Alan Hyatt

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alan, whats the status on the Stephen Paul Mic? Is it shipping yet?
 
I think that a PMI forum right here would be fantastik. Then, Alan could really help out those who have interest in the PMI products and the posts would all be one place. This would save Alan and Brent and Justin much time as they are very busy. A great idea. How about it Mr Moderator?
 
bleyrad said:
That's a pretty ridulous claim.
I understand the need for advertising, and I normally have no beef with PMI/SP, but that's just FALSE advertising. It downgrades the reputation of honesty of a company and sure degrades my trust of Alan and the other employees there.

A while back there was a big thing with some people claiming that a C1 sounds just like a U87 (through headphones.. hah), which got distorted into "SP claims their mic sounds just like a U87." Alan came to the company's defense, saying they never claimed such a thing and this was the word of fans of the mics instead. I believed him at the time. This was a misleading thing for him to say, I think, when the website makes claims that are almost exactly that. Sure, they don't mention the name... but it's sure implied that the mics are not just equal but BETTER than a U87 (after all, what mic does most people think about when "German" is mentioned. Of course SP knows this and is playing on common psychology) which is of course rubbish.
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Alan never said his mics were better, or compared to a U87. He had a PMI mic and a U87 side by side at the trade show for all to hear. Those comments about the comparison between the U87 and his mics were from people who visited the booth and made up their own mind(s). Mics are very subjective and each person hears what they hear. The U87 is a workhorse of a mic and has a reputation largely built on legend. I have no doubt that PMI's mics are good sounding. I don't own any, but I am very sure about the quality based on the sheer volume of posts from knowledgable and satisfied customers both pro and not. So, I would not be surprised if some of PMI's mics sound very similar to a Neuman product as there is very little "magic" that can come from similar designs. The major difference would probably be in durability and longevity. The U87 will be around for decades, the PMI mics who knows(?). At PMI's pricepoint, what does it matter? You pay like 1/10 the cost of a U87 and get a very useable mic.
 
Jimi,

The SPA mic was still being sorted out last I heard from Alan. Stephen's design called for some ridiculously exacting tolerances, etc., which created problems. I believe that the difficulties are gradually being overcome.........it just needs patience.


Re the claims of SP mics sounding like more expensive mics...........I have had a U87 and a C1 side by side and while they were both "similar" they were also different............I could easily imagine that in a trade show environment, people may consider them to be very similar. Personally, I would never say one was better than the other, at least based on my experiences.

A PMI forum here? ...........you have to be fuckin' joking!!!

:cool:
 
sdelsolray said:
Yeah, a PMI forum would be great. I just visited the Studio Projects site (part of PMI). I found the following quote on that site (http://www.studioprojects.com/why.html):

If there's a PMI/Studio Projects site, then all of us that are fascinated by such accurate and incredible information can just go there, and we can all relish in wonderful information provided. Unfortunately, there would be less such vital information here at HR, but I think those that remain here can handle such a loss.
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I am probably about to offend a few people here with a fairly long post, and I do not mean this about everyone, so to those supporters, please understand you all know what people I am directing this at, but in either case, here goes a five page war.

There are a few sarcastic opinions regarding a page on our web site, and another statement by someone who seems to be accusing us of false advertising. To those who enjoy being critical of PMI, let me remind you this is Home Recording, and what you offer is your opinion, as we all offer here, but your opinion is not fact, only what you think. My opinion may not be fact as well. This is fine by me, but there are more out there that agree with us than the few of you who don’t, however they are pros and you are, well…best I don't go there.

Some of you look for things to find so you can blow them out of proportion based on your opinions, while poking fun of what we say or do. If this is what you wish to do, fine, it is a free country…but many Grammy winning producers, engineers, and well known artists keep using Studio Projects microphones on their albums. Do they know something you don’t?

Tony Sheridan was the lead singer for Santana for 13 years, he preferred the T3 over the N company. In fact, he said the T3 was the best mic he had ever used for his voice, and on his latest CD project, he is using the T3. Simple Plan, and 3 doors down are very popular bands. Jeff Stinco from Simple Plan loved the mics and uses them all the time. Three Doors down just did a new video that features our mics. Chris Henderson went out of his way to use them on that video because he loves the mics on their recordings. James Taylor recently bought three C1's from Morgan at East Coast Music Mall, but we could not get a comment from him other than what the dealers said, which was James was very impressed. The list is quite long... These are just some of the latest, and the rest is on our web site. Perhaps you guys would care to post that link and discredit them as well.

Based on your opinions, you have to wonder why these professional users continue to use Studio Projects microphones. Shouldn’t they listen to your opinions? You seem to be the pros around here and go out of your way to make sure everyone else here sees your opinions, so why not these professional guys. I am sure they would love to hear from you.

Studio Projects are not the only microphones these artists use, but none the less, they are used on lead vocals, grand piano, drums, guitar, bass, dobro, and many more applications. Perhaps they should seek you're advice on what mikes to use and how to make records. Maybe if they listen to you, they will go as far in this industry as you have. I do not dispute you’re right to your opinion, but do not diminish theirs and others. I think they are the pros…Not You! Not that that matters, but don’t think you know it all and that your opinion is better than theirs.

Want more? Julian King, the lead engineer at Oceanway Nashville uses C1's for their Grand Piano tracks exclusively, as well as using C4’s on acoustic instruments that include guitar, dobro and others, and the T3 on many vocal tracks. He says Oceanway has the mic locker from hell, but he chooses the Studio Projects for many tracks because they sound as good as anything they have. Tools is what they are folks…nothing more. Now, why don't you look up his name in Google and find out his credits. Then find out how many Grammy's he has won, and then come back to this group and tell them. While you’re at it, tell the group how many credits you have and how many Grammy's you have won. Get my point yet…I doubt it!

Since you don’t, look up under Google search the name Steve Nathan. Steve is the hottest session player for keyboards in the world. Have a look at his credits. Steve does not agree with sdelsolray and bleyrad’s comments, but then sdelsolray and bleyrad along with a few others here at RO seem to know more than Steve Nathan does, so I guess you guys are the hottest session players in the world.

All these top professionals seem to think our mikes are every bit as good a tool as many German mics, but it is still ok that you don't. Steve Nathan just said this; “I must be sounding like a broken record by now, but I just can't get over how good those C-1s sound. Julian put one on Paul Franklin's dobro today. The presence and clarity was astounding. Paul swore that it was the best his dobro has sounded, "ever", and he's been the top guy in that chair for a very long time. Then there is Scott Rouse, another multi Grammy winner. He just told us about another Grammy nomination. He said, “Looks like we got a Grammy nod with those mics you loaned me."Christmas On The Mountain" is the album. It’s nominated for Bluegrass Album of the Year. To him we say..Good luck, I hope you win.

I realize this is Home Recording. You and a few others here like to have your fun, but I think you have nothing better to do with your time, so you criticize our products, or try to make fun of us. Well ok, that's fine if that is what you wish to do, but maybe you should try to learn how to use your mouthy talents for something else because I am just as tired of listening to you as perhaps you are of me. Microphones are tools. They all sound different. We never said we were an exact cloan of anything. We said our tools sound as good as any German tools…yes we mean microphones. SP works better than Neumann in many applications, and vice-versa.

The difference is clear, opinons are are just like, well you know...everyone has one. :eek:

In the end, the only outcome of this post will be more trash from you and the other few trashers here that are bent to try and discredit us. So get over it already. We stand behind our products as well or better than anyone else. If you don’t like them, don’t use them. All I can say is I am happy the professional community “is” using them.

The comments on our web site are not false, and not out of line, but I think you are :)
 
Alan. Chill, dude.

Let's get back to hammering on RO. I see littlebush is now posting your private e-mails and threatening to ban you (and then locking the thread).
 
ausrock said:
A PMI forum here? ...........you have to be fuckin' joking!!!
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Are you joking about him joking? I'm a relative newcomer here, but I can already tell (it's not too tough) that some people take offense to Alan posting about his products here because they consider it spam, whereas others like it and find it informative. Wouldn't the perfect compromise be to have a PMI (or Studio Projects) forum grouped in with the Tascam, Alesis, Fostex, etc., etc. forums? Then everyone who wants to can discuss PMI products, and those who don't can just avoid that forum.
 
Alan, maybe you should go on holiday for a while, get a canoe and find a nice place to clear your head.

There are quite a number of professional engineers who visit this forum and almost everybody know your mics are okay. But there's no need to say they're as good or even better than a Neumann, that simply ain't necessary.

I fully understand you're proud of your mics, but I think you're a bit overreacting here, chill man.
 
Han said:
But there's no need to say they're as good or even better than a Neumann, that simply ain't necessary.
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Han,

In his message Alan presents OPINIONs from.... hmmm.... real pros,
and says that:

"SP works better than Neumann in many applications, and vice-versa."

What's wrong with that?
 
Alan believes passionately in his products as he should. It's his job.
 
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Alan,

Believe it or not, for the most part, I actually respect you and your company quite a bit. It's just this one claim that really got under my skin.

I agree with you than in some cases on some sources SP mics are going to be the better-sounding mics. But the statement on your website is a blanket statement, basically saying that ALL of the SP mics sound AS GOOD AS OR BETTER than "German" mics. Period.
If that was rephrased to something like, "SP mics can be useful even alongside top German mics," I would have no beef. But should we really all go replace our German mics with SP's?

I just have a problem with the scope and overtness of the claim, which makes it essentially false for 99% of us.
 
As a fellow member of this dysfunctional BBS "family", keep in mind that you can't say dysfunctional without saying "fun".

It's fine for Alan to share this information, who knows maybe even I (gasp!)
will learn something.

All that matters IMHO is that whatever mic/tool you choose helps you get the sound intended.

Personally, my favorite of the line is the T3 and it would take much wiser ears than Yours Truly to choose between the "high end" (read $1000+) condensers and it on me.

Chris

P.S. Thanks again for the supportive comments regarding
... well you know.
 
nkjanssen,

I was quite serious but maybe you misunderstood............considering the volumes of vitriolic crap that has been directed at Alan/SP in the past, I believe that starting a PMI specific forum here would be just plain bloody stupid.


Chris,

I am lost for words to say about your recent loss. Even with nearly 27 years of marriage behind me it is still impossible to grasp what you may be dealing with. ..........Take care.

ChrisO :cool:
 
bleyrad said:
But the statement on your website is a blanket statement, basically saying that ALL of the SP mics sound AS GOOD AS OR BETTER than "German" mics.

...

But should we really all go replace our German mics with SP's?

I just have a problem with the scope and overtness of the claim, which makes it essentially false for 99% of us.
Click to expand...

Every time I wade into this argument I end wearing brass knuckles, wiping flecks of blood off my face and nursing a busted nose. Not this time, OK? But even though I'm not a pro engineer, I do have a little familiarity with what constitutes a false claim, having litigated a few of those cases. If this family feud is about that claim, it's a nonstarter.

There is nothing wrong with self advocacy. It's called merchandising and by its nature, it involves aggressive presentations. Sometimes it becomes puffery: "The Best!" is not a literal concept, is it? "A Killer Mic" certainly isn't a literal statement unless it's hiding a .32 shell inside somewhere, right? Ever seen a BMW ad? How about a Nike ad? Ever seen a Mackie ad? Talk about aggressive statements.

In fact, you can open to any page in any issue of Tape Op, shut your eyes and drop your finger, and you will be within three linear inches of an ad that uses some kind of merchandising language like "best" or "equal" or, perhaps, "winner." And we understand what is meant because we are usually aware of the context in which the claims are made. To suggest that we are incapable of that is a bit condescending; most of us don't find it all that difficult to choose what color of white underwear to put on in the morning.

Rant mode on

The only real disconnect in these threads that I have seen has been the statements of the attackers' intent. Even then, these guys aren't bad people any more than I am evil. People are people and sometimes we all go off the handle a bit (he said...). To invest in another's injury is an error in judgment. To goad someone into an intemperate retort and then say "Aha!" So you DID mean (insert absurd misrepresentation here)" is disingenuous. Those of us who have been litigators recognize it as a third year law student trick, the kind of thing we hear hear now and again from smarmy associates at the blue blood law firms, who deign to grace us tweedy country lawyers with their condescension. Usually just prior to getting eviscerated by the judge.

I guess I find the technique troublesome because I see in it the worst traits of my own profession. I also see myself reflected in it - my own tendency to beat up on others when I get angry about things I can't control. I'm not proud of that part of me. Those guys tend to get weeded out. We don't need to join them.

Rant mode off.

Peace, all. Life is too short for this crap. Music means too much.
 
Yeah, I know, you're right, no big deal.

I guess I just expected PMI to be better / more honest than Nike or Mackie. But this strange corporate world both demands too much and corrupts too much, I suppose.
 
PMI is better than Mackie or Nike!! (Actually, that's overreaching. I've had great experiences with Mackie service - but their claims are really something). Merchandising creates a buzz - it creates excitement. I love Mackie ads! Do I take them as "literal?" No - I'm not stupid. I take them for exactly what they are - devices that get me thinking about the product. The buzz and excitement leads to brand recall. Simple stuff. Not the same as fudging specs. So no, this doesn't have anything to do with corporate world corruption. It's about our own corruption when we hurt someone else just because we "can" and worse, when we make a mockery out of our personal ethics by putting them on display - as the "reason" we are so busy trying to hurt each other.
 
Frankly every SP mic I have ever heard sounds better than the SHITTY TLM Neumann mics. I used to think the TLM mics would be cool to own, until I used a couple on a project and they royally sucked. Then again, I have gotten to use an old U47 for vocals one time at a cool studio, and it beat every mic i have ever heard bar none. So I'd say the SP stuff is right up there with any other mics any pro studio uses...and BETTER than many Neumanns. Plus, the people at Neumann/Sennheiser are jerkwads and Alans always been a cool guy to anyone who had a legitimate question or a problem. As I have said before, to a professional artist or engineer that is worth its weight in gold.

Frankly, most people with a problem with SP or Alan don't work in the professional world of recording anyways (I said most, not every single one..geesh dont get your panties in a wad). I'll say it where Alan is polite and I'm not. You think you're such hot shit then show it! I'm sure Alan would give us a couple SP specific songs. Better yet, many of us on here can. Don't make me put some of my work on the Internet to make you look bad :).

Just lay off Alan. Geesh. Leave it alone already. If youre such hot shit go sell a million records then come back and throw it in my face. Go ahead.:) But I know...if some of you didn't bitch about everything you'd wither up and die.

I agree with tree- life is too short...go make some music.

H2H
 
The interesting thing here is that now I'm being attacked and put on display, on the premise that attacking and putting on display is bad.

I just very nearly added an "I was wrong, and I"m sorry Alan" to this thread, but then I realized that the advertising still bugs me. Ah, well. I'm still capable of dropping things that bug me (sometimes I swear it's the only way to keep a relationship).
 
Dude- There is no "HR Brass". this site was put up by a cool hippie kinda dude that we all lovingly know as Dragon. He pays to keep the place open and isn't a site nazi like RO, the FDP, the Taylor Forum and so many others. It's kinda everything goes for the most part and all are welcomed and loved...well to an extent:)

bleyrad- I wasnt attacking you if thats what youre referring to. I was just stating some stuff thats true in my world. The big diff to me is that Alan is a guy. He owns a company and he's cool enough to talk to anyone on the internet about his stuff. Some people don't like that, but they're idiots I'm sorry. Cause #1 do you know the name of who owns Neumann/Sennheiser and #2 do you think they'd be cool enough to come on forums and talk about their products and answer questions people have about them? NO F-in WAY! Same story for ANY other mic manufacturer for that matter. I think that is one of the reasons I LIKE SP and Alan so much.

Lemme tell you something. If you're Mutt, Bob Rock, or Babyface the big companies will talk to you and kiss your ass if you have a broken something. But Alan treats everyone who is a no-one the same way the big companies service the big names. He's a great asset and I get pissed when people are always trying to run him off. #1 thing you learn in the music industry is that no one gives a SHIT about YOU. Alan defies that rule that the others adhere to, and I give him lots of respect and credit for that.

H2H
 
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