M9 vs TB1 vs v69

[OneRoomStudios]

What you you think? I know comparisons are subjective and it depends on the source etc etc etc....but just in general what do you guys think? They're within about $80 of each other (the M9 being the most expensive and the v69 being the cheapest). I know most of you won't have used all three, but if you've used one, what are your impressions? If you've used all three even better! Let me know what you think.

-Peter

 

[chessrock]

I'd take the M-9, but that's just me. I've just heard a lot of good tracks done with them, and have had extremely good luck with CAD mics in general.

 

[ozraves]

I'd lean toward the CAD myself for the reasons stated by Chessrock.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

And I really LOVE the sound of the V69. I'd also put the T3 in instead of the TB1. Bottom line?

Probably any of the three will provide excellent results, and I have no doubts that the other engineers would be able to produce outstanding tracks using any of those three mics.

 

[rdozz]

I own the V69 and love the way it sounds on most voices, but it tends to be a little harsh sounding on sopranos. Jake the owner of Humbuckers was kind enough to let me borrow a TB1. I was interested in possibly buying the TB1 since I had read so much about the mic. I was not impressed with the TB1. I think the V69 has much more detail without being too harsh.

I have no experience with the M9.

 

[c9-2001]

i own a M9. it doesn't get as much use as it use to, but at its current price $299. it beats the other mics listed bottom line.
the v69 sounds good through if you have a clean pre in the chain.

 

[freshmattyp]

Another vote for the M9. It gets used far more that my Groove Tubes MD1B, which is exrtremely colored. The M9 sounds much more neutral to me.

 

[OneRoomStudios]

I'd also put the T3 in instead of the TB1.

I included the TB1 instead of the T3 because of the large price difference. It seems pretty clear from the opinions I've heard and the reviews that I've read that the T3 is vastly supperior to the TB1, so I can definitely see how it's worth the cost; I just didn't want to compare it to these two.

So far it seems like TB1 = eh, V69 = nice colored sound, and M9 = nice cleanish sound. Does that seem about right?

 

[c9-2001]

the M9 has a neutral sound, depending on the tube that in it.. i changed the cheap ass tube that was in it and put a mullard in it... it has a slight hi-end boost but it sounds so close to the ksm44 is crazy. if you've ever used the ksm44 through a good tube pre you'd know what i mean. the m9 i like through class a pres.. some tube pres make it sound muddy and i found myself cutting ex at 500 and 250-300hz to clean the sound up.

the tb1 i've never personally used, only the c3,b1 and t3
the V69 to me is a colored mic but it doesn't sound bad... at the same time not every voice sounds good on it. at the price its a mic that can get used but i'd perfer the m9 or something else

 

[alanhyatt]

The TB1 happens to be a very good low cost tube mic, and should not be dismissed as a result of it not working for rdozz. It seems the CAD does not get much use anymore for C92001, but that is no reason to shun it either.

Different strokes for different folks. Microphones are finiky products. What is good for the Goose, is not always good for the Gander when it comes to microphones.....

Mikes sound different in different locations, so what ever works for the user in their location and application is the mic to get, but I suspect the TB1 just did not work well for rdozz in his room or application, but that does not mean it won't in others.

If Humbucker lent a TB1 to rdozz, maybe you can call him and he can arrange a trial TB1 mic for you to try. Its your ears you have to please.

 

[Gidge]

this message is for Alan, and Alan only...all the rest of yous can PM your insults to me to keep this from turning into a pissing match.....

Alan, I dont think that you, as a manufacturer of one of the 3 mics in question, should reply in this type of thread....its a conflict of interest......you didnt give any misinformation or nothing like that, im just saying this is one of the threads that, imo, you shouldnt be involved in unless a technical question comes up......

edit -
cause cmon' and admit it...if everyone was saying the SP mic kicks the other 2 mics ass, you wouldnt feel the need to give the "might work in a different location" speech, would ya

 

[rdozz]

Wow!-- I live about 10 min from Humbuckers, and I have done alot of business with Jake. I don't think he would be interested in loaning equipment to someone that lives out of town or he does not know.

I was stating my opinion about the TB1 vs the V69. I must add, that Jake had a much more favorable opinion about the TB1. To each his own....

 

[OneRoomStudios]

Wow!-- I live about 10 min from Humbuckers, and I have done alot of business with Jake. I don't think he would be interested in loaning equipment to someone that lives out of town or he does not know.

Don't worry man, I would never think about asking someone to lend me their mic without being good friends with them first - I know there's no way I would send one of my mics to a stranger.


Thanks for taking the time to post Alan, but I have to agree with Gidge. I know you meant no harm, and no harm was done, but still...you can't help but be biased.

For others - anyone have any good expiriences with the TB1? It seems to be the least represented mic in this comparisson. I'd like to know how it stands up.

Thanks again for all the responses!

-Peter

 

[baekgaard]

Tb1?

I had a TB1 initially on trial. I ended up returning it and getting a B1 and C1 instead (and have later added a NT1000). The TB1 sounded pretty nice to me; reasonably faithful without a strong colouration, but with a subtle tube sound. The top-end sounds slightly more tamed than on the B1. Think of it as a B1 with a tube-like sound.

Why did I return it? Well, the option for me was to pick that _or_ the C1 (together with a B1). The TB1 had a subtle difference to the B1 -- I could tell it -- but it wasn't _that_ different, and I assumed that the B1 and the C1 would be giving me a wider range of choice.

My reasoning was like this: The C1 is more colourful, and as such nice to have. I would not have liked, however, to be "forced" to use the C1 always, so a less colourful mic such as the B1 would be needed also. But if the (T)B1 was going to play the "plain" mic, then maybe I would need the clean sound sometimes, not being forced to always have the tube sound. So... C1 alone? No. TB1 alone? Still no "plain" sound. B1 alone? No option to colour? C1 and TB1? Still no "plain" sound. TB1 and B1? Too similar... so C1 and B1 it was.

As a "compensation" I then also added a VC3Q type of pre-amp, that can give a nice warmth. No tube mic, but a bit similar distortion with e.g. the opto compressor in the chain but not set to do any "real" compression. And later I've added a NT1000 to the LDC locker (I also have some oktavas, shure/AKG dynamics and others).


-- Per.

 

[c9-2001]

well i don't use my m9 to much anymore b/c i own a K2 and u87..not to mention i sent it to cad b/c one of the 7pins on the mic broke.. i just got it back 2 weeks ago.
i tested it out when i got it back to make sure it still sounded the same.. make sure they didn't take out my 1956 mullard tube etc...
i just really like the K2 right now.. i can mic just about any artist that comes to me and know their vocals are gonna sound awesome with the k2.. some artist want the u87 just b/c they've heard of it.. and some want my akg 414.. personally.. i love the sound of the K2 and u87 for any vocalist

 

[Real Tone]

I have a TB1 and a V69G, though the microphone I reach for more often is the Rode NT2. I have found the TB1 useful on female voices that may sound somewhat shrill. The TB1 and an Audio Technica 4041 SDC, for me, make a good combination for recording acoustic guitar. These 3 LDC microphones give me a good palette of sound to work with.