Well, I didn't ever start out to review or test anything. While we were talking about the first rec.audio.pro compilation set a few years back, Neumann just released the TLM103 mic and I got one of the first units from Fletcher at Mercenary Audio.
Since we were getting bombarded with questions about the 103 on r.a.p, I decided to use the 103 on every acoustic instrument and vocal track on my compilation entry. That covered 3 different acoustic guitars, fiddle, mandolin, main vocal, and 3 backup singers.
Around the same time, I was pretty vocal about not liking the AKG C3000 and the C1000, and to a lesser extent some of the new Rodes, Oktavas, ATs, and some other mic companies. Taylor Johnson of the Sound Room contacted me and asked me to listen to the whole line, out of which, I found a couple of real winners - the MC012 and the MC012 with the Lomo head. I posted my findings on r.a.p., and apparently it was of interest to others who tried them and agreed with me.
After I spoke disparagingly about the Marshall mics, someone called me on it, and I admitted that I hadn't heard them. At the AES show, I introduced myself to Brent Casey and asked if I could test the mics. He agreed, and again, out of the whole line, I found what I believed to be some real winners, and I posted what I found out on r.a.p..
Alan asked me to listen to the SP line, and I posted my findings here. But even though I've designed a lot of electronic products, and have some familiarity with testing, I really don't want to be in the testing business.
I'll continue to look for bargains and post when it's a good deal, but I really don't have the time or the equipment to do full blown testing of any products. Don't panic, I'm not dropping out, I just wanna have a little more leeway and not make pronouncements etched in granite.
