Samar Audio Releases Newest AL95 Ribbon Microphone

That's harsh, dude. Mark is an awesome guy.

A Musical Chord walks into the Bar. Bartender says "Sorry, we can't serve you, you're A Minor". (rimshot please)

Again, wishing Mark F., the greatest of success, with all his most excellent microphones...
Chris

True

Hard to know who is and who isn't joking around here though - especially online


Anyway, back to the mics

Any update on when these will start shipping?

The set of bodies is done. If all the vendors (anodizing, engraving, laser cutting, shipping foam, etc.) will do as promised we should start shipping in about 10-14 days.

Best, M

Now we’re talkin’
great stuff.

Finally--back from anodizing and engraving. Ready for assembly:

Thanks for providing updates. I appreciate this.

The most dreaded moment for any manufacturer (and of course for the customers, who are waiting for the product)--the product is ready to be shipped, but there is the last vendor sabotage...
Before looking at the pictures, here is my discussion with the vendor--some big American company, who was supposed to design and make for us foam liners. Needless to say, they made the liners for our other models, so they are perfectly aware we make a quality product and know all the requirements--everything should fit nicely, with no gaps, warps, etc. Of course, I reiterated all that. We discussed the rounded corners, taper in the box, and all the shapes, including the cavities for fingers, so users could take the mic out. That was well over 4 weeks ago. Originally, they gave us one week lead time:

Me: Hey Neil, can you look and tell if there is something wrong with it. Does it look to you the way we were discussing it?
Him: It is within our tolerances.
Me: But we were not talking about tolerances--we were talking about how everything fits.
Him: It fits all right.
Me: Well... it goes inside, but we were talking about the shape of the perimeter and the foam fitting the box with no gaps...
Him: It is within our tolerances.
Me: So what is your our tolerances?
Him: 1/8"
Me: But can you see--here is the gap of some 1/4" and on the other side at least 1/8". Together it gives 3/8", which is way out your tolerances.
Him: That's the best we can do.
Me: But it is out of your tolerances. Moreover, we were talking not about tolerances, but about how your foam should fit the box. The box has round corners, but you obviously made them square. Also, the box has a taper, but you just slapped there a rectangular piece of foam. There are huge gaps! You know very well that's not what we were talking about and you know what our requirements are and there is no way I can accept it. If you know your tolerances are 1/8" and we cannot have sloppy gaps then just make it 1/8" oversize! Make it a bit larger--this is foam!!! It will compress and fill the cavities and box shapes nicely!!! Instead, you are making it smaller--we cannot stretch the foam and make it stay that way. Doesn't it make sense?
Him: Sorry, that's the best we can do.

At this point I understand I am talking to a wall. So just for fun I am keeping going.

Me: OK, I understand it. What about finger cavities around the mic we were talking about? Our users should somehow take the mic out the box, don't you think so?
Him: Sorry, I forgot them.
Me: So what we gonna do about those?
Him: I am not going to redo it. Even as it is I already spent 3 hours for the design.
Me: Wait a second... If you did not do what I need how is it relevant how long did you spend for the design? If you need more time I will be more than happy to pay for that, but I need to get the product I need--that is your job to provide me with that. Don't you think so?
Him: Sorry, that's the best I can do. I won't make any changes.
Me: So... I have been waiting for over 4 weeks for you to get to it, I gave my customers shipping date and just because of your fragile ego you will not do the right thing and make what you promise? We cannot accept the quality this low and you know that. It looks by far worse than anything made in China, and you are an American Company, who supposedly has to have a pride!!! Why would you then start this project at all?
Him: It looks all right and is within our tolerances. I won't make any changes.

And now look at this 'product'.

In any case, today I went to another company and talked about the design. Hopefully, they'd do a good job. They gave a week lead time. Next week we are at AES and hopefully, right after that we will have good liners and that very moment start shipping the mics.

As a token of appreciation for those who placed the pre-orders and patiently waiting for the mics we will extend the warranty to 2 years. We are sorry for all the hassle... in fact, that just a very small part of attitude, work ethics and professionalism, we had to go through... Mind you, we make everything in USA...

Isn't there a lyric;

I can surely call you out as
A liar and a thief 
Contribute you, of worldy of woe
Your's, the truth in sound defeat 

I guess now there is.

They're here! They're here! I'll be trying them out tonight and using them for real tomorrow. I'll post samples as soon as I get permission.