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I've put together the beginnings of a small but decent quality mic collection. I tend to record bands "live to tape" as opposed to building songs track by track. I've already got the usual dynamics (pair of 57s, pair of 421s, D112) and a pair of small diaphragm condensors (Neumann KM184). My favorite mic is my Royer R121 ribbon that I have used on everything from loud electric guitars to lead vocals. Unfortunately, a ribbon mic is not always practical, usually because the pattern is not appropriate, but there are several other reasons that keep ribbons from being the right choice for every occasion. And that's too bad because I really prefer the sound of the ribbon mic to the typical modern condensor mic sound, partuicularly on lead vocals. Using the Neuaman TLM103 as an example, because it is moderately priced and has become hugely succesful - but I just don't like that much top end. And thats a real problem because almost every modern condensor mic proudly offers that boosted top end.
Even the mics from the small "boutique" brands like BLUE suffer from that same sound - the BLUE Blueberry was on my shortlist due to its good quality construction, the fact that it includes an output transformer and its moderate price - but it sounds like it was designed for engineers who have lost all hearing above 10K.
Can anyone suggest any modern large diaphragm condensors, suitable for lead vocal use, that do not offer a hyped top end?thanks
steve
lex125@pacbell.net
digital? I'm still not sure about transistors....
Follow Ups:
Well, most condensers do have a hyped top end. Some worse than others- sometimes this is useful. The blueberry is very top endy, but I like it on acoustic and angelic bg vox. My Lawsons are much thicker in the midrange as well a bunch of the older 87s Ive used seem to have lost some of that rise above 8k. If you dont like this sound why use a condenser? Try one of the 421's, try a stedman N90, try a senn 441, shure M7, ev re20. Some of the older thicker diaphram Neumans would fit the bill but are all very expensive. The best for the money to me is a neuman 563 with m7 capsule. dont go bidding against me on one : ) They sell for around $2k.
Frost
Some of the older thicker diaphram Neumans would fit the bill but are all very expensive < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <Yeah, an original U47 or M49 would be nice, but the $7500 sticker is a little out of my price range! I've been told that the tube & transformer models from Soundelux have less of a hot top and a more pronounced midrange; that might work.
thanks,
steve
digital? I'm still not sure about transistors....
Check out Earthworks mics they make some condenser mics with no rise in response, though there not large diaphragm.Bill W.
The smoothest condenser I've ever used was a AKG C12 tube. It's rather pricey. All condensers I've used are rather strident and brilliant in the highs. It one of the few tube mic that is devoid of silicon. The Sennheiser RF series are overly brite to my ears. The Milab DC-96 is a stellar performer and is the most uniform pattern with frequency. Your two KM184 have noticable proximity effect used close up. Decent ribbons with high output and extended accurate highs are a rarity. The laws of physics are working against each other. To get good highs the ribbon has to be snall. To get good output the magnets have to be large. Ribbons will offer better signal to noise or should. Buy as used RCA 77DX. All the best! Jim
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