Studio Projects TB-1 vs T-3

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pdaniels

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Hey everybody
This is my first post. Can you tell?

Right now I only own a AKG c1000s mic to record vocals. I never really liked it, and now I have come across the SP line. I'm still waiting to receive my c-1, but I need some advice about the next SP mic to buy.

I should tell you I live in Canada, nowhere near anywhere I can hear any of these mics before I buy them. So I need to rely on your ears...

What is the sound difference between the TB-1 and the T-3? I record pop, r&b, and house, and I like the idea of a tube mic for a very smooth, rich sound. Male tenor-ish vocals. (I'm secretly hoping for the supersmooth TLC T-Boz sound, like on "Creep" from "CrazySexyCool." True, I'm no L.A. Reid or Babyface, but a tube mic's gotta help, right?)

Is one mic brighter than the other? or better sounding? I don't need the different patterns that the T-3 offers. I also don't want a very "dark" sounding mic because, well, I don't want "dark" sounding vocals. The TB-1 would fit more neatly in my budget, but I don't want to buy a decent mic now, when I could save for another month and buy an excellent one--if you think the T-3 is really worth it for me.
Any thoughts you may have would be awesome! Thanks!

Paul

P.S. I saw a link on this BB to a listening lounge site that had a few tracks recorded with many different mics. Cool idea. It just didn't feature any of the mics I'm interested in :(
 
I have used neither, but I think you need to consider other options too. First, I'd wait for the C1 - if it sounds perfect for your voice, great, you don't necessarily need another mic (although more mics is better than less mics is the general consensus here). Also, in the price range, you should consider at least the Rode NTK, and maybe the Marshall Electronics ones too. I've heard some good stuff recorded with the NTK, but can't comment on the Marshall tube mics.

Then, do you really need a tube mic? While I'm currently lusting after an NTK, I don't think it's always going to be better. For the price of a T3 for instance, you could get a Shure SM7 (well known for smoooooth vocals, used by Michael Jackson on Thriller etc) and a preamp (Studio Projects VTB-1 maybe? Tube and solid state as an option, switchable impedances). But then a T3 may be just what you're after. I'm just saying make the most of the signal chain you've got with the C1, see what's lacking, and try to fix that. It may be worth planning a low-cost trip to somewhere that you can try out as many mics as possible, so that you don't waste your money on something that sounds terrible with your voice...

I do feel your pain on that one though, living in New Zealand, even in the largest city where I live, the available options are pretty damn limited, and prospects of side-by-side a/b comparisons are near zero.

Good luck, hope the C1 rocks your world,
Steve
 
Hi Paul,

I think Steve's answer about waiting for the C1 and seeing what you think of it is the best way.

Having said that I will also say that I have both a Shure KSM27 and a Studio Projects TB-1. The KSM27 is a good mic and I have absolutely no intention of getting rid of it, but the TB-1 has become my vocal mic of choice. It is very clear, warm, and simply sounds better with my voice than anything else I've ever used. It seems to take the rough edges off my voice. Like you, I have a limited amount of money I can spend on these things and didn't need the multipattern (I'll get two B3s for that), so I decided to gamble on the TB-1 and it has worked out very well. I love it!

Tom
 
The two vocal mics I use are the Rode NT2 and the Studio Projects TB-1. The TB-1 is the one I reach for first. It doesn't have the upper mid presence of the NT2, which I find works with some vocalists. The TB-1 does colour the sound, though not in a dark way. I have been using the TB-1 for the pass 18 months, and have used other condensers along the way. I agree with Tomcat,
I love it.
 
T-3

I also agree with SteveMcB.

I have the T-3 and love it. I think it has the same basic capsule as the c1/c3 (6 micron diaphram) but with the tube electronics. My gut feel is that it is going to be similar enough to the C-1 that you would do better to get a totally different sounding mic to compliment your set up.
The TB-1 is a good mic, the Rode sounds fantastic on male vocals.
But seriously, wait and work with what you have, get to know its strengths and weaknesses before making another purchase.
 
Hi, Paul

Maybe I can shed more light to help solve your dilemma

I was at Summer NAMM a couple of weeks ago and spent a lots of time at the Studio Projects booth. They had their entire line of mics set up side by side along with a Neumann U87 going through a Presonus eight channel mic pre (M80?). Using my voice (all I had at the time) I auditioned them all on several different occasions while I was there.

In reference to the U87, I thought the solid state SP mics (C1, C3, B1, & B3) had a brighter top end, the C1 being the brightest. Other than that, the over-all “quality” of sound was not that different.

On the other hand, the TB1 sounded exactly like the U87 on my voice. It seemed really weird to me because the TB1 is a tube design with a 3 micron diaphragm and the U87 is a solid state design with a 6 micron diaphragm and a list price 10 times the TB1. The funny thing was that Alan suddenly spoke up (as if he read my mind) and said “You know, I think the TB1 sounds closest to the U87” and then said something to the effect that ironically, it was the least seller.

By comparison, the T3 in cardioid mode was a smidgen (just a smidgen, mind you) brighter than the TB1. Otherwise, it had very similar characteristics.

The best advice I can offer, however, is to listen to recorded examples of these mics. Session 2 of The Listening Sessions at http://www.thelisteningsessions.com/sessions.htm has examples of the TB1, B1, B3, and C1, I think. Be sure and only compare the ones that use the same preamp (the John Hardy M1, I believe). Also, Studio Projects has demo CDs available comparing all their mics. You can have them sent to you for free by contacting Studio Projects.

As far as the Marshall MXL-V69ME goes, I tried one at NAMM as well. It’s a great sounding mic, but brighter and more “in your face” than the SP TBs. The two are definitely different sounding.
 
I can't give you an opinion on the TB-1, but the T-3 is great on my vocals. I have a somewhat brassy voice, and it smooths that over pretty nicely. If you want to hear it in action, here's a song I mixed where I'm using the T-3 on my voice (lead and harmonies) running through the SP VTB-1. Very little processing on the lead vocal. Just a HP@70Hz, a couple of dB shaved off the mids (to compensate for my less than perfect room), some very light de-essing, and compression. See what you think.

http://www.mixposse.com/attach/Innersoul_-_She's_in_Love.mp3

FYI, it appears my web hosting provider is have some issues today, so if you can't download the song, just try again a little later.
 
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Looneytunez,

That sounds great man. The T3 really matches your voice well there. I really dig the tune as well.




Justin
 
Yeah, it's taken me a while to find mics that really suit my voice. Another mic that works really well for me is the Sennheiser MD421. Sounds quite a bit different than the T-3, but that's a good thing. The 421 has a more girth to it in the midbass, and the highs are more subdued. I'd choose the T-3 if the song calls for a sweeter sound, and the 421 if the song is more raw. Personally, I think everyone should own a 421...it's probably even more versatile than the SM57 (which should also be in everyone's locker).
 
Looney,

If I may ask. What preamps do you use besides the VTB-1?


Thanks,
Justin
 
I didn't do the tracking of the instruments on that song (just the vocals), but my other preamps are the Digimax LT, DMP3, and the two pres that are built-in to the MOTU 828 MkII. I am looking for another few channels, and have been considering the RNP, and the new RME QuadMic.
 
Hey Y'all :cool:

Thanks for the advice!

I had given up on this thread months ago. I am still just working with my C1, and am working to improve/upgrade the rest of my signal chain before I shell out for another mic.

Looney, your song kicks ass! my C1 sounds much brighter but not as rich.
 
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