We've Got A New "King Of The Low End" LDC...

  • Thread starter Thread starter kidvybes
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excellent news kidvybes! looking forward to hearing the results. thanks man.
 
kidvybes said:
...BTW, Michael Joly is offering his support for a little "Low-End" mic comparison by sending me one of his stock 2003A mics...Thanks Michael!

...the tentative candidates for these vocal sessions are:
1. MXL 2003A (new champion?)
2. Oktava MK 319 (a perennial low-end favorite)
3. MXL V67G Stock (a "reigning" champion)
4. MXL V67G Modded (original capsule & transformer...a champ "on steroids")
5. Rode NT2 (a former retired champ..."used" cost is similar to the V67G/2003A cost range)
6. Avantone CK 7 (in cardioid pattern/equivilent to less costly CK6)
7. MXL 2001 Modded (inexpensive mod option)
Click to expand...

...looks like we've decided on the 8th mic for the shootout:
8. KEL HM-2D (a condenser voiced like a classic dynamic...think SM7)
 
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Assuming the files will be blind so this question won't spoil anything, which did you like?
 
Wow this is a really long thread. I am interested in some of these low-end condenser mics. I listened to the JJ audio V67 mod vs. an old U87, and I could definitely tell the difference between the two because I picked up a U87 of similar vintage to the one used in the shootout.

I don't really fall into either category about whether these mods are a better deal or the real thing is better. I saw the long arguments with "I.M.H.O." I can see where he is coming from with never being able to replace the real thing. The U87 I have is unlike anything else I own, or will probably ever own for a long time to come. I don't regret the purchase because I know that it will be a go-to mic for the rest of my recording career. If anything the name and respectability that comes with the mic will attract more serious clients.

If the opportunity is there to get the real thing, and not just a cheap knock-off or a re-designed knock-off then I would always take the real thing even if it means paying a bit more. Now.. $3000 for a new U87 is way above my price range and many others that seek knowledge on this forum. But when I was given the chance to get a real U87 for $1300, or spare some cash on a stereo pair of modded V67s, I took the real thing. I had to trade in some beloved guitar gear and haggle with the music shop about how much they would give me for it all.. and even after that I ended up broke for a while.

The majority of the time I never get to find such oppurtunities :( So I find myself back here intrigued by this thread, and I become another one of the members of this forum that appreciates the people that spend time developing these mods. I want to improve my sound on a budget.

I guess that after my long story.. My question is how does the new MXL 2003a stack up against the CAD M179 that many people have been raving about for tom sounds? Anybody tried it? I have yet to find a "now or never"/"too good to be true" deal on Sennheiser MD421s, so I'm seeking alternatives. Some say the M179 gives the 421 a run for it's money? Sorry if this is a little off topic from the direction the thread is going in now. :o
 
Really? Usually you can find MD421s for a little over $200. But the Beyer M201 is just as good on toms, is smaller, cheaper, and has the best clip ever (and the MD421 has the worst).
 
I've heard many people talk about those damn clips breaking. I search around on eBay and craigslist a lot. Usually 421s dont show up on craigslist back home but now that i'm going to school near Nashville I may find some better deals. What are your thoughts on that M179? and I'm looking into the beyer right... Now!

-Sam
 
mshilarious said:
Assuming the files will be blind so this question won't spoil anything, which did you like?
Click to expand...

...I don't want to skew any impressions, but what I will say, is that there were some surprises in the group...interesting, nonetheless... ;)
 
...mics included in this shootout are:

MXL 2003A
MXL V67 (Stock)
Rode NT2
Oktave MK319
Kel HM-2D
MXL 2001 (Modded by Marik)
MXL V67 (Modded by JJ Audio)

...this is a "Blind Test"...the order of mics has been shuffled, but remains the same thruout each group of files...also included is a backing track so that when downloaded, you can see how each track will sit in the mix...each performance has a singing portion, a spoken portion (for VO comparisons) and some extended silence for self-noise comparisons...

MP3 Files can be accessed here:
Male Vocals Part 1
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/5845907-post288.html

Female Vocals Part 1
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/5846426-post290.html

Male Vocals Part 2
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/5846482-post291.html

WAV Files to follow shortly...

...next up, Acoustic Guitar samples...next day or so...
 
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Nobody has mentioned #7 at all in the early returns . . . c'mon, it's lucky #7! I'm going with lucky #7 :cool:
 
kidvybes said:
...mics included in this shootout are:

MXL 2003A
MXL V67 (Stock)
Rode NT2
Oktave MK319
Kel HM-2D
MXL 2001 (Modded by Marik)
MXL V67 (Modded by JJ Audio)

...this is a "Blind Test"...the order of mics has been shuffled, but remains the same thruout each group of files...also included is a backing track so that when downloaded, you can see how each track will sit in the mix...each performance has a singing portion, a spoken portion (for VO comparisons) and some extended silence for self-noise comparisons...

MP3 Files can be accessed here:
Male Vocals Part 1
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/5845907-post288.html

Female Vocals Part 1
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/5846426-post290.html

Male Vocals Part 2
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/5846482-post291.html

WAV Files to follow shortly...

...next up, Acoustic Guitar samples...next day or so...
Click to expand...

As you can see by the number of views number 1 was viewed twice as much as the others followed by 2 then 3.
For me I had to go back and listen to 1 again as did just about everyone else did, possibly for the same reason for that it's the one that did sound good to me. Then followed by number 6.






:cool:
 
kidvybes said:
...meaning, you liked #7 best, or you think that it's a particular mic?...
Click to expand...

I haven't listened to any of them, what I like is not relevant. I did note that #6 has garnered no negative mentions, that is perhaps more significant than the mic that gets the most positive mentions, especially when there are multiple sources being tested.

It is interesting that there is downloading fatigue, makes me wonder if that many people are giving #7 a chance . . .

Poor #3 only has a negative mention, and #1,2,4,5 have both positive and negative mentions. But it's still early, not too many listeners yet. Still, there is a tendency for the early observations to get reinforced by later listeners, unfortunate but there is no way to control for that in a test in a open forum. So the earliest observations can be influential.
 
mshilarious said:
I haven't listened to any of them, what I like is not relevant. I did note that #6 has garnered no negative mentions, that is perhaps more significant than the mic that gets the most positive mentions, especially when there are multiple sources being tested.

It is interesting that there is downloading fatigue, makes me wonder if that many people are giving #7 a chance . . .

Poor #3 only has a negative mention, and #1,2,4,5 have both positive and negative mentions. But it's still early, not too many listeners yet. Still, there is a tendency for the early observations to get reinforced by later listeners, unfortunate but there is no way to control for that in a test in a open forum. So the earliest observations can be influential.
Click to expand...

Well if you put it that way I'm influenced to listen again, but 1 did have a good feeling sound to me. Though that's just me maybe someone else feels that to their ear an other mic is more to their liking.
I always hate these blind test.
We should have a mutt test and judge by looks and be done with it. :D
I would choose the one with the cool colors and maybe a racing stripe.









:cool:
 
The wav files wouldn't work with my version of sonar.I got the LE so maybe that's why.I listened to the mp3's through my pc speakers with and without the backing tracks and here's my thoughts.

Male low vocals i thought #1 stood out the best followed by 2 & 7.6 & 3 sounded ok and 4 & 5 were the worst cause i didn't feel they brought out the lows as much.

Male mid vocals i thought #7 stood out the best with 3 second,& 2 third.#1 also sounded pretty good.#4 & 5 I thought were the worst as they didn't sound as full.

Female vocals were a little tougher but i went with #7 as the best since i felt it captured the dynamics of her voice a bit better than the rest.#1,2,3 were all very similar and i had a hard time choosing between the three as second best.I thought #6 had a smooth and pleasent feel on her voice.#4 &5 didn't sound as full but still were smooth without sounding harsh.
 
...OK...since there's not much activity, here's the order in which the mic samples are presented:

1. Kel HM 2D
2. Oktava MK 319
3. Rode NT2
4. MXL V67 Stock
5. MXL V67 - JJ Audio Mod
6. MXL 2003A
7. Mxl 2001 - Marik Mod
 
I'm suprised that not many folks here took the time to check out the shootout and post their thoughts.This thread had seen a lot of activity early on and many opinions were expressed.

I havn't listened to the acoustic samples but think the mxl 2003a fared okay.It wasn't my first choice on any of the samples i listened to but it wasn't the worst either.I think the modded mxl 2001 would be my choice for best overall condensor in the shoot out.It was my first choice for male mid and female vocals.

I bought the 2003a before the shootout but i think it'll do fine and i'll be happy with it.I'm still learning mics but thought all the mics held their own in a mix.Some better than others.

I'm suprised that the mxl v67 sounded the worst out of all the samples.To my ears even the modded v67 sounded worse than the stock 2003a.The v67 being such a popular mic and a best seller i thought it would have faired better.

Kind of proves the point where a cheap condenser like a v67 is popular and a best seller from the lower sale price.Then when folks get it they find they're not as happy with it and get it modded.

It's good to know that MXL is listening to the feedback and improving their products.Maybe the 2003a won't win the crown for king of the low end but it won't end up in the dungeon either.
 
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