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Post by indiehouse on Jul 31, 2018 16:49:04 GMT -6
Anyone tried a Bock 49?
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 31, 2018 17:23:29 GMT -6
Unfortunately no. I'd love to at some point considering the quality of his mics.... and his 67 for that matter.
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Post by chessparov on Jul 31, 2018 19:50:39 GMT -6
The Bock 67 was one of the "wow" microphones, I tried at NAMM. Fit my voice better, than the Neumann re-issue. I told him that a couple of hours, before I won the Saturday raffle (U195). Made my evaluation, a bit more objective! Chris
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,817
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Post by ericn on Aug 1, 2018 8:35:42 GMT -6
Unfortunately no. I'd love to at some point considering the quality of his mics.... and his 67 for that matter. It’s not bad but I don’t think the MBHO capsule will match up well with your Flea!
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Post by jampa on Aug 3, 2018 23:35:50 GMT -6
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Post by aamicrophones on Oct 1, 2018 15:40:55 GMT -6
Hi Guys, just got confirmation that two sample CM49LE bodies and head-grills are on the way. We are also having 100-large frame T49 and BV08 type transformers wound to our specs. I also just finished building up 2-CM47LE samples. I was lent a very rare and very expensive NOS VF14 tube and was able to build an exact U47 circuit with parts exactly like the original. I was able to determine that this VF14 could deliver .5ma at 34 volts just like the original circuit and this VF14 tube was extremely quiet.
The production models will not have any chrome and will look like the original U47 body but with a more friendly shock-mount and connector.
I am just about finished writing a blog regarding this process will be posting in the next couple of weeks.
We expect the samples withing 10 days. I am busy doing a MCI 636 Studio Console installation later this week that I hope to have finished before the M49LE bodies arrive.
Quickly, what I have learned from the VF14/U47 circuit is the following:-
1) The VF14/U47 circuit has a voltage gain of 18 which translates into 25db of gain while the BV08 transformer has a loss of 16.2db.
2) The 60meg or 100meg (after 1959) input resistor causes the low end to roll out about 6db/octave starting at around 60hz if the capsule measures 78 to 83pf.
3) A .5 capacitor in series with the BV08 output transformer yields about a 2db bump at around 200hz and starts to roll out the low end just below 200hz and is down 6db by 50hz and 25hz will be down will be down nearly 18db. This is why the U47 is well suited for vocals and it really rejects rumble and low frequency thumps while sounding really warm on vocals.
This is also the reason a properly working U47 is quiet because the bottom octave rolls off so drastically.
Changing the value of this output capacitor will change the sound in the low end.
4) The U47 will produce and output of nearly +14dbu with less than 1% distortion into a 10K load. It produces and output of +8dbu with <1% distortion into 1K load (Neve 1073).
In contrast a U87 will only yield a maximum output of -5.9dbu before the onset of distortion.
5) The U47 capsule polarization must be passive to produce a true U47 sound in Cardiod. With Passive polarization (no voltage to the back-plate) the microphone has 3db more output than with the 9-pattern selection mode where the rear diaphragm is polarized at the same potential as the back-plate. Our CM47Le has a switch on the front to provide Passive Cardiod or multi-pattern selection from the power supply. We also noted that the proximity effect was much wider in passive cardiod and of course this extra 3db of level increase the signal to noise ratio in the microphone compared to active polarization.
6) When we placed the GE/JAN 5654w tube in the same circuit but optimized the tube bias for a GE/JAN 5654w, we then get the same output level and gain before distortion. Being able to measure the parameter of the VF14 tube in operation allowed us to match the 5654w and produce the same sonic result. In other words the VF14 is not particulary special and acts like a typical pentode. However, Neumann is running the plate voltage down a 34v which is off the chart when you look at the VF14 tube curves so it is nearly impossible to calculate what is going on until you make measurements. The 5654w in an optimized circuit appears to perform exactly like a properly working VF14 tube in our investigation.
In conclusion.
****The VF14 tube does not have a magical sound of its own. The sound is completely dependent on the selection of circuit component values and the inductance of the output transformer and the load impedance (preamps input impedance) the microphone is driving******
Now, the other component is the capsule. However, we believe that that's just a personal choice between a M7 or K47 type capsule. We have heard some great sounding microphones with both M7 or K47 type capsules skinned with 6 micron mylar that measure between 78pf and 83pf.
Now, I recorded a female vocalist singing Brazillian Jazz and I put up the CM47LE which will sell for around $1295 and our CM47 which sells for $735.
On this recording I preferred the CM47 although the CM47LE did not sound bad just the CM47 seemed to work better for the sultry jazz Portuguese vocals.
I will pull the CM47 and CM47LE files from my Radar later today and post them.
In haste, I now have to pull two failing capsulesfrom a AKG C24 that we just got a purchase order to re-build for a recording school.
I have to get these out to Tim Campbell for re-skinning.
Cheers, Dave aamicrophones.com
Attachments:
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Post by Vincent R. on Oct 1, 2018 18:13:29 GMT -6
Dave ( aamicrophones ), when you have these ready and have one you can spare for a couple of weeks, I would love to make a video with the CM47LE and the CM49LE. I have access to a FleA 47 at the moment and could put the CM47LE next to it. I also own a FleA 49 and still have your original CM49 and could put the CM49LE next to both of those. I really love the approach you are taking with the new designs. I can't wait to hear how they sound.
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Post by Vincent R. on Oct 26, 2018 15:50:19 GMT -6
Just thought I’d share. I did some studio session work this week with my wife Emily on a Christmas tune with both of us on the FleA 49 through my Dan Alexander pre (1073 pre). Both my wife and I just sound golden on this signal chain.
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Post by kcatthedog on Oct 26, 2018 16:44:55 GMT -6
Very transparent sound !
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Post by Vincent R. on Oct 26, 2018 17:41:44 GMT -6
Very transparent sound ! But also warm with a little something special.
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Post by kcatthedog on Oct 26, 2018 17:43:43 GMT -6
I was joking that there is no clip: ba da bing!
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Post by Vincent R. on Oct 26, 2018 17:53:57 GMT -6
I was joking that there is no clip: ba da bing! Lol. Sorry, it was a studio vocal commission and I shouldn’t post someone else’s song here. We will be recording vocals for our Christmas album in the beginning of next year. So there will be plenty to post.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,817
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Post by ericn on Oct 26, 2018 17:56:16 GMT -6
Just thought I’d share. I did some studio session work this week with my wife Emily on a Christmas tune with both of us on the FleA 49 through my Dan Alexander pre (1073 pre). Both my wife and I just sound golden on this signal chain. Told you so 😁
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Post by Vincent R. on Jan 17, 2019 22:18:09 GMT -6
My new microphone shootout is live. I thought it would be easier to open a separate thread for the video and just put a note in the threads about the microphones featured, in this case the Advanced Audio CM49. realgearonline.com/post/184316/thread
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Post by Vincent R. on Feb 13, 2019 19:56:14 GMT -6
Finally had a moment to record a new Live-in-the-Studio video with my FleA 49. It debut's tomorrow at 2pm.
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Post by Vincent R. on Feb 14, 2019 13:01:19 GMT -6
And it's live!
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Post by Vincent R. on Feb 14, 2019 15:23:05 GMT -6
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Post by clumsycongregation on Feb 14, 2019 17:28:42 GMT -6
Well, this is cool!
http://instagr.am/p/Bt4IWBollKb nice! haha. Really great performance, as always. While I didn't do an A-B, I wondered if I preferred the 87 or the Redd on your voice. Curious to hear your thoughts.
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Post by Vincent R. on Feb 14, 2019 20:04:01 GMT -6
Well, this is cool!
http://instagr.am/p/Bt4IWBollKb
nice! haha. Really great performance, as always. While I didn't do an A-B, I wondered if I preferred the 87 or the Redd on your voice. Curious to hear your thoughts.
I honestly preferred the U87ai on the operatic selection and th the REDD in normal mode on the crooning selection. I did like the low contour mode for the operatic selection, but the U87 has a sound I know. All in all I bought the FleA 49 and the more I use it on Emily and I the more I know what a great decision I made.
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Post by Chad on Feb 14, 2019 22:29:00 GMT -6
Hi, RGO gang;
First time post here. Just joining up with RGO tonight, though I've been following this site's threads from time to time since end of 2016-ish. Plus – bonus – I have already had the pleasure of meeting a few of you via email, phone, etc.
Vincent, THIS is an amazing capture! LOVE the quality and how your voice shines. Of course, I've always loved that song, but you sincerely knocked it out of the park! :-)
Thanks for sharing!
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Post by Vincent R. on Feb 15, 2019 23:15:30 GMT -6
Hi, RGO gang; First time post here. Just joining up with RGO tonight, though I've been following this site's threads from time to time since end of 2016-ish. Plus – bonus – I have already had the pleasure of meeting a few of you via email, phone, etc. Vincent, THIS is an amazing capture! LOVE the quality and how your voice shines. Of course, I've always loved that song, but you sincerely knocked it out of the park! :-) Thanks for sharing! Chad, good to see you here! Welcome to the group. Thanks for for the kind words. This is literally one of my favorite songs and one I’ve been singing publicly since I’m 15. It was nice to re-record it. I recorded it with that arrangement by my friend humblecomposer back 2001 or 2002. I was 19 and it was the first studio session I ever really had. So it was really nice to revisit it in the studio. In in case any one is interested my FleA 49 was going through my Dan Alexander 1272. ITB I ran it through the UAD Studer Tape Recorded, into the UAD EQP1 with bandwidth set to 4, high boost set to 8khz boosted to notch 2, then into the UAD SSL 4000 with a roll off at 70 hz and a shelf boost of about 1db at 8 kHz again. The track just needed some air in the vocal. Also using the SSL comp at 2:1 with a medium release with 3 to 6db of compression, then into the UAD LA2A Grey for another 1-2db on peaks and for vibe. Using Slate’s Verb Suite Classics TC Electronics 6000 plate emulation, which has been my go to for big broadway and crossover vocals since I tried it a few years ago.
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Post by plinker on Feb 16, 2019 12:29:34 GMT -6
OK, back to the M49.. when I first got the Blackspade UM17, it was handmade by Oliver Archut and cost around $1,000. It was a dead ringer for an M49. Blackspade made some upgrades over time, and it began to be kind of a cross between a U47 and M49, ultimately being closer to a U47. So, if you just gotta have an M49-ish sound, perhaps search out a Blackspade UM-17. When I was curious to identify the particular sound of an M49, I found Nora Jone's first album was done with the 49. I hadn't personally used an M49 until the shootout with Jeremy Gillespie at The Barbershop Studios two summers back. I got a good price on a used UM17 a few years back and tried both a BN k17 and a HK47 capsule in it. I like both better than stock, but the HK was my preference -- the clarity in the high mids is really nice in this circuit and the AMI transformer keeps the low end tight. So it's a bit 47 in the top and 49 in the bottom.
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Post by seawell on Feb 16, 2019 12:47:31 GMT -6
Finally had a moment to record a new Live-in-the-Studio video with my FleA 49. It debut's tomorrow at 2pm. Man..what a voice! Thanks for putting these videos together. The M49 is one style I haven't had the pleasure of using(vintage or clone). Sounds like a great fit for your voice. I'm thinking about reaching out to Shannon to see if he can make a M49 capsule for my Korby KAT system.
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Post by Chad on Feb 16, 2019 14:11:37 GMT -6
Hi, RGO gang; First time post here. Just joining up with RGO tonight, though I've been following this site's threads from time to time since end of 2016-ish. Plus – bonus – I have already had the pleasure of meeting a few of you via email, phone, etc. Vincent, THIS is an amazing capture! LOVE the quality and how your voice shines. Of course, I've always loved that song, but you sincerely knocked it out of the park! :-) Thanks for sharing! Chad, good to see you here! Welcome to the group. Thanks for for the kind words. This is literally one of my favorite songs and one I’ve been singing publicly since I’m 15. It was nice to re-record it. I recorded it with that arrangement by my friend humblecomposer back 2001 or 2002. I was 19 and it was the first studio session I ever really had. So it was really nice to revisit it in the studio. In in case any one is interested my FleA 49 was going through my Dan Alexander 1272. ITB I ran it through the UAD Studer Tape Recorded, into the UAD EQP1 with bandwidth set to 4, high boost set to 8khz boosted to notch 2, then into the UAD SSL 4000 with a roll off at 70 hz and a shelf boost of about 1db at 8 kHz again. The track just needed some air in the vocal. Also using the SSL comp at 2:1 with a medium release with 3 to 6db of compression, then into the UAD LA2A Grey for another 1-2db on peaks and for vibe. Using Slate’s Verb Suite Classics TC Electronics 6000 plate emulation, which has been my go to for big broadway and crossover vocals since I tried it a few years ago. Thanks, Vincent! Yeah, your familiarity and passion surrounding this song just shows up in your performance. It doesn't sound like it's coming *from the head*. What I am hearing is... *all heart*. (And, I just saw the Richard Marx comment. How cool is that??) Love the Flea 49 on your voice! (I'm STILL getting to know my Flea 47)
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Post by Vincent R. on Feb 17, 2019 1:25:45 GMT -6
Finally had a moment to record a new Live-in-the-Studio video with my FleA 49. It debut's tomorrow at 2pm. Man..what a voice! Thanks for putting these videos together. The M49 is one style I haven't had the pleasure of using(vintage or clone). Sounds like a great fit for your voice. I'm thinking about reaching out to Shannon to see if he can make a M49 capsule for my Korby KAT system. When Korby was still around he did make them custom for people. I spoke with Shannon about it a while back. The first 49 style mic I ever tried was on a Korby Kat with a custom 49 head. Frankly, I think if Korby had still been around I would have picked up the Kat and not the BLUE Bottle Rocket Stage 2. If I had the cash in hand it would be hard not to snatch a used one up when they show up with a few caps on Reverb. The 251 was another great head my wife tried. I really wanted to try their 67 head. I did try the 67M, which I liked, but wasn’t quite right for me. And thank you for the compliment. I appreciate it. YouTube has given me a chance to be continually working on something, honing my skills as an engineer, etc. I wish I had time to do more.
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