mrcel0
Junior Member
Posts: 64
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Post by mrcel0 on Jun 23, 2024 18:35:17 GMT -6
Hi all, I have had a C414 XLS for a little while now (traded my TLM-103 for it, was a bit bright for me) & while I really enjoy the neutral curve in fig-8, I have found that after watching many comparisons and it being recommended to me many times, I am looking at getting a used B-ULS.
OR a more modern alternative “utility” mic such as the Heiserman Type 19, I have no experience with 47 style though or what the capsules bring to the table sound wise.
I understand that every voice is unique, and in person testing is more likely to answer my question, but it’s not entirely possible for me to do it at the moment and any of your input helps.
My main uses would be vocals and acoustic guitar. I am open to other suggestions within reasonable range of $1k. Thank you!
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Post by andersmv on Jun 23, 2024 18:56:52 GMT -6
I made this so I don't have to talk about it when this topic comes up  |
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Jun 23, 2024 19:01:11 GMT -6
I love the Lewitt 840. Sounds great on lots of sources and the patterns are really distinct from one another. A bit over $1k but they're on sale sometimes. Watch andersmv video above for sure, he's had his hands and ears on way more mics than I have. But if you like C-414 and dislike bright mics, I really think Lewitt is up your alley and 840 in particular for your price range. www.lewitt-audio.com/microphones/lct-recording/lct-840 |
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Post by phdamage on Jun 23, 2024 19:23:26 GMT -6
As the owner of a pair of BULS 414s for well over 20 years now, save your money and buy a pair of Serrano 87s or a pair of Soundelux/Bock U195s. I always reach for those before the 414s, which have mostly sat in their case for years as a result of my other choices.
BULS mics are fine but sound boring on most sources to me.
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Post by phdamage on Jun 23, 2024 19:25:01 GMT -6
I should add that the Serranos have more pattern options but the U195s have more tone options. Both are great and I have literally used them on everything on a rock band of some ilk except maybe inside a kick drum or close micing snares or toms.
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Post by bossanova on Jun 23, 2024 20:19:33 GMT -6
Another vote for the Serrano 87.
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Post by drbill on Jun 23, 2024 20:29:04 GMT -6
A vote against the B-ULS. Had a single. Never used it. Thought I should have a pair cause.....well.....just because. Never used either. Ended up selling them.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 15,940 
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Post by ericn on Jun 23, 2024 20:44:54 GMT -6
A vote against the B-ULS. Had a single. Never used it. Thought I should have a pair cause.....well.....just because. Never used either. Ended up selling them. I’m quoting Bill because I know he will agree the used Gefell UMT70s on reverb for $975, you won’t find a better mic. In fact the only reason I’m recommending it instead of grabbing it is I’m broke. |
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Jun 23, 2024 20:54:23 GMT -6
A vote against the B-ULS. Had a single. Never used it. Thought I should have a pair cause.....well.....just because. Never used either. Ended up selling them. I’m quoting Bill because I know he will agree the used Gefell UMT70s on reverb for $975, you won’t find a better mic. In fact the only reason I’m recommending it instead of grabbing it is I’m broke. Where are you seeing that? That's a great price. |
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Post by russellcreekps on Jun 23, 2024 20:55:41 GMT -6
I made this so I don't have to talk about it when this topic comes up Ha! Well done Sir! |
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 15,940
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Post by ericn on Jun 23, 2024 21:20:44 GMT -6
I’m quoting Bill because I know he will agree the used Gefell UMT70s on reverb for $975, you won’t find a better mic. In fact the only reason I’m recommending it instead of grabbing it is I’m broke. Where are you seeing that? That's a great price. My bad miss typed it’s a MT71s, but still reverb.com/item/82952858-microtech-gefell-mt71s-like-new |
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Post by drbill on Jun 23, 2024 21:44:20 GMT -6
A vote against the B-ULS. Had a single. Never used it. Thought I should have a pair cause.....well.....just because. Never used either. Ended up selling them. I’m quoting Bill because I know he will agree the used Gefell UMT70s on reverb for $975, you won’t find a better mic. In fact the only reason I’m recommending it instead of grabbing it is I’m broke. 10,000% better than a B-ULS. And a mic that will be used on most sessions for the rest of your life. <<thumbsup>> |
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Post by drbill on Jun 23, 2024 21:45:53 GMT -6
Still.....+10,000!!!!!!!!! |
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Post by doubledog on Jun 23, 2024 21:57:46 GMT -6
Chandler TG Type L. 2 mics in one (sorta)
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Post by drumsound on Jun 23, 2024 22:38:15 GMT -6
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Post by andersmv on Jun 23, 2024 23:07:13 GMT -6
Ya, Gefell’s another amazing work horse if you can find one under $1k. Had a bunch of those in the first studio I worked in, both older with the transformers and newer without them. They all looked the same and I would constantly mix them for studio purposes on accident when I was in a hurry. They sound extremely similar, don’t get wrapped up in the transformer hype on that model. If you see a newer UMT version for cheap (which gefell, in their infinite German wisdom, decided to add a T to the model to designate “transformer less”….), jump on it!
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Post by itzprime on Jun 23, 2024 23:21:50 GMT -6
Austrian Audio OC 818 and it isn't even close.
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Post by copperx on Jun 24, 2024 4:05:01 GMT -6
I listened to the people in this forum and got a Gefell MT71 not too long ago. I'll probably get buried with it.
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Post by kbsmoove on Jun 24, 2024 15:00:50 GMT -6
if you want something not too bright, the heiserman type 19 is a great choice. it sounds good everywhere - a utility mic that is interesting enough that you'll reach for it because it also flatters the source. huge recommend. sounds good on everything. i have two and often wish i had two more.
the 414 ULS to me is a pretty boring mic. i used mine when i had it around, mostly on floor tom and guitar cabs. tried it on vocals a lot and always swapped it out. sold it over 10 years ago and have never missed it.
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Post by bossanova on Jun 24, 2024 15:18:51 GMT -6
When I was looking a few years ago I ended up with the Serrano, but the other finalist was a Gefell. They came highly recommended in that range.
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mrcel0
Junior Member
Posts: 64
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Post by mrcel0 on Jun 24, 2024 17:35:59 GMT -6
if you want something not too bright, the heiserman type 19 is a great choice. it sounds good everywhere - a utility mic that is interesting enough that you'll reach for it because it also flatters the source. huge recommend. sounds good on everything. i have two and often wish i had two more. the 414 ULS to me is a pretty boring mic. i used mine when i had it around, mostly on floor tom and guitar cabs. tried it on vocals a lot and always swapped it out. sold it over 10 years ago and have never missed it. Awesome just what I would have liked to hear about this mic! Would you say the lack of a transformer hurts or is something you miss from the B-ULS? Or, does it not really matter when you have pre-amps / compressors with tubes and transformers already? |
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mrcel0
Junior Member
Posts: 64
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Post by mrcel0 on Jun 24, 2024 17:48:16 GMT -6
Thank you all for your suggestions. I have quite a bit of homework.
The Chandler Type L or Vanguard V4 GEN 2 both sound really awesome. U87 is obviously a dream mic but out of my range and i’m not too interested in the remakes to be honest
Will have to check the MT71 out. I will say, I preferred the B-ULS to a U87AI and Gefell M930 in a certain example.
I have looked into the OC-818 before purchasing the XLS and ultimately decided on the XLS because I wanted something “flat” although I may have to give it another look..
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Jun 24, 2024 18:31:07 GMT -6
Thank you all for your suggestions. I have quite a bit of homework. The Chandler Type L or Vanguard V4 GEN 2 both sound really awesome. U87 is obviously a dream mic but out of my range and i’m not too interested in the remakes to be honest Will have to check the MT71 out. I will say, I preferred the B-ULS to a U87AI and Gefell M930 in a certain example. I have looked into the OC-818 before purchasing the XLS and ultimately decided on the XLS because I wanted something “flat” although I may have to give it another look.. This stuff is so individual. There is literally nothing more idiosyncratic than the human voice and, therefore, the tools used to capture it. Years ago I did a blind shootout on my own voice before a recording session with a vintage U67, a modern U87, an SM7b, and a C414 B-ULS. At that time for that record the SM7b won on the rockers and the C414 was hands down favorite on the more delicate stuff. There were some other esoteric mics in there too that I can't remember (this was like 14 years ago) but those were the easy winners, nearly unanimous among four sets of ears. My point? Every voice is different and so is every mic. The right tool for the job, get the mic you like. |
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Post by smashlord on Jun 24, 2024 18:31:10 GMT -6
If you don't need multi pattern, I find the Soyuz 023 to sound very good to fantastic on just about any source. Its not my favorite on vocals, but certainly doesn't sound bad there. Great on acoustic guitar.
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Post by kbsmoove on Jun 24, 2024 18:50:01 GMT -6
Would you say the lack of a transformer was something you miss from the B-ULS? Or, does it not really matter when you have pre-amps / compressors with tubes and transformers already? i thought i might miss a transformer in the 19, but the mic sounds brilliant. |
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