Tube mics with a lot of patterns

[c9-2001]

i was thinking about buying this no name mic just to try it out b/c it was $299, tube mic, and had 9 patterns...and if i didn't like it i could send it back with in 30 days and get all my money back...
http://pacificproaudio.com
http://pacificproaudio.com/m_frame.asp?url=ld2_specsheet.html

then today i came across the Apex 450... the mics look very similar and i was wondering if any knew if the no name(pacific pro audio) mic was a copy of the apex...the apex also has 9 patterens.. i don't know of that many mics that have 9 patterens...
http://www.apexelectronics.com/apex450.htm

i was gonna get the mic just to test really...i'll probably send it back and get a tb-1

 

[crazydoc]

Many of the multi-pattern tube mics seem to have this option.
http://www.studioprojectsusa.com/spt3.html
The PPA one is the cheapest one I've seen.
Why don't you buy it and try it, then let us know how you like it. With it's "sonic integrity" "approaching sainthood", how could you go wrong?

 

[H2oskiphil]

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!!!!

I think you gotta look at the PPA LD-1. For a mere $99 each, you get sound quality that's "frikin (sic) great", AND the imitation vinyl case. What I wanna know is...is the CASE imitation, or the VINYL?

I want 4, so I can record in quadrophonic...

 

[charger]

And then there's this one, that the shop Bayview Pro Audio is pushing really hard right now:
http://www.bayviewproaudio.com/SE5000.asp

Bottom line, it's pretty easy to buy a 300$ Chinese tube multi-pattern condenser mic right now... which doesn't necessarily mean you'll like the results...

 

[crgman]

Pacific Pro Audio

I know the guys there at Pacific Pro Audio and I would recommend working with them any day. Their $99 large diaphragm condensor mic is very popular amongst many studios in L.A. I am sure their new $300 tube mic I am sure is great. I am getting one as soon as my budget allows for it.

-c

 

[crazydoc]

The Bayview SE5000 is cardioid only, not multi-pattern, but it comes in 5 (count 'em - five) grill and body color options, and they are just so damn pretty that this more than makes up for the lack of polar pattern versatility IMHO!

 

[charger]

I know, I wanted that black and silver one from the minute I saw it. That's the kind of mic that could sound like an SM57 and would stilll impress a vocalist. Must resist temptation...

 

[c9-2001]

i guess i should have told you guys i have a se5000
i also have a tlm-103. the se5000 sounds real good, its kinda bright though...but it sounds much better than our old akg solid tube.

the new SE mics look nice..the z series, but i don't really care to get one..seeing that the tube one is almost $700, and i have to buy my new monitors(hr824)

5 of my friends that own studios want me to get this mic(ld2ube-PPA) and compare it to their u87ai's, ntk's and blue mics...so for 299 i can't really tern it down...plus i can send it back

i heard a lot of major recording studios have some of the PPA mics out in LA and down south... i know a friend of mine had one in his studio down here(atlanta) he told me it was custom made..lol but it sounds real clean.. i'm not sure what model it is, but it could hang with his nt-2 all day...

 

[TexRoadkill]

I've got the SE5000 and it's just a little too harsh. It might be worth $100 but at $300 there are just too many other mics that are much more usefull.

I find the MXL 67, 93 and C1 to be much better values and yes, I have those also.

For the price of one crappy tube you could get a pair of 67's or 93's which would have infinitely more uses.