Lomo M1 and M3 Heads

[cominginsecond]

I've done a search on this, and it seems that, while everyone is interested in buying one of these, not may people have had much of substance to say about these. So, I'm pleading with the people that have used these: What do you think of them? I'm actually considering selling my NTK to get one. Is that insane? I'm just sick of how sibilant my NTK is.

Anyway, the sources I generally use LDCs on are vocals, acoustics, amps, horns, and strings. How do the Lomo heads perform on those sources?

 

[Robert D]

I've done a search on this, and it seems that, while everyone is interested in buying one of these, not may people have had much of substance to say about these. So, I'm pleading with the people that have used these: What do you think of them? I'm actually considering selling my NTK to get one. Is that insane? I'm just sick of how sibilant my NTK is.

Anyway, the sources I generally use LDCs on are vocals, acoustics, amps, horns, and strings. How do the Lomo heads perform on those sources?

What are we, in parallell universes here? I could have written that same post, verbatim. I'm dying to hear a Lomo head. I like my NTK, but yes it's a little sibilant. It's nothing that Spitfish hasn't been able to handle nicely, but the last few vocals I've done, I just haven't been getting the sound I want with the NTK.

RD

 

[musical5]

The Lomo head reviews are the most elusive. I would just like to hear a tune where the Lomo was used on lead vox. Im not holding my breath. I can only assume the thing is average at best.

 

[cominginsecond]

The guy at the Sound Room said I could return it if I didn't like it, so I'm ordering one. I'll report back after I get a little time to mess with it.

 

[tdukex]

The guy at the Sound Room said I could return it if I didn't like it, so I'm ordering one. I'll report back after I get a little time to mess with it.

I know, we've been back and forth on this--on a couple of different Boards. I'm glad someone finally had the g'nads to step up and give the LOMO a try. I hope you are sonically rewarded.

 

[Robert D]

I'm glad someone finally had the g'nads to step up and give the LOMO a try. I hope you are sonically rewarded.

My gnads are broke (not broken) at the moment from buying V-Drums and other goodies lately, but I will be waiting anxiously to hear what CI2nd thinks of the 012 body/Lomo head combo.

I expect that with the capsule running on a lower voltage than specified, this combo is going to make a flattering vocal mic, and not a highly detailed mic. But hey, my voice can use all the flattery it can get

Thanks for boldly going where no Homewrecker has gone before, CI2nd.

Cheers........and waiting for the verdict, RD

 

[cominginsecond]

Yeah, I'll definitely report back. I am hopeful, but not overly optimistic, that this head will be just what I'm looking for vocally.

BTW, the more I listen to the tracks I cut with my NTK, the more I realize that the sibilance is probably manageable. On some vocalists, that mic is seriously amazing. I've decided that, regardless of how I end up liking the Lomo, I'm still going to hang on to my NTK.

 

[DJL]

FWIW... most sibilance is manageable with mic placement.

 

[cominginsecond]

Placing the NTK differently will lessen sibilance, but it will also lessen the proximity effect and "intimacy," for lack of a better word. In other words, you move the mic to fix one problem (sibilance), and you get another problem (decreased bass and a distant tone). It's simply a tradeoff. There's a reason why people use de-essers.

I haven't yet tried the whole "place the mic level with the singer's forehead, and point it at the mouth" trick.

 

[TexRoadkill]

I haven't yet tried the whole "place the mic level with the singer's forehead, and point it at the mouth" trick.

That's not a trick it's the way you are supposed to mic vocals.

 

[cominginsecond]

There's no one way you are "supposed" to mic vocals. I thought you were smarter than that, Tex.

 

[cominginsecond]

I got it today and recorded some voice and acoustic guitar samples. Three words: not overly impressed. Right now I'm leaning toward sending it back. The sound is just slightly nicer than the SM57 on my vocals, IMO. I now see why not a lot of people have taken the chance on these.

Sigh...

 

[Flatpicker]

...Three words: not overly impressed...

For the record, what preamp are you using?

Also, is there any way you could post some short clips comparing it to another condenser mic like the NTK?

 

[cominginsecond]

I'm using a Summit Audio 2BA-221 on all of my comparisons.

Yes, I can post the samples compared to an NTK.

I know my 57 comparison seems unbelievable, but I swear they sounded very similar. Maybe when I get home and listen to it again, I'll hear more of a difference, but as of earlier today, the 57 was the closest mic I could compare the Lomo head to.

 

[cominginsecond]

OK, I figured out part of the problem: the impedence control on my Summit pre was turned all the way down, which normally leads to a reduction in high end. After I turned it all the way the other way, I liked the vocal sound of the LOMO a lot more, and it sounds significantly different than an SM57 with the impedence adjusted. However, it's still not what I'm looking for in a mic right now. I have plenty of darkish condensors, and I certainly don't need another, especially not for ~$400.

Here's some links to clips, if you're interested:

LOMO Vocal:

NTK Vocal:

SM57 Vocal:

 

[Flatpicker]

Thanks for the clips!

You're going to hate me for this, but I like the Lomo best. The mid scoop and high-end fizz on the NTK sounds very un-pleasant to me (pat's himself on the back for not buying one). The Lomo, on the other hand is very pleasant and listen-able. And that '57 is just "essss-ing" all over the place! The LOMO sounds just like Harvey described it.

Try playing with the EQ some. It's been my experience that mics that sound like the Lomo take EQ way better than mics like the NTK.

FWIW, I ask my wife's opinion, and with her, it's always a blind test because she doesn't know a Lomo from an egg beater. She liked the Lomo best.

Darn! I’ll have to buy one now.

 

[H2oskiphil]

she doesn't know a Lomo from an egg beater.

You're married to skeelsd?

 

[cominginsecond]

I can see what you're saying, Flatpicker. However, I already have a Baby Bottle, which is similar to the LOMO, in that it takes quite well to EQ. I don't need another mic like that. I was specifically looking for something bright, something that will cut through a dense mix without EQ. Basically, something like my NTK, but less harsh in the upper mids. The LOMO clearly does not fall into this category. I also think the LOMO has a little bit of a boxy character to it as well.

I am seriously considering the Dragonfly to replace my NTK with, but I have no way to try one out. I may just have to take a chance on one one of these days. Glad I could be of help to you, though with the LOMO clips.

 

[riley357]

Check out a used NTV. About $500US.

Doesn't have the high-end that the NTK does. Transformer is better in the PS too. The Jenson transformer in the NTV ps costs more than the capsule of an NTK! I got that straight from Rode.

 

[Flatpicker]

You're married to skeelsd?

No, he thinks the B1 is an egg beater!