, like David Bock/Wade (Chandler)/Wes at AEA/Trevor at Sontronics... To name some of them, actually listen to me, singing on their microphones. Getting their feedback, is a tremendous asset-if that works out. Brings things to a whole different level... Chris P.S. My litmus is if I want to keep singing on a certain microphone, that tells a lot! Certain microphones, including the Bock U99, and the 47 Heiserman's, fit this to a "T". Ask BradD how educational the couple of hours he spent at Blackbird auditioning the classics! Learning what works on you as expensive as it might be is cheaper than playing the upgrade game till your happy. Since your in the quad cities you could try to make an appointment at my old home Full Compass, and audition what’s ever available, just sayin. |
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Post by chessparov on Jun 13, 2019 21:57:40 GMT -6
Absolutely! Trevor (Sontronics) in particular, was amazing in his skill at microphone selection. I could tell he already "knew" which of his microphones was best (without telling me at first for me to stay more objective)... My simply listening to my speaking voice and a brief live acapella. I tried all of the Sontronics line there (LDC's/ribbons), and independently selected my favorite. I did this process by really singing in each one (with headphones on). I was in the middle of this, when Warren Huart stopped by to see his "Old Chum" Trevor! Thankfully, I was in good voice that day, and Warren indicated he was quite happy with what he heard. (I was nervous as heck, when I saw him!)
Anyway, Trevor and I respectively, had picked out his Sigma 2 ribbon as we agreed my full voice is "very vintage" sounding to begin with.
The other 3 "knockouts" BTW (IMHO for a mellow voice like mine), were the Bock Soundelux U99 (also Bock 67),
the Heiserman 47's, and the Chandler TG. Not being a Pro though-I'd want a real AE to figure out the best TG setting(s) in a Studio setting.
(the 44 ribbon is always another bullet proof choice too, for this type of voice. I love the AEA versions too!)
Chris
P.S. Before Warren came over to the Booth... I had a chance to hang out with him, and Jack Douglas for a while.
In the course of our conversation, Warren was curious about my singing-But I never expected him to be listening to me,
later that same day!
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Post by Ward on Jun 16, 2019 9:58:33 GMT -6
Like, singing into them? I've found it to be mostly a useless exercise.
But you can make loads of new contacts and get information and hands on experience to a small degree but the best part ios getting to talk to the makers and understand their take on what they're doing. That has never let me down.
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Post by chessparov on Jun 16, 2019 11:49:25 GMT -6
I agree that being recorded on any given microphone, and playing it back is much more efficient. And being able to put the vocal into a mix for playback, is even better. Being able to "earball" someone's voice and sensing "which mic" is right for a singer... Separates the Pro's (like you and Dr.Bill, et al), from enthusiasts like me! (this is why Trevor at Sontronics, got a special mention above)
Chris
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Post by teejay on Jun 17, 2019 18:57:02 GMT -6
All good advice, and much appreciated. Am now considering just taking vacation time in July to visit Nashville and hit VK while there. Not sure how that works, but my rep up in Michigan said he can arrange it for me. Maybe I can tap into someone local as well who I can pay to JOin in HelpiNg me for an hour and give me their taKE oN the best optioN for my voice. Someone who knows the difference between right and wrong, so-to-speak, when it comes to mic/vocal fit. ;-)
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Post by drbill on Jun 17, 2019 21:23:34 GMT -6
All good advice, and much appreciated. Am now considering just taking vacation time in July to visit Nashville and hit VK while there. Not sure how that works, but my rep up in Michigan said he can arrange it for me. Maybe I can tap into someone local as well who I can pay to JOin in HelpiNg me for an hour and give me their taKE oN the best optioN for my voice. Someone who knows the difference between right and wrong, so-to-speak, when it comes to mic/vocal fit. ;-) Hit up Blackbird and book a small room, and all the mics you can dream of..... In an hour or two you will know exactly what you want / need. |
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Post by chessparov on Jun 17, 2019 22:30:59 GMT -6
But have your wife first hide the wallet! :-)
Then again, (a purely coincidental) testing of the microphone, by singing a love song for her...
Chris
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Post by teejay on Jun 17, 2019 22:37:40 GMT -6
But have your wife first hide the wallet! :-) Then again, (a purely coincidental) testing of the microphone, by singing a love song for her... Chris The love song worked 33 years ago. She's long-since caught on. |
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Post by 24tracktape on Jun 19, 2019 1:20:08 GMT -6
I've been fortunate in "wine tasting" various microphones at NAMM because... I've also had the respective owners, of premium companies, like David Bock/Wade (Chandler)/Wes at AEA/Trevor at Sontronics... To name some of them, actually listen to me, singing on their microphones. Getting their feedback, is a tremendous asset-if that works out. Brings things to a whole different level... Chris P.S. My litmus is if I want to keep singing on a certain microphone, that tells a lot! Certain microphones, including the Bock U99, and the 47 Heiserman's, fit this to a "T". Ask BradD how educational the couple of hours he spent at Blackbird auditioning the classics! Learning what works on you as expensive as it might be is cheaper than playing the upgrade game till your happy. Since your in the quad cities you could try to make an appointment at my old home Full Compass, and audition what’s ever available, just sayin. Hi Eric - I'd appreciate it if you would get back to me so we can complete our transaction. Sorry to intrude upon this thread, but it would seem that you're not getting my messages. Best Regards - Rich |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 27, 2019 15:02:34 GMT -6
Ask BradD how educational the couple of hours he spent at Blackbird auditioning the classics! Learning what works on you as expensive as it might be is cheaper than playing the upgrade game till your happy. Since your in the quad cities you could try to make an appointment at my old home Full Compass, and audition what’s ever available, just sayin. Hi Eric - I'd appreciate it if you would get back to me so we can complete our transaction. Sorry to intrude upon this thread, but it would seem that you're not getting my messages. Best Regards - Rich I realize you're pissed, but I would appreciate it if you didn't use multiple threads to get your point across. I have PM'd Eric and asked him to take care of this so you guys can work it out in private. |
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