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jkokura
New member
les666paul said:
As long as you know it's NOT a tube mic - it's a multipattern - it's a great mic.
Jacob
As long as you know it's NOT a tube mic - it's a multipattern - it's a great mic.
Jacob
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les666paul
New member
"As long as you know it's NOT a tube mic - it's a multipattern - it's a great mic."(JKOKURU
yeah i know, i took warheads advice i am stayin open minded about tube/non tube
"Richard Monroe]My, people are so touchy. I'm sorry mics are so confusing. You did something intelligent (ask the engineering people you know), and people act like you betrayed them by not taking their advice at face value. All you did was ask a mic doctor for another opinion. Now your friend has suggested AT, AKG, and Sennheiser. All of them make some very good mics. So does Rode, in my opinion. You asked about tube mics. The most likely suggestions for affordable tube mics would be Rode, AT, Groove Tubes, Studio Projects, and AKG Solidtube. Sennheiser doesn't build a cheap tube mic that I am aware of. For the record, I think Solidtube is an underated mic, but it is dark, a little like the Oktava. It turns out that I don't particularly agree with your friend the engineer, but his opinion is as valid as mine, maybe more.
In the greater scheme of things, it doesn't matter that much. You acquire mics over time, and sometimes they're not exactly what you thought they would be, and you find they are useful for recording things you hadn't anticipated. Occasionally you buy a mic and don't find it useful. Then you sell it and move on. As long as you buy mics that somebody likes, you'll probably be able to sell it if you don't like it. Moral- Don't buy mics that almost nobody likes- they're hard to sell if you don't like them. I feel your pain- mics on a budget are an eternal pain in the ass.-Richie"(RICHARD MONROE)
hey man thanks for being cool,
people around here are easily pissed off and kind of overly protective
and thanks for the good advice
yeah i know, i took warheads advice i am stayin open minded about tube/non tube
"Richard Monroe]My, people are so touchy. I'm sorry mics are so confusing. You did something intelligent (ask the engineering people you know), and people act like you betrayed them by not taking their advice at face value. All you did was ask a mic doctor for another opinion. Now your friend has suggested AT, AKG, and Sennheiser. All of them make some very good mics. So does Rode, in my opinion. You asked about tube mics. The most likely suggestions for affordable tube mics would be Rode, AT, Groove Tubes, Studio Projects, and AKG Solidtube. Sennheiser doesn't build a cheap tube mic that I am aware of. For the record, I think Solidtube is an underated mic, but it is dark, a little like the Oktava. It turns out that I don't particularly agree with your friend the engineer, but his opinion is as valid as mine, maybe more.
In the greater scheme of things, it doesn't matter that much. You acquire mics over time, and sometimes they're not exactly what you thought they would be, and you find they are useful for recording things you hadn't anticipated. Occasionally you buy a mic and don't find it useful. Then you sell it and move on. As long as you buy mics that somebody likes, you'll probably be able to sell it if you don't like it. Moral- Don't buy mics that almost nobody likes- they're hard to sell if you don't like them. I feel your pain- mics on a budget are an eternal pain in the ass.-Richie"(RICHARD MONROE)
hey man thanks for being cool,
people around here are easily pissed off and kind of overly protective
and thanks for the good advice
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soundchaser59
Reluctant Commander
One other thing to keep in mind, today's "tube" mics are not the same as yesterday's tube mics. Today they put "tube circuits" in the mic, not an actual vacuum tube. I almost bought a tube mic but I called the manufacturer first to ask them which tubes I could switch out to colur the sound differently. They laughed at me for thinking it was actually a tube in a socket that could be removed and replaced with something smoother or hotter. Instead, they told me it is a "tube circuit" that behaves like a tube but if it wears out you have to send the mic to a service center to get the "tube circuit" replaced.
If you want a "real" tube mic, you'll have to spend the bucks for a vintage item. This also explains some of the renewed interest in tube preamps.
If you want a "real" tube mic, you'll have to spend the bucks for a vintage item. This also explains some of the renewed interest in tube preamps.
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Robert D
New member
soundchaser59 said:
So the TwinTriode 6922 Tube in my NTK isn't a real tube? That's funny, it's made of glass and has a plate and a grid, heaters........the whole works. Maybe what they meant to tell you is that the tube isn't socketed, and you can't just pull it out and stick a new one in.
-RD
PhilGood
Juice box hero
soundchaser59 said:
Which mic did you call about? The only ones I know like that are the AT3060, which is a starved plate circuit, or the MXL V69, which IS a real tube mic but has an FET output instead of a transformer. There is also the new MXL V6, which simulates the tube warmth with a special circuit.
If it isn't one of those, it IS a real tube mic.
They might have been telling you that the tube is soldered to the circuit with a socket, therefore the tube is not interchangable. That's pretty common with chinese tube mics.
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Robert D
New member
Richard Monroe said:
I'm another MK-319 and NTK owner. The contrast these two mics have with each other is great, and between the two they cover a lot of ground. The NTK is a mic that just sprinkles pixie dust on every thing you put it on, and every pre you put it through. The 319 is much more organic/earthy than that, which a lot of times is really what the track calls for. If your engineer friend hasn't talked you out of RODE, I'd consider the NTK as a great value and a good compliment to what you have now.
-RD
mrbowes
New member
This is why sometimes I hate internet message boards: people can spew off crap like this as if it's the truth.
Do your homework, mang. Generalizations like that are dangerous. You take your one example, which you don't even clarify in terms of vendors and model, and then declare that one needs to buy vintage to get a real tube?
C'mon now, that's pretty weak.
kidvybes
New member
Robert D said:
...sounds like that to me too...I have replaced the stock tubes in the following inexpensive tube mics (all except the V77 had mini-sockets already installed):
MXL V69M
MXL 960
MXL V76t
MXL V77s (had to install a mini tube socket for easier tube swapping)
ADK Generis GT2
RODE NTK
RODE K2
CASCADE V55 (built by SE)
STUDIO PROJECTS T3
...I have also replaced the tubes in my GT Brick Mic Pre and my SP VTB1 Mic Pre...
...many of the less expensive tube mics utilize a Twin Triode tube (12-series tubes) but only really emply one of the triodes as either an input or output circuit...there are some more expensive tube mics that utilize both triodes, while others (many vintage tube mics) utilize Pentode type tubes (soldered in) ...Both CAD and SE build mics that employ 2 tubes, one for the input circuit and the other for the output circuit...bottom line is, being a "tube mic" doesn't assure a "toob" sound...you're always best to test any of these mics for your specific application so that you may decide if it imparts the "sound" you are looking for...
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mrbowes
New member
kidvybes,
What tube did you use in the VTB-1. I just ordered a VTB-1 and am interested in anything potential modifications I can make that will lower the noise and/or improve the quality of sound.
Also, how hard was it to install the ciruit in the MXL V77?
kidvybes
New member
mrbowes said:
mrbowes...I replaced the stock 12AX7 with a vintage NOS Seimens E83CC tube...since the circuit employed by the VTB1 is a "starved -plate" type, I can't really say that upgrading the tube imparted any real noticeable improvement...I have an associate who buys/sells NOS tubes, so I get them at a fair price and upgrading is a fairly simple process...I will say that removing the knobs on the VTB1 is a bitch (this is necessary to get inside the mic pre to access the tube)...Alan Hyatt had answered an inquiry on the PMI BB site as to how to replace the tube, and I followed his directions...
...as to installing the socket in the V77, I purchased this part:
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=055-500
(use just the socket, not the shield or cuff)
...if you have some reasonable soldering skills it's not too difficult...I don't recommend trying this modification if you're not experienced with a soldering iron...you simply de-solder the wiring from the stock mount and using the same wiring pattern, solder in the new socket mount...there's ample room to fit the new socket...I then upgraded the stock tube to a NOS GE 5-Star 6072A Cryo-treated tube...the improvement in this particular upgrade was definately noticeable...tighter/cleaner top and bottom frequency response was the results...my friend tested the stock Chinese tube that came with the V77 and it was surprisingly void of microphonics and had matched triodes (which are really unnecessary since the V77 employs only a single triode)...still, the GE 6072A (a highly respected audio-quality tube that is employed in many of the higher-end tube mics) did make some improvement...of course, results are somewhat subjective...I feel the effort was worthwhile, as I really believe the V77 is an exceptional mic considering it's low price...it now sounds (with the upgraded tube) very similar to my Royer Mojave MA200 which is more than twice the price...
...I hope this info is helpful...Dennis
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Big Kenny
New member
I didn't have to replace anything in mine. It looked soldered, but it wasn't. Just loosened the band and SLOWLY slid the tube out.
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soundchaser59
Reluctant Commander
mrbowes said:
Yup, my bad....... I generalized it because they did. It was the AT3060 I originally called about, the AT tech said all the new tube mics are "tube circuits" no matter who makes it..... not sure why he would say that, other than trying to make his mic sound as good or better than the others. I frequently make the mistake of assuming that the guy on the other end is being honest and knowledgeable!
Your post left bite marks on me, but I dont see any blood.......but I'll keep my distance....hate to fuel any more hatred.....
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Robert D
New member
soundchaser59 said:
Hey man, no biggie..lesson learned I hope. The last guys you wanna take their word on is salesmen. Half the time they don't know what they're talking about, and the other half the time they do, but they're lying to you. Always check your facts before you present them to others as fact.
Cheers,
RD
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soundchaser59
Reluctant Commander
Yeah, I know about salesmen, but when I started asking specific questions about the "tube" in the 3060, they sent my phone call to one of the tech guys who actually repairs them. That's the main reason why I thought I could take his little tale at face value..... his last words were something about buying vintage to get a real tube.......
But I wont let that give me a sour taste for AT. He's just one guy..... I woudl still recommend the mic, but I wont be so quick to overlook others that have real tubes.
In fact, now that you set me straight on that point, I'm tempted to take another look at tube mics and see if there really is one that I should save up for.....
But I wont let that give me a sour taste for AT. He's just one guy..... I woudl still recommend the mic, but I wont be so quick to overlook others that have real tubes.
In fact, now that you set me straight on that point, I'm tempted to take another look at tube mics and see if there really is one that I should save up for.....
Dags
New member
I have an original Australian made Rode NTV (the model replaced by the NTK)
Very, very nice sounding microphone.....but I do wonder what the difference between this one and the NTK are. No comparisons are available on the Rode website. Maybe a different tube??
Dags
Very, very nice sounding microphone.....but I do wonder what the difference between this one and the NTK are. No comparisons are available on the Rode website. Maybe a different tube??
Dags
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Dot
New member
les666paul, what sort of preamp are you using? If you have an MK319 and want to get into a good mic that's not as dark I don't think you even have to spend $400-500 to do that. I'd recommend you look into the ADK Vienna or Hamburg. They run under $300.
My review of them is at http://www.studioreviews.com/vienna-hamburg.htm
And if you already don't have a decent preamp, something like the $150 Rane MS-1b will give your mic much better performance for vocals and acoustic guitar.
My 2¢
My review of them is at http://www.studioreviews.com/vienna-hamburg.htm
And if you already don't have a decent preamp, something like the $150 Rane MS-1b will give your mic much better performance for vocals and acoustic guitar.
My 2¢
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les666paul
New member
Dot said:
hey maybe you could tell me more about the Vienna
where can i get one
value
etc