Should i buy a Groove Tubes GT55?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jerzeysk8board
  • Start date Start date
J

jerzeysk8board

New member
How does this mic compare to other mics in the price range of $200-$500? Any opinions on this mic?
 
Last edited:
I posted in your other thread. I really like the sound of this mic. The only other mid ranged mic I can compare it with is a Blue Baby Bottle which doesn't work on most singers I've tried it on. The GT has sounded good almost without fail. For the price, I've been considering getting another one.
 
i have only used it a few times but like it, a not over bright high end and a well controlled low end. (watch the proximity though)
 
Last edited:
From my limited experience with it, it seemed kind of sibilant, but not too bad of a mic overall.
 
It's one of the best looking mics in that price range. :D

That's real important you know.
 
It's OK. There are better in that price range IMHO. You can get a used AT-4050, Shure KSM44 or Beyer M834 for that kind of money -- any of which would be preferable. I like GT mics -- I have 9 GT mics of various kinds and vintages, but for $200-500 you can do better than that. What do you want to use it for/on?
 
jerzeysk8board said:
I wanna use it for vocals
Click to expand...

I think the GT-55 is better on instruments than vocals. For vocals, the AT-4050 or the Shure KSM-44 would be better. I have a couple 4050s and they work well on vocals and many other sources. You get multi-pattern also with those which would provide you with more flexibility. Some the Rode or ADK mics may also be a good selection, but I'm not as familiar with those. Perhaps others can chime in on those.
 
pohaku said:
$200-500 you can do better than that.
Click to expand...

For $500 you can do better, but if you can find one for ~$300 I think it is one of the best mics for the money. I bought one new from GC for $299
 
the 4050 is PRISTINE on voice , guitars, and guitar cabinets. I have limited use with the GT...but what i heard didnt wow me.

Id also reccomend the ADK Hamburg or Vienna in that price range.
 
I have limited experience with the GT55, but I own the GT66 which is the same capsule with a valve circuit. It's a damn good mic, very flattering but at the same time still accurate enough for acoustic guitar.
 
what do you think? GT55 or ADK Vienna for vocals? or even the MXL v69me? theyre right in the same area for price....
 
Last edited:
Depending on the type of singer you are, GT55 can be a great mic. I find it works fantastically on very strong heldontenor types....that is people with a baritone quality to their voice that sing in a higher male range...normally they are powerful chest voice singers and can sometimes have a nasally sound in the upper range (these are non-throaty, non-soft singers)...I can't stress enough though that there is no sure bet when it comes to vocal mics (except for maybe the SM58 on live male vocals :). You can read all the reviews in the world and only trial and error on your voice will grant you vocal-mic enlightenment...

it's easy to apply research to a guitar or other instrument mic because in the grand scheme of things, you know "what to expect"...but think of the variations in a voice, it's like a thumbprint bro...different on everybody and all over the field!!
 
I just got mine and I'm loving it. Best vocal mic in I own. I have found it very useful for my particular voice (kinda baratoneish, deeper sounding) this mic sounds much better for me then the AKG c3000 or 414 and better then a studio projects C1 as well. Good luck.
 
If you are stuck on GT, then get the 66, if your mind is open, take a look at the ADK or Studio Projects T3
 
Doing a search and saw this thread was not too old. I just had an a/b/c session at GC, the 55 being one tested. For my vocal tone it was hands down the winner between a 4033 and a Blue Baby Bottle. The guys helping me agreed. Both Blue and AT were very midrangey, nasally for me. The GT 55 was "glassy" as the GC said, I would have said smooth and well-balanced. Now it was not as hot as the others at same input levels, but it sounded great. I want to bring in my JM47 and a/b the two before making a sale, and I would also like to hear the GT66, as tube is really what I'm shopping for right now.
 
So I'm bored earlier, wife and kids are out of town for another week, so I end up going back to GC with my JM-47 and doing an a/b with the GT55. VERY similar tonewise, close to the same tone I would almost venture to say. The differences were very subtle, unlike the very noticeable differences between the GT55, AT4033, and Blue BAby Bottle. The JM47 was a little warmer sounding overall, maybe because of a slightly more audible lower/mid lower reponse, and the GT55 may have been a little more pronounced, and in a good way, in the higher frequencies. Also, like the the AT and Blue, the JM47 was a little hotter. VERY slight differences, though, but I would have to choose the JM47. Anyway, my mic need is audibly clearer as to what I need now. I will continue to use the JM47, but would like to add a different sounding mic such as a tube. I wanted to test the K2, but they couldn't find the power supply at GC. Wanted to hear the GT66 they had in the case but the prongs were damaged on the input. And I guess the GT67 has the polar options that the 66 does not. Still want to hear the TLM103 but don't think that is tube. Anyway, I think I'll save for a decent tube mic to add another tonal option, especially for vocals, but it is not a large priority at this point. From an actually a/b session, thought some people may be interested in what I heard.

FYI, the JM47 I own is black case with green lettering, circa 2002, and is according to PMI the same JM47 currently availabe except for the casing. PMI says there is a new JM47A in the works which will be moderately different than the current model. Anyway, I have heard there are some different incarnations of this mic and wanted to specify which one I used in the comparison.
 
I have the old Alesis version of this mic. the AM-11. I love it on my voice. (see ardy77's post above - that's pretty much my voice) I like it on Guitar Cabs and it's my go to snare mic. Seriously, it's rediculously good on snare. I'm not sure what differnces there are between to 2 version, but I'm sure they are probably very minimal (Alesis bad-mouthing aside)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top