Less "dark sounding" MXL V69ME?

[frogpondaudio]

I like this mic a lot on my voice. I use it with an FMR RNP, and it sounds "bigger" and more natural in the upper mids than another mic I use for VO that cost nearly 5x as much. However, with my baritone speaking voice and the dark color to the MXL, I'm always eq-ing out around 150hz to keep from sounding "muddy". (Distancing myself from the mic several inches to reduce proximity effect doesn't solve the problem).

I'm wondering if there's a replacement tube for the stock 12AT7 that might offer less of the low bass and perhaps accentuate more mid range without hyping the highs.

Am I asking too much of this mic? I wouldn't mind spending $20-$30 on a replacement tube if it provided the desired character.

Thanks for thoughts and suggestions.

Dave P.

 

[frogpondaudio]

26 views and no replies. Maybe it was a dumb question? Oh well, there's always eq.

Dave P.

 

[CIRO]

Sorry, my reply is a "non eletronic help"
Did you tried recording with some bass traps "around" the mic?
I´m satisfied with my ac guitar and vocals with some "moveable" broadband traps I have (my speculation: there´s a chance the 150hz is a natural room ressonance, and traps can helps A LOT).

Ciro
www.soundclick.com/ciromoreau

 

[warlock110]

I like this mic a lot on my voice. I use it with an FMR RNP, and it sounds "bigger" and more natural in the upper mids than another mic I use for VO that cost nearly 5x as much. However, with my baritone speaking voice and the dark color to the MXL, I'm always eq-ing out around 150hz to keep from sounding "muddy". (Distancing myself from the mic several inches to reduce proximity effect doesn't solve the problem).

I'm wondering if there's a replacement tube for the stock 12AT7 that might offer less of the low bass and perhaps accentuate more mid range without hyping the highs.

Am I asking too much of this mic? I wouldn't mind spending $20-$30 on a replacement tube if it provided the desired character.

Thanks for thoughts and suggestions.

Dave P.

from what I heard the V69 does have some influence when you change the tube, what tube? I do not know, I don't own this mic so I have no idea. But wait a while, there's alot of people that own this mic.

 

[Herm]

Alot of folks just dont get on the boards as much on sunday and your post was only 4 hours ago so i would give it some time for some replys.
Plust whats wrong with using some eq? Its used on everything one way or another.

 

[fiddler59]

I put a Mullard 12at7 and it really helped a lot. You could also try a 12ay7 (lower gain than a 12at7) for a different flavor....I have not tried the 12ay7 myself so I can't comment on that mod....

David B

 

[frogpondaudio]

Sorry, my reply is a "non eletronic help"
Did you tried recording with some bass traps "around" the mic?
I´m satisfied with my ac guitar and vocals with some "moveable" broadband traps I have (my speculation: there´s a chance the 150hz is a natural room ressonance, and traps can helps A LOT).

Ciro
www.soundclick.com/ciromoreau

Good thought - thank you - I do have chunks of fibreglass scattered about. And it does help. A lot. But again, the problem with too much low freq occurs with just this mic.

Dave P.

 

[frogpondaudio]

Alot of folks just dont get on the boards as much on sunday and your post was only 4 hours ago so i would give it some time for some replys.
Plust whats wrong with using some eq? Its used on everything one way or another.

Fair enough. After all, I've dealt with this issue for a year or so. Whats 4 hours?

I'm a big fan of eq. At times I'll even subtract frequencies in music that I end up boosting on voice - Sometimes for voiceover it's a great way to make a voice ledgible in a busy music/fx mix.

I really like the mic - just would like it a bit more if a different tube brought out more of the mids with maybe a bit less 150 hz or so - and just trying to see if its feasible.

Dave P.

 

[JTC111]

I put a Mullard 12at7 and it really helped a lot. You could also try a 12ay7 (lower gain than a 12at7) for a different flavor....I have not tried the 12ay7 myself so I can't comment on that mod....

David B

+1 on the Mullard 12at7. It makes it a much better mic.

 

[frogpondaudio]

I put a Mullard 12at7 and it really helped a lot. You could also try a 12ay7 (lower gain than a 12at7) for a different flavor....I have not tried the 12ay7 myself so I can't comment on that mod....

David B

This is what I'd like to hear more about. How did the Mullard 12at7 help? In your experience, it changed from what to what?

Dave P.

 

[kidvybes]

...I have quite a bit of experience swapping tubes in my mics over the years, and I'd have to say that it's unlikely that a tube swap would greatly influence bass response other than providing tighter, more defined response...better quality tubes have, in the best of circumstances, improved clarity and definition in some of my mics, and decreased the high-end "harshness" common to the Chinese tube mics in particular (but not so much a problem with the V69)...the best tube, in my experience, for the V69 is the NOS GE 6072 (a premium quality 12AY7 type tube)...works well in most of the MXL tube mics as well as the Studio Projects T3...

...I would have to agree that EQ would be a better route for sculpting response...if you have the opportunity, give the Shure SM7B a try...I've had great success with one on a baritone singer I'm producing...a great mic for VO as well as a variety of other applications...

...just curious though...have you tried stepping back a bit from the mic (by placing a pop screen about 6-9 inches from the mic to limit your proximity)?...often, I find that close proximity greatly increases bass response on certain voices (baritones in particular)...even voicing slightly off-axis can drastically affect bass presence...just a thought...(on certain vocalists, I position the mic a bit high so the singer has to tilt their chin upwards towards the mic...this posture opens the throat cavity and can make a very detectable difference in the tonal quality of the voice...very effective on some singers)...

 

[Supercreep]

I like this mic a lot on my voice. I use it with an FMR RNP, and it sounds "bigger" and more natural in the upper mids than another mic I use for VO that cost nearly 5x as much. However, with my baritone speaking voice and the dark color to the MXL, I'm always eq-ing out around 150hz to keep from sounding "muddy". (Distancing myself from the mic several inches to reduce proximity effect doesn't solve the problem).

I'm wondering if there's a replacement tube for the stock 12AT7 that might offer less of the low bass and perhaps accentuate more mid range without hyping the highs.

Am I asking too much of this mic? I wouldn't mind spending $20-$30 on a replacement tube if it provided the desired character.

Thanks for thoughts and suggestions.

Dave P.

I don't think the tube is the culprit. My first thought is that your room probably needs bass traps.

Secondly, perhaps the mic just isn't a good match for your voice. I don't think the V69 has an exaggerated lo/mid, just that it's less hyped on the top end. I think some judicious EQ is probably your best bet - or you could always use an LDC with more forward characteristics.

 

[CIRO]

I don't think the tube is the culprit. My first thought is that your room probably needs bass traps.

Frogpondaudio:
Bass traps (as Supercreep saids) and superchunks (you have it, ok) are a must have, but I forgot to mention the clouds.
1 or 2 4" (or thicker) clouds above the instrument/vox cleans everything! My guitars recordings improved A LOT!(I have a good amount of traps everywhere too)

(last "non tube change" advice, I promisse)

Ciro
www.soundclick.com/ciromoreau

 

[frogpondaudio]

It must be the nature of the MXL

Lots of logical thoughts and suggestions - thanks to all who posted.

Since my room is treated and I don't hear that thicker 150 hz or so range with my Sony C48, Senn 421 & Rode nt1a, it must be due to the character of the MXL's softer mids & highs. It is "eq-able" to help it punch through tho, so no harm - no foul.

To my ears the MXL makes my voice play back "bigger" in a pleasing way, so I'll probably try a mullard just for grins to see how it tightens up the bass.

All the best,

Dave P.