That "Classic" Sound: AKG TLII & UA 2-610?

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mark4man

mark4man

MoonMix Studios
OK...

Part I) I'm now getting more practical at making gear considerations (many will say: "bout time, 4man")...in that, I understand that the studio environment is the constant (all things else being variables.)

So, here is where I am.

My DAW is all native (SONAR & WaveLab on a Wintel PC), with good prosumer quality AI/conversion (Layla 24/96.) Everything I do is basically done in-the-box (except for good Lexicon outboard FX); & I am awaiting the delivery of the UAD-1 DSP system to put a nice EQ/compression touch on key tracks; & some subtle peak limiting on the mix buss. But my project studio "room" does not sound like Studio B at Ocean Way in West Hollywood...so there is no natural ambience to capture.

With this...logic tells me to capture my vocals via solid-state & make 'em sound pretty in the digital domain. But at the same time, I wanted at least a little depth & sustain going in through the front end.

Went & picked up a Groove Tubes GT55 LDC & a dbx 386 tube pre. The GT55 is a bit dark; & their resonator disc capsule technology has my voice too easily overmodulating the signal. The 386 exacerbates the darkness 'cause it's not as clear & crisp on the highs as I'd expected.

So I did a fairly good amount of research in this area, which eventually began to move toward the lush California studio vocal sound of the 60's (which turns out to be what I'm really after.) Tell me if you think this is true or not, but the consensus seems to be that the highest sonic quality (& most sought after) vocal signal chain from that classic period was the old AKG C12 or C14 LDC piped through a Putnam designed Universal Audio 610 console.

So this is now an easy choice, right?

Since the modern day AKG TLII LDC is a faithful reproduction of the earlier classic; & since the UA 2-610 mic pre is the same design (+ a better power supply) as their vintage piece...these two in combination should be the cat's meow, correct?

So...has anyone had any experience with either of these, (hopefully in combination)?

How about individually, with other mic's or pre's?

I would really be appreciative in hearing opinions on this gear (& on achieving this type of sound, in general.)

Thanks loads,

mark4man


BTW - Part II)
(& please don't let this detract from Part I):
Since I need to move away from too fat a sound in mic selection (& since the AKG is a hefty piece of change)...are there other less expensive LDC mic’s that are more crisp in the mids & highs, like maybe from the AT 40 series or Rode NT1000.

And since I also need to move toward a pre that will be rich & sweet (& since I'm not "rich")...are there other less expensive pre's capable of near the same quality.

Or do I need to move in a totally different direction on this (based on the above studio specs)?

(man, I hope not.)
 
That sounds like it would make for a pretty sweet vocal chain.


As far as less expensive options go, you might look at something like a Rode NTK, perhaps a Studio Projects T-3 if you like that kind of glossy high end in your vocal mic. Apparently, SE are now starting to crank out some pretty kickass tube mics in the 5500 and 5600. Plug something like that in to a Groove Tubes Brick, and you'd be doing alright on a more modest budget.
 
Ok Im not trying to start some shit mow but what about the final recording media that will be used. 60,s was all analog and there will be a completly differant sound with that mic and pre going into a Daw.
 
Not to mention completely different compression, most likely . . . reverb chambers . . . and very different tracking rooms. :D

C'mon, man. Don't spoil it for the poor guy. :D
 
Herm & Chessrock,

C'mon, man. Don't spoil it for the poor guy.
Click to expand...
It's OK...it's OK...I just spoiled it for myself, anyway. Went over to Git Center this afternoon & actually f_ _k_ _g listened to a few different combinations (i.e., I came back to the real world.)

1st...the only two preamps available to hook to were the Trident S20 & the Blue Robbie. The first mic I tried was the Blue Bluebird, which seemed to have a buzzy sound at the top of just about all bands (& which struck me as odd...I thought it would be super clean, with all the hype.) SalesDude noticed it too; & it was happening thru both pre's. He swapped it for a new one, but that was more of the same. (I should mention that, aside from the buzz, this was an amazing mic...clear & sweet, with detail along a wide range.)

[I should also mention the first thing I did was to try my existing GT55 thru the Trident, which confirmed it's dark character (not really "dark" dark...just easy overmods on a lot of the low & mid bands.)]

Then I tried the Baby Bottle. That was much nicer, in that it was less buzzy...but had more of a mid to high sound. Still very nice, tho; & better all-around than the GT-55.

Then I tried the Audio Technica AT4040. That sounded more like the Bluebird...more robust...but with less buzz! This is one beautiful sounding mic. (& why is it so cheap?)

By the way...the buzz...since it was happening more or less with every mic & every pre, we established that it must be, in part, a sidechain characteristic of my own voice. It's not the kind of thing one hears when one sings to oneself, but I guess it's more of a projection thing. It would diminish when I would increase my distance, of course...but so would that nice full sound.

But back to the AT4040...I've been hearing a lot of great things about, I believe, the AT 4047? This is supposed to have the same sonic character as the AT4040...only better? (& I hear the top AT's are being used a lot these days around Nashville?)

And...speaking of better...the Trident S20 was a killer!!! Man, that's like, Class A solid linear reproduction, right there...with power to spare. I'm going to see if I can find out more about this piece at their site, right now.

So anyway...now that I have my feet back on the ground, does anyone have any experience or comments on any of these pieces?

Thanks again,

mark4man
 
I haven't ever used a 4040 but I have used 4047s quite a bit. I would describe it as dark, smooth on top. Like a MK-319 but with more color.
 
I love my 4040! Sounds great through a Sytek on acoustic guitar.
 
Track Rat & Steve,

Thanks.

Know anything about the S20?

mark4man
 
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