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Post by markfouxman on May 24, 2019 11:59:58 GMT -6
Samar Audio Design, LLC pleased to announce company's newest Samar AL95 figure 8 passive ribbon microphone. Years of perfecting ribbon transducers, and experience in machining and making them exclusively in house have allowed Samar Audio to create a microphone of ultimate performance for a price that is unheard for a completely US made microphone. This makes it perfect solution for home studios, artists, and engineers with budget restrictions, as well as professional engineers, whose goal is making the highest quality recordings. Specifically designed for very smooth, extended frequency response, and low distortions, it is handcrafted and meticulously assembled at the company’s Salt Lake City based shop. This design was conceived and realized by the company’s founder, Dr. Mark Fouxman. The efficiency of the construction, such as its uni-body design, unique and innovative motor structure and parts utilization, makes for a microphone consisting of very few parts, which is the main factor for such a drastic price drop. However, do not let its budget price give you the wrong impression—this is a high end, no-compromise microphone, which will provide the highest possible level of performance and years of dependability. At the heart of the microphone is a ‘piston’ corrugated ribbon. Compared to the regular ‘zig-zag’ corrugation, it offers lower noise, deeper, fuller, and more controlled bass response, higher output, lower resonance modes, and very high SPL handling. All those advantages are due to the ribbon motion, which is similar to that of speaker cones. A very important feature of the ribbon is its robust construction and therefore, much lower fragility than conventional ribbon microphones. Due to this, they do not require any special precautions for storage. The ribbon motor is coupled to an in-house made amorthous-core torroidal transformer, which started its lineage from Samar’s flagship MF65. The transformer ratio and other parameters were specifically matched for this microphone. This optimization has resulted in very low distortion, noise, and neutral sonics. Due to its modern design and linearity, the AL95 has a very wide range of applications, especially where a deep bass response and extended top are of importance. Also, its symmetrical design makes it perfect suited for M-S and Blumlein applications. The Samar Audio AL95 comes in an injection-molded, US made carrying case with anti-vibration, shock-proof clip. It features a 1-year part and ribbon replacement warranty (limited to two services), and 15-day satisfaction guarantee. Retail Price $399 For Introductory Special pre-orders and more details please visit Samar Audio Design, LLC website: samaraudiodesign.com/AL95.html |
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Post by ragan on May 24, 2019 12:19:52 GMT -6
Very cool. Sound samples anywhere?
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Post by drbill on May 24, 2019 12:35:54 GMT -6
SWEET Mark!!
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Post by markfouxman on May 24, 2019 13:55:20 GMT -6
Very cool. Sound samples anywhere? No sound samples yet, but we are working on it))) |
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Post by aremos on May 24, 2019 16:13:32 GMT -6
So, sonically what's the difference with the 37 & is there an active version?
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Post by markfouxman on May 24, 2019 18:32:08 GMT -6
So, sonically what's the difference with the 37 & is there an active version? Aremos, Both are modern ribbons, with extended top end and very linear response. There are however, some major differences between those two. The VL37 is a regular 'zig-zag' corrugation, while the AL95 is a 'piston' one. The 'pistons' have some important advantages and the main would be they are more efficient, go lower, and have more controlled low end. Just think of 'piston' Beyer M160/260 or old B&O re-ribboned with regular corrugation--they would have some 3dB lower output and will never have the same quality of the low end response. Also, 'pistons' have much less resonant nature and as such lower distortions. Another difference the AL95 ribbon is shorter than VL37, so it has better directivity in vertical plane. In short, sonically the AL95 has quite a bit lower end extension and more transparent sound with less distortions. In fact, we are thinking of changing our VL37 with 'pistons', as well... The body is pretty small (only 1" diameter), so there is not much room inside. For active we are looking into making SMD circuit, or having inline preamp, which would plug right into the bottom of the mic without any extra cables. One way or another we will figure it out and make it happened))). Please let me know if you have any other questions. Best, M |
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Post by hadaja on May 24, 2019 21:02:05 GMT -6
Yep i think i will sell something to get one on these.
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Post by chessparov on May 24, 2019 22:11:58 GMT -6
Guessing this was the same $400 ribbon I tried/sang through at NAMM, when we met.
Yep, very impressive. Chris
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Post by ragan on May 24, 2019 22:18:58 GMT -6
Oh wow. I didn’t notice the price. That’s attractive indeed.
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rpc
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by rpc on May 25, 2019 10:05:15 GMT -6
You have to stop this - you're emptying my bank account! So how much would putting piston ribbons in my VL37s cost vs. buying a pair of AL95?
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Post by aremos on May 25, 2019 16:10:30 GMT -6
So, sonically what's the difference with the 37 & is there an active version? Aremos, Both are modern ribbons, with extended top end and very linear response. There are however, some major differences between those two. The VL37 is a regular 'zig-zag' corrugation, while the AL95 is a 'piston' one. The 'pistons' have some important advantages and the main would be they are more efficient, go lower, and have more controlled low end. Just think of 'piston' Beyer M160/260 or old B&O re-ribboned with regular corrugation--they would have some 3dB lower output and will never have the same quality of the low end response. Also, 'pistons' have much less resonant nature and as such lower distortions. Another difference the AL95 ribbon is shorter than VL37, so it has better directivity in vertical plane. In short, sonically the AL95 has quite a bit lower end extension and more transparent sound with less distortions. In fact, we are thinking of changing our VL37 with 'pistons', as well... The body is pretty small (only 1" diameter), so there is not much room inside. For active we are looking into making SMD circuit, or having inline preamp, which would plug right into the bottom of the mic without any extra cables. One way or another we will figure it out and make it happened))). Please let me know if you have any other questions. Best, M Hi Mark, Thanks for the answer. My pre (AD2022) has additional choices of 50, 150 & 600. Are these good enough to not have to go the active way? Ariel
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Post by rob61 on May 25, 2019 16:14:25 GMT -6
If we purchase a pair for M/S and Blumlein, would they be matched?
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Post by markfouxman on May 26, 2019 9:47:16 GMT -6
Aremos, Both are modern ribbons, with extended top end and very linear response. There are however, some major differences between those two. The VL37 is a regular 'zig-zag' corrugation, while the AL95 is a 'piston' one. The 'pistons' have some important advantages and the main would be they are more efficient, go lower, and have more controlled low end. Just think of 'piston' Beyer M160/260 or old B&O re-ribboned with regular corrugation--they would have some 3dB lower output and will never have the same quality of the low end response. Also, 'pistons' have much less resonant nature and as such lower distortions. Another difference the AL95 ribbon is shorter than VL37, so it has better directivity in vertical plane. In short, sonically the AL95 has quite a bit lower end extension and more transparent sound with less distortions. In fact, we are thinking of changing our VL37 with 'pistons', as well... The body is pretty small (only 1" diameter), so there is not much room inside. For active we are looking into making SMD circuit, or having inline preamp, which would plug right into the bottom of the mic without any extra cables. One way or another we will figure it out and make it happened))). Please let me know if you have any other questions. Best, M Hi Mark, Thanks for the answer. My pre (AD2022) has additional choices of 50, 150 & 600. Are these good enough to not have to go the active way? Ariel
Ariel, We design all our ribbons for standard 1.5kΩ-3kΩ inputs of modern preamps, so its standard 1.5kΩ setting should be a good match. Best, M |
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Post by markfouxman on May 26, 2019 9:49:19 GMT -6
If we purchase a pair for M/S and Blumlein, would they be matched? Rob61, Yes, because of very tight tolerances and QC all our microphones are matched... even from different batches. Best, M |
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Post by jdc on May 26, 2019 10:58:33 GMT -6
I love my pair of VL37s, what does the top end sound like on these new AL95s?
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Post by markfouxman on May 26, 2019 12:15:43 GMT -6
I love my pair of VL37s, what does the top end sound like on these new AL95s? JDC, Since both use similar resonator system their top response is comparable in linearity and smoothness. Of course, we could voice either one brighter, but feel that would make them sound more like a condenser, while we want to preserve ribbon vibe... The main difference between two is clarity and transparency, which I believe, the AL95 has no rivals in ribbon microphones... That is because of short front to back path and non-resonant nature of rigid 'piston' corrugation. Best, M |
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Post by hadaja on May 27, 2019 3:26:10 GMT -6
+1 for not wanting a condenser vibe from a ribbon mic.
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Post by the other mark williams on May 27, 2019 10:25:34 GMT -6
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Post by drbill on May 27, 2019 16:33:09 GMT -6
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Post by markfouxman on May 28, 2019 11:36:28 GMT -6
Drbill, This is a stunning recording--thanks! It is hard to believe it was made just with one microphone (well... two... in one body)))! One of those cases when every single aspect of the entire picture falls into right place--room, performers, engineer, signal chain, miking... Will send you PM. Best, M |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2019 20:00:48 GMT -6
Hi Mark,
Congratulations on shipping the new mic. I'm sure it sounds really great and I hope that it helps Samar to become a household name. I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to change the motor in the VL37. That's a pretty sweet mic that doesn't really need improving. Perhaps there's a future high-end Samar with the new motor ;-)
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Post by markfouxman on May 30, 2019 8:39:26 GMT -6
Hi Mark, Congratulations on shipping the new mic. I'm sure it sounds really great and I hope that it helps Samar to become a household name. I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to change the motor in the VL37. That's a pretty sweet mic that doesn't really need improving. Perhaps there's a future high-end Samar with the new motor ;-) Thanks Michael, that's a good point! Best, M |
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Post by professorplum on May 30, 2019 23:46:22 GMT -6
Hey Mark,
These look fantastic and I plan on picking up a pair! I looked on the site but still have a question: when does the pre-sale pricing end and around what date/month will they actually ship out?
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Post by hadaja on May 31, 2019 0:13:45 GMT -6
One coming tis way to Aussie Aussie Aussie oi oi oi .
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rpc
Junior Member
Posts: 69
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Post by rpc on May 31, 2019 7:27:35 GMT -6
Must...resist...oh, what the heck. Two on order. At the price of an SM81 it's a no-brainer. The hard part will be deciding between the AL95 and VL37 - I can't justify keeping both.
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