Studio Projects T3 vs. AKG SolidTube

[larrycom]

I have a chance to buy a used AKG SolidTube for a very good price, but can also get the Studio Projects T3 for an equally damn good price too. I heard the T3 a few months ago and thought it sounded good, but haven't heard the AKG.

I already own (2) C414B-ULS but I am getting a little tired of that sound for vocals, even though the 414 is very good on some voices.

Is the SP T3 as quiet as the AKG Solid? And is there anyone out that has compared the two and can give me a heads up?


Thanks,

Larry

 

[Dot]

The SolidToob basically sucks. It's dull and undefined.

The T3 is actually a pretty good mic and very versatile with its 9 selectable patterns. The 414 you have is neutral and bright. The T3 is colored with a sort of "sheen" that makes it great for pop music.

Other tube mics to consider:
ADK TC for clean and neutral - but not bright.
MXL V69 ME for a classic vintage dark colored sound.

If you do pop and r&b I'd recommend the T3.
If you do jazz, modern rock I'd recommend the ADK TC.
If you do any kind of classic rock or blues I'd recommend the V69ME.

All those mics are good choices and will complement your 414.

My 2¢.

 

[bleyrad]

Regarding the V69ME, I've heard it sound very good on modern rock, so don't necessarily think that you're locked into certain styles of music with certain mics... it depends more on the singer it's paired with, really.

 

[larrycom]

Thanks for the reply.

The person I am about to record is pop, w/ a little jazz. I just thought the T3 (that I was leaning towards anyway) would make it sound a little more present.




Larry

 

[Dot]

Regarding the V69ME, I've heard it sound very good on modern rock, so don't necessarily think that you're locked into certain styles of music with certain mics... it depends more on the singer it's paired with, really.

All those mics will work on any style of music. Modern rock often needs a mic that cuts through dense mixes, and the V69 is not always the best mic for that. So while it would work, it's not gonna be the first mic I'd recommend on a message board for that type of music.

Just some general guidelines and some mics we've tried that we recommend.

 

[Dot]

Thanks for the reply.

The person I am about to record is pop, w/ a little jazz. I just thought the T3 (that I was leaning towards anyway) would make it sound a little more present.

Yes it will. I'd recommend the T3 in your case with the AKC TC also deserving consideration. I wouldn't recommend the V69 in this case. And wouldn't recommend the SolidToob in any case.

 

[larrycom]

You know I read somewhere ( and I think that it was a well respected engineer's testimonial) that reported the SolidTube to be a very natural sounding mic, any feelings about that?

 

[larrycom]

I guess the T3 wins it...

thanks everyone!

 

[Dot]

Well there's always room for disagreement among engineers. We've extensively used most of the microphones on the market and make recommendations based on the findings of many engineers involved in many sessions with various types of music. We feel we have a pretty good track record for making recommendations that are based on educated decisions and first-hand experience.

Here's a current topic on the SolidTube at Pro Sound Web where a lot of very experienced engineers agree with our findings.

The SolidTube is not a mic we happen to recommend.

On the quietness issue - all these mics are quiet enough that there's no issue really.

 

[cominginsecond]

I really like my TC for the jangly poppy stuff that I do.