The Studio Projects T3 Tube Mic arrived today for my review.
This mic is available here for $799.
The T3 comes in a locking case and included a clip shockmount, windscreen, mic and power supply. First of all I need to make a comment on the tube used for this mic. It is a 6072 "dual triode" vacuum tube, and it's the same tube used in the Telefunken ELAM 251. That mic has been the most sought after mic by producers and engineers for many years. The price on an ELAM 251 – if you can even find one – could run you up to $15,000.
Many of these new tube mics are inspired by the Neumann U47 and/or the Telefunken 251 – which also later evolved into the AKG C12. The 6072 is the same tube used in the original ELAM 251, AKG C12, AKG C12VR and the Lawson L47MP and L47C. Something to keep in mind w/ real vintage mics like the Neumann U47 – it's original VF14 tube – if you can find it – will set you back $1500. Some pretty pricey
company to keep. The 6072 tube has a life of about 5000 hours under normal use. Compare that to the tube in the AKG Solidtube – AKG doesn't identify it [ but it's not a 6072 ] – which lasts for 1000 hours. The street price on a SolidTube is $999 – and it only has a single cardioid pattern.
The T3 comes w/ a power supply which also houses the switches for the polar patterns – which are omni, cardioid and figure 8. The great thing is that there's not just 3 switches but 9 switches w/ variable pattern selection. These different selections also change the eq response in the mic. It gives a lot of different tonal options. For more info on this, look here on the Lawson site.
As I look at the power supply, it would be nice to have a cardioid-only switch, which would allow for a higher output level and would lower the noise floor.
I also don't see any db pad switches. A phase reverse switch would be nice, too.
Anyway, let's turn this puppy on. I select the cardioid position and run the T3 through an HHB Radius 40 w/ EQ off.
I record a track of vocals on the same song which I had recently recorded a vocal track w/ a C1. I wanted a comparison. C1 review has made it's way around on the net and has caused some stir on the various recording boards. I posted that in great enthusiasm at getting – to my surprise – a totally amazing mic [ w/ case and shockmount ] for $200 that I still think sounds as good as a Neumann U87. The C1 is still one of the best large condensers I've ever heard. But I never said that it compared w/ a tube mic. : ) For a quite lively and informative discussion and to learn more about mics made in China, check here in George Massenburg's forum.
After tracking w/ the T3, I listen back and A/B w/ the excellent sounding C1-recorded vocal track. The T3 has a very very smooth bass response – which greatly affects the "intimacy" of the vocal sound. There is also an "airy" quality present.
Where the C1 has a nice "sheen" common of the U87, the T3 has a rich natural and quite intimate sound. I had also previously boosted the C1 +2db at 1K and 12K to get what I considered an 87-like sound. With the T3, no eq was needed, either going on to the track or coming off the track.
The T3 has a very special quality that comes w/ the 6072 vacuum tube. It's "magical" and definitely enchanted.
Because of the creamy smooth bass response, I'm hoping the T3 will give me a mellower recording on trombone when I try it tomorrow. I'll also try some different pattern settings tomorrow as well as some acoustic guitar – which I expect to sound quite good on the omni setting.
While I have no conclusions yet, I am very impressed w/ what I have seen and heard so far from this mic.
If you think that only one year ago the cardioid-only Neumann TLM 103 was clearly a big winner in the large condensers for the project-studio market. Street price on a 103 is about $799. I use to recommend the 103. I don't anymore. The C1 is a superior sounding mic to the 103, IMO. Now, enter the T3. A real tube mic – w/ a hand-picked 6072 tube, no less – and variable selectable patterns ranging from omni, cardioid, figure 8 to everything in between for $799. Things are getting interesting.
I'll check back soon w/ more T3 findings.
This mic is available here for $799.
The T3 comes in a locking case and included a clip shockmount, windscreen, mic and power supply. First of all I need to make a comment on the tube used for this mic. It is a 6072 "dual triode" vacuum tube, and it's the same tube used in the Telefunken ELAM 251. That mic has been the most sought after mic by producers and engineers for many years. The price on an ELAM 251 – if you can even find one – could run you up to $15,000.
Many of these new tube mics are inspired by the Neumann U47 and/or the Telefunken 251 – which also later evolved into the AKG C12. The 6072 is the same tube used in the original ELAM 251, AKG C12, AKG C12VR and the Lawson L47MP and L47C. Something to keep in mind w/ real vintage mics like the Neumann U47 – it's original VF14 tube – if you can find it – will set you back $1500. Some pretty pricey
company to keep. The 6072 tube has a life of about 5000 hours under normal use. Compare that to the tube in the AKG Solidtube – AKG doesn't identify it [ but it's not a 6072 ] – which lasts for 1000 hours. The street price on a SolidTube is $999 – and it only has a single cardioid pattern.
The T3 comes w/ a power supply which also houses the switches for the polar patterns – which are omni, cardioid and figure 8. The great thing is that there's not just 3 switches but 9 switches w/ variable pattern selection. These different selections also change the eq response in the mic. It gives a lot of different tonal options. For more info on this, look here on the Lawson site.
As I look at the power supply, it would be nice to have a cardioid-only switch, which would allow for a higher output level and would lower the noise floor.
I also don't see any db pad switches. A phase reverse switch would be nice, too.
Anyway, let's turn this puppy on. I select the cardioid position and run the T3 through an HHB Radius 40 w/ EQ off.
I record a track of vocals on the same song which I had recently recorded a vocal track w/ a C1. I wanted a comparison. C1 review has made it's way around on the net and has caused some stir on the various recording boards. I posted that in great enthusiasm at getting – to my surprise – a totally amazing mic [ w/ case and shockmount ] for $200 that I still think sounds as good as a Neumann U87. The C1 is still one of the best large condensers I've ever heard. But I never said that it compared w/ a tube mic. : ) For a quite lively and informative discussion and to learn more about mics made in China, check here in George Massenburg's forum.
After tracking w/ the T3, I listen back and A/B w/ the excellent sounding C1-recorded vocal track. The T3 has a very very smooth bass response – which greatly affects the "intimacy" of the vocal sound. There is also an "airy" quality present.
Where the C1 has a nice "sheen" common of the U87, the T3 has a rich natural and quite intimate sound. I had also previously boosted the C1 +2db at 1K and 12K to get what I considered an 87-like sound. With the T3, no eq was needed, either going on to the track or coming off the track.
The T3 has a very special quality that comes w/ the 6072 vacuum tube. It's "magical" and definitely enchanted.
Because of the creamy smooth bass response, I'm hoping the T3 will give me a mellower recording on trombone when I try it tomorrow. I'll also try some different pattern settings tomorrow as well as some acoustic guitar – which I expect to sound quite good on the omni setting.
While I have no conclusions yet, I am very impressed w/ what I have seen and heard so far from this mic.
If you think that only one year ago the cardioid-only Neumann TLM 103 was clearly a big winner in the large condensers for the project-studio market. Street price on a 103 is about $799. I use to recommend the 103. I don't anymore. The C1 is a superior sounding mic to the 103, IMO. Now, enter the T3. A real tube mic – w/ a hand-picked 6072 tube, no less – and variable selectable patterns ranging from omni, cardioid, figure 8 to everything in between for $799. Things are getting interesting.
I'll check back soon w/ more T3 findings.
Last edited:
