Anybody have a U195?

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harley96

harley96

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Anybody have a Soundelux U195?

I am wondering if anybody uses a Soundelux U195? I am looking to spend a little more $800.00-$1200.00 for this one.I already have a NTK,4033,(2)4041's as far as my condensers but I want that one special LD condenser mic.I am not a vocalist so this purchase would not be tailored towards my voice but I'm primarily concerned with having one more tool available without breaking the bank.I record everything and a wide range of genres.

I'm not looking to get responses regarding the typical mxl V67,C1's,etc. If you've had the opportunity to spend sometime with the U195 I'd like to know your opinions and comparisons to other mics within the price point....Thanks!!
 
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harley, mics we use in that price range are the Soundelux U195, Blue Blueberry, AKG 414 B-ULS, AKG 414 TLII and the Royer 121 ribbon.

I think if you're going to use a good condenser less for vocals and more for instruments, the Blueberry might be my choice over the U195. The Blueberry is actually an original design rather than a stab at a re-creation. Really nice vintage vibe to it.

Either mic is great though, and definitely worth the investment.

Actually, to be honest, for a mic like you're describing – I would get an AKG 414 TLII. This mic is the right mic on about 10% of vocalists – usually with rough, gravel-ish voices, but is the ultimate workhorse mic in the studio. I think you're next move in a condenser needs to also give you more versatility, and not just a cardioid pattern. The 414 has omni, cardioid and bidrectional.

I would contact some place like macmidimusic.com and have them send you the Blueberry and the 414 TLII. You try them both out and keep the one you like. Though, I still think the 414 would make the better investment.

Also depends on your mic pres. I would invest in a good mic pre like the John Hardy M-1 before I would invest more in mics.
 
Any special reason why you need another LD condensor? It seems you are building a collection of them. What other dynamics or ribbon do you own? Most of your LD mics favor the top end so my first thought would be to get a decent ribbon instead. At first listen they sound a bit dull but listen longer and you begin to appreciate their honest and even sound.

If you must have another LD, how about the AT4060? It's in the price range (actually you could pick a used one up for around $650) it's very versatile, and sounds any where from good to great on just about anything. It's kind of got a middle of the road sound. Not too colored, not too clean, just a touch of tube vibe, it's got a nice air but not too bright. You might even end up selling the NTK once you hear it.

I used to have a U195. It was also a great mic. It definitely had a specific sound though. In my experience it was hit or miss. It sounded wonderful on certain applications/sources and so-so in others. Again, it definitely imparted it's own fingerprint on things. Actually, I would have liked to have kept it but I came across a killer deal on some NHT A-20 monitors and had to sell the U195 to get snatch them up.

In a perfect world I would have liked to have them both but I think that the AT4060 was a better fit for my situation.

Just my experience

Jason A.
 
I have a nice pair of Trident Flexmix pres so for now I am quite happy with them but I came across a steal of a deal on a U99 for$1000.00 so I think I'm going to snatch that up.In turn,yes I am probably going to more than likely have to sell the NTK as my wife slept in the other bedroom last night out of pure anger...
:eek:
I am going to call the guy today and make sure this is the real deal before I decide what to do with the NTK....as far as my mic collection I have...

NTK
4033 SE
(2) AT 4041
AKG D112
(4) SM57
 
Definitely ditch the NTK if you have to and pick up the U99 (if it's legit) for that price. The U99 has more of a high end tilt then the AT4060 but it is a much more refined sound than the NTK. More air, less peak. Honestly, once you get up into that league of mics (4060, U99, U195) it becomes more a matter of matching sounds with tastes rather than what is better than another.

Pick up the U99 and if you don't like it then you could sell it for more money than you paid for it to begin with. Convince your wife it's an investment ;)

Wish I had the money around to get it if you don't but I just blew my budget on sound treatment and room improvements.

Have fun

Jason A.
 
harley96 said:
....as far as my mic collection I have...

NTK
4033 SE
(2) AT 4041
AKG D112
(4) SM57
Click to expand...

Some guy was picking on you for having too many large diaphragm condensers? I only see one (the NTK) on your list!

Wow! If having two LD condenser mics is overkill, with my dozen or so that would make me a mass murderer!
 
Well,I talked to the guy on the phone and he sent me a few pictures and after talking with him for a 1/2 hr. I feel this is the real deal so I'm going to send him the moola..
 
Littledog - You are technically correct in the number of LD mics thing since the 4033 is a 3/4 diaphragm but it does end up being used in a lot of LD situations so I tend to put it with that group. So adding a U195 to the list would make 3 in my book.

I have nothing against LD's. I just wondered if all the other bases were covered just as well.

What ever works for you

Jason A.
 
faithful said:
Littledog - You are technically correct in the number of LD mics thing since the 4033 is a 3/4 diaphragm but it does end up being used in a lot of LD situations so I tend to put it with that group. So adding a U195 to the list would make 3 in my book.
Click to expand...


Well if I'm not mistaken, you are wrong again......I believe we are talking about a 5/8" diaphragm and my LD BLUE Baby Bottle gets used a lot in SD situations......doesnt make it an SD though.


Just being argumentative out of sheer jealousy.....Harley....enjoy, that mic!


;)
heylow
 
Well,I decided to save a little money and I passed on the U99.I had a hard time sending a hard earned grand without any kind of insurance that this is mic is in mint condition and fully functional.I just felt he was way below what he could get for that mic so like the phrase goes "if it's to good to be true it probably is!!" weighed on my decision.But, I found a AKG C414 B-ULS for $590.00 with shockmount 3 months old and 45 minutes away from me.I picked it up and this thing is brand new!!! I figured I'd pick up another one eventually for stereo applications and considering it's usefulness I needed atleast one mic with selectable polar patterns.I plan on adding a U195 after that...:D
 
harley96 said:
Well,I decided to save a little money and I passed on the U99.I had a hard time sending a hard earned grand without any kind of insurance that this is mic is in mint condition and fully functional.I just felt he was way below what he could get for that mic so like the phrase goes "if it's to good to be true it probably is!!" weighed on my decision.But, I found a AKG C414 B-ULS for $590.00 with shockmount 3 months old and 45 minutes away from me.I picked it up and this thing is brand new!!! I figured I'd pick up another one eventually for stereo applications and considering it's usefulness I needed atleast one mic with selectable polar patterns.I plan on adding a U195 after that...:D
Click to expand...

I have a U195. I love it and use it on all kinds of things (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, kick drum, etc., etc.). With the high-pass and "fat" switches, it's very versitile. I don't care for the 414 B-ULS very much, but you might. I know a lot of people who do.
 
Really, I wanted a workhorse studio mic that is not necessarily great for one perticular situation but is very useful in several situations.Up to this point all my mics were of the cardoid variety.
This mic with the selectable patterns,rolloff switches,and pads make it quite useful for several situations hence the reason why I want another one for stereo micing,etc..I initially was looking for that one special mic and someday soon probably tax time I'll pick up the U195 but for now I'm trying to build my mic cabinet with quality mics without killing the budget....
What I have now:
C414 B-ULS
NTK
4033SE
(2) AT 4041's
(4) SM 57's
AKG D112

Eventually:
Soundelux U195
1 more C414 B-ULS
Beta 52
Senn. 441
A couple more preamps....
 
a pair of 414buls is a really good investment. Especially if you record drums. They are really really good on overheads. And just about anything else :D vocals, string instruments. I've never used them on any brass or woodwind.
 
I would probably trade an AKG 414b/ULS and a Soundelux U195 for a U99 in a heartbeat. But since you imply you hardly ever record vocals, maybe your situation is unique.
 
Yeah, Littledog I hear ya....but, I've got to be realistic in terms of my current situation.I'd rather have a useful amount of microphones at which I can afford than plop down $1500.00 for that one mic.Maybe eventually but I am having my house built and in about a month and a half I'll be spending some bread to build my basement studio not to mention everything else involved when you buy new.Grass,deck,landscaping,wifes shopping:mad: ,
blinds for god's sake!!!Maybe I'll put newspaper up on the windows for a year so I can buy a u99:p Buying quality recording gear takes time and I'm working my way up step by step....Let's face it once you start it never ends...
 
c7sus said:

And good luck trying to get the wifey to put up with newspapers in the windows for a year.

You might as well just tell her you wanna date highschool chicks.
Click to expand...

I happened to be joking about the newspaper thing, my buddy a few years back moved into a brand new subdivision ( $250,000+)
homes and his neighbor had newspaper on all the windows for atleast the first two years.

My stepson is 19 and believe me some of the girls he's brought around don't look 19 if you know what I mean;) ;) ;) :eek:
 
Well, I am going to get a U195 after all.I bought a 414 buls locally and it's definately got a place in my mic cabinet but a good friend of mine called today and said his friend wanted to sell his U195 with shockmount for $850.00.I talked with him and I'm going to get it this weekend.I love when I can buy a mic and pick it up in person versus sending $900.00 and hoping it arrives in one piece.
I knew if I just waited a little while I'd come across one eventually.:D :D :D
 
I have the u195 which i use in conjunction with a great river mp-2nv. After having used it for about 8 months Ive realized its strengths and weakness in my applications. Its a relatively bright mic and seems to have have a high end bump around 14khz. It can sound great sometimes on my baritone voice if i hit just the right sweet spot and it absolutely excels at getting a good acoustic guitar sound. I hear its absolutely wonderful on bass drums but i havent had a chance to do that yet. I can post some examples online if you'd like to hear it in action.
 
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