groovetubes

[guy]

did anyone use gt electronics (alesis) am-61 tube mic?
thanx
guy

[MandoManiac]

Yes, I have one. It can be exquisite on many sources. It has a smooth, harmonically sweet, 3-D sound that can round off a few rough edges. I love it on string instruments and flute. It's great on female voices as well, if you are looking for a softer sound. And one of its most amazing qualities is its off-axis rejection. I used it recently to track acoustic guitar in a live session with drums in a large open room. The result was as if the guitar was recorded in an iso-booth. The leakage that remained was quite pleasing in the mix. I've never found a LD condesnsor that is so smooth off-axis. In a word, I'm thrilled with it. I also purchased mine for 1/3 of retail during the great GT Electronics sell-off.

However, my gushing aside, you need to try it for yourself. It might provide exactly what you are wanting to hear or it may not.
Jim

[guy]

thanx MandoManiac!
How do you think a couple of am61 will sound as a drums overhesd?
did you have chance to compare it with othe cardioid tubes (likwtb1, ntk, solidtube)?
thanx
guy

[MandoManiac]

Hmmm as overheads. Dunno. They have such a sweet sound, why waste it on the drummer. Actually with the 61's excellent rejection I almost tried it last week for a live show on a kit...But then it's such a sweet mic and I didn't want my drummer clobbering it and having to kill him and then spend all that time searching for his replacement!
I haven't used LD's as overheads, but I'm sure if any mic can, the 61 can make cymbals sound smooth if that's what you're after.

As compared to other toob mics...I can't stand the solidtube. Solid doo-doo to me. Harsh and unnatural. But that's just me, a delicate artiste. I had a brief encounter with an NTK and they are very different mics. The NTK has more hype in the bass and top end than the 61 which can make the NTK a better choice with certain sources. And there is just something magical in the midrange on the 61...it just sounds 'right' in a very musical way. At least on string instruments. To me. But I don't get out much.

I've had not heard the TB1 yet. I already have a C1 (doesn't everyone?) and it has its uses as a 'pop' vocal mic and can sound pretty nice on the Oud or guitar, but compared to the 61 it's one-dimensional and hyped.
Before I rant on and on, can't you beg/borrow/rent a pair of 61's to try for yourself? Only you know what you like. Or must you buy sound unheard?

I'll stop waxing on about the 61 and let you go and listen to it and report back. Ok?
Jim

[DarthFaders]

Hey guy!

I have a pair of Groovetube AM52's, which I believe are the model down from the mic in question. They sound a lot like MandoManiac describes the AM61.

Check out this song that I recorded. I used the pair of AM52's as overheads, and on vocals also.

http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthr...threadid=50930

Darth