kidvybes
New member
...there are a few higher-end LDC mics that offer multiple voicings (such as the Lauten Atlantis), but I've never seen any this affordable with coupled output transformers...anybody have any experience with one of these?:
3U Audio Warbler Condenser Microphone Switchable Sound Styles Vocal Instrument | eBay
Well, I did some more research on these mics and found some interesting information...the gentleman behind these multi-voiced "Warbler" microphones is a veteran microphone design engineer that has worked for some of the better manufacturers in China since the 80's and later relocated in Australia to work for another prominent mic manufacturer there...he started his own company a few years ago, and he designs these mics entirely himself...the transformers are custom-wound, the capsules are manufactured to his specifications and the mics employ very high-quality capacitors and resistors (Dale and WIMA)...so they are designed in Australia and then hand-soldered/assembled in one of the better Chinese factories (and shipped from there to minimize shipping expense)...
So these are not OEM/stock Chinese designs, like most of the typical Chinese LDC mics that fall into this price range...these are new designs based upon this engineer's many years of designing for other more costly brands...most importantly, the K67, K47 and C12 style capsules being employed are built to his specifications and are not sourced from other manufacturers in China...
As a matter of fact, this multi-voiced "Warbler" model is going to be offered in three different configurations...the standard "87-style" as I posted above, and "47-style" (Warbler MKII) which employs a 34mm K47-style capsule, and a third "C12-style" (Warbler MKIII) which employs an 34mm edge-terminated C12-type capsule with extended high and low-end response...you can clearly see from the interior pics, that not only is the capsule different in each of the Warbler models, but the circuit designs vary as well as the transformers employed, as you would find in much more expensive product lines...
Here is the link to the 3U website:
3U Audio Microphones,Condenser Microphones
...you can see that there are pictures of the build interior quality of all the mics (how many manufacturers offer pictures of their circuits and the type of components employed?)...WIMA capacitors are used even in the least expensive models, while the higher-priced models boast Fairchild FETs, Dale resistors and even Lundahl and AMI transformers...
...I just acquired samples of 2 of the Warbler-series and 2 of the basic CM-1 FET condensers...I plan on recording samples and posting once I have vocalists available for tracking...I just tested the Warbler I with K67-style capsule and U87-type 9.5:1 tranny...smooth on the top-end and nice low-mid response...no harsh, edgy top-end, common to so many Chinese LDC mics at this price point...
...the big surprise are the cheap (2 for $199 shipped) CM-1 FET condenser mics...these things sound surprisingly good (very reminiscent of KEL Audio mics)...the black-bodied mic has the same K67 capsule as the Warbler I, and the teal-bodied has a very nice edge-terminated C12-style capsule...both have nice quality components on the audio output segment of the circuit (WIMAs)...and shock-absorbing Capsule mounting supports...I don't understand how they can sell these so cheap...the one with the K67 capsule is exceptionally close in sound to my Lewitt LCT540 ($599)...
...a big, smooth sounding C12 style FET condenser mic for $99? (if you buy the pair)...seriously, how'd they do that?
Anybody looking for a nice pair of cheap FET condenser mics (not bright or hashy at all!) check these out:
3U Audio Black CM1 Matched Pair Condenser Microphones Vocal Instrument Pro Mic | eBay
3U Audio Teal CM1 Matched Pair Condenser Microphones Vocal Acoustic Guitar Mic | eBay
Clearly this new line of mics are not your daddy's Chinese LDC microphones...I will report back in the next couple of weeks with sound files...
3U Audio Warbler Condenser Microphone Switchable Sound Styles Vocal Instrument | eBay
Well, I did some more research on these mics and found some interesting information...the gentleman behind these multi-voiced "Warbler" microphones is a veteran microphone design engineer that has worked for some of the better manufacturers in China since the 80's and later relocated in Australia to work for another prominent mic manufacturer there...he started his own company a few years ago, and he designs these mics entirely himself...the transformers are custom-wound, the capsules are manufactured to his specifications and the mics employ very high-quality capacitors and resistors (Dale and WIMA)...so they are designed in Australia and then hand-soldered/assembled in one of the better Chinese factories (and shipped from there to minimize shipping expense)...
So these are not OEM/stock Chinese designs, like most of the typical Chinese LDC mics that fall into this price range...these are new designs based upon this engineer's many years of designing for other more costly brands...most importantly, the K67, K47 and C12 style capsules being employed are built to his specifications and are not sourced from other manufacturers in China...
As a matter of fact, this multi-voiced "Warbler" model is going to be offered in three different configurations...the standard "87-style" as I posted above, and "47-style" (Warbler MKII) which employs a 34mm K47-style capsule, and a third "C12-style" (Warbler MKIII) which employs an 34mm edge-terminated C12-type capsule with extended high and low-end response...you can clearly see from the interior pics, that not only is the capsule different in each of the Warbler models, but the circuit designs vary as well as the transformers employed, as you would find in much more expensive product lines...
Here is the link to the 3U website:
3U Audio Microphones,Condenser Microphones
...you can see that there are pictures of the build interior quality of all the mics (how many manufacturers offer pictures of their circuits and the type of components employed?)...WIMA capacitors are used even in the least expensive models, while the higher-priced models boast Fairchild FETs, Dale resistors and even Lundahl and AMI transformers...
...I just acquired samples of 2 of the Warbler-series and 2 of the basic CM-1 FET condensers...I plan on recording samples and posting once I have vocalists available for tracking...I just tested the Warbler I with K67-style capsule and U87-type 9.5:1 tranny...smooth on the top-end and nice low-mid response...no harsh, edgy top-end, common to so many Chinese LDC mics at this price point...
...the big surprise are the cheap (2 for $199 shipped) CM-1 FET condenser mics...these things sound surprisingly good (very reminiscent of KEL Audio mics)...the black-bodied mic has the same K67 capsule as the Warbler I, and the teal-bodied has a very nice edge-terminated C12-style capsule...both have nice quality components on the audio output segment of the circuit (WIMAs)...and shock-absorbing Capsule mounting supports...I don't understand how they can sell these so cheap...the one with the K67 capsule is exceptionally close in sound to my Lewitt LCT540 ($599)...
...a big, smooth sounding C12 style FET condenser mic for $99? (if you buy the pair)...seriously, how'd they do that?
Anybody looking for a nice pair of cheap FET condenser mics (not bright or hashy at all!) check these out:
3U Audio Black CM1 Matched Pair Condenser Microphones Vocal Instrument Pro Mic | eBay
3U Audio Teal CM1 Matched Pair Condenser Microphones Vocal Acoustic Guitar Mic | eBay
Clearly this new line of mics are not your daddy's Chinese LDC microphones...I will report back in the next couple of weeks with sound files...
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