Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2023 11:05:22 GMT -6
4 distinct capsule voicings probably means 4 distinct binnings of asian sweatshop capsules going in mics with pcbs that will eventually pollute asian water tables
appeals to authority fallacy with the mario bros movie? and not even the 90s one where mario dances with the fat chick at the club?
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Post by notneeson on May 10, 2023 19:38:25 GMT -6
Based on my first hand experience with Roswell mics, I’d love to give this one a try.
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Post by brenta on May 11, 2023 10:15:24 GMT -6
Not sure why, Ross. All of their mics use cheap imported capsules. Some of those capsules are pretty good/great. Notice that the write up on the mic doesn’t mention the capsule, which is pretty odd for a mic at that price point. I could be wrong.
Craig, you are incorrect. There's nothing cheap about this capsule. As to whether it is imported, that part is true but misleading; our contract manufacturer for that component is not located within the US -- as is also true of the various CMs for transformers, XLR7 cable, rotary switches, etc. In all of these cases, we test many components and select the ones that provide the best performance, or, more commonly, we work with a CM to develop something new that better suits our needs.
First off, I owned a pair of mini K47s for a while and really liked them on drum overheads. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's public knowledge that the capsules used in other Roswell mics are indeed cheap, OEM capsules. I'd guess probably manufactured by Feilo or similar. I recall you stating that Roswell does additional quality control where you are testing the capsules and rejecting ones that don't meet your standards, which of course results in higher quality mics and a higher average capsule price than what one would pay without that additional quality control. For these reasons, I think a lot of us assumed that the Aztec also uses cheap OEM capsules that have additional quality control. In the end, all that matters is how it sounds, and all of the Roswell mics I've heard sound great for the price. But I was also a little surprised at the price of the Aztec, given what we know about the parts used in past Roswell mics. But it sounds like a lot of R&D has gone into this mic and also there are a lot of high quality parts being used, both of which should also reflect in the price. |
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Post by plinker on May 11, 2023 10:26:18 GMT -6
Regarding price and components: I'm guessing the Aztec is also using the Scott Hamptone-designed PSU that was offered by micparts at one point (don't know if it still is).
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Post by chessparov on May 11, 2023 14:39:24 GMT -6
FWIW my understanding of the (last incarnation) U195 I have is... David Bock's team followed his stringent QC requirements, and it's a very fine mic indeed. Even though it has (gasp) a Chinese capsule. Ref C? Same deal.* Nothing new to most of us Usual Suspects, but our comments/remarks might be followed later on/or currently by "lesser fanatics".  LOL! The Aztec sounded really good to me, but again I have more Neumann tinned ears. Chris *But grab OSHA heat shield for Ref C or TLM 103. Roswell is one of the relatively few brands, that I haven't heard undue ssssibilancccce.  |
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Post by notneeson on May 11, 2023 14:53:12 GMT -6
FWIW my understanding of the (last incarnation) U195 I have is... David Bock's team followed his stringent QC requirements, and it's a very fine mic indeed. Even though it has (gasp) a Chinese capsule. Ref C? Same deal.* Nothing new to most of us Usual Suspects, but our comments/remarks might be followed later on/or currently by "lesser fanatics". LOL! The Aztec sounded really good to me, but again I have more Neumann tinned ears. Chris *But grab OSHA heat shield for Ref C or TLM 103. Roswell is one of the relatively few brands, that I haven't heard undue ssssibilancccce. I believe the same is true of the Langevin branded mics that Manley put out for a while. |
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Post by craigmorris74 on May 11, 2023 15:22:49 GMT -6
FWIW my understanding of the (last incarnation) U195 I have is... David Bock's team followed his stringent QC requirements, and it's a very fine mic indeed. Even though it has (gasp) a Chinese capsule. Ref C? Same deal.* Nothing new to most of us Usual Suspects, but our comments/remarks might be followed later on/or currently by "lesser fanatics". LOL! The Aztec sounded really good to me, but again I have more Neumann tinned ears. Chris *But grab OSHA heat shield for Ref C or TLM 103. Roswell is one of the relatively few brands, that I haven't heard undue ssssibilancccce. If they’re using the capsule style the I’m guessing they’re using, it’s a nice capsule. In fact, I used it in an 87 type mic that I made (I’m NOT a mic manufacturer, nor do I know any). I prefer it to an identical mic with a k87 capsule from one of the guys that do totally hand made capsules. According to measurements that colleagues have made, the main difference in this capsule and a real CK12 is the top end, especially in its off axis response. I didn’t intend to imply the Aztec would sound bad. It’s a good looking mic, and their other builds have looked solid. For me personally, the price is steep for what is offered. For someone else it might be perfect. |
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Post by reddirt on May 11, 2023 17:43:49 GMT -6
I reckon we are all jumping the gun ; implications that it is a disguised "cheap" mic do the manuf a dis-service as it's around half the price of other new 251's and could well be in the ball park.
The internet can make it hard on a decent company trying to make a reasonable dollar for services rendered.
Cheers, Ross
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Post by chessparov on May 11, 2023 19:12:32 GMT -6
FWIW despite my admittedly low Tech knowledge... Matt is clearly committed to a quality product. Believe it or not, (occasionally) sometimes I can try someone's patience! But Matt is great at "splaining". Sorry just was watching I Love Lucy. Chris |
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Post by BenjaminAshlin on May 11, 2023 19:23:10 GMT -6
FWIW my understanding of the (last incarnation) U195 I have is... David Bock's team followed his stringent QC requirements, and it's a very fine mic indeed. Even though it has (gasp) a Chinese capsule. Ref C? Same deal.* The U195 isn't toooo...expensive for what it is. Around $1600? $1250 corrected by Chessparov - didn't realize it was this cheap! But my wallet would never pay ref c pricing, knowing it has a $50 capsule in it. They can only charge those prices because of its bigger brother. If you are paying top dollar for a microphone it should contain a top quality capsule. Chandler TG uses a cheap capsule, but again that retails for around $2000. The Aztec at $3,299 is pushing the limits of price to quality imo, the introductory offer is more reasonable. This what what my original comment was referring too. (The solid-core Kimber OFC will make little difference to audio quality. Its about 20cm worth of wire total.) Roswell need to run a business and pay their people and I doubt they are getting rich building these microphones and I wish them the best |
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Post by chessparov on May 11, 2023 20:02:07 GMT -6
The U195 streeted new at $1250. (As some know here I won it at NAMM!! some years ago) Sorry not a fit judge on mic manufacturer pricing. "Dammit Jim I'm a singer" "Not a business man". Objectively, the best thing is for a real Pro to properly record and judge the mic(s). I was rightfully chewed out, by more than one strong AE recently. For my lapses in mic placement! |
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Post by Roswell Pro Audio on May 15, 2023 20:32:33 GMT -6
4 distinct capsule voicings probably means 4 distinct binnings of asian sweatshop capsules
That statement is incorrect.
We have two different K47 style capsules that we tune to produce different frequency response curves.
We have two different K67 style capsules that we tune to produce different frequency response curves; one is really close to the Neumann, and the other is new and unique.
(Needless to say, the K67 that mimics the Neumann tuning is used in a circuit that provides appropriate corrective EQ, resulting in a a mic with a nearly flat frequency response.)
The above summarize the capsules in the four Mini K models. The design goal for that product line is to introduce a variety of sonic colors and textures, with extremely good components (no surface-mount parts in the audio signal path, no off-brand parts at all) and excellent build quality, at sub-$500 prices.
The point of the Jack Black anecdote is that these mics are being used on high-profile projects by people who can afford to use whatever gear they want.
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Post by Roswell Pro Audio on May 15, 2023 20:41:32 GMT -6
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's public knowledge that the capsules used in other Roswell mics are indeed cheap, OEM capsules. I'd guess probably manufactured by Feilo or similar. I know of at least one $3900 microphone that uses a Feilo capsule, as well as a great many mics in the $1000-$2500 range. If Feilo is meant to be an example of a "cheap, OEM" capsule that can't be used by any self-respecting mic designer, then that would be news to some of the biggest brands in the industry!
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Post by Roswell Pro Audio on May 15, 2023 20:43:42 GMT -6
FWIW my understanding of the (last incarnation) U195 I have is... David Bock's team followed his stringent QC requirements, and it's a very fine mic indeed. Even though it has (gasp) a Chinese capsule. Ref C? Same deal.* Nothing new to most of us Usual Suspects, but our comments/remarks might be followed later on/or currently by "lesser fanatics". LOL! The Aztec sounded really good to me, but again I have more Neumann tinned ears. Chris *But grab OSHA heat shield for Ref C or TLM 103. Roswell is one of the relatively few brands, that I haven't heard undue ssssibilancccce.
As I've often said, if I could tolerate bright / harsh / sibilant mics, I wouldn't have started the company. We're fanatical about capsule voicing. :-)
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Post by plinker on May 15, 2023 20:53:15 GMT -6
Touche!!! Fact: I love Lewitt mics -- they use offshore capsules. I'm not made of stone! |
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Post by chessparov on May 15, 2023 20:56:14 GMT -6
I'm just downhearted 'cause no one busted me on "Neumann tinned ears". LOL! Chris |
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Post by plinker on May 15, 2023 21:01:58 GMT -6
I'm just downhearted 'cause no one busted me on "Neumann tinned ears". LOL! Chris Sometimes, we mere-mortals don't get your stand-up, Chris... |
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,107 
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Post by ericn on May 15, 2023 21:06:55 GMT -6
FWIW my understanding of the (last incarnation) U195 I have is... David Bock's team followed his stringent QC requirements, and it's a very fine mic indeed. Even though it has (gasp) a Chinese capsule. Ref C? Same deal.* Nothing new to most of us Usual Suspects, but our comments/remarks might be followed later on/or currently by "lesser fanatics". LOL! The Aztec sounded really good to me, but again I have more Neumann tinned ears. Chris *But grab OSHA heat shield for Ref C or TLM 103. Roswell is one of the relatively few brands, that I haven't heard undue ssssibilancccce.
As I've often said, if I could tolerate bright / harsh / sibilant mics, I wouldn't have started the company. We're fanatical about capsule voicing. :-)
OK we have entered a strange new frontier, the microphone consumer has realized it really comes down to the capsule. Yeah, I get it you guys either can’t or don’t want to tell the world who’s capsule you are using, but with all do respect as someone who sold as many mics as anyone in this world I have to say the specific vagueness would make me look elsewhere. Why you ask? Because it’s all about the capsule!!! If your deal with your source says you can’t say, well tell us that, otherwise the intelligent consumer is going to to look elsewhere. |
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Post by chessparov on May 16, 2023 9:34:18 GMT -6
"Intelligent Consumer"?
Didn't Bullwinkle say "Military Intelligence" is an Oxymoron?
I'm afraid I don't qualify for either.
Chris
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