AKG solid tube?

[HearClear]

I once miced (miked?) a guitar amp with a AKG solid tube and I liked it a lot but we didn't use it for vocals cuz the guy who owned the studio used a neuman u87. Is this a pretty good mic for vocals, and does anyone know if it has a cheaper equivalent. (the AKG, not the u87)
Thanks
Adam

 

[Shailat]

It is a wonderfull warm mic for vocals especialy for female vocals.
For male vocals I would try it out first but in general I find it a wonderfull mic.

IMO the greatness of this mic is that for it's price (check out sweetwater I think for a very limited time there is a big sale going on) you are getting a good tube mic. If you know of any mic that can give you that warmth and for that price for a solid mic then please tell me as well !.

I have done now two full albums recording 2 different choirs
(all female though) with the solidtube only and I am very pleased with the results.

 

[HearClear]

Hi, Shailat
Thanks, I'm going to be doing some major up grades to my studio in about 6 months, and I'm reserching everything I can on equipment. I'm finally going to be able to open my studio to the public, and I want to feel very confident about my gear.
Thanks
Adam

 

[CyanJaguar]

After I get my ntk, the solidtube will be the next mic I will get.

From shailat's last post, its clear that this is an incredible mic

 

[Shailat]

Cyan,
I wouldn't call it the most versitle mic in the world, but again
I have yet to hear a warmer mic in that price range and on vocals
I have found it most excellent.

As a single mic in a studio it is somewhat limited but coupled with another mic for other aplications, I think it IS an amazing deal.

I'm guessing that due to competion from other mics the price seems to be going down every 2-3 months and that makes it
even more apealing.

 

[Tom Cram]

Try this...

Take the internal pop filter out and swap the stock tube for a NOS Tung-Sol or the like.

A lot of people have ragged on this mic, for one reason or another, but I like it. Most complaints are for build quality issues (plastic parts, etc.), or looks, not sonic issues. I've found it very versatile on MANY different sources. I really like it for female vox and also up-close and personal heavy proximity effect vox.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com

 

[Shailat]

Tell me Tom,

Have you ever had a problem with the power supply?

 

[Tom Cram]

Nope...

...except fitting it back in the case with all the cords-n-stuff. Did you have one go out on you?

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com

 

[CyanJaguar]

hi Tom,

I will be sure to try that when I get it. What does removing the pop filter do though, and where can one get that NOS tube and for how much. Also, What does that do to the sound. Does it catapult it to C12 zone?.

 

[Shailat]

Re: Nope...

...except fitting it back in the case with all the cords-n-stuff. Did you have one go out on you?

No, but The first ones I was told did have problems and the one I'm using an is giving me some problems. Sometimes after about 2-3 hours of use it starts to crackle as if somebody is moving the cable..Kche...kech...type of sound.
The lab told me they know about the problem in the first units shiped and it will be a $50 fix.

 

[Tom Cram]

I did not know that.

Luckily mine was not one of the first ones shipped, and I haven't had any errant noises.

Removing the SolidTube's internal pop filter clarifies the high end, but does not send it into C12 territory (nice wishful thinking BTW . The C12's presence peak is in a different location. I've been tracking a lot of vocal sessions lately with a C12 and I'm fully in love (the clients dig it too). Strangely enough, the SolidTube sounds better on my voice than the C12 does. I have an icky upper mid bump in my voice that the C12 does not like. The SolidTube is more forgiving. Tragic actually, I'll do a few sessions with the C12 on other people and it sounds great. So I'll think maybe I was hearing things, or it was positioned wrong, etc. And I'll try it again on my voice...No dice. The C12 hates my voice, but loves everybody else's.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com

 

[faithmonster]

Tom,

Thanks for the tip on the Solid Tube. I borrowed my friend's and
tried it out. After reading your post about removing the internal
pop filter I carefully removed it, tried it out and replaced it before
I returned it- even better! If I can't raise enough money to buy
it new, I'll look for a used one. Please, for Cyan Jaguar and me;
tell us where we can find the Tung-Sol tube you mentioned.

Is there a number (serial or otherwise) that could identify a
mic/ power supply as an early production? I'd like to avoid
buying a problem. Thanks Shailat for bringing that out.

Faithmonster

 

[Tom Cram]

Tubes,

You can get NOS tubes all over the place. I get mine from a guitar shop locally. I see them on ebay all the time. Use searchwords like Siemens, Telefunken, Tung-Sol, NOS, Tubes, GE, Mullard, RCA, Amperex, Sylvania.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com