Beyerdynamic M500 Classic limited edition

[Walter Tore]

I have an opportunity to buy one. I have never heard it, but have heard good things on it. I would use it for vocals. I use the electro-harmonix 12ay7 pre amps and an AKG C414 for vocals. Do you think this will be a decent match, and what would be a fair price? Walter

you can hear samples of my vocals at this site. Thanks! Walter

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pageartist.cfm?bandID=157137

 

[pohaku]

I have one. A great vocal mic on the right voice. See if you can try it before you buy it. It is a ribbon so it does need some gain. How much gain does the EH produce? They are nice, but I wouldn't pay much more for it than a regular M500. Say about $250 to $275. I think I paid about $250 for mine new as a Buy It Now on e-bay about 3 or 4 years ago.

 

[bigtoe]

i sold my original M500 for 300 a couple months ago...they seem to be going for about 350 now that they stopped makin em.

 

[Walter Tore]

Thanks for the replies. I was down in SF earlier in the week, and went to the guitar center, my first and last visit(too loud, fast, crazy!!!!!!), with my EH preamp, AKG C414, and sony headphones. I wanted to compare the 414 to some ribbon mics. They only had one, a beyer m130. I used the 1/4" out on the EH with the headphones. The beyer was definitely warmer, and the gain issue-someone told me the EH won't have enough gain to power it, wasn't true. I got lots of clean gain, enough to blast my ears. This person also told me the 1/4" out was not meant for headphones, and meant to go to a board or soundcard. I am very limitted in this area. Can anyone shed more info? thanks Walter

I found this on the eh preamp

200V supply delivers 50dBs of gain into high load, 40dB gain into 600 ohms

 

[pohaku]

i sold my original M500 for 300 a couple months ago...they seem to be going for about 350 now that they stopped makin em.

They haven't made them for several years. The recent sales I've seen on e-bay were in the $250 range, although every now and then one will go for more. You did good I've got about 5 of them acquired over the last couple years. Sometime they will go cheap as well. Two of mine were purchased for less than $150 each. I'd be quite happy if the general price was up to $350!

 

[pohaku]

Thanks for the replies. I was down in SF earlier in the week, and went to the guitar center, my first and last visit(too loud, fast, crazy!!!!!!), with my EH preamp, AKG C414, and sony headphones. I wanted to compare the 414 to some ribbon mics. They only had one, a beyer m130. I used the 1/4" out on the EH with the headphones. The beyer was definitely warmer, and the gain issue-someone told me the EH won't have enough gain to power it, wasn't true. I got lots of clean gain, enough to blast my ears. This person also told me the 1/4" out was not meant for headphones, and meant to go to a board or soundcard. I am very limitted in this area. Can anyone shed more info? thanks Walter

I found this on the eh preamp

200V supply delivers 50dBs of gain into high load, 40dB gain into 600 ohms

The M500 has a bit more of a presence peak than the other Beyer ribbons and is a single ribbon (as opposed to the M130 which is a double ribbon figure of 8 mic). Of the Beyer ribbons, it is the one I like best for vocals and it was originally designed as a performing vocal mic. Allegedly used by Frank Sinatra among others. Personally, I'd be inclined to want at least 60db of gain unless I was just doing electric guitars and such with them. I do more Americana/acoustic music though. Can you try it with your EH to be sure you have enough gain for your application?

 

[Walter Tore]

The M500 has a bit more of a presence peak than the other Beyer ribbons and is a single ribbon (as opposed to the M130 which is a double ribbon figure of 8 mic). Of the Beyer ribbons, it is the one I like best for vocals and it was originally designed as a performing vocal mic. Allegedly used by Frank Sinatra among others. Personally, I'd be inclined to want at least 60db of gain unless I was just doing electric guitars and such with them. I do more Americana/acoustic music though. Can you try it with your EH to be sure you have enough gain for your application?

I want to use it on vocals, with my 1 man band set up., as well as just me and an acoustic, and solo with my harmonica. I make up my words and music as I go along, and record everything 1 take, no overdubs. I need to use about 5-6 mics at a time. I use a THD hotplate to bring my guitar amp down to about acoustic guitar levels, hit the drums and high hat very lightly, and don't scream. I won't be able to try it out because we live on other sides of the country. If I get it, and it doesn't put out enough gain, I will look into a moderate priced preamp to power it. Any suggestions? THanks again. Walter

 

[pohaku]

If it was a decent price, I'd get the mic and see how the EH worked with it. There are any number of moderately priced solid state preamps available that should work with it if the EH doesn't. And if you decide you don't like it, it is a very salable mic.

 

[Walter Tore]

thanks for all the info everyone. I got the mic for $300 shipped. It should be here next week. I will let you know how it works with the EH preamp. Walter