|
|
Post by Vincent R. on Dec 31, 2021 8:01:58 GMT -6
I didn’t see a thread exclusively for Pearlman mics, and thought I’d start one. So, I did a thing. I had been following a Reverb listing of a heavily upgraded Pearlman TM-1. I've wanted a 47 style mic back in my studio and just stumbled across it one day. It was said to be upgraded with a Neumann K47 capsule, and upgraded Cinemag transformer, and upgraded tube circuit around a NOS EF14 tube. I hadn’t even held the TM-1 in my hands yet, and my experience with Dave Pearlman was already top notch. I had reached out to confirm the upgrades and such and he emailed me back right away to say he'd look into it after he was back in the shop after Christmas. He emailed me Monday to confirm all the upgrades. He advised that if I take some photos of the circuit he can confirm exactly what's in the mic. Received confirmation from Dave Pearlman that this microphone was indeed made with a Neumann K47. Capsule looks older to me, but he couldn’t remember if it was a vintage capsule or a newer one. That said, it was made in 2005, so it is not exactly a new microphone. It doesn’t have a BV8 style transformer, but does have a large high quality Cinemag transformer. So it’s not a full U47 clone. It’s built around an EF14 tube, which is an upgrade from their stock circuit. My first impressions is that this microphone is much darker than I expected. The low end is huge, but the top end is more mellow than I’m used to with 47 style mics. My experience with 47 style microphones is pretty decent. I’ve owned a Peluso 2247SE and used the 2247LE on a vocal session, had the Advanced Audio CM48T on loan for a couple of months, had the Warm Audio WA47 in here for a while on loan last summer, did a session with a Wagner U47W and actually put my Peluso up next to it, and I have a bunch of experience with jtc111 ’s FleA 47. The low end of this mic reminds me of the Wagner U47W, but the top end is darker and more like the AA CM48T or my old BLUE Bottle Rocket II with the B7 head. Neither of those two mics had the big low end that this TM-1 has. Still, it’s a really distinct, vintage sounding microphone. Clips to follow. Anyone else have experience with any Pearlman Mics. I’d love to hear from others. http://instagr.am/p/CYO2NsgrnSy |
|
|
|
Post by rob61 on Dec 31, 2021 10:15:34 GMT -6
I have an early Pearlman TM-1. I did a test of it on voice and guitar (Wake Up Little Suzie with a couple clients at the time). Then more recently I did a mic shootout including the TM-1. 1) Heiserman H-47tube 2) Neumann U-87 with the Innertube tube retrofit 3) Max Kircher U-67 retrofit with a Neumann BV-12 transformer 4) Pearlman TM-1 with a Telefunken EF-14 metal tube. Mic preamps were the AML EZ1073-500. No EQ or compression was used. A little reverb was added from the artist's request. Here are the links.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vincent R. on Dec 31, 2021 11:39:38 GMT -6
rob61 I love that shootout. I can’t tell you how often I’ve watched it. Your Pearlman has a Neumann K47 or Dave’s? It has an EF14, so then it is probably darn close to mine. I also have an MK U67 with a Neumann BV12. So this gives me great context, especially for the Heiserman and Innertube, which I do not. johneppstein don’t you have a TM-1? Played around again this morning. I had to adjust some positioning while singing classically. I kept distorting the mic with my high B. Lol. 120db was too much. Lol. Anyone try their TM-250?
|
|
|
|
Post by ab101 on Dec 31, 2021 13:03:57 GMT -6
I had a Pearlman with the Neumann K47 in the 2000s that Dave put in the mic as a replacement from his original capsule. It was good. However, to be honest, it was great with the prior capsule as well. It replaced my Soundelux 95s that had the ef86 tube, which frankly I thought was darker. As you all know, this is very voice specific. I am looking forward to the Heiserman with two capsules coming hopefully next year.  I am hoping the Heiserman will knock out my Flea 47s. I also would love to hear more about Dave's Tm-250 with Tim Campbell's capsule. Happy New Year!!!! |
|
|
|
Post by rob61 on Dec 31, 2021 13:54:29 GMT -6
rob61 I love that shootout. I can’t tell you how often I’ve watched it. Your Pearlman has a Neumann K47 or Dave’s? It has an EF14, so then it is probably darn close to mine. I also have an MK U67 with a Neumann BV12. So this gives me great context, especially for the Heiserman and Innertube, which I do not. johneppstein don’t you have a TM-1? Played around again this morning. I had to adjust some positioning while singing classically. I kept distorting the mic with my high B. Lol. 120db was too much. Lol. Anyone try their TM-250? It was a very early one, so Dave replaced the original capsule (whatever he used) with his later improved capsule. That, along with the EF14, is a good combination. |
|
|
|
Post by chessparov on Dec 31, 2021 16:08:04 GMT -6
I have an early Pearlman TM-1. I did a test of it on voice and guitar (Wake Up Little Suzie with a couple clients at the time). Then more recently I did a mic shootout including the TM-1. 1) Heiserman H-47tube 2) Neumann U-87 with the Innertube tube retrofit 3) Max Kircher U-67 retrofit with a Neumann BV-12 transformer 4) Pearlman TM-1 with a Telefunken EF-14 metal tube. Mic preamps were the AML EZ1073-500. No EQ or compression was used. A little reverb was added from the artist's request. Here are the links.
That "Everly style" performance Rob sounded great. Thanks, Chris P.S. Will listen to the shootout later. |
|
|
|
Post by drumsound on Jan 1, 2022 2:04:24 GMT -6
I had an early TM-1 with a Peluso capsule and it sounded NOTHING like this one. I'd have kept it if it did!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Vincent R. on Jan 2, 2022 9:03:40 GMT -6
Added photos to my initial post.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vincent R. on Jan 3, 2022 9:23:57 GMT -6
So, I said after I first tried the microphone, this is darker than I expected. So I looked at some frequency analysis of my recordings and you could see a big roll off between 8.5-9.5k. So, I looked into this further. I noticed something peculiar about the frequency response of Pearlman's TM-1 and TM-47 as shown on Audio Test Kitchen as well. You can see it in the picture below. They both have a significant roll off between 8.5-9.5k, where as the Telefunken reissue U47, FleA 47, and others don't roll off until 11 or so. I had been wondering if it was the EF14 or K47 upgrade causing this change, but it looks like this dip is present in his stock TM-1 and his TM-47. So, there is something slightly off about his circuit in comparison to a typical U47. The TM-1 and TM-47 have different transformers, with the TM-47 using a BV8 style transformer and the TM-1 not, but both share this roll off. I wish I were a better tech. It's probably a capacitor or something silly. There isn't much in this microphone. Obviously, EQ can address this. Just curious.  |
|
|
|
Post by drumsound on Jan 3, 2022 12:19:58 GMT -6
Isn't there a hi roll off on the newer Perlman mics? Maybe you didn't realize it was switched in, or that the switch isn't working right.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vincent R. on Jan 3, 2022 12:45:51 GMT -6
Isn't there a hi roll off on the newer Perlman mics? Maybe you didn't realize it was switched in, or that the switch isn't working right. No roll off on mine. |
|
|
|
Post by the other mark williams on Jan 3, 2022 16:01:32 GMT -6
Isn't there a hi roll off on the newer Perlman mics? Maybe you didn't realize it was switched in, or that the switch isn't working right. No roll off on mine. Or at least it appears there is no switch to lessen the roll off.  |
|
|
|
Post by hadaja on Jan 3, 2022 17:16:20 GMT -6
Contact a few techs and see if they can enlighten you (not only of your $$ but advice as well. LOL).
|
|
|
|
Post by rob61 on Jan 3, 2022 17:29:58 GMT -6
Mine has two small switches. One is for pattern selection and the other is a "vintage filter", or so I was told. There is a faster roll off using the "vintage filter" position. The early ones, I believe, used Peluso capsules, so maybe Dave was putting the "vintage filter" switch on to tame that. Of course I had him replace the capsule to his own later, but the vintage filter switch is still usable. I normally leave it in the off position and with Dave's newer capsule and the EF-14 it works well.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vincent R. on Jan 3, 2022 17:40:18 GMT -6
Mine has two small switches. One is for pattern selection and the other is a "vintage filter", or so I was told. There is a faster roll off using the "vintage filter" position. The early ones, I believe, used Peluso capsules, so maybe Dave was putting the "vintage filter" switch on to tame that. Of course I had him replace the capsule to his own later, but the vintage filter switch is still usable. I normally leave it in the off position and with Dave's newer capsule and the EF-14 it works well. Interesting. Perhaps I’ll just ask Dave. |
|
|
|
Post by drumsound on Jan 4, 2022 0:28:16 GMT -6
Mine has two small switches. One is for pattern selection and the other is a "vintage filter", or so I was told. There is a faster roll off using the "vintage filter" position. The early ones, I believe, used Peluso capsules, so maybe Dave was putting the "vintage filter" switch on to tame that. Of course I had him replace the capsule to his own later, but the vintage filter switch is still usable. I normally leave it in the off position and with Dave's newer capsule and the EF-14 it works well. Mine had a Peluso capsule, which I probably why I didn't get along with it. I do believe it was why the roll off was added. Mine was serial number #13 or 17 (I can't remember). It may or may not have belonged to Ozzy Osbourne. I'd love to hear your thoughts on comparing the Perlman capsule to the Peluso.. |
|
|
|
Post by rob61 on Jan 4, 2022 7:21:06 GMT -6
Mine has two small switches. One is for pattern selection and the other is a "vintage filter", or so I was told. There is a faster roll off using the "vintage filter" position. The early ones, I believe, used Peluso capsules, so maybe Dave was putting the "vintage filter" switch on to tame that. Of course I had him replace the capsule to his own later, but the vintage filter switch is still usable. I normally leave it in the off position and with Dave's newer capsule and the EF-14 it works well. Mine had a Peluso capsule, which I probably why I didn't get along with it. I do believe it was why the roll off was added. Mine was serial number #13 or 17 (I can't remember). It may or may not have belonged to Ozzy Osbourne. I'd love to hear your thoughts on comparing the Perlman capsule to the Peluso.. The capsule difference was night and day. Made all the difference. I'd say the mic now can get me about 90% of the way to my Tele U47. Not exactly, but close enough when I don't want to pull my U47 out for a particular session. The early Pearlman mics are built like tanks. Seriously, it has to be the heaviest mic in the collection. Must be made from battleship iron or something. Super thick gauge steel. |
|
|
|
Post by johneppstein on Jan 5, 2022 6:50:07 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by Vincent R. on Jan 5, 2022 7:46:30 GMT -6
Ha ha. I stand corrected. |
|
|
|
Post by Vincent R. on Jan 7, 2022 10:23:47 GMT -6
I've had a few nice conversations with Dave Pearlman since I bought the microphone. There was supposedly a frequency modification done on the microphone a few years after it was originally built. He assumed it was a switch, but my mic doesn't have the switch. So it's off to Dave to give the microphone a good once over, check if it's in vintage mode, and just make sure everything is in proper working order. If it is in vintage mode I'll hopefully be able to have him install a switch for it. We'll see.
|
|
|
|
Post by drumsound on Jan 8, 2022 0:57:25 GMT -6
Dave's a hell of a nice guy.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ward on Jan 8, 2022 11:40:15 GMT -6
I have an early Pearlman TM-1. I did a test of it on voice and guitar (Wake Up Little Suzie with a couple clients at the time). Then more recently I did a mic shootout including the TM-1. 1) Heiserman H-47tube 2) Neumann U-87 with the Innertube tube retrofit 3) Max Kircher U-67 retrofit with a Neumann BV-12 transformer 4) Pearlman TM-1 with a Telefunken EF-14 metal tube. Mic preamps were the AML EZ1073-500. No EQ or compression was used. A little reverb was added from the artist's request. Here are the links. SNIP Every example I hear makes me more and more grateful that I bought the Heiserman. It's just extraordinary to my ears. And every client who has sung into it agrees. |
|
|
|
Post by sirthought on Jan 8, 2022 11:47:57 GMT -6
Every example I hear makes me more and more grateful that I bought the Heiserman. It's just extraordinary to my ears. And every client who has sung into it agrees. I sure would like to get my H47T! But I thought all of these mics sounded good on this shootout. Different versions of good! |
|
|
|
Post by timcampbell on Jan 8, 2022 22:12:44 GMT -6
I am sorry that in this shootout the guitar is mixed so high and has so much bass content. To me the low end of the guitar influences how I perceive the mics.
I think they all sound good but I agree Ward the Heiserman sounds best to me on my little shop setup in this sparce arrangement. In a denser mix perhaps one of the leaner ones might shine.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vincent R. on Jan 9, 2022 7:12:26 GMT -6
I have an early Pearlman TM-1. I did a test of it on voice and guitar (Wake Up Little Suzie with a couple clients at the time). Then more recently I did a mic shootout including the TM-1. 1) Heiserman H-47tube 2) Neumann U-87 with the Innertube tube retrofit 3) Max Kircher U-67 retrofit with a Neumann BV-12 transformer 4) Pearlman TM-1 with a Telefunken EF-14 metal tube. Mic preamps were the AML EZ1073-500. No EQ or compression was used. A little reverb was added from the artist's request. Here are the links.
Every example I hear makes me more and more grateful that I bought the Heiserman. It's just extraordinary to my ears. And every client who has sung into it agrees. Yeah. I had always intended to put some money together and either grab a FleA 47 or a maybe Heiserman. I really want to hear these two side by side in my own space at some point. From what I’ve heard the FleA has more of a soft vintage sound, which might be better for what I do, but of all the clips I’ve heard those are definitely my favorite 47 replicas out there. I only jumped on this Pearlman TM1, because it was a good deal and was built with all these premium parts. |
|
