Hi end mic vs Chinese mic question

  • Thread starter Thread starter kats
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kats said:
I appreciate the points fellas...and believe me it's helping me alot. Even the arguing is good :)

I should add a few points:
I think I'm pretty lucky with the room. I sent the dimentions and contruction materials to aurlex and it fit within a foot of their simulated ideal dimenions. The room is still shoe box shaped so bass traps etc were needed. I didn't go on the cheap in this regard and treated the room with the Genesis True Trap systems that included a healthy amount of diffusors as to not "kill" the room.

As far as the vocal mic was concerned, the reason I was thinking TLM 103 is because I'll be using a UA LA-610 as a preamp and can get that warm "tubey" sound without using a valve mic and then I can use the 103 for other applications as well. If I'm far off on this *guess* let me know. Just a FYI, the singer doesn't need to be flattered, he's an engineer's dream come true - he's really that good.

I'm pretty much sold on the MD421 for my guitar amp (Marshall 1974x handwired 18watt and a 63 vibroverb brownface). I already own a mint vintage D12e I can use for kick drum (I haven't tried it on bass, but I've heard it's great there too). I'm thinking I can experiment wih the 103 as a second mic on the amp as well, perhaps further back to capture some of the room.

As far as the SD condensors they will be primarily used for drum OH's. They may double for acoustic mics, but again I think (and may be wrong let me know) the 103 might work here as well. The acoustics are both Martin D28's one newer model and one early '60's made from Brazillian rosewood. The newer model d28 was picked by me out of a dozen and is extremely rich - I hear a 12 string in the back of my head when I play it heheh) the older Martin is a classic.

So for me it's basically coming down to O/H's and either getting a couple of C4's or Neumann 184's or what do you think about skipping the SD's all together and using 2 103's for the OH's (the extra 103 is close in price to two 184's)?
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The TLM103 is a very good mic. Lotsa folks don't like it, but that shuldn't sway you if you like it. I think it's a fine mic. I would suggest a Microtech Gefell M930 over the TLM103 though. It's similar to a 103, but just better in every department. If you get a chance to compare them side by side, you'll see what I mean. Other choices might include the Soundelux U195, ADK TT or a (used) Neumann U87ai. The TT is a tube mic, and it's very untube like.

As the the SD pair, I'd scratch the C4s off the list. Your gear is too good, and your room appears well groomed. You might as well get mics that are in the same league. Consider pairs of Josephson C42, Microtech Gefell M300, or Peluso CECM6. Or a second MG M930 would serve well too.

Good luck!
 
Go Kats! I'm not sure where you're getting pricing, but you may be confused. A pair of KM184's is about $1500. In other words, KM184 and TLM103 are about the same price. I have to say the TLM103 simply isn't one of my favorite mics. I think there are better options in that price range. If you're interested in mid-price mics, I'd probably consider a pair of SM81's and a KSM44 or a C414XLS. That'll bring you in under $1500 for all 3, and they are both very versatile mics. They definitely aren't cheap mics, or particularly expensive ones. They are studio standards that have been used again and again by top studios.
Don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying that great recordings can't be made with mid priced gear- they can. What I'm saying is that you should buy the best mics that fit your budget, and it's always safer to buy mics that have proven themselves in pro studios. If they don't work for you, they are easier to sell. BTW, I own a pair of KM184's. Some people think they are too bright, but they have been a pure joy to work with in the studio. They were worth every penny.
Another LD FET mic worth considering is Soundelux U195. I have heard no complaints from *anyone* about that mic.
And Borntoplease- I can see the light bulb coming on over your head. It's not as bad as you think to kill a bad room. It means you need to invest more in FX, so you can create the room electronically, which can't be done with cheap plugins. Try that flat, dead signal into say, a TC Electronics M5000. Unfortunately, several thousand for a reverb unit is pretty painful. I agree it's much better if you can get the room to sound good. I confess I got lucky with my room. I started with one that sounded good, and conditioned it just enough to soften it. Then I created a vocal booth/drum room that is dead as a doornail. I really didn't know what I was doing, but I think the gods were smiling on me. Don't worry. You'll get there. I agree that a pair of Earthworks will showcase a bad room.-Richie
 
Hey Kats,

The afformentioned SM81's would serve you well on overheads, high hat, and do double duty on your Martins. I use an 81 on my 25 year old D-35. With all the new mics coming on the market, they don't get the attention that they used to, but they have been a solid, proven, studio choice for years. They are accurate to the source, and take EQ well.
 
OK, I'd just like to post an update and a little thank you for all the opinions!

So this is what I went with in the end:

For O/H's I went with the Josephson C42's and for a multi use (sort of) I ended up going wit the Neumann TLM 103.

A bit of a review. I don't care what anyone says - the $80.00 el cheapo SD's don't even come close. And I'm not splitting hairs - big difference. The SP C4's OTOH really made me think hard before buying the Josephsons (at twice the price). Ultimately I went with the Josephsons because I had the money, but would not hesitate using the C4's - the $/value ration is excellent. I almost went with the Neumann 184's, but the Josephsons sonic qualities suit my room better.

Lastly the Neumann. Why oh why the 103? Well firstly and honestly, I wanted to own a Neumann :D. Secondly and most importantly it is a mtach made in heaven with my UA LA-610 channel strip. It's just such a solid clean transparent mic that offsets the color imparted by the LA-610.

I'm quite happy and hope to post some tracks up in the near future.
 
I just want to say that Neelix and Chessrock should be banned ...

... from having the same avatar! It's too confusing!!! :eek: :eek: :D
 
Yea, it should be a seniority thing. I had the silly purple/blue eggplant / fruit / vegatable whatever guy (with legs?) longer.

:D
 
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