V69 vs V77 vs A51-TC? (i hate these threads)

[mrface2112]

ok.....so i'm looking at buying a tube mic, primarily for vocals (but for all kindsa other uses--acoustic, amps, etc). i need to state up front that i'm not in a location that will easily allow me to try out the mics side by side by side, and i don't really want to have to max the CC out just to get all 3 of em in here. the GC in richmond (about an hour away) does have the v69 (didn't see the v77), so i could at least try that one out, but what's the point in trying one but not the other two?

so, if those of you who've used all three of these, or even a couple of them, could give me a couple pointers as to what they sound like, what you do and don't like about them, etc., that would be spectacular. likewise, if there's another mic in that range that you think i should look at, that'd be great too.

i'll be using it/them not only on my voice (which is pretty nasally--think Neil Young), but also on other folks, so it's not *just* a matter of what sounds good on my voice. i'm sure i'll find a use for any of them if i were to buy the "wrong" one for my voice, so i'm not as concerned about that. although, it WOULD be nice to avoid something that'll worsen the sound of my voice. Maybe i should just buy an SM7B instead?

These will be running into a Symetrix 528 (and an RNP shortly)->Delta 1010, to give you an idea of the signal chain.


cheers,
wade


PS--the A51-TC didn't even come into this equation before the most recent TapeOp review.......

 

[chessrock]

(i hate these threads)

Then why did you start one?

Maybe i should just buy an SM7B instead?

That's actually not too bad of an idea, now that you mention it.

 

[mrface2112]

<<Then why did you start one? >>



for the simple fact of the matter that there are virtually no "user" type reviews of the A51-TC out there, and what IS out there, is pretty woefully minimal (and mostly marketing hype at best). do a search on 51*TC (here, gearlutz, prorec, etc) and tell me if you find anything worthwhile. ;-) i sure haven't.


that, and given all the talk about C1 vs V67 around here....i figured i'd aim a little higher. i'm sure someone has used a couple of these mics and might have something valuable to add.


and yeah, i've been debating that SM7 for a while now, b/c it seems like it would fit my voice pretty well. although, from everything i've read about them and their timbrality (is that a word? ), it doesn't seem like it'll be all that different sounding than my EV RE38 (quite similar to an RE20), which already gives me a "good dynamic" for my vocal use. at least, it sounds pretty good on my voice (or as good as i suspect anything will be on my crappy voice), as well a kick drum and guitar amps, and getting another horse of a similar colour isn't quite what i'm looking for right now. with my meager "cabinet" and whatnot, expanding colour is the primary goal right now.

......hence, the desire to look at "cheapish" tooob mics......


wade

 

[chessrock]

for the simple fact of the matter that there are virtually no "user" type reviews of the A51-TC out there, and what IS out there, is pretty woefully minimal (and mostly marketing hype at best). do a search on 51*TC (here, gearlutz, prorec, etc) and tell me if you find anything worthwhile. ;-) i sure haven't.

Alright . . .

I'm assuming you missed this one.

And some of these:

http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=101754&highlight=adk

http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=94741&highlight=adk


They're probably all going to sound pretty similar. I mean you are talking mostly about Chinese-made tube condenser mics that are all pretty much made in the same factory and aimed at a similar market. Of course if you pose the question here everyone who owns one is going to say they love it because it's the only mic they own and they don't know any better. The next guy's going to hate it and yet the next guy is going to think the two other guys are both high. Then DJL's probably going to start freakin' out and start a flame war with one of Hyatt's gay lovers for whatever reason and next thing you know everything's gone to hell in a handbasket.

 

[mrface2112]

yeah, i'd read all three of those threads already, as well as a number of others (although, that's not a lot when all's said and done).....and they all DO say something similar. they all delve into a wash of politics, chinese this versus US that, why some mics are inferior b/c they LOOK like others or are made in the same plant, why Larry and Alan are really siblings in the midst of a rivalry conflict, misinformation, name calling, jumped-to conclusions, you name it.

really, not a one of these threads gives any real, usable information about the mics themselves other than "some of them have a spitty, hyped upper end" and "almost all of them suffer(ed) from some QC issues". you just have to hang around here for a month before that much becomes common knowledge.

(BTW, if everyone around here were in fact high, i think there'd be a much lower stress level overall around here, as well as a higher demand for salty snack foods. that, and people wondering where they put that damn patch cable. )

......you'll note, though, that i asked for opinions from people who have used/owned more than one of these mics (so far, from past posts, that looks to be Han and that's about it ), which, i would think rules out people who "have just this one and love it".

and geez, if i could get hell to agree to riding in a handbasket, i'd be busy turning miracles on the street corners, duping the unwashed masses into thinking that they were actually something more than parlour tricks all the while talking them out of their hard-earned sheckels.....then i could buy a REAL mic!


cheers,
wade

PS--seriously though, thanks for the guidance. i'm guessing i might be best off with an SM7B and a Dragonfly (down the road) instead. those at least, don't seem to suffer the same negative public image that the chinese mics have seemed to suffer (merited or not).

 

[Dot]

mrface, we've been using the MXL V69ME and the ADK TC as well as a bunch of other tube mics. I reviewed the MXL V69ME here. It's a great "classic" sounding tube mic. Not hyped at all and quite colored. I think it's an amazing value and a great mic.

You didn't mention anything about the type of music you're doing or the kind of sound you'd like.

The ADK TC is less colored [ more neutral ] and not hyped in the mids - like an SP T3 would be. Very nice air on this one. The TC doesn't sound as "tuby" as some other mics. Tracks made on the TC cut very well through a mix.

I'd recommend the V69ME is you're doing more classic rock-type music. I'd recommend the TC if you want more of a high-fidelity sound - good for jazz, classical and pop.

Dan Richards
The Listening Sessions
The Project Studio Handbook

 

[mrface2112]

thanks Dan! That's exactly the kind of information i was looking for.

i didn't mention the music i was doing b/c it's "subject to change". mostly, i guess, "rock" is a close approximation. at least, i guess that's what one would probably consider my music and the music (of others) that i tend to record. some of it IS electric rock.....but most of it is acoustic-based, with roots in rock, blues, bluegrass, funk and some soul. it's definitely "original"--i've never heard anything quite like it. it's kinda hard to describe, really......but jazz, pop or "classical singer" type (sinatra, etc) wouldn't be it. so something along the lines of a "classic sounding" tube mic would be right up my alley.

sounds like that for only $299 (and given the vast number of "i've got one and i love it" posts i've seen), i guess the V69 wouldn't be a bad choice. like i said before, i'm not really "concerned" about "making a mistake" since i'm sure i'll find a use for it somewhere (even if it becomes my "go to" for guitar amps, ya know?).....of course, using it on my voice would be a nice fringe benefit.


much appreciated!
wade

PS--i have to admit that i'm very intrigued by the TC as well, mostly thanks to that TapeOp review and the couple chats I've had with Larry about it.......but given what you've said and what i've read elsewhere, maybe it's best as another choice down the road.

 

[chessrock]

Yea, Dot's your man, MrFace.

I should have told you to ask him in the first place, but I forget. He's tested more mics than God. Not that God would necessarily be a mic tester, but you know what I mean.

if i could get hell to agree to riding in a handbasket, i'd be busy turning miracles on the street corners, duping the unwashed masses into thinking that they were actually something more than parlour tricks all the while talking them out of their hard-earned sheckels.....then i could buy a REAL mic!

You know, that's one of the best quotes I think I've ever read on this board. Can I use it?


Sincerely,

Chessrock

"If i could get hell to agree to riding in a handbasket, i'd be busy turning miracles on the street corners, duping the unwashed masses into thinking that they were actually something more than parlour tricks all the while talking them out of their hard-earned sheckels.....then i could buy a REAL mic!" -- MrFace

 

[mrface2112]

chess, you're more than welcome to use that quote--glad you liked it. i DO have to admit more than just a little inspiration from Malacypse the Elder there, if that name means anything to you.

and yeah, i was hoping Dot would chime in here. i've got ~$350 or so burning a hole in my pocket (and a bit more if i can manage to wait and stretch it out over a couple more paychecks ), and since i've already got a "decent" dynamic in that RE38 (thus i'm not ruling out an SM7), i was hoping to throw the cash at something a little different than another dynamic. especially considering that my only LDC is a SP B1.


oh, btw, god uses an EV 666, just b/c the numerology's cool. she told me so.


wade

 

[chessrock]

oh, btw, god uses an EV 666

You know, on just the right day and on just the right source, it sounds like it could have been made by God. That one happens to be a favorite of mine if you couldn't tell. You'll never get that kind of smooth high end out of a Chinese tube mic.

 

[freshmattyp]

Check out the CAD M9, it's just abouve you price range, but well worth the extra $49.99. I lucked out when 8th Street was selling them for a lot less. Very nice on male vocals.

 

[chessrock]

That's not a bad idea, Freshmatty.

I'd say that or the Groove Tubes MD1B (if it's still on sale, that is).

 

[freshmattyp]

Last I heard the tube GT was sold out at that price.