On tube condenser mics?

[blue4u]

I'm in the market for a new tube condenser mic for vocals. Looking for that U47 sound under 1000 bucks (US). Smokey, airy, warm tones. Can anyone give me some tips? What are your favs? Please send me (us) your thoughts...

Thanks!
Rich

[gatorjj]

I have a Studio Projects T3 tube mic. It's not quite a Neumann either in tone or cost but seems to get the job done. I guess the best example I have for airy and warm is the verses in this song where I used some proximity effect to thicken me up. Of course you don't know what I sound like in person, so YMMV!!!

[blue4u]

Thanks Gator! Reverb is a bit thick to tell for certain. I heard some things I liked in the verse parts though. Nice presence and there is certainly some added richness but I can't know if that is coming from a preamp, the mic itself or something else?

Did you A/B this with other mics? A friend really likes Sterling Audio (formerly Groove Tubes) ST66 model. I haven't heard but have read great reviews on the Rode K2 mics. What made you decide to go for this one? Is it your main go-to mic for vox? How does it handle sibilance? I am hoping the tube can smooth over some of those high transients in my voice. Thanks for sharing that!

Rich

[gatorjj]

As I understand mic building in this range, the diaphrams are built in China, and the vendors buy them in lots. The better ones go in the higher end models, the less to spec go into the cheaper ones. So fundamentally they start the same and have some differences in the electronics (be they solid state or tube).

I don't think you'll find a huge difference between mics in this range, though different mics will sound different on different people...that's why studios usually have a locker full of them. Also despite all the marketing hype I don't think you will find that $4000 Neumann sound in a $600 mic, but these mics will certainly hold their own. I don't think you'll go wrong with any of them, but its worth trying them all if you can on your voice.

I purchased the T3 based on some recommendations from a couple midrange studios. I was looking for more of a "jack of all trades" mic and this one fit nicely. I'm pretty happy with it, it's clear and has good detail and doesn't get harsh like my MXL990 can. The polar patterns make it pretty versatile and also change the response somewhat, and I've found that can help some with smoothing things out.

I use a Focusrite Saffire for the preamp and converters and that certainly adds something to the sound in my opinion. I record with a cheap pop screen which probably takes a little of the air out of it but I haven't had any sibilance problems across several people I've recorded. Finally I use a SE Reflexion filter to keep the room out of it. Overall it's solid for what I'm doing, as I expect a Groove Tubes, Blue, Rode etc. all would be.

I think Mickeymix has a Blue Tube condenser, maybe he'll come along and chime in on his experiences. He has a more airy voice (some would say...seductive ) so he would be a good data point.

[blue4u]

Where can I actually try out all of these mics? At Guitar Center the guy just gave me a funny look and said, "well yeah, we could set that up". You'd think I was the first person who ever asked!

Perhaps I should just rent a bunch for an evening? There's a thought....

Rich

[mickeymix]

I've had nothing but great success with my B.L.U.E. Baby Bottle mic..........
heres a look at her...


http://www.bluemic.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Products&file=index&prod_id=1

She's made my voice sound pretty good for a self described "NON" singer
almost every vocal setting I've used in the TonePort UX2 has sounded amazing with it....and I've also had a little success miking a tube amp with it here..........

http://www.sonomawireworks.com/riffcaster/post.php?/3881

and I believe you heard my cover of Wicked game using the very same mike..........before buying the BLUE ....I used either an SM 58 or 57....but neither can compare to the wamness of the BLUE.


So she does sound good not only on vocals..........

Give one a whirl....ya won't be disappointed.......................$595.00 American Dollars at Guitarcenter..................what a bargain as well as a great mike!
The best $595.00 that I've ever spent!! Worth every penny and more...........

[scott]

I'm using SE Electronics mics (same company that makes Gator's Reflexion). V reasonable. I also hear that one of their high end mics ($1,500 ish) is being sold for silly money (around $700-800) just now as they're about to release a new model.

[blue4u]

Awesome tones on that track Mickey! Impressive indeed!! Thanks for the feedback so far guys. Keep it comin'...

Rich

[blue4u]

Gator,

What do you think of the SE Reflexion filter? Does it really eliminate the need to acoustically treat the room as advertised? Is it worth the 300 bucks? Curious if you've been happy with the results? Aside from vocals, have you tried tracking acoustic guitar with it?? Thanks for the feedback

Rich

[gatorjj]

I've never done any "scientific" tests but subjectively think it's absolutely fantastic and works as advertised. It really takes the room out of the mic, so much so that I've found I leave the mic a little outside of the filter because it can sound too dead inside the cone, just like a completely dead vocal booth.

I've used it on acoustic guitar as well with good results, though it ends up sounding like recording in a vocal booth...I'd sure prefer the sound of a good room for acoustics but in a project studio you take what you can get and I think it's a good tradeoff. One of the nice things is I can use the omni mode or figure-8 mode of the mic (which is great for an acoustic btw) without the room mucking it all up. Our last RR Entry has 2 acoustics recorded in the intro (and throughout the song) with the SP T3 in figure-8 mode and the Reflexion, with just a bit of RW reverb added to it.

Is it worth $300? For me, absolutely! Even though I've since added some treatment to the room, it does largely give the result of a dedicated vocal booth. It is heavy so you need to make sure your mic stand will handle it without tipping over

There's another company making a similar device now for a little less that forms a "v" that sounds like it works well also. Before this I tried a big semicircle of foam that seemed to help also (the vocals from Tried So Hard from RiffRumble IV was recorded this way). The Reflexion is much smaller and a lot easier to explain to other people who come to sing though

Hope that makes sense, if you have any other questions just let me know!

J.J.

[Wedgebill]

Hey Gator, now you're over 40 that big semi-circle of foam will probably come outta your gob

Uncle Bill