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Post by ephi82 on Sept 18, 2014 6:53:27 GMT -6
I've read a number of suggestions in this thread that I believe will be helpful. I guess I will more carefully investigate which dealers and Mfg's offer a return policy. I wasnt aware that it was that prevalent? Maybe its something you need to ask for?
Kidyvibes made a good suggestion buying a used mic so that I can flip it if I don't like it.
I stopped visiting much of GS because of the nasty environment there. I still like to visit the newbie section because I like to try help those just starting out and give encouragement.
I stumbled into this forum and found some other refugee's from GS! Its good to see Kidyvibes here, he's always enthusiastic and has great suggestions. I've had an overall good experience here, and there are some seriously good and friendly people who contribute.
SVART, you have a "style" that puts people off. It's not necessarily what you say, its how you say it. I've learned now that is just the way you are. I can handle it.
FWIW, I have been spending some time over at the Steve Hoffman Music Corner Forum. If you like talking about artists and their recordings, especially high fidelity and high quality mastered ones, it's a fun place. Lots of good natured bantering and comments, significant use of "likes" to support posts, and just a good vibe.
It's probably not a coincident that their mods immediately remind members that sarcasm, snarkiness and pissing on someones post or idea just because you can is not allowed. I mean the offending post is immediately removed without a trace! I learned this because someone egged me on, and I went a little too far. Poof, post gone and a warning in the mailbox! I know this is labor intensive to mods, but it seems to work!
Thanks again all for the suggestions
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Post by jcoutu1 on Sept 18, 2014 7:10:39 GMT -6
I blame the manufacturers here. It's either that they just don't want to put in the effort it takes to make a bunch of well done samples or their gear just doesn't hold up and they want to rely on people spouting that their stuff if great, when in reality it's just mediocre. There are a few companies that offer nice samples of their gear (more specifically rack gear comes to mind), but not enough have solid samples. Hi Jesse, I kind of disagree. While I think sound clips can acclimate someone toward a new product or give you a sense of features, I think any serious buying decision (especially of $2k-6k mics) need to be made in your own studio. I think anyone living in the U.S. doesn't have an excuse to do this. It's way too easy these days to buy something on a credit card from Sweetwater, check it out, and then send it back if you don't like it. Heck, even my own small two-man company offers a 14-day no questions asked return policy on our stuff. I think this is why manufacturers of these products don't bother to invest serious time into making sound clips of high end pieces...it's because there are too many variables that can influence a buying decision and the most proven way to understand what a piece of gear will or won't do for you is to use it for a few days. Besides that, the sound is only one aspect of the user experience. Putting gear in front of people, especially those that suffer from GAS, is a powerful sales tool. I know from personal experience this does help sell gear. When I bought my vintage U67, I gave the buyer a deposit and essentially rented the mic for a week to check it out. I tried it on a ton of sources and then decided to pull the trigger and send over the rest of the money. Svart is spot on about everything related to costs of remaking an old design. I see the same thing at my day job in the aerospace industry. Brad My understanding was that microphones generally had a no return policy. Guitar center for sure was this way at one point and I thought others were too. Brad, your Chop Shop sample was great. That's why I have one in my rack. I probably wouldn't have it without the video... even with the 14 day return policy. |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Sept 18, 2014 8:05:24 GMT -6
GC 's mic policy is complete rubbish, the problem they had was people were buying / special ordering expensive mics and returning them after a project.
I have been told GC who you need to go through for most of the higher end stuff has a much more liberal policy.
VK and Sweetwater have been very good about demos/ returns.
The the problem has always been that those with the best demo policy don't discount, you pay a premium price for the ability to demo or return a mic you don't like.
One piece of advice arrange demos through a dealer,
Only go through a manufacturer if the demo is directly through the manufacturer. A demo that Manufacturer puts together through a dealer is a Cluster F#%k! Something will go wrong and somebody will be unhappy!
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Post by Martin John Butler on Sept 18, 2014 8:10:59 GMT -6
As to the original question, I think Neumann could do it, but it might undermine the other mics in their product line. First, I think they'd have to charge $5000 to $7000 for a special edition recreation of their classics. Then, people might feel let down because they're not getting the best for their $3K U87. There's a saying, "don't throw good money after bad". 3K's a lot of coin to spend only to feel it's second best.
As for the tone of some posts. well. if you guys knew all the things I don't know, you'd have to laugh, I'm still learning as I go. I've picked up so many tips from the helpful and generous posters here, I'd feel lost without these connections. I might not know as much as I'd like to about things like say.. gain staging.. but when someone disrupts a thread, I try to bring some balance back, and if I can't, I just let my music do the talking.
This is a gear oriented site, but also a music production forum. I've heard quite a few beautifully recorded crappy songs, so I realize when reading posts, even the most skilled and knowledgeable engineers may not have very good taste in music, so I try remember that.
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Post by Johnkenn on Sept 18, 2014 9:30:12 GMT -6
Jeesh, people. Don't be so sensitive. No one is making fun of anyone. If they are, then chalk it up to them being immature and self conscious. if you disagree with someone, you are allowed to post, "I disagree with you and here is why..." You don't have to diagnose them and out their secret agenda.
Svart has never rubbed me the wrong way. Some others have and do...but take the good with the bad. Step am away from the keyboard and learn something from every post. If it continues to bother you, block the person. You can do that in your user profile.
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Post by kidvybes on Sept 18, 2014 18:55:44 GMT -6
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Post by ephi82 on Sept 19, 2014 12:09:20 GMT -6
wow
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Post by BradM on Sept 20, 2014 8:51:55 GMT -6
My understanding was that microphones generally had a no return policy. Guitar center for sure was this way at one point and I thought others were too. Brad, your Chop Shop sample was great. That's why I have one in my rack. I probably wouldn't have it without the video... even with the 14 day return policy. I'm glad you found the video helpful! We do try to make videos and sound clips that are useful in informing the buying decision of potential customers, especially since we don't sell through dealers. Personally I think it's mandatory to do that kind of marketing, and to do it well. My goal is to have media on our site be at the same caliber as our products. We are still learning though. I guess my point was that I can understand the perspective of a company distributed through normal channels not wanting to invest in that kind of stuff. If I were selling $5k compressors I'd probably reconsider my stance on streaming MP3's on my website, though. Brad |
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Post by kidvybes on Oct 10, 2014 8:18:48 GMT -6
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Post by Martin John Butler on Oct 10, 2014 9:00:52 GMT -6
My friend has two original U47 FET's. I had them on loan, and my Blackspade (TabFunkenwerk) U17 Blueline was chosen over the U47 every time. I've been told it's the kick drum mic of the gods. but that's a lot of cash for one drum mic.
I wonder, could it be modded with a tube, and become a U47?
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Post by watchtower on Oct 10, 2014 15:26:32 GMT -6
Yeah, you can gut any mic, put a U47 circuit in, and it becomes a 47  lol |
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Post by Bob Olhsson on Oct 10, 2014 23:14:04 GMT -6
A new 47 FET was a mighty good mike. The problem is finding 40+ year old mikes in good condition.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Oct 11, 2014 7:16:41 GMT -6
One of the two 47FET's I borrowed did sound a little better. It's been a while, so I don't recall exactly what the difference was.
Don't get me wrong, I can see the 47FET shining for lots of purposes. It reminded me of an RE20, but way, way better. As a voice over mic it would be great, and I suspect it could be interesting for multiple vocal overdubs, although I didn't try that. Mainly because what I would call a slight flatness, could be an advantage with say... 4 harmony vocals done by one singer. If it is in fact the kick drum mic of the gods, well, that would be cool too, if you can afford that.
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Post by Guitar on Oct 11, 2014 12:48:44 GMT -6
kidvybes agreed, i believe the best thing you can do is get mics in your own hands of course. svart I'll make you a deal, I'll get a thicker skin if you cut the same ole shit? Until then, I'll also continue to state my opinion towards yours in kind when i see it. As far as the pot/kettle, I NEVER push the idea that anyone who disagrees with my OPINION is somehow lesser. Your CONTINUED passive aggressive and condescending assertions that everyone who hasn't come to your conclusions, or doesn't see it your way is a fool, is bullshit man, it was bullshit the day this place started, and it's bullshit now. The real piss off is you know you're doing it! I don't know why you can't just extend your opinion without the lead out that someone is delusional or stupid if they disagree, how many times does that need to be said? To be clear, ephi82 asked a legit Q, and your response was a flippant "not really", followed by the condescending "mics are the only thing that turn sound into electricity, and mic placement is the most important"... really? do you think he learned that on his first or second day of his interest in Recording? That is total big I, little u GS BS! There are some uber talented people on this site who could easily use their clout to throw their weight around, but they have never phrased that downward crap on anyone, what gives you the right? +1 |
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Post by Ward on Oct 12, 2014 19:01:02 GMT -6
But have you heard what a U47 can do to a kickdrum? The sound is just magical and since the beat is so important (in the words of James Brown, "Everything comes back to the 1") getting a great kick sound on a recording creates this wonderful foundation for the rest of a song's recording.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Oct 12, 2014 20:28:43 GMT -6
That's a luxury I'd sure love to have ward, using a 47 on a kick. My friend has two U47FET's that I didn't love for vocals, and I've always had a hunch they'd be killer on the kick.
Does anyone know of some other recordings done with the M49? I'd love to hear more for a reference.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Oct 12, 2014 20:51:44 GMT -6
That's a luxury I'd sure love to have ward, using a 47 on a kick. My friend has two U47FET's that I didn't love for vocals, and I've always had a hunch they'd be killer on the kick. Does anyone know of some other recordings done with the M49? I'd love to hear more for a reference. The first Morah Jones Album, in fact when the studio went belly up she sent her boyfriend to the auction to buy it, The 49s at Sound Summit/ Music Head were the favorite Vocal mic, I can't remember what they were and were not used on . |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Oct 12, 2014 21:11:39 GMT -6
Thanks eric, I'll have to go and give that a closer listen now.
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lol
