Studio Projects B Series steal the show

[Dot]

I'm as suprised as anyone that I'm sitting here typing this. I spent the day at Sea Note Recording today for some mic pre-amp testing. We tracked to RADAR. There were about ten of us, all experienced engineers, techs and musicians. The premise of the day was to listen to some pres. We had:

Great River MP-4
Great River MP-1NV
Phoenix Audio DRS-2
API 3124
API 528C
John Hardy M1
Speck MicPre 5.0
Oram somethingerother
Demeter 2 ch
Mackie VLZ
MCI JH 536 36
MCI JH 600 Transformerless

You're getting the idea that this is fairly "heavy" I hope. : )

OK, so we have a guitarist and a couple of female singers there as well. So, we start off the day with female vox and she can really belt. We started testing mics to see which one would be the best to help us listen to all these pres. We auditioned:

AKG Solid Tube
Audio Technica 4047
AKG 3000
AKG 2000
SE Electronics Z5600

We went through all these and weren't really happy with any of them. I happened to have a B1 and B3 in the car – not even meaning to test them – so I said, "Well, let's give 'em a shot".

Long story short – the B1 was chosen by everyone unanimously as the "test mic".

Later, we started acoustic gtr tracks. The mics were:

Beyer 160 ribbon
AKG 451E
Red5 Audio RV4
SE Electronics SE1
Blue Blueberry
Studio Projects B1

We tested all kinds of combinations of mics and pres. The 160 was great but was missing top-end. the 451 was great but missing bottom-end. The Blueberry was hands-down everyone's favorite. But the surprise to everyone was how great the B1 sounded. The funny thing was the Blueberry didn't really sound that much better than the B1.

The other female vocalist tested through all the mics – and guess what. Bingo. B1. I actually think she'd even sound better on a C1 but I didn't have one with me.

At the end of the day, everyone was wanting to know where to get these mics. Before I knew it – 'cause I'm a nice guy – a tech who'd brought in a rack of API 528C's left with my B1 review mic, and a musician who'd brought the API 3124 left with my B3 review mic.

None of these guys had ever heard a Studio Projects mic, and while I had used the B1 and B3 for live sound application I had never done any critical listening and A/B comparison with them in a studio environment. I also have the TB-1 here, but I didn't have it with me today.

All of us were blown away by the B1 and B3. This wasn't just me, but a whole room full of pros. Everyone was cracking up that a $79 mic pretty much floored everything else we tested.

Oh, and if you're wondering how the mic pre-amp listening session went, I'll save that for another day. We're making a CD and I'll post an MP3 of the whole thing when I have it. I will say that for what we tested, the John Hardy M1 was the clear winner of the day and won everyone over.

If you do not have a B1 or a B3 in your studio, you need to get one. These mikes are not "cheap alternatives" and they are not a lesser version of the C series. The B series are serious mics with a neutral sound, and I think as a workhorse mic they far exceed the C series. I never heard a C1 sound as good on acoustic as the B1. We're doing more tests next week and will be doing drums, amps and bass stuff. I'll keep you posted.

------------
Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound

 

[chessrock]

We auditioned:

AKG Solid Tube
Audio Technica 4047
AKG 3000
AKG 2000
SE Electronics Z5600

No wonder. If I were recording female vocals, I think I'd take just about anything over what's on this list. An sm58 would sound better on a chick than any of those. Not to dog the B-series mics. I like them. But I still don't think this is a very earth-shattering revelation.

I can also kinda' see why it held it's own on accoustic guitars, given the kind of mics it was up against there. A ribbon? Interesting.

That said, thanks for sharing, Dot. I can't wait 'till we get to hear the results of the pre shootout. I'm very curious.

 

[Flatpicker]

Yeah, Dan, thanks! I just broke the news to my wife not more than 5 minutes ago that we needed a B3 and then I log on and read this! Talk about coincidences…
-Flatpicker

 

[chessparov]

I thought the Solid Tube and the 4047 were supposed to be quite good
on many vocals.
Also assuming that it was an AKG C3000B (rather than 3000) used here
which is a good microphone for most female vocals per a local pro studio
owner who bought mine.

Chris

 

[Recording Engineer]

I'm surprised the 4047 or even the Solid Tube (though I hate to admit it as I hate it on most everything else) didn't do very well on female vox... Then again, that's with extremely "transparent"-type preamps...

On acoustic guitar, I would imagine the B1 (though I've never heard it) would hold its own next to a Blueberry and usually be a pick over the others sitting next it. For "vintage", lo-fi "effect" acoustic guitar, the M160 would be cool. For rock acustic guitar in a dense mix, the 451 would be cool. But most of the time, the B1 would probably be my choice out of those. I'm saying that and I haven't even heard the B1 yet! Bold statement, I know.

Because my mind is bias without ever being aware of it (because of name and price), I'd probably choose the Blueberry over the B1. BUT, if I HAD to buy before ever hearing it for whatever reason, I'd probably be trying the B1 out for awhile over the Blueberry simply because of price. Then, spend the remaining and maybe thensome on a good "transparent"-type or at least "more neutral"-type preamp for my first outboard preamp.

Buy the way, if you haven't noticed, this writing is sort-of gearing toward the "homerecording" among us who are buying large diaphragm condensers for the first time and still using "complimentary pres" in their "computer hardware/software package".

Now anyone who knows me and my love for microphones, know I'm NOT saying "skimp" on the microphone(s)! BUT I hear the "this is just a hobby" people all the time... And what I'm saying is THIS is a prime example of getting the best microphone you can with your money and stick to the "tried and true" "budget mics" (such as Studio Projects, Audio Technica, or even a decent Rode, or something) since you can't afford to gamble (otherwise I'd say gamble away, you might find a rare gem that most have never even heard of)! BUT, unfortunately, there aren't really any "budget" pres (meaning the price range you paid for your "budget" mic) out there. That's where I feel a lot of "hobbiest's" signal-path suffers the most (assuming they stick with the "tried and true" "budget mics"). I mean I recommend the Mackie 1202 VLZ PRO for absolute min. quality! Then it's a nice good jump (quality-wise) to the RNP (which I've never even heard) for $475. Then, for the most-part, it jumps up to nearly (my "exemption key word") $1k. I'm talking per unit basis and NOT on per channel basis like some like to talk in.

Anyway, that's my take...

Speaking of preamps, Dot, noticed you're in SC. Can't believe you haven't bought a DaviSound pre yet!

And I'd certainly be interested in the preamp results too!!!

 

[Randy Yell]

Dan,I wish that you had a chance to put the TB-1 through it's paces to confirm what my relatively inexperianced ears hear.I've been using the TB-1 since the first day they were available mainly on a female vocalist and I've been very impressed.The only other vocal condensers that I have are a Mxl 2001p (p stands for piece of shit)and an AT 3525 (which I like).Signal chain is very simple (and cheap!),I go into an Audio Buddy and the directly into my Audiophile 2496 (or into my Roland VSR-880 for portable work).The last project was very acoustic,lead and harmony vocals with one acoustic guitar,a little lead guitar and bass.I used the TB-1 on all vocals and in tandem with a Behringer ECM 8000 on the acoustic.Given the instruments used (the acoustic is a Washburn D-10) I think the tracks came out very well.The vocals I think really smoked with the TB-1.If someone could tell me how to post a song I would be happy to do so if anyone is interested in hearing the TB-1 through this particular signal chain.

 

[alanhyatt]

Dan,I wish that you had a chance to put the TB-1 through it's paces to confirm what my relatively inexperianced ears hear.

Don't worry Randy, the TB-1 was the choice for the remake of the song "tine Is On Your Side" by the original composer. Of course the Stones made it famous, but it also made the composer very rich!!!

There will be two articles in both the December Pro Audio Review and January Pro Audio Review. The editor himself went absolutely nuts over the TB-1. You will be able to read all of this in a couple of weeks, so pick up both of the December and January Pro Audio Review for the first real powerful and national magazine review. Then 6 other magazines will follow up with full reviews. I think 2003 will be the year of the B...Series that is....

 

[littledog]

I recently had Jon Criss over at BLUE put a Blueberry capsule put into my BLUE Mouse, so I assume my Mouse sounds somewhat like a Blueberry now. (They use identical capsules, but they are tuned differently). I've gotten quite useable results with it on female vocals, although admittedly it hasn't been my first choice in that application.

So I'm wondering why the Blueberry was avoided on the female vocal? Seems like it would do a better job than those other five named. Is this a home studio? It seems hard to believe that the "vocal mic cabinet" in a pro studio would consist of a Solidtube, a C3000, a C2000, etc.

While beating that bunch is nothing to write home about, congratulations are certainly in order for the fine reviews in Pro Audio Review. Good work, Alan.

 

[chessrock]

congratulations are certainly in order for the fine reviews in Pro Audio Review. Good work, Alan.

I second that notion. I'd really like to hear the TB1 in action.

 

[Dr_Sbaitso]

I've been recording music for a childrens TV project, and we started recording acoustic guitar tracks the other day. We were also using a washburn D10, but with a pickup inside. we ended running the pickups output to a fender keyboard amp, and recorded that with the B1. it sounded absolutely amazing.

-Dr S.

 

[geekgurl]

Re: Re: Studio Projects B Series steal the show

Wow, thanks, Dot. Here's something interesting based on Chessrock's observation:

No wonder. If I were recording female vocals, I think I'd take just about anything over what's on this list. .

I wonder how the B1 would've fared on the female singer compared to the NT2, or the NTK? Another thread around here mentioned NT2 for "raspy male vocals" and so I wonder about female voices that have power (alas, I'm not a belter meself).

Or even one of the CAD mics ... I heard one on my voice and thought it was very good (unfortunately I can't remember the model number, but it was one with mult. patterns including figure 8).

 

[chessrock]

Re: Re: Re: Studio Projects B Series steal the show

Or even one of the CAD mics ... I heard one on my voice and thought it was very good (unfortunately I can't remember the model number, but it was one with mult. patterns including figure 8).

That would be the m179. Another good, neutral mic.

 

[alanhyatt]

Re: Re: Re: Studio Projects B Series steal the show

I wonder how the B1 would've fared on the female singer compared to the NT2, or the NTK?

You would be better off with the TB1 for female vocals, or the B3..

 

[Roker1]

Hey Dot,
Are you sure you haven't got a bunch of B1s for sale??

 

[darrin_h2000]

Personally 13 with the great river and the b3 is the clear winner.

 

[darrin_h2000]

Personally 13 with the great river and the b3 is the clear winner.

 

[scottr]

About the budget pres... I have 2 Presonus Blue tubes that i got for about $125 each. Thats like $75 a channel..And they sounds great. If thats not budget, then I don't know what is.

Scott

I'm surprised the 4047 or even the Solid Tube (though I hate to admit it as I hate it on most everything else) didn't do very well on female vox... Then again, that's with extremely "transparent"-type preamps...

On acoustic guitar, I would imagine the B1 (though I've never heard it) would hold its own next to a Blueberry and usually be a pick over the others sitting next it. For "vintage", lo-fi "effect" acoustic guitar, the M160 would be cool. For rock acustic guitar in a dense mix, the 451 would be cool. But most of the time, the B1 would probably be my choice out of those. I'm saying that and I haven't even heard the B1 yet! Bold statement, I know.

Because my mind is bias without ever being aware of it (because of name and price), I'd probably choose the Blueberry over the B1. BUT, if I HAD to buy before ever hearing it for whatever reason, I'd probably be trying the B1 out for awhile over the Blueberry simply because of price. Then, spend the remaining and maybe thensome on a good "transparent"-type or at least "more neutral"-type preamp for my first outboard preamp.

Buy the way, if you haven't noticed, this writing is sort-of gearing toward the "homerecording" among us who are buying large diaphragm condensers for the first time and still using "complimentary pres" in their "computer hardware/software package".

Now anyone who knows me and my love for microphones, know I'm NOT saying "skimp" on the microphone(s)! BUT I hear the "this is just a hobby" people all the time... And what I'm saying is THIS is a prime example of getting the best microphone you can with your money and stick to the "tried and true" "budget mics" (such as Studio Projects, Audio Technica, or even a decent Rode, or something) since you can't afford to gamble (otherwise I'd say gamble away, you might find a rare gem that most have never even heard of)! BUT, unfortunately, there aren't really any "budget" pres (meaning the price range you paid for your "budget" mic) out there. That's where I feel a lot of "hobbiest's" signal-path suffers the most (assuming they stick with the "tried and true" "budget mics"). I mean I recommend the Mackie 1202 VLZ PRO for absolute min. quality! Then it's a nice good jump (quality-wise) to the RNP (which I've never even heard) for $475. Then, for the most-part, it jumps up to nearly (my "exemption key word") $1k. I'm talking per unit basis and NOT on per channel basis like some like to talk in.

Anyway, that's my take...

Speaking of preamps, Dot, noticed you're in SC. Can't believe you haven't bought a DaviSound pre yet!

And I'd certainly be interested in the preamp results too!!!