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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 6, 2014 22:37:37 GMT -6
After the little Blackspade...ahem...run in I had...I think I might be interested in this mic again...
This from Oliver Archut's facebook:
"Swiss time was running out, the dealings with the BS guys came to an end. AMI will continue to make those nice mics under the TAB label. Since January nearly everything is now made here in the US. For the standard version we only use made in China PSU, cable and Shockmount. The premium version is with counting out the capsule, all made in Gaylord/KS USA."
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Post by watchtower on Apr 7, 2014 8:18:14 GMT -6
I wonder if they will be less expensive, like the Tab F44 SDC was compared to its previous Mercenary counterpart. Though IMHO I have heard the F44 and did not dig it regardless of price
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Post by Martin John Butler on Apr 7, 2014 8:23:17 GMT -6
I doubt it. I have the Blackspade U17, upgraded to the Thiersch M7 Blueline. I have the smaller power supply, but Oliver told me he put it together himself, so I don't know if it's any different from the big vintage one. Glad to hear all parts are basically USA now.
The great guys at Flux Studios, ( Fab Dupont's place in NYC) were so generous to allow me to compare the Lauten Atlantis to my Blackspade a few weeks ago on their beautifully restored Neve console. I had terrible chest congestion from asthma that week, and I forgot to bring my shock mount, so it was a little unfair to the Blackspade in comparison, because I held it in my hand and tried to match distances. The Atlantis sounded fantastic, very, very Neumanish, in a good way, and versatile, with 3 settings. I didn't like the mellow setting at all, but the standard and forward settings were good.
At first, the Atlantis was seductive, sounding smooth, pro, very big and warm. In comparison, the U17R Blueline at first seemed a little thin, but very clean. The engineer mentioned it sounded "pre-mixed". I sang along to an instrumental of one of my songs. I listened to the tracks again last night.
Cowboy thought the Blackspade was much better. I began to notice a few of the things he mentioned about the Atlantis. I just changed the opamp in my Warm Audio ToneBeast to a John Hardy 990+, and needed to give it a quick test, (thanks to kcatthedog). Since I had a reference track of the Blackspade that had been sent straight through the Neve with no effects at all, I have the luxury of trying to match the tone of the Blackspade done through the Neve console with my setup as best I can.
I don't feel like buying a Neve plug at the moment, but will see what I have to try. I have Waves API channel strips and equalizers, SSL strips and Eq's, but I don't think any Neve emulations. If I really want that sound, buying a UAD emulation and printing with it is one possibility. Eventually, I think I'll just get the Heritage 73.
But for now, in listening again to the Lauten vs. Blackspade, the U17R's the keeper. It has a certain push in the mids that has some of the U49 or C12 quality. It's truly a first class mic now with the M7 capsule. That's not to say I wouldn't like to hear it next to a U67 for a shootout, but I bet it'll hold it's own.
I bet the new Tab Funkenwerk mic will be nice. There's something about the designer having his hand on every part.
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Post by delcampo on Apr 7, 2014 9:52:44 GMT -6
Gotta give Oliver a call, curious what of significance is going to change. I have a 17-B (upgraded ps) and find it pretty darn good. Originally had the red but decided blue after hearing it.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Apr 7, 2014 15:14:09 GMT -6
let us know what he says delcampo.
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Post by delcampo on Apr 10, 2014 9:38:50 GMT -6
let us know what he says delcampo. Word is nothing will change other than the metal work, all being done in the US instead of China. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 10, 2014 17:16:20 GMT -6
Wonder if Tim Campbell is aware?  I keed, I keed. |
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