There's so many damned mics - where to begin?

TLM102 is where you begin, you can probably stop there too. I was a fan of the mic when I got it a couple years ago, I traded up to a TLM49 and then 6 months later bought another 102. The last few weeks I've used that mic on every vocal that's been through here and I can't sing it's praises enough. It's by no means harsh, if you're used to really colored mics this might not be the best choice but it's an extremely good vocal mic and at it's price point I'd recommend getting one as a first LDC on the basis that you will not outgrow it. I just need another one now for overheads.

So, don't get 184s then! (Actually leaning to the Beyer 930s in the SDC side of things or maybe another Joly modded Oktava as I already have one of those). I saw the Heil dynamics mentioned too and I'm curious about them as well.

Ok, I didn't start this to necessarily talk about my particular mic search, but what the heck. I have a decent collection of dynamics - could cover a full band of typical instrumentation and I have a lot of the usual suspects - 57s, SM7, 421 etc. One ribbon (AEA). SDCs I could use. For LDCs I have a Soudelux U195, and the Joly modded Oktava that drbill described as being U67ish. That's it. I also have a pair of AT 4033s and a pair of Kels that are both more what I'd call mid-sized DCs.

Now, given that I'm purely a weekend warrior, that I rarely (like twice a year) record full bands, that I generally record myself and so far have found the SM7 works better on my voice than anything else I've tried - I have more than enough mics already. But, I like gear and obsessing over gear and joining forums that talk about gear and sometimes even plugging in the gear I already have. 

So, if I were to get another LDC, my thinking was get something as different as possible from what I already have. And that's where you guys could help. Let's pretend for now that my Joly is kinda 67ish as drbill has described. Where would you put the U195 in the flavor/ mic family. It certainly has a brighter top than the Joly. It has been described as a poor man's 87 - but I don't really know if that's accurate. I guess knowing what mics you think would be similar in character - and therefore I should bypass for now - would help.

My thinking for the moment is that I have neither a multipattern nor tube, so I'm leaning towards something having both those features. And given that I'm just a hobbyist, leaning toward the budget end of things. Does this make sense? Now, I also don't have the experience with the real deal to have a clue whether something in the 47ish camp would be better or C12 or 251 or whatever. I do know that I'm not looking for something bright/ modern. 

Ok, that was more longwinded than I had intended. But it's what I do.

Thanks!

Cheers,
Geoff

I like my KM184 quite a bit, and would like to make a pair. Yeah I wish it were more industrial like a Shure, but mine is actually pretty sturdy, for what it is. No wiggles or anything. Very light weight.  It's a special mic for its full and smooth midrange, and bass.  Very different from any other SDC I have tried.

I like my KM184's a lot. I really don't get the hate out there for them. Seems like most of the haters are folks who want to drive up the KM84 prices. It's rather funny that I've seen a handful of shootouts with the km84 and km184 where folks pick the KM184 blindly as their favorite and then cry foul when it's revealed. Stuff like "you mixed up the files by accident" or "you must not have used the mics in the same position" typically fly around quickly afterwards.

I have to agree 100% on this.  If I hadn't bought mine for cheap, I probably wouldn't have ever bought them and would have been happy working with what I already have.  However, now that I have them, I have to say that while they aren't "worth" their price in materials, they are definitely worth it in results.  

I have heard they have all the parts to make U67 as well?

I'm not sure why they refuse to go backwards, with so much obvious market for originals like that, with the clone armies and whatnot. Maybe they just have pride in their new designs or something, want to keep moving forwards. Maybe they're really into specifications and test results that the old mics don't compete in vs. the new ones, regarding noise, distortion, etc. Could a company like that put out an old noisy design like the KM84? Or do they take pride in "advancements"? I wish I knew more about the insides of pro audio equipment companies. I do get the idea that engineers like to "innovate" and use their skills. Just look at Rupert Neve and the original API guys, not making their old circuits, but taking them steps further.  They seem to evolve.

Yeah, I think the ones they made in the 90s were rid themselves of whatever was left....other than whatever calculated for repair work. Re:67s parts.

....BUT....you know...the 87AI is a 67 cap, and they are so inconsistent, IME, I think the reason these old mics are better has retired or died. And why I find it odd when people offer the really expensive Neumann caps as "upgrades" in part mics...I don't necessarily think a NEW Neumann cap is necessarily any better than a good clone.

That said, and I've said this before--AMI makes the transformer...no one does 67 clones (except Wunder, whose sounds patently brighter) for a very specific reason--the new market engineers wouldn't buy them. They're "dull". They're "honky"...there is simply nothing sexy about 67s. Well, there is--but, it's a mature sexy--not a push'em up and put'em in your face while Motley Crue plays over a PA sexy.

I was really making reference to it STILL being played....

blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2012/05/girls_girls_girls_turns_25_the.php

But, ha...they're certain mature now.

As long as it's not Country stations...who wants to hear the same song in constant rotation...but I digress.

Pretty kewl thread and lots of good info that has been collected over the years. I quickly skimmed through it, and everyone seems to be right in some way.

Hey just kinda throwing it out there, would anyone be interested in some small diagphiam NICKEL capsules for the miktek C5 or others hit me up here or at Shannon@micrehab.com. Im curious how many people would be interested.

One of the biggest motivators for me is (* Excluding the CLASSICS * ) So many of the affordable Mics that are mentioned in this and many other threads, and the Talent, gifted, blessed, Gear Junkies, tweakers, the one that can use and appreciated them are forced to get due to cost, budget, day job, WIFE, KID, food, electric...... really are very similar built and sounding. Its hard to find one in that area the has the thing that we all love and got us hear today. THAT classic vintage sound, and traits. Although Described different by many, yet all the same at the end of the day..... That group of mic are hyped and seem to be very close sounding. Im pretty sure that all us could tell a U47 out of a crowd, REmove that mic from the rest and it would harder to identify whats left in that price range Not that they dont sound good. 

What really makes me smile at the end of the day, is after 3 seconds rule.  Meaning after hearing a mic i worked on, to see that person that could shine like the sun on a u47 or 251 or.....
, Now almost someone has lit a fire under them, and confidence as well sing better than they did when they walked in. and has that smart ass grin, of HELL YEA, bring it.... No shit i sound like that, Thanx dude.

Which now brings me to the point that i was getting at. The majority of mics in that range are honestly built closely. I hope i dont cuz a PANTIES IN A BUNCH party when i say that most of your sound 70%-80% comes from the capsules. Those capsule are taken off the shelf and installed. end of story. The reason i like the Miktek ( not just cuz i worked on them ) a couple things but mainly was thier capsule choice. It was, and is built out of the circle and well., I believe the BEEZKNEES capsules are very good example to Im sure there are some that srry if i didnt mention. But with so many similiar yet very good, but not that $8,000-$15,000 sound that we want for a "G"  the  OG stuff is and will always be the bomb.

Like Bob O mentioned a simple thing that is always or easily overlooked is the mic placement. That sweet spot isnt the same on every women, nor the distance and setup of mics, like both if done right its the bomb, and yes both can be easily overlooked, and the difference between making it or not.  You know what im gonna quit while im ahead.

Also i can mod not just the miktek but almost any. depending how much dna of each mic you want. There is alot of things to look forward to in that area very soon. drop me a line if you would be interest in the Nickel to give me a ideal of how big of a project it can be.

Sinsay

Sorry for the omits and typos keyboard works sometimes

  Yea will do. The whole time thing is a problem for us all. Thats why wanted to see how many people interested in the half dime. Nickel. i have had alot of inquiries already before the mention of this.
see how it goes

Sinsay Shan

The AT5040 has my interest as of late. I happened to be in one of the local stores when a the AT rep popped in. The thing looks and feels great. Also had a chance in the store to hear a comparison between it and a u87ai. Personally I liked what I heard from the 5040 more.

Considering selling a couple of my mics and getting one. Anyone on here tried a 5040?