KEL HM-1.... A cheap "Darker" Mic???

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I just tried buying the HM-1 mic at http://www.kelaudio.com/
(He replied that he will try to send me a link to complete the purchase by week's end... :confused: ) Apparently, the owner of the company (Kelly Dueck) is a poster here.

Has anyone heard this mic other than the sound clips? He touts it as a darker compliment to the brighter Chinese mics that a lot of us have.

It's only $69 delivered, and has gotten some good buzz on KVR-VST. 21 day full refund policy...

I'll write up a review if I ever actually get the mic.... :rolleyes:
 
I'm also interested in what it sounds like when you get it.. or anyone elses experience with them.
 
I wonder how they would work for drum overheads. I hate overly bright mics on drums so a darker mic would be good. The 18dbA self noise has me a little concerned, I wonder how they compare to my Oktava MC12s? Id love to have some more small diaphram mics.

Tom
 
Kelly let me listen to some clips of the Hm1 for overheads, and it sounded very good to me. It convinced me to order.

Also at recording.org I read a post where a guy preferred the hm1 over his oktava 012's for overheads.
 
I've never had such a hard time forking over money... :confused:

If he ever gets me the damn "Order Form Email", I will order one, and do a comparison recording w/ some MXL 603s, 990, v67, Oktava MK-319 and maybe a GXL-2200.

I also have some ECM8000's, a Sennheiser e609, some SM57/58s... etc, but I think that's comparing apples and canteloupes.... :D

The sound clip of the "cheap" mandolin on his website was a nice comparison with a typical "hyped" Chinese mic. I thought that was the only revealing comparison.
 
I listened as well. The Mando sold me. I record cheap mando 's all the time.
The clips were all full and quiet. I wonder if there was any noise reduction done?

They seem to be quieter than the specs reveal. I had some ECM s that I returned because the self noise was so high. But these mics are actually more a mid sized diaphram (1/2 inch - 3 micron thk) so they are more like my Cad E-100s which I love.

I am waiting on an order form as well.
They dont mention it, but I assume they come with a mount of some sort.

Tom
 
No mount.. (?)

From his website...
The HM-1 is compact and rugged, too. It features a small diaphragm capsule mounted on a unique internal shock mount to help reduce low-frequency rumble without the need for a big, bulky (and expensive!) external shock mount. We've also oriented the capsule in a side-adress configuration and enclosed the capsule and circuitry in a robust body so it's suitable for stage or studio.
Click to expand...
 
Note the words: "INTERNAL SHOCK MOUNT" meaning inside the body.
It makes no mention of how you are going to mount the mic to a mic stand such as a clamp or clip or double sided tape.

Everybody that makes mics supposedly internally mounts their diaphrams with some sort of shock mount to minimize handling and stand noise.

Again, I state, I hope some sort of mic mount is included.
 
I also noticed that the website doesn't mention a mic clip, but I'm sure there's something out there that will work if there isn't one. I just put in an order for a matched pair the other day. The owner (Kelly) seems like a personable guy...at least through e-mails. For that price, I'm sure I can find a use for them. He did tell me that he won't be mailing out any order forms until the mics are in and have been checked, so hopefully by this weekend. I'm in no rush though. I'll probably have to have my wife put them under the tree for me anyway. For some reason, she doesn't appreciate getting audio gifts. Go figure. :-)
 
RickW said:
I also noticed that the website doesn't mention a mic clip, but I'm sure there's something out there that will work if there isn't one. I just put in an order for a matched pair the other day. The owner (Kelly) seems like a personable guy...at least through e-mails. For that price, I'm sure I can find a use for them. He did tell me that he won't be mailing out any order forms until the mics are in and have been checked, so hopefully by this weekend. I'm in no rush though. I'll probably have to have my wife put them under the tree for me anyway. For some reason, she doesn't appreciate getting audio gifts. Go figure. :-)
Click to expand...
I appreciate audio gifts.....put them under my tree.
 
From the man himself....
Hi Neil,

Here's a pic of the mic clip that comes with the HM-1. The mic also come with a foam wind screen and everything is packed in a foam lined box. By the way, an external shockmount is in development and with luck will be ready in January.

A lot of people ask us about the clip. I guess we really should get a picture up on the site.

Regards,

Kelly Dueck
for Kel Audio Inc.
Click to expand...
 
I'm on the list!

Cool! (about the clips)

I am definitely on the list for 2. I hope Kelly gets a batch in for me to score a few before the end of the year so I can cost it out against this years income.( not that it was very big or anything)

I want something lighter in weight to suspend over my drum kit than my Cad E-100s. They weigh a TON when grouped on a stereo mic tree and I have to weight the mic stand base with 10 lb barbell weights just to keep it from dropping over on my head!

Tom
 
I sent them an email and asked about matched pairs. This is what they sent me. I also emailed about the mic clip and he sent me the same photo.

*****THIS IS NOT SPAM***THIS IS A CUT AND PASTE FROM AN EMAIL THAT KEL AUDIO SENT ME***********
We will do our best to provide a matched pair. Normally we charge an extra $10 per mic for this but while the mics are back ordered we will make a not to provide you with a matched pair as a courtesy "thank-you" for your patience.

We just received our latest production run this afternoon and are in the process of testing them and producing plots. This will take a couple of days. We should be able to send you an order form link before the weekend.

Sincerely,

Kelly Dueck
for Kel Audio Inc.
www.kelaudio.com


TimboZ
 
I just got this email from kelly last night:

We just received a large shipment of product this afternoon and are in the
process of quality testing it and producing frequency plots.

We'll be able to send you a payment link before the weekend and we will also
re-post our regular payment link on our website at that time.
Click to expand...

So hopefully we will be getting these soon!
 
I know of a good, cheap, darker mic.

It's called the Oktava MK-319.
 
Chessrock,
I do agree the Oktava 319s are good.
I dont think they can be found for $70 ea though.

I am hoping these are a little smaller as well, for getting out of the way easier in closer micing situations.
 
I do agree the Oktava 319s are good.
I dont think they can be found for $70 ea though.
Click to expand...

Especially when you consider kelly will match them up so you get a matched pair for $140. I live in Canada so this is an especially good deal for me, I save shipping and duty charges.

It will cost me about $170 canadian for the pair. A non-matched pair of 319s would cost me at least $315 canadian by the time you get them accross the border.
 
Is the price $69 US or $69 Can? (If it is $69 can than that would be $58 US, I think)
Any one know?
 
I just rec'd my Oktave mk-319 last night... eBay, about $50... Brand new....
The deals are out there...

I'll compare it to the HM-1 when I get it (ordered last night via "the form"), and have some time free...
 
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