Does anyone here use any Vintage mics?

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sloop

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I was recording a vocalist and just couldn't get the sound I wanted. I pulled out an old Altec 639B, it absolutely made the session. Since then I have used it on a couple of other vocalists and to record saxophones.

I also pulled out an old Shure 300 series bi-directional ribbon to record an acoustic guitar. It sounded wonderful. Great clean clear sound with only one mic! Now it's my go to mic for acoustics.

I ended up recording a guitartist, singer using both. It was recorded direct to 2 track and came out beautiful.

Does anyone else use any vintage gear?

Note, I do this as a hobby but the people I have recorded really like the end product.
 
It was all I used for years... then between my maintenance expenses and the lovely fact that a whole bunch of 'boutique manufacturers' sprang up making new equipment of serious quality that I started using more "new" stuff.

There are things, like the 639 and other stuff that will probably never be repaceable with new hardware... but a whole slew of what I used to use has indeed been replaced with newly manufactured items.
 
It seems the original KM84 has yet to be matched. Thats the next thing Soundelux needs to (re)manufacture. I wish I had a matched pair of those. Maybe when I get some Josephson C42's they'll come close. Until then I guess I'll make due with my MXL603's :(

Beez
 
The KM53 hasn't been matched yet.

I've been searching for a pair of small-diaphragm omnis for drum OHs and acoustic guitar; and not some flat and boring ones, something with some great color and top-end.

I don't care if it's tube or FET... I'd take a pair of 451s with omni caps and have SPA mod them, but omni caps aren't easy to find; and when I do, I don't have the funds available at the time.

I asked Josephson if they were planning to come-out with an omni SD at around the same cost as the C42s... They said they had considered it while planning the C42, but decided not to.

I've now thought , maybe a pair of C4s annd having them modded by SPA...
 
Well... it ain't a 'toob mic'... but the Gefell "296" is a nickel diaphragmed omni mic... works in every application I would have employed an KM-53... damn impressive bit of hardware.
 
Some of my SD mics are "old". I'm having a hard time finding good modern SD mics that I actually like using. Even the MK012s can be a bit bland on some stuff. Older Neumann KM series were great, but I'm not gonna splash out on an AC701 equipped mic just yet! woudln't mind though if I had the funds... Not a fan of the 184... Prefer the 84!
Have a bunch of old dynamics, old AKGs are terrific.
I love the D12E on kick (obviously) and a 224 or 200 on snare if I'm not using a condenser, the 200 works great on bass amps too.
I recently used a D120E on guitar cab (Fender Deville) right on the grille, sounded great, but it kinda sucks on most other things!
I like the D330 on drums and guitars too.
Are those in the"vintage" category?
Don't know, but they're certainly far from new!

JP
 
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