U195, dragonfly, etc

[Phosphene]

I've got to get this off my chest. I got a U195 demo unit over this weekend. Now let me say 1st of all that me ears aren't NEARLY as trained as I'd like them to be. I've been looking for a new mic for vocals and acoustic mostly (also for overhead/room, clean guitar cab , etc). I've got 414TLII, 4050CM5, KM184 x 2, BabyBottle as far as condensers go. I've tried out Rode K2 and a Dragonfly recently also.

I have pretty much made up my mind to get the dragonfly after using all the above mentioned mics on acoustic and voice. My point....and I know that this is opinion....I expected more from the U195. Now I might find out that with more extensive use and more sources, more voices, that I would prefer the U195. My question is: what quality should I be hearing in the U195? I was really listening and for example on my voice, I couldn't tell much of a difference between the 4050 and the U195. A tiny bit, but just not enough to make me go, "Shit! I NEED this mic!"

I know the responses I'll get from this: "what are you worried about, save yourself $4-500 and get the stinking dragonlfy." or "are you crazy, you cant hear the quality in the soundelux?"
The guy I got it from told me that it was the only Soundelux made in China also. That doesn't bother me. Oh well, ask me some questions, i probably forgot to include some information in this post to help communicate my situation.

 

[Middleman]

What was your preamp?

 

[Phosphene]

I knew I forgot something.....GR Me-1NV....rosetta.....1880

 

[Rev E]

... The guy I got it from told me that it was the only Soundelux made in China also.

I'm not sure that your friend was entirely accurate. The 'capsule' of the U195 is made by a Chinese company (in China I think). The assembly and other parts are made in the USA ... I am told.

As far as your question, as a vocal mic the one thing that I hear with the U195 over other mics (even something like the 4050) is a sense of 'space'. The image of the U195 is a bit larger than other similar mics. I also notice a sense of space between the source and the mic at the same distance with similar mics. The mids are full yet transparent (i.e. no 400 - 600 Hz mud), just enough. A direct comparison of the C1 and the U195 reveals the C1 (a mic I like a lot) to be rather thin... rather 'small'. The U195 works for me. It may not for you, but I haven't found anything in its class or below that competes in my mind.

As a vocal mic, the one thing that I 'sometimes' don't appreciate about the U195 is the high end boost. However, it is easily adjusted with a bit of eq (either going in or in the mix).

 

[Middleman]

I knew I forgot something.....GR Me-1NV....rosetta.....1880

And your monitors? Are you sure you can hear the difference?

I would say that high end gear provides subtle degrees of improvement. I did a shootout of the GR and a Voicemaster Pro at another site and the differences were not vast, however the small difference was something I would desire in the long haul. This may be the same case with this microphone. Also, something you may not be able to measure is the flexibility of the mic across many instrument sources and vocal types. I think this would reveal a larger spread of capabilities you may not experience just testing your voice and a guitar. Or, the obvious, this mic is not for your vocal type and may never sound that good.

Many examples abound this and other forums of a SM57 being a better choice for some vocalists than a U87.

 

[Rev E]

It kinda goes without saying, but based on Middleman's comment, I was assuming that you are using quality cabling in all of this. It doesn't make much sense using pro co cables with GR pres and a Soundelux... though I'm not necessarily sayin' that you are.

 

[Phosphene]

Rev & Middle: Thanks for the replies. My monitors are Roland digital D-90As and I use Mogami mic cable and Monster digi cable. I try not to have any weak links. But, guys, here's the kicker. I'm getting the U195 for $950 + shipping. I got a demo unit this weeked from someone else, but I ordered one from another company with a week return policy. Of course, I haven't gotten it yet, I think it will get mailed out Monday. That is a killer price and i don't even know how they can sell it for so cheap. I made sure to ask if it was new and they said it was.

So, I have the option of sending it back, which I probably will do and I'll get a dragonfly. I know I don't really have a good voice, it's kinda nasaly an middy, my range is extremely limited and up until a few years ago, I have only recoreded myself. I am improving my voice though. But now I'm doing more and I might eventually need it for another vocalist.

Guys, the honest truth is that I'm living with the delusions that there is some primo mic out there somewhere that will make me sound better. My next mic to try out would be Brauner Phantom-C........

 

[tubedude]

Todays session:

Bass cab- U195 about 6 feet out in front- huge

Female vocals- think Poe. Fabulous.

My U195 sees all vocalists I work with and stays on 98% of them. It sits itself right into the mix, almost every mix, every time.

What are you listening for? Smoothness, a sense of vintage without a gritty top end, not much sibilance. The u195 is a keeper dude.

Try it as a room mic on the drums and squaaaaaaash the fucking balls out of it.

Nuff said.

 

[meriphew]

The U195 may not have been a good match for your voice. If someone bought an absolute mint Telefunken U47 and a Shure SM57, there's always that chance that the 57 may be better suited for that persons voice than the U47.

None of Soundelux's capsules are made in China. There used to be one mic they made a while back that did, but not any longer.

________________
Post indie electronic
Meriphew
www.meriphew.com

 

[Phosphene]

The demo unit I have may be a little old, and the output is REALLY low for a condenser. I've got my gain cranked on my 737 for acoustic and still can't get up to -1. Maybe the new one that I will get might sound better, who knows. It IS a demo.

The slight difference I heard between the 195 & 4050 was the mids, but I don't know if I was hearing things.

So does the $950 price tag make ANYONE suspicious? That is pretty ridiculous. The guy said, "What have you been seeing them go for", and I said "Oh, $1050." Which he responded, "I'll beat that by $100"

If anything I can say I got a deal on it.

Again, thanks for the replies guys, and I'll stop whining shortly.....

I'm just trying to move up to the next level in mics...

 

[Lanstar0]

So does the $950 price tag make ANYONE suspicious? That is pretty ridiculous. The guy said, "What have you been seeing them go for", and I said "Oh, $1050." Which he responded, "I'll beat that by $100"

That does sound a bit sketchy...

I mean, I can see him offering to beat your quoted price, but certaintly not by that much without negotiation or documentation...

 

[Rev E]

So does the $950 price tag make ANYONE suspicious? That is pretty ridiculous. The guy said, "What have you been seeing them go for", and I said "Oh, $1050." Which he responded, "I'll beat that by $100"...

Not immediately suspicious. He may just need to get rid of it and make some money ... hey may be a terrible negotiator... lot's of legit reasons possible before jumping at conclusions, 'cause you got a great deal (so far).

 

[tubedude]

The new U195's are backordered about 4 weeks, and the new production runs are going to be $100+ more than the last ones. Expect an increase of around $150 or so at the retail end. They are finally realizing that the mic can draw more money than it has been.
If you want one, get it quick before the prices go up.

 

[ozraves]

Despite so-called price minimums put down by the distributor or the company, this mic will sell for $950 from time to time.

 

[Phosphene]

I was wondering what the dealer cost was for it. Might be $600? Well, wish me luck in getting it to my house. I hope mine's not backordered. I woulda figured the guy woulda mentioned that. It's coming straight from Soundelux.