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Post by paulcheeba on May 29, 2023 21:39:13 GMT -6
Thanks for the compliments on my obsession with sound. I am always researching and experimenting and thanks to forums like this I get to learn more. When I started as a tea boy at 17 there were very few resources unless your mentors were excellent. I was lucky enough to work with amazing musicians who taught me a lot which is why I became obsessed with the old ways. Collecting tubes is one my passions as every time a microphone uses them they become silly prices. The M49V drove the Russian tube up 10x overnight.
I’m currently obsessing about the Upton 251 but hear many mixed stories about the capsule sound. The shootouts with the OG’s on here are superb. I’m just concerned about ordering a couple from this distance. Otherwise Flea, BSA, NLP or GAP are the Euro options. Unless there’s any others. I’d like to hear a Flea against an original.
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Post by srb on May 29, 2023 21:39:13 GMT -6
Another Christian Whitmore (Bowie) fan. If you really want to be sure in a market that's rife with hyperbole, check with him if you're looking for truly vetted tubes.
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Post by timcampbell on May 30, 2023 1:08:55 GMT -6
Thanks for the compliments on my obsession with sound. I am always researching and experimenting and thanks to forums like this I get to learn more. When I started as a tea boy at 17 there were very few resources unless your mentors were excellent. I was lucky enough to work with amazing musicians who taught me a lot which is why I became obsessed with the old ways. Collecting tubes is one my passions as every time a microphone uses them they become silly prices. The M49V drove the Russian tube up 10x overnight. I’m currently obsessing about the Upton 251 but hear many mixed stories about the capsule sound. The shootouts with the OG’s on here are superb. I’m just concerned about ordering a couple from this distance. Otherwise Flea, BSA, NLP or GAP are the Euro options. Unless there’s any others. I’d like to hear a Flea against an original. Dallas Upton is a great guy, just write him directly about any concerns. |
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Post by crillemannen on May 30, 2023 2:26:32 GMT -6
Regarding tubes..
I think my episode with the NLP 251s was quite revealing and there is definitely quite the difference depending on which tube you use. In my NLP comparison I do think the NOS 5* tube sounded the best. Better overall resolution but it was also brighter and more saturated which someone might not like. It's a bit of a hassle to switch tubes in a 251 but if you have a couple nice tubes available it's cool to test a few different ones. My GAP is currently at NLP/Fehrers place for a tube swap, so I look forward at trying out the GAP ones it comes back.
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Post by gmichael on May 30, 2023 3:00:50 GMT -6
Regarding tubes.. I think my episode with the NLP 251s was quite revealing and there is definitely quite the difference depending on which tube you use. In my NLP comparison I do think the NOS 5* tube sounded the best. Better overall resolution but it was also brighter and more saturated which someone might not like. It's a bit of a hassle to switch tubes in a 251 but if you have a couple nice tubes available it's cool to test a few different ones. My GAP is currently at NLP/Fehrers place for a tube swap, so I look forward at trying out the GAP ones it comes back. Thanks for sharing Christian. I also have the GAP 251 with the Philips tube. Which tube are you trying out? Are you considering any other modifications for your GAP? |
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Post by gmichael on May 30, 2023 3:21:45 GMT -6
Thanks for the compliments on my obsession with sound. I am always researching and experimenting and thanks to forums like this I get to learn more. When I started as a tea boy at 17 there were very few resources unless your mentors were excellent. I was lucky enough to work with amazing musicians who taught me a lot which is why I became obsessed with the old ways. Collecting tubes is one my passions as every time a microphone uses them they become silly prices. The M49V drove the Russian tube up 10x overnight. I’m currently obsessing about the Upton 251 but hear many mixed stories about the capsule sound. The shootouts with the OG’s on here are superb. I’m just concerned about ordering a couple from this distance. Otherwise Flea, BSA, NLP or GAP are the Euro options. Unless there’s any others. I’d like to hear a Flea against an original. It is interesting to hear your take on the Upton.
The one I demoed was too bright for me, for the asking price it needed to floor me and it just didn't.
Alongside 2 mics half the price the difference was negligible but I acknowledge the cost [emotion] effect it had on me, and that's not really a very professional assessment of the microphone itself.
I wound up taking advantage of the GAP 251 opportunity presented to me. There was a 2nd GAP that had a paint flaw and Bo was getting a new body sent out plus I could keep the flawed body too- I passed on that 2nd GAP
I might still go back and revisit that offer.
I'll try the tube swap you recommended and see where I land with that sound
Very curious to hear Christian's reaction to his GAP getting modded and what all that mod entails
Not sure if Chris has the MKII or the ELAm GAP.
The FleA is quite beautiful. I'm trying really hard not to be seduced by just how drop dead gorgeous that mic is...ooh lala sexy mic. You know it's going to sound proper as.
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Post by crillemannen on May 30, 2023 3:35:35 GMT -6
Regarding tubes.. I think my episode with the NLP 251s was quite revealing and there is definitely quite the difference depending on which tube you use. In my NLP comparison I do think the NOS 5* tube sounded the best. Better overall resolution but it was also brighter and more saturated which someone might not like. It's a bit of a hassle to switch tubes in a 251 but if you have a couple nice tubes available it's cool to test a few different ones. My GAP is currently at NLP/Fehrers place for a tube swap, so I look forward at trying out the GAP ones it comes back. Thanks for sharing Christian. I also have the GAP 251 with the Philips tube. Which tube are you trying out? Are you considering any other modifications for your GAP? I got the Ela M version. I'm going to put in a 6072 5*. Fehrer usually have tubes for sale that are tested and measured if you're interested. He's also going to change the output cap because he said it affected the sound quite a bit and is a 2min mod. Otherwise I'm happy how it sounds and won't change anything I think. The ela M version is a bit more mellow then most 251s which I personally like. But if the 6072-5* makes the lowmid resolution even better it's going to be awesome. |
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Post by paulcheeba on May 30, 2023 16:02:53 GMT -6
Thanks for the compliments on my obsession with sound. I am always researching and experimenting and thanks to forums like this I get to learn more. When I started as a tea boy at 17 there were very few resources unless your mentors were excellent. I was lucky enough to work with amazing musicians who taught me a lot which is why I became obsessed with the old ways. Collecting tubes is one my passions as every time a microphone uses them they become silly prices. The M49V drove the Russian tube up 10x overnight. I’m currently obsessing about the Upton 251 but hear many mixed stories about the capsule sound. The shootouts with the OG’s on here are superb. I’m just concerned about ordering a couple from this distance. Otherwise Flea, BSA, NLP or GAP are the Euro options. Unless there’s any others. I’d like to hear a Flea against an original. Dallas Upton is a great guy, just write him directly about any concerns. Thanks Tim, I’ve written to Dallas. Just out of interest have you put one against a Flea yet? |
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on May 30, 2023 16:52:20 GMT -6
Thanks for the compliments on my obsession with sound. I am always researching and experimenting and thanks to forums like this I get to learn more. When I started as a tea boy at 17 there were very few resources unless your mentors were excellent. I was lucky enough to work with amazing musicians who taught me a lot which is why I became obsessed with the old ways. Collecting tubes is one my passions as every time a microphone uses them they become silly prices. The M49V drove the Russian tube up 10x overnight. I’m currently obsessing about the Upton 251 but hear many mixed stories about the capsule sound. The shootouts with the OG’s on here are superb. I’m just concerned about ordering a couple from this distance. Otherwise Flea, BSA, NLP or GAP are the Euro options. Unless there’s any others. I’d like to hear a Flea against an original. Dallas Upton is a great guy, just write him directly about any concerns. We all know what Tim’s endorsement means in the world of c12’s. I would advise anyone who has any fear that a boutique builder might not build to their tastes to contact the builder and get a feel for any customization or tweaking before purchasing a mic. |
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Post by tkaitkai on May 30, 2023 17:37:55 GMT -6
Dallas Upton is a great guy, just write him directly about any concerns. Yep, I’ve spoken to him over the phone and he’s a genuinely helpful and knowledgeable guy. He will also tune the capsule to your liking after purchase. The Upton responds really well to tube swaps. I put a NOS Mullard 12AT7 in mine (from Bowie, of course) and it’s a truly phenomenal sound. I’d be curious to try the darker capsule tuning, but it’s honestly so good as is that I don’t want to touch it. |
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Post by wiz on May 30, 2023 17:53:26 GMT -6
How does one "tune" a capsule?
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Post by chessparov on May 30, 2023 17:55:26 GMT -6
With a Pitchfork.
Chris
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on May 30, 2023 18:13:44 GMT -6
How does one "tune" a capsule? Tension and in some cases different thickness of diaphragm. |
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Post by wiz on May 30, 2023 18:57:57 GMT -6
How does one "tune" a capsule? Tension and in some cases different thickness of diaphragm. So is it like a drum.. less tension...lower pitch? |
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Post by chessparov on May 30, 2023 18:59:43 GMT -6
How does one "tune" a capsule? On second thought... It's highly Klaus-ified information. Chris |
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on May 30, 2023 19:05:30 GMT -6
Tension and in some cases different thickness of diaphragm. So is it like a drum.. less tension...lower pitch? I don’t know for sure, the effects but reason says you’re on the right track. |
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Post by Chad on May 30, 2023 20:01:16 GMT -6
Bowie gave me several options for tubes in my Upton 251 and C12’s. He (Bowie) knows how to change the tone of these mics just by doing tube swaps. Shoot him an email.
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Post by ab101 on May 30, 2023 20:21:42 GMT -6
How does one "tune" a capsule? On second thought... It's highly Klaus-ified information. Chris I trust Dallas to tune his own capsules. However, I would only go to Klaus for tuning on a Neumann. |
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Post by gmichael on May 30, 2023 20:26:18 GMT -6
How does one "tune" a capsule? Very carefully applied magic voodoo. These guys tell nothing..true magicians! |
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Post by paulcheeba on May 31, 2023 1:22:15 GMT -6
Bowie gave me several options for tubes in my Upton 251 and C12’s. He (Bowie) knows how to change the tone of these mics just by doing tube swaps. Shoot him an email. My Bocks changed dramatically when I improved the tubes, way silkier and deeper. People underestimate the character of NOS tubes because all new ones sound the same. They are usually a great investment. |
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Post by Chad on May 31, 2023 7:29:54 GMT -6
Bowie gave me several options for tubes in my Upton 251 and C12’s. He (Bowie) knows how to change the tone of these mics just by doing tube swaps. Shoot him an email. My Bocks changed dramatically when I improved the tubes, way silkier and deeper. People underestimate the character of NOS tubes because all new ones sound the same. They are usually a great investment. Yes, and he was able to predict mic tone changes with tube-swapping that I thought may have much more to do with the capsule. (ie Lessoning or increasing sibilance) Pure genius, that Bowie! |
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Post by teejay on May 31, 2023 8:34:07 GMT -6
My Bocks changed dramatically when I improved the tubes, way silkier and deeper. People underestimate the character of NOS tubes because all new ones sound the same. They are usually a great investment. Pure genius, that Bowie! And it's worth mentioning he is a class-act. Trustworthy, reliable, fair, communicative, and a great person. |
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Post by gmichael on Jun 1, 2023 17:54:46 GMT -6
I've heard back from Bowie and am devising a plan with his remarkable guidance. Thanks to all who moved me in his direction!
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Post by gmichael on Jun 1, 2023 20:18:09 GMT -6
Bowie gave me two very reasonable paths to go. I might choose both..just in case
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Post by unit7 on Jun 3, 2023 7:04:57 GMT -6
First little session with this mic yesterday. Only a very limited vocal part but wow I love this mic. Super nice top end and very creamy, the best word I can find. The only thing I don't get, other than for the original look, is the solution with the swivel mount on the cable. With a normal mic stand I always get a lot of LF from feet stomping. Are there stands that prevent this? I always order a normal shock mount for mics with this solution. Hopefully there are a fitting shock mount for this model too.
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