Marshall revives the V77s Tube Mic in a newly designed body...

[kidvybes]

...one of Harvey Gerst's favorite tube mics, the Marshall V77s,

http://www.hr-faq.org/micpage.php?mic=20040403174911

http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cach...cs.com/reviews/reviews/v77s.pdf+mxl+v77&hl=en

which was discontinued well over a year ago, due to Marshall moving it's manufacturing to exclusive facilities (the V77s was designed and manufactured for Marshall by 797Audio in China, which also manufactures the Studio Projects line of mics) has been resurrected as the V76t...selling for about $100. less than the previous V77s sold for (street price), the V76t maintains the same transformer coupled output circuit that was responsible for the V77's clean (uncolored) sound...I have 2 of the V77s mics with upgraded NOS 6072 tubes and they are great sounding mics (best bang for the buck tube mic IMHO)...certainly a much better sounding mic (very smooth in the higher frequencies) than the controversial Apex 460/Nady 1150 (Tele M16?)...worth a look...here's a link to a reputable seller (I have purchased from this authorized dealer in the past) on Ebay offering the new model:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41466&item=7324570109&rd=1

 

[zbert]

I have two of these now and love them. Which 6072 did you put in the mic? They come with a 6072 already. Is there much of a difference using a "vintage" tube?

 

[kidvybes]

I have two of these now and love them. Which 6072 did you put in the mic? They come with a 6072 already. Is there much of a difference using a "vintage" tube?

Z...Do you have V77's or V76's...I modded my V77's by installing mini tube-sockets in each so I can easily swap out the tubes (the newer tube mics already have the socket)...the original V77's had the tubes hard-wired directly to the PCB...oddly, I had the stock tubes tested by a technician and they tested very well (Sovtek 6072 w/matched triodes & very low microphonics)...but I decided to upgrade to NOS GE 5 Star Military Grade 6072's (got them on Ebay for about $20. each)...they seem to impart a "silkier" tone to the mics...but they sounded real sweet in stock form (as Harvey Gerst has stated) so I may just be hearing something I "want" to hear...either way, a really great sounding mic for the price...more natural (less colored) & smoother on the high end than my Rode NTK (which cost twice the price)...

 

[junplugged]

great, another mic, you're killin' me!!

 

[Clit Torres]

Is there any sound difference between the original v77 and this remodelled version? Just curious cause I was thinking of picking up a v77.

 

[PhilGood]

I have two of these now and love them. Which 6072 did you put in the mic? They come with a 6072 already. Is there much of a difference using a "vintage" tube?

The new V76t comes with a 12AT7, which is not a 6072. The 6072 is a 12AY7.

 

[travelin travis]

i agree with junplugged. i wish you guys would stop all this mic talk. you're making me broke.

 

[kidvybes]

Is there any sound difference between the original v77 and this remodelled version? Just curious cause I was thinking of picking up a v77.

...the new mic is literally "Brand New"...no feedback yet on the performance...

The new V76t comes with a 12AT7, which is not a 6072. The 6072 is a 12AY7.

...I have a few different Chinese tube mics, which claim to have different tubes, but when the stock tubes are compared to each other, they all appear to be same identical Chinese (or Russian) tube... (my V77s, my V69M, my ADK GT2, and my MXL 960)...so, I'm not sure how accurate the specs are on the web page...if I recall, some of the postings about the Apex 460 said that the specs claim it comes with a 6072, but actually comes with something different...

 

[photoresistor]

how would you compare this mic with say... a shure ksm27/32/44 or rode k2 or even at4040/4050/4060?

ive been on the lookout for a microphone whose main purpose would be for vocals... is this mic even in that same league? (i wouldnt mind saving a few bucks haha)

thanks

 

[bleyrad]

......certainly a much better sounding mic (very smooth in the higher frequencies) than the controversial Apex 460/Nady 1150 (Tele M16

are you sure? have you actually compared?
i've auditioned both, and ended up using the 460.
the v77 was quite good, but the 460 had an airier high-end to it.

 

[Flatpicker]

I wonder if it still uses the same 3-micron 797 capsule or one of MXL's generic Shanghai capsules that they're putting in everything else they make? If not, then it won't sound the same. Someone will probably have to give MXL a call to know for sure (talk to Scott).

 

[kidvybes]

are you sure? have you actually compared?
i've auditioned both, and ended up using the 460.
the v77 was quite good, but the 460 had an airier high-end to it.

I did audition the 460 and found the high-end to be a bit too pronounced (not unlike many of the Chinese mics)...this is the "sizzle" factor that some like, while others are bothered by...the V77 is more balanced sounding with a really nice mid range (not scooped out as many "bargain" condensers are)...I felt the V77 was more natural and therefore more versatile...much less vulnerable to sibilance...generally speaking, the V77 just sounds like a better quality microphone than the 460, IMHO...

I wonder if it still uses the same 3-micron 797 capsule or one of MXL's generic Shanghai capsules that they're putting in everything else they make? If not, then it won't sound the same. Someone will probably have to give MXL a call to know for sure (talk to Scott).

...Excellent point Tim!...I forgot that the V77s used a 3 micron diaphragm...you wanna call Scott or should I?...

 

[baekgaard]

...Excellent point Tim!...I forgot that the V77s used a 3 micron diaphragm...you wanna call Scott or should I?...

Well, if just one of you would do this, it would be appreciated much by those of us being at the other ends of the world (well, not quite, but still) ;-)


-- Per.

 

[bleyrad]

I did audition the 460 and found the high-end to be a bit too pronounced (not unlike many of the Chinese mics)...this is the "sizzle" factor that some like, while others are bothered by...the V77 is more balanced sounding with a really nice mid range (not scooped out as many "bargain" condensers are)...I felt the V77 was more natural and therefore more versatile...much less vulnerable to sibilance...generally speaking, the V77 just sounds like a better quality microphone than the 460, IMHO...

First, the 460 its most prominent frequency bump in the midrange, around 1-2Khz. Definitely wouldn't call that scooped.
Second, its high-end is prominent, yes, but I didn't find it comparable to the usual Chinese "sizzle." The 460's high-end prominence is much further up the frequency spectrum and much smoother/airier than the typical Chinese condenser. For vocals, this prominence is often exactly what I need to keep the emotion in the mix.
To me it sounds very similar to some of the high-end Blue mics, though a little less scooped. Keep in mind their flagship mic has an even more pronounced air region than the 460!

 

[kidvybes]

First, the 460 its most prominent frequency bump in the midrange, around 1-2Khz. Definitely wouldn't call that scooped.
Second, its high-end is prominent, yes, but I didn't find it comparable to the usual Chinese "sizzle." The 460's high-end prominence is much further up the frequency spectrum and much smoother/airier than the typical Chinese condenser. For vocals, this prominence is often exactly what I need to keep the emotion in the mix.
To me it sounds very similar to some of the high-end Blue mics, though a little less scooped. Keep in mind their flagship mic has an even more pronounced air region than the 460!

B...before I actually auditioned the 460, I posted this thread:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=143587&highlight=apex+460

...as you can see, there's support for both opinions...I personally found the 460 to be similar to other LDCs I own, so apart from the high-end sizzle, I just felt it offered no additional versatility to my mic cabinet...I do know a couple of people who agree with your evaluation, as they have upgraded the tubes and found it "smoothed" out the top end a bit...I'm not knocking the mic as much as stating my preference for the V77s...

 

[PhilGood]

B...before I actually auditioned the 460, I posted this thread:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=143587&highlight=apex+460

...as you can see, there's support for both opinions...I personally found the 460 to be similar to other LDCs I own, so apart from the high-end sizzle, I just felt it offered no additional versatility to my mic cabinet...I do know a couple of people who agree with your evaluation, as they have upgraded the tubes and found it "smoothed" out the top end a bit...I'm not knocking the mic as much as stating my preference for the V77s...

It seems to me you have a rigid bias against the Apex mic based on a brief audition and a small thread where 3, count 'em 3 people didn't like it. One didn't even render a desription, so I'm not even sure they owned the mic. One other person was half and half but admitted the mic sounded better after swapping the tube.

I think a little flexibilty is warranted. There's no reason to discredit this mic based on 3-4 opinions. I know you say you're not knocking it, but I've seen the other posts where you rail gainst it pretty hard.

That being said the v76t look like it might be the 960 in a different body. Marshall is known for swapping bodies and these two are in the same price range.

 

[chessrock]

how would you compare this mic with say... a shure ksm27/32/44 or rode k2 or even at4040/4050/4060?

ive been on the lookout for a microphone whose main purpose would be for vocals... is this mic even in that same league? (i wouldnt mind saving a few bucks haha)

I don't think there's even any comparison.

All of these Chinese mics are basically the same. They sound like crap with poor midrange and unnaturally exaggerated highs. Basically "toy" mics that try to mimic classic condensers, but do a poor job of it.

The Shures and Audio Technicas you mention are solid, professional tools capable of delivering high quality audio in the most demanding situations.

 

[kidvybes]

It seems to me you have a rigid bias against the Apex mic based on a brief audition and a small thread where 3, count 'em 3 people didn't like it. One didn't even render a desription, so I'm not even sure they owned the mic. One other person was half and half but admitted the mic sounded better after swapping the tube.

I think a little flexibilty is warranted. There's no reason to discredit this mic based on 3-4 opinions. I know you say you're not knocking it, but I've seen the other posts where you rail gainst it pretty hard.

That being said the v76t look like it might be the 960 in a different body. Marshall is known for swapping bodies and these two are in the same price range.

...check the "mic controversy" thread for more negative/positive comments about the Apex 460/Nady 1150...also, to the best of my knowledge the MXL 960 does not have a transformer output...the V77s was MXL's only transformer coupled tube mic...

I don't think there's even any comparison.

All of these Chinese mics are basically the same. They sound like crap with poor midrange and unnaturally exaggerated highs. Basically "toy" mics that try to mimic classic condensers, but do a poor job of it.

...blanket statement...the V77s did not suffer from those particular characteristics, although I would agree there are many Chinese mics that display some degree of scooped mids and sizzly highs...read the reviews I posted above which specifically address those issues...

 

[zbert]

Hey Kid
I had to open the mics. I have 2 of the 77's with the tube soldered in. This old version of the 77 is just different from other mics made in China. I have to say I like the v77 better than my AT4033. Nice smooth tone. Fat would be a good word. It can be a bit harsh on the upper freqs. with some singers but nothing a bit of EQ won't fix. I paid $200 each for them. One of them was even brand new in the box. I think that's a real bargin for the quality I get out of them. Keep an eye on ebay. That's where I found both of mine. A great suggestion of a mic from Harvey.

 

[chessrock]

...blanket statement...the V77s did not suffer from those particular characteristics...

You have your opinion, and I have mine.