Stephen Paul's tunes

[chessrock]

It seems, for some reason, that some people have a hard time diverging their personal feelings about the man

I think you've made your feelings about him very clear, and although I'm not sure if a public forum is the ideal place for it, I think it's rather cute and romantic that one man can have such open affections for another. Don't let anyone tell you it's wrong.

 

[MrZekeMan]

I think you've made your feelings about him very clear, and although I'm not sure if a public forum is the ideal place for it, I think it's rather cute and romantic that one man can have such open affections for another. Don't let anyone tell you it's wrong.

I laugh at your feeble attempts to defend your indefensible juvenility, with sophomoric comments such as these.

It ain't gonna work Stimpy. In spite of your self-flattering indictment against me for "reacting emotionally" to you, it just has no basis in reality.

Ever heard of hyperbole? Look it up slick.

Taylor

 

[chessrock]

In spite of your self-flattering indictment against me for "reacting emotionally" to you, it just has no basis in reality.

Don't get me wrong here, Zeke. I think you're a nice guy and all, but I never meant to imply anything more. I apologize if I sent the wrong vibe, but . . .

- Stimpy

 

[Recording Engineer]

we really don't think even SP himself can touch this one in terms of sheer thinness of diaphragm . . .

Actually, your Chessrock Audio Sub-Zero Neveative 1M micron is a little out of date already...

SPA is all over the diaphragm-less microphone... We're talking DC straight to light!!! And I'm serious!!!

Bottom line? While the 3 micron diaphragm has only recently become somewhat common, it is more than 20 year-old technology to Stephen Paul. Quite frankly, he has been designing and working with "bigger and bader" technology, for longer than I'm even aware of.

Stephen Paul designed the 3 micron diaphragm and used it exclusively for 20 years. Yes, it took 20 years before anyone else could get it to work with dependability, even though Stephen initially was rather open about it to the international transducer community. Stephen is not seeking monetary kickback regardless that his 3 micron technology has been stolen, he is simply seeking some type of industry recognition; something!

Some of the internet community in our industry do not or simply can not acccept Stephen Paul as "law" when it comes to microphones. They are either ignorant or incapable of doing so, in my opinion. His accomplishments and microphones give him the benefit of dobut to most of the successful, world-recognized, in our industry, as well as many others, myself included.

 

[chessrock]

. . . even though Stephen initially was rather open about it to the international transducer community. Stephen is not seeking monetary kickback regardless that his 3 micron technology has been stolen . . .

Please help me understand how something can be "stolen," yet "shared openly?" It just seems to me that if McDonald's wants to publish what's in their special sauce or Coca-cola what's in their secret formula, then it moreless becomes part of the fast food / softdrink community as shared knowlege. Unless there are legal patent, trademark copyrigth infringements and so on.

 

[MrZekeMan]

Stephen is not seeking monetary kickback regardless that his 3 micron technology has been stolen. . .

Yea,

Besides, he doesn't really need the money, he's so independently wealthy from his MP3.com spam crusade.

Some of the internet community in our industry do not or simply can not acccept Stephen Paul as "law" when it comes to microphones. They are either ignorant or incapable of doing so, in my opinion. His accomplishments and microphones give him the benefit of dobut to most of the successful, world-recognized, in our industry, as well as many others, myself included.

Me too. I know I'm sure interested in what he is doing. And, I am very interested to see what he does with this new mic he an Alan Hyatt are putting out. I don't see how it could possibly be anything other than stellar. We shall see.

Taylor

 

[Recording Engineer]

Please help me understand how something can be "stolen," yet "shared openly?"

No problem... Stephen openly shared, got shit for it, he closed his open sharing. Companies got a hold of his mics, tried reverse engineering it... Whala! As he says though, luckily, "no one in the world does caps like us", so...

 

[chessrock]

No problem... Stephen openly shared, got shit for it, he closed his open sharing.

But how do you close what's already been shared?

Companies got a hold of his mics, tried reverse engineering it... Whala! As he says though, luckily, "no one in the world does caps like us", so...

So no harm, no foul then, right? Other companies try, but fail to duplicate . . . Stephen's still king of mics; still makes a handsome living commanding top-dollar for his work.

btw - Why would they go through the trouble of reverse-engineering when the important stuff I'm assuming has already been shared and published?

 

[Rossi]

This is not to put Stephen Paul down, in fact I think of him as a tortured soul, but let's not forget that he didn't invent the condenser microphone. He invented some improvements on the Neumann design, and by doing so he took a number of mics by reputable companies apart to see what's going on inside. Which is the definition of reverse engineering. In other words, it's like Sir Isaac Newton once said about his own accomplishments: "If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants."

I don't question Stephen Paul's expertise, but 3 micron technology is an incremental improvement, not a revolution. Others will not necessarily agree it's an improvement at all. And sub 1 micron capsules are fine for expensive custom shop mics, but I don't think that kind of technology is practicable for bigger manufacturers.

On a similar note, Neumann is incapable of dealing with KM 5x capsules only because those were nickel sputtered. They've run out of parts and they won't make any of those anymore. But that doesn't mean they don't have the knowledge anymore. I'm sure it's all well documented in Neumann's archives. It just has become impracticable for them to service those capsules themselves. I'm sure they could theoretically reproduce any microphone or capsule they've ever done, but those mics would cost a fortune. And that market segment is very small, and that's exactly where people like Stephen Paul or Klaus Heyne come in.

But as I said, this is not to put him down. I mean, technically some of statements on this board were not really nice. No matter how knowledgeable he is, he shouldn't come to a *homerecording* board and tell people they're a bunch of idiots, even if they are. That said, I don't hold a grudge against him, because I sense that he's deeply longing for recognition as a musician that he never quite got. In fact, I read a statement by George Massenburg that he had arguments with SP about just that.

Bottom line: am I curious about his first own microphone? Yes, even though I doubt that I will be able to buy it. I also doubt that it will change the course of the universe, but I don't doubt it'll be a very nice microphone. Do I think SP is a musical genius? Well, he's a fine guitarist... How's that?

 

[jimistone]

im anxious for his mic to come out too. Its going to be priced very low (by high end mic standards)..and may be revolutionary.

Stephen and Alan together....hehehe

chessrocks two buddies


I liked your mic design by the way chessrock, thanks for the pic!

 

[MrZekeMan]

. . .but let's not forget that he didn't invent the condenser microphone. He invented some improvements on the Neumann design, and by doing so he took a number of mics by reputable companies apart to see what's going on inside. Which is the definition of reverse engineering.

Rossi-bert,

It's not my definition of reverse engineering. My view of reverse engineering, is someone who takes a product apart, and copies it's technology. Stephen Paul hasn't copied anyone's technology. He's taken a product and made it better. It happens all the time. If it didn't, we'd all still be driving Model T Fords, or whatever came before them.

There are companies out there that have a reputation of reverse engineering. Behringer is one of them. What SPA does is not the same IMO.

In other words, it's like Sir Isaac Newton once said about his own accomplishments: "If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants."

Sir Isaac was obviously a humble man. Whether Stephen Paul is a humble man or not, is not for me to say. It has no bearing on the facts though. Either he is the Giant, or he is the man standing on the shoulders of giants. Many people would characterize him as the giant, since he is consistantly the one innovating. And, the ones reverse engineering his innovations even have a hard time keeping up.

I don't question Stephen Paul's expertise, but 3 micron technology is an incremental improvement, not a revolution. Others will not necessarily agree it's an improvement at all.

Some didn't necessarily believe the indoor toilet was an improvement. They thought the idea of putting an out-house right inside your home was the craziest most unsanitary thing they had ever heard of.

Everyone's entitled to an opinion.

Everyone can decide for themselves how big they think the increment is when it comes to SP's innovations.

And sub 1 micron capsules are fine for expensive custom shop mics, but I don't think that kind of technology is practicable for bigger manufacturers.

Definitely not. They don't have the ability yet. If they keep working on it, or send a spy into SPA, maybe they'll be there in the next few years.

On a similar note, Neumann is incapable of dealing with KM 5x capsules only because those were nickel sputtered. They've run out of parts and they won't make any of those anymore. But that doesn't mean they don't have the knowledge anymore. I'm sure it's all well documented in Neumann's archives. It just has become impracticable for them to service those capsules themselves. I'm sure they could theoretically reproduce any microphone or capsule they've ever done, but those mics would cost a fortune. And that market segment is very small, and that's exactly where people like Stephen Paul or Klaus Heyne come in.

Nope, just Stephen Paul. No Klaus.

Your argument is weak weak weak, IMO. Are you trying to say it's impractical for a company as huge as Neumann, with all the resources available to them, to service their product, but it's not impractical for SPA? If they could compete with him, they would. They can't.

But as I said, this is not to put him down. I mean, technically some of statements on this board were not really nice. No matter how knowledgeable he is, he shouldn't come to a *homerecording* board and tell people they're a bunch of idiots, even if they are.

I didn't read any of the links Chess-bunny-hop-rock put up. I do recall a thread where Stephen seemed to get highly agitated right away, and seemed to act unreasonably defensive/agressive. I remember thinking at the time, that he must be dealing with things we weren't aware of. Or, maybe something just set him off. I don't know. I know very little about him personally.

I can guarantee you one thing. It didn't change my view of his accomplishments whatsoever.

Bottom line: am I curious about his first own microphone? Yes, even though I doubt that I will be able to buy it. I also doubt that it will change the course of the universe. . .

What microphone has? I don't think anyone has championed the idea that his new microphone will alter the cosmos.

. . .but I don't doubt it'll be a very nice microphone.

My prediction is that it will be substantially more than "very nice"

Do I think SP is a musical genius? Well, he's a fine guitarist... How's that?

What ever works for you.

Taylor

 

[Recording Engineer]

But how do you close what's already been shared?

What I meant was he simply stopped sharing.

So no harm, no foul then, right? Other companies try, but fail to duplicate . . . Stephen's still king of mics; still makes a handsome living commanding top-dollar for his work.

Right! And Stephen has fully accepted that! Hell, he KNOWS everytime some mic company releases a new mic with his 20 year-old technology, because right away, it's sitting in his lab getting some mod work done on it! Why not, it generates business for him anyway, but again Stephen only seeks industry recognition!

btw - Why would they go through the trouble of reverse-engineering when the important stuff I'm assuming has already been shared and published?

Ah, but those reverse-engineering weren't around while he was sharing! Remember, Neumann and AKG were STILL pretty darn much the only "real" players then. Remember, it really has been very recent that other mic companies finally arrived on the scene! As a result of Stephen Paul!

Now, we've come full-circle in this thread!

 

[Recording Engineer]

but let's not forget that he didn't invent the condenser microphone.

He'd be the first to tell you that!

He invented some improvements on the Neumann design, and by doing so he took a number of mics by reputable companies apart to see what's going on inside. Which is the definition of reverse engineering.

What Zeke said.

but 3 micron technology is an incremental improvement, not a revolution.

I beg to differ!!! Don't forget, it took 20 years before anyone else could get the 3 micron Mylar durable enough! And Neumann STILL can't!!!

By the way, I'd sure call the REASON WHY we have all these other microphone companies out there now (which I'd imagine had a MAJOR hand in killing the stronghold of Neumann and AKG and wiping-out their advancement in microphone technology as a whole, by forcing them to compete with the low production costs of these brand new companies), a revolution!!!

And sub 1 micron capsules are fine for expensive custom shop mics, but I don't think that kind of technology is practicable for bigger manufacturers.

What Zeke said again!

On a similar note, Neumann is incapable of dealing with KM 5x capsules only because those were nickel sputtered. They've run out of parts and they won't make any of those anymore. But that doesn't mean they don't have the knowledge anymore.

Mmm... Better check that one with Neumann again... I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they do still have the knowledge, even though my gut feeling says otherwise. However, I know they'll tell you they DO NOT have the capability! Hell, they may even admit they don't have the knowledge either!

It just has become impracticable for them to service those capsules themselves.

Why so?

I'm sure they could theoretically reproduce any microphone or capsule they've ever done, but those mics would cost a fortune.

Theorectically is far fetched from reality. By the way, again... Better check with Neumann on that... Even they will most likely tell you differently.

And so what if it'd cost a fortune... It never stopped them before! Besides, there IS a market! Hell everyone kept on saying for many a years it'd be too expensive to recreate a REAL Telefunken ELAM... Didn't stop Telefunken North America and people are now forking-over $16k for it!

And that market segment is very small, and that's exactly where people like Stephen Paul or Klaus Heyne come in.

What Zeke said again!

am I curious about his first own microphone? Yes, even though I doubt that I will be able to buy it. I also doubt that it will change the course of the universe

I don't think anyone will argue with you about that! The point is what HAS changed the course of our industry!

 

[chessrock]

You know . . .

I remember my freshman year at Michigan State, living at the dorm hall.

My dorm had the best cafeteria on the whole campus. In my opinion we were the fucking envy of the entire 40,000 student campus. Why? Because we had every kind of cereal known to mankind. That's right.

(And variety is important at that age; the typical college student is under an awful lot of stress and demands).

I remember one day, as I was pouring my Cap'n Crunch Crunch Berries, a revelation came to me . . .

"What if I were to mix Peanut Butter Crunch with the Crunch Berries -- IN THE SAME BOWL ?"

What I discovered to, to my delight, was a significant improvement to an already fine bowl of cereal by even the pickiest breakfast-eater's standards. For a long time, I was the envy of the breakfast crowd at my dormitory. People wondered what magic I must have harnessed in my cereal bowl to put such a smile to my face every morning on my way to class.

After a while, I began sharing my secrets. Oh yea, there were doubters, you better believe it. But before long, they too came around to partake in the delights of my discovery.

Peanut Butter Crunch mixed with Crunchberries just makes for one hell of a fine cereal.

To this day, General Mills, the original producer of the cereal won't even touch it, yet everywhere I look, there are people at breakfast tables all over our great country enjoying what I know in my heart to be my very own innovation.

Goddamnit, all I want is to be recognized. I don't care for fame or riches. Uh, well, yea, actually I do -- cuz chicks dig guys with money. But back to the subject: A simple "Hey Chessrock . . . had my peanutbutter / crunch berries this morning. Mmmmmm yummy, thank you ! ! " . . . or something to that effect would certainly suffice.

WON'T SOMEBODY PLEASE RECOGNIZE MY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR OTHERWISE MISERABLE, POINTLESS BREAKFAST ? ? ! ! !























Didn't think so.

 

[Recording Engineer]

Hey man... Some thrive on riches, others on recognition, some on porn... Hey, to each there own! Who am I to judge?

 

[Recording Engineer]

Wait a minute... Just noticed something!

On a similar note, Neumann is incapable of dealing with KM 5x capsules only because those were nickel sputtered. They've run out of parts and they won't make any of those anymore.

Now that's bullshit if I've ever heard it!

I mean, obviously, nickel is not all that ideal due to its weight, but then again, since when the hell did Neumann care about that!? Apparently, all the way back when they realeased the TLM50 with its thin (2.something micron if I remember correctly off the top of my head) nickel diaphragm (which is suppose to be a thin reproduction of the 12 micron aluminum diaphragm in the M-50, which was also used in the KM-53)! The timing sounds about right; when Neumann literally was at SPA asking for advice on such a diaphragm! And what do ya know, they're still manufacturing the TLM50!

So what's this about Neumann and nickel diaphragms?

 

[Rossi]

I guess you guys shouldn't be so emotional about the subject. I kind of regret having posted in this thread.

I don't claim to be a Neumann expert; but for all I know they still service all microphones they ever built with the exception of those nickel sputtered KM5x. A rare thing these days, when you cannot even get a manual for an obsolete model from a lot of companies. The way they do it is they have a large archive of spare parts, but they've run out of those KM5x capsules, which were not the sturdiest they've done, nickel being more prone to oxidization than gold. Neumann doesn't have a custom shop to rebuilt their old capsules, it wouldn't be cost effective, I suppose. For a custom shop like Stephen Paul's things are different. His capsules are for the most part handmade anyway. And again, I don't think you could build Stephen's sub 1 micron capsules in a factory like Neumann's, at least not cost effectively. Neumann, too, have to cut back on the cost and they have to come up with microphones that are marketable. A 16.000 $ microphone has a very small market segment, not big enough for a mid size manufacturer like Neumann.

I won't go through the rest of your replies, as I don't think any of you would read my response as a piece of information but as an attempt to put down your hero. Which is not the case. Stephen Paul, to me, is a very distant figure who builds microphoes way out of my financial reach. As a human being I have nothing but compassion for him, and hope he has recovered from his health problems. I also wish him (and Alan) luck for his first own microphone. But let me just ask you one question: who of you owns or has at least used a Stephen Paul modded mic and compared it to a regular Neumann?

 

[ozraves]

The thing about this thread: Would any of you listen to Stephen Paul's music if he were not the big mic guru?

I admit that while I like some of his stuff that I wouldn't have ever given his music a second listen if he wasn't THE genius of mic mods and mic innovation. To be fair, there a lots of popular recording artists to whom I won't give a second listen.

Steve
www.piemusic.com

 

[CyanJaguar]

This is not to put Stephen Paul down, in fact I think of him as a tortured soul, but let's not forget that he didn't invent the condenser microphone. He invented some improvements on the Neumann design, and by doing so he took a number of mics by reputable companies apart to see what's going on inside. Which is the definition of reverse engineering. In other words, it's like Sir Isaac Newton once said about his own accomplishments: "If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants."

I don't question Stephen Paul's expertise, but 3 micron technology is an incremental improvement, not a revolution. Others will not necessarily agree it's an improvement at all. And sub 1 micron capsules are fine for expensive custom shop mics, but I don't think that kind of technology is practicable for bigger manufacturers.

On a similar note, Neumann is incapable of dealing with KM 5x capsules only because those were nickel sputtered. They've run out of parts and they won't make any of those anymore. But that doesn't mean they don't have the knowledge anymore. I'm sure it's all well documented in Neumann's archives. It just has become impracticable for them to service those capsules themselves. I'm sure they could theoretically reproduce any microphone or capsule they've ever done, but those mics would cost a fortune. And that market segment is very small, and that's exactly where people like Stephen Paul or Klaus Heyne come in.

But as I said, this is not to put him down. I mean, technically some of statements on this board were not really nice. No matter how knowledgeable he is, he shouldn't come to a *homerecording* board and tell people they're a bunch of idiots, even if they are. That said, I don't hold a grudge against him, because I sense that he's deeply longing for recognition as a musician that he never quite got. In fact, I read a statement by George Massenburg that he had arguments with SP about just that.

Bottom line: am I curious about his first own microphone? Yes, even though I doubt that I will be able to buy it. I also doubt that it will change the course of the universe, but I don't doubt it'll be a very nice microphone. Do I think SP is a musical genius? Well, he's a fine guitarist... How's that?

You put forth some extremely good and well articulated points , rossi.

 

[CyanJaguar]

Mmm... Better check that one with Neumann again... I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they do still have the knowledge, even though my gut feeling says otherwise. However, I know they'll tell you they DO NOT have the capability! Hell, they may even admit they don't have the knowledge either!

[/B]

your GUT feeling? when did knowledge become a matter of gut feelings. RE, you seem to have a lot of gut feelings that get mixed up with facts.