EV 664 Samples

[WhiteStrat]

I mentioned my latest eBay buy a few days ago--an old EV 664. It came today, and as promised, I threw it in front of a couple amps and made some samples.

The clean sample is my Strat through a Blues Jr. with a little compression and 'verb. (The comp and verb are pedals--nothing done in my daw--these are the tracks as they came in).

The dirty sample is my Epi LP through my B52 tube combo. The "wet" on the lead is software, but other than that, the tracks are as they came in.

EV 664 Clean Sample
EV 664 Dirty Sample

And a gratuitous pic of the new (old) mic:

 

[antichef]

Thanks!! Your playing's always great to listen to -- and I'm sure the sound at the source was plenty good.

I was half afraid that there'd be some ringing, but I didn't hear any - have you noticed any?

Nice 60's-ish sound! I bet the mic pushed down the low end some, like you'd expect. Were you running into that Symmetrix preamp?

 

[WhiteStrat]

Thanks!! Your playing's always great to listen to -- and I'm sure the sound at the source was plenty good.

I was half afraid that there'd be some ringing, but I didn't hear any - have you noticed any?

Nice 60's-ish sound! I bet the mic pushed down the low end some, like you'd expect. Were you running into that Symmetrix preamp?

Thanks man. Nope--no ringing, but you're right, it did push down the low end. I thought it sounded really sweet on the Fendery setup, though.

And it wasn't the Symetrix pre. These old 4 pin amphenol mics are generally Hi-Z. Rather than rewire the mics for Lo Z, I had a nice 4 pin to 1/4" Hi Z cable made, and I just use an instrument DI. I was gonna use the DI on the ACMP-73, but the cable wouldn't reach without moving my amps! So I just went right into the DI on my TASCAM 1804 interface.

 

[antichef]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but Strat, now that you've had these for a while, are you still using them? I keep almost picking up a 664 or a 666, but not quite.

 

[WhiteStrat]

Actually I'm not. Not because I shouldn't, but because I'm lazy. I keep using my old standby choices while lots of good options just gather dust. I guess that's a sign of too many mics, huh?

I've got it handy though--if there's something else you wanna hear it on, I'd be glad to track another sample for 'ya.

 

[WhiteStrat]

BTW--i like your location!

 

[darrin_h2000]

Id have to wonder how it would sound on Harp going through the amp...thats harmonica for you white folk.

Ive been collecting the old shures myself.

 

[WhiteStrat]

I've used the 664 on harp. Works well, like you'd expect from this type of mic. After all it was very much EVs entry into the same field as Shure's 545 of the same era. I've got a 545 too BTW. The 664 is similar, but a bit thicker sounding. A tad more bottom end, and less of a mid-range bump.

I've read that the 664 was a bit of a staple for 60's motown. I saw one as a prop in a movie (Dreamgirls maybe?) and thought it looked pretty cool. Have to admit, I bought it as much for that as I did for the sound. But it's got a decent sound too, so no loss.

 

[dastrick]

That clean sample sounds sweet.

 

[antichef]

BTW--i like your location!

Thanks! Yours is great too. I just moved here from the Apex of Asinine, and before that the Zenith of Zaniness (almost got a great opportunity at the Top of Tomfoolery, but had to pass it up) - those were alright, too.

I've seen the 666 with an XLR connect and also with some other variant (other than the Amphenol 4 pin, I think), so I'm a little paranoid about how easy it would be to hook up, but I think I'll give either that or the 664 a shot. I would love to hear it on vox if you ever have the chance to use it that way.