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Post by WKG on Jan 3, 2023 12:07:16 GMT -6
So I have pretty much blown my budget lately but I have been stuck on getting a pair of AL95's. I've got a pair of VL37A's which I really like. Also have a pair of Apex 205's with the transformer swap.
Anybody have the VL37A and the AL95? Any hands on comparison or thoughts?
Also Mark has said in the past that Samar quality control is pretty tight so any two identical model mics could be considered matching however I see matching sets now available for an up charge. Matching would be great but saving a few bucks if not really needed would help.
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Post by chessparov on Jan 3, 2023 12:50:15 GMT -6
I was most focused on the AL-95, when I saw him at the Booth, at the last Winter NAMM. It's one of the best matches on my voice. Beautiful sounding microphone.  Chris |
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Post by WKG on Jan 3, 2023 13:16:26 GMT -6
I was most focused on the AL-95, when I saw him at the Booth, at the last Winter NAMM. It's one of the best matches on my voice. Beautiful sounding microphone. Chris Thanks Chris. I like all the clips that I have heard of the AL95. I have been holding off but the sales are just about over and don't want to spend for a matched pair up charge if the QA is as tight as it is for the VL37/VL37A mics. |
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Post by ab101 on Jan 3, 2023 13:35:42 GMT -6
I was most focused on the AL-95, when I saw him at the Booth, at the last Winter NAMM. It's one of the best matches on my voice. Beautiful sounding microphone. Chris Thanks Chris. I like all the clips that I have heard of the AL95. I have been holding off but the sales are just about over and don't want to spend for a matched pair up charge if the QA is as tight as it is for the VL37/VL37A mics. Front End Audio is selling the stereo pair of Al95 mics for $762 and they do not charge sales tax (at least to my state.) That is about $40 more per mic for the matching. But it is also 15% off today and that saves $135. The extra money for the matched pair buys some peace of mind I suppose, and it is still a great deal for what one gets at $381 per microphone from a high end manufacturer who is very particular about sound quality. |
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Post by WKG on Jan 3, 2023 14:02:18 GMT -6
Thanks Chris. I like all the clips that I have heard of the AL95. I have been holding off but the sales are just about over and don't want to spend for a matched pair up charge if the QA is as tight as it is for the VL37/VL37A mics. Front End Audio is selling the stereo pair of Al95 mics for $762 and they do not charge sales tax (at least to my state.) That is about $40 more per mic for the matching. But it is also 15% off today and that saves $135. The extra money for the matched pair buys some peace of mind I suppose, and it is still a great deal for what one gets at $381 per microphone from a high end manufacturer who is very particular about sound quality. Placed the order for a matched pair. They listed at $897, $762 with the sale but actually turned out to be $685, problem solved! Now I just have to wait until Mark makes more as they are on back order....  |
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Post by ab101 on Jan 3, 2023 14:08:22 GMT -6
Front End Audio is selling the stereo pair of Al95 mics for $762 and they do not charge sales tax (at least to my state.) That is about $40 more per mic for the matching. But it is also 15% off today and that saves $135. The extra money for the matched pair buys some peace of mind I suppose, and it is still a great deal for what one gets at $381 per microphone from a high end manufacturer who is very particular about sound quality. Placed the order for a matched pair. They listed at $897, $762 with the sale but actually turned out to be $685, problem solved! Now I just have to wait until Mark makes more as they are on back order.... Fantastic!!! How did you get it for $685? I suppose I will see if that works with Front End Audio. Thanks! |
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Post by WKG on Jan 3, 2023 14:24:39 GMT -6
Placed the order for a matched pair. They listed at $897, $762 with the sale but actually turned out to be $685, problem solved! Now I just have to wait until Mark makes more as they are on back order.... Fantastic!!! How did you get it for $685? I suppose I will see if that works with Front End Audio. Thanks! I'll pm you. |
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Post by jacobamerritt on Jan 3, 2023 16:39:03 GMT -6
Can't compare the two, but I just got an (unmatched) pair of AL95s, and they sound great! Tried them on acoustic and a mono drum overhead. So can't speak to the matched nature of them.
Signal chain was AL-95 through 4-710 set to transformer only, then being shaped and compressed by a Kush Electra and Tweezer. Those are powerful devices, but we were pretty subtle. On the acoustic it sounded 'vintage' and cozy. Kinda Nick Drake feeling? But not veiled or overly low mid range forward like Ive experienced with some ribbons.
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Post by mcirish on Jan 30, 2023 16:43:08 GMT -6
Just to reopen this again, I too have been thinking of picking up a ribbon mic. so many choices but the AL-95 seems like it might be a good choice.
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Post by ab101 on Jan 30, 2023 18:19:55 GMT -6
Just to reopen this again, I too have been thinking of picking up a ribbon mic. so many choices but the AL-95 seems like it might be a good choice. I suppose it depends what you want and the budget. I have not tried the Samar AL95s, but I have a pair of VL37s which are fantastic and do not have that typical high frequency loss like my AEA 44s. But AEA 44s are thicker or perhaps with more color, if that is what you want. From the clips I heard, the AL95s seem like a bargain. Appear to be slightly euphoric while having a lot of detail. I have tried many others. For example: Woodpecker - too noisy but interesting tone. Beyerdynamic M160 - great all around mic - sort of difficult to use for vocals, but good on overheads, spot mics, flute, woodwinds, etc. AEA R84s - an excellent all around ribbon with some color, not as much as the 44. But frankly, once in this territory, I would want the Samar VL37s over the AEA R84s. And if I really wanted a lot of vintage color - or a crooner mic - or a mic that if it falls, the mic and floor may be damaged - the AEA 44 mics (several types.) |
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Post by hadaja on Jan 30, 2023 18:37:00 GMT -6
I have an al95.
They are natural sounding, no hype no excessive proximity effect like a lot of ribbons and an extended hi end that a lot o f modern ribbon mics tend to have now.
When i say extended hi end, its very familiar to a condenser style hi end reach but without any harshness or brittleness of a condenser. Just natural sounding.
The AL95 is not to be confused with the older style vintage/mojo ribbon mics like any RCA style older shure 300’s or most any other pre 1960 vintage mic.
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Post by jacobamerritt on Jan 30, 2023 21:11:47 GMT -6
Highly recommend the AL95s as well. ZenPro might still have a good deal going on them too
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Post by EmRR on Jan 31, 2023 8:32:59 GMT -6
I have 5 Samar of 3 types, M160/M130, RCA 44/77/BK-11, and some others. More likely to use any of the Samar first over the rest. Family differences exist but are smaller than comparisons to the others.
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Post by mcirish on Jan 31, 2023 9:49:29 GMT -6
I sent an email to ZenPro to see if there are any deals. No deals and he has one pair in stock. Do I need anymore mics? Of course not, but I keep thinking a nice ribbon or two could come on handy in sharper sounds like tambourine, shakers and of course on fiddle. I've been super happy with the MC930 pair I have on those sources, but we are sort of junkies...
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Post by jacobamerritt on Jan 31, 2023 14:04:23 GMT -6
I sent an email to ZenPro to see if there are any deals. No deals and he has one pair in stock. Do I need anymore mics? Of course not, but I keep thinking a nice ribbon or two could come on handy in sharper sounds like tambourine, shakers and of course on fiddle. I've been super happy with the MC930 pair I have on those sources, but we are sort of junkies... Aw bummer, I got a couple in December for $339 a piece. |
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Post by mcirish on Jan 31, 2023 14:06:45 GMT -6
I sent an email to ZenPro to see if there are any deals. No deals and he has one pair in stock. Do I need anymore mics? Of course not, but I keep thinking a nice ribbon or two could come on handy in sharper sounds like tambourine, shakers and of course on fiddle. I've been super happy with the MC930 pair I have on those sources, but we are sort of junkies... Aw bummer, I got a couple in December for $339 a piece. I would have bought right away at that price. Maybe I will hold off for another sale. |
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Post by plinker on Jan 31, 2023 16:19:01 GMT -6
I sent an email to ZenPro to see if there are any deals. No deals and he has one pair in stock. Do I need anymore mics? Of course not, but I keep thinking a nice ribbon or two could come on handy in sharper sounds like tambourine, shakers and of course on fiddle. I've been super happy with the MC930 pair I have on those sources, but we are sort of junkies... Aw bummer, I got a couple in December for $339 a piece. Was that the Front End Audio, Samar sale? I bought my TF 10 during that sale. |
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Post by jacobamerritt on Jan 31, 2023 17:41:49 GMT -6
Aw bummer, I got a couple in December for $339 a piece. Was that the Front End Audio, Samar sale? I bought my TF 10 during that sale. They ran it as well, I got mine from Zen Pro. |
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Post by plinker on Jan 31, 2023 17:43:00 GMT -6
Was that the Front End Audio, Samar sale? I bought my TF 10 during that sale. They ran it as well, I got mine from Zen Pro. Even better! If Warren had the TF 10 on sale, I would have bought from him. |
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Post by Ward on Feb 1, 2023 13:49:55 GMT -6
I sent an email to ZenPro to see if there are any deals. No deals and he has one pair in stock. Do I need anymore mics? Of course not, but I keep thinking a nice ribbon or two could come on handy in sharper sounds like tambourine, shakers and of course on fiddle. I've been super happy with the MC930 pair I have on those sources, but we are sort of junkies... Curiously, I record two stereo pairs of OH with drums. Beyerdynamic MC930 (matched pair from Warren) and Samar VL37 matched pair but delivered 2 months apart from Mark. I always always always record both stereo pairs as overheads on every single track. MC930s in XY 120º and VL37s9 in 90º Blumlein. 75% of the time the Samars win for dominance in the mix! |
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Post by plinker on Feb 2, 2023 19:52:34 GMT -6
I loves me some MC930 on OH. However, recently found the coles were bringing out a ton of drum depth (night/day diff). I don't know if other ribbons rock that, but...
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Post by chessparov on Feb 3, 2023 9:43:23 GMT -6
FWIW if you're committed to a heavy Vintage Ribbon tone...
The Sontronics Sigma 2 is a very cool choice.
I hear the roughly 44-ish NoHype model, is quite nice too.
(If you don't have an R84 or Sigma 2 level budget)
Chris
P.S. I find 4038's real interesting too!
But I'm a little chicken on the
Ribbon's frailty.
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Post by Ward on Feb 3, 2023 11:15:11 GMT -6
I loves me some MC930 on OH. However, recently found the coles were bringing out a ton of drum depth (night/day diff). I don't know if other ribbons rock that, but... Coles do that, so do Samars and other high-end ribbons... a lot of times what you do depends what you are trying to achieve. If you're fanatical about close mics, your overheads may be more for cymbals and transients than depth or bottom. If you're trying to capture most of the drums in the overheads, then your close mics are probably more to complement your overall capture. I'm a little over the top (note to self: ya think?) with usually 16-20 mics on drums. Kick in, kick out, snare dynamic, snare condenser, snare bottom, 4 toms all LDCs usually U89s, crotch mic, 4 overheads, 2 - 3 U87s for room mics, hi hat mic, ride mic. What's the point? Well, the more mics you have, the more you have to work with... especially if you have a different philosophy to who will mix the recording. And even if you're the recordist and the mixer, you can change your minds with enough options. |
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