Which cheap deal is better?

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Re: Re: Sonusman is the sonus man

Harvey Gerst said:


How bout this as a solution? I'll just keep quiet until someone asks me a direct question? And then only answer it and shut up? Will that work better for everybody?

I don't own a U87 because I don't particularly like the 87. You hafta listen on your own, but first you hafta know how to listen and what to listen for, and that's hard.

I regret that it seems like it's becoming "Harvey's forum", but I'm just trying to help people understand how to use what they have, and make them really understand what they're doing. There ARE some good low priced mics out there that can do a lot of jobs pretty well, but there's no one mic that's perfect for everything - at any price. It's all about trade-offs when you're designing or using mics.

Beyond that, I don't know what else I can do to be helpful (like answering the steel guitar micing question) but somehow maintain a lower profile here. I'm open to any suggestions, including, "Go away!". <G> I don't wanna hog the show here.

No, boo, not my point at all. My point is that people that know stuff and disagree with Harvey need to post more. If harvey doesn't post its just one big "yeah that mics rocks, oh but its the only non-radio shack mic i've ever heard" forum. And that would be far worse than a harvey forum.
 
Hey Harvey, keep up the posts. I bought the highly recommended 4033 and like it but........

The more posts we get from people that know what they're doing (you, ed, bruce, shailat, ameth) the better.

Anyway you shouldn't slow your posting to protect more 'delicate' members from impulse buying. That's ridiculous.

I would have never taken the marshall mikes seriously if I hadn't heard about them from you. I haven't purchased one yet either.

But when I go shopping in the future, I will TRY them.

I think that that is the distinction.


Anyway I read far more than I post, and your posts among several others are what what keep me coming back lately.

-Jett Rocker
 
You mean this ISN'T the Harvey Gerst Knows Everything Forum???

Damn... I knew I should have made that left turn at Albuquerque . :D
 
KaB,

Isnt that a Bugs Bunny quote?....by the way, my next song is gonna be "I Left My Foreskin in Albuquerque"....(true story)....
 
Well since Recording Engineer seems to have evaporated, I think Harvey's sort of like a surrogate moderator.

It's not like RE was any less opinionated.

This ain't a mike question but...

Ed, how are the pres in your ghost. Soundcraft is coming out with some smaller mixers that use the ghost pres. There's one in the $400-$500. I'm just looking for alternatives to a small mackie. I don't need many channels.

-Jett Rocker
 
KaBudokan said:
You mean this ISN'T the Harvey Gerst Knows Everything Forum???
Hey at 64, I'm lucky I still know anything, like my name or where I live. :) But at rec.audio.pro, there are enough real pros to keep me fairly honest, so when I make a recommendation, I better be right on, or I'll have my head handed to me, on a platter, in a NY minute. Same thing when I post in George Massenburg's, Al Schmitt's, Stephen Paul's, or Fletcher's forums. IF I screw up there, I'm told about it in no uncertain terms.
 
Personally I can't get enough of Mr. Gerst's posts. I prefer to shut my mouth and listen to the voice (even the opinion) of experience! I'm learning so much... too bad I don't have any money...yet! :-P

Isaiah
 
Hearvy

Actully this is one of the most positive posts we have
had in a long run.

There can be nothing better then having a disscussion
or dissagreement on various topics. This helps to clarify
- show different aspects - different ways of approching-
etc...
It's a intelligent debate and I think Ed has a point.
The only conclusion I deduct from Ed's post is Hearing is believing. Can there be any other way?

You have definitly sparked my interest in Marshall mics.
I am going to give the V77 a good listen first chance I get. But even if God had spoke to me in my sleep and said " Gooooo geeeeet a Maaarshal NOWWWW!"
I would have replied " uuhhhh.......can I hear it first ?!?"
Uhhhh ..... do you have a mp3 I can hear ?.
(In hope I wasn't striked with a bolt of lightning).
 
God don't recomend

Its okay, God doesn't make mic recomendations
 
Harvey!

I have sent emails to you asking that you don't quit posting here. I had the upmost sincerity when I sent them, AND I STILL DO.

I expressed to you that I am open to knowledgable debate on any subject, and I still mean that. I will never claim to have a "know all" view on audio, simply for the fact that other competent engineers continually show me very viable options to the way I am used to working in.

I would be a FOOL to NOT count you as one of them.

Please regard my above posts as being more of a sobering angle to the whole subjective idea of microphone selection, rather than a direct challenge to your very informative information that you provide.

As Shailat stated, intelligent discussion on a topic helps a "less knowledable" reader ascertain what might be a better decision for them.

My read on most microphone posts is that most are looking for the cheapest deal in town that will provide the best results. I have my own professional experiences with this, you have yours. I see no problem with stating (even if somewhat strongly) a difference of opinion on a good choice.

I have defended my choice not only with well worded debate, but with audio examples of my work. I expect nothing less of another professional engineer who has a strong opinion on a microphone recommendation. What other example is valid in audio than a audio example? How many audio examples are available to the average John Doe on the internet? How many nationally released products are available for review that use mics that others recommend? In the $1000-$4000 range, MANY. In the sub $200 range, none that I know of yet. But when I recommend a Audio Technica 4033, I do so with not only the experience of having great results with it, but with knowing that national releases have have used it too. THAT is a valid testamant, as many are trying to achieve similar results in their home recording environment. If a 50% increase in investment will yield even 80% of top notch results, I figure that to be a better investment for one on a limited budget than a unproven mic. Would you find this to be a flawed assessment? I would surely value your opinion on that. I do mean that.

I have little time and money for judgement on good purchases that are not going to yield professional results. In light of this, I paid the extra price in the beginning of my studio owning career to hire a consultant to advice on solid purchases. At that time, I didn't have a website available to me with many knowlegable professional engineers to gather a consesus from, and to hear examples of their work. I guess that I am lucky that the consultant I choose had enough experience and integraty to sometimes recommend even products that he had no direct access to, and would even advise the best place to purchase the product that would best serve my parameters in price vs. quality. These parameters may be a bit higher then the average person on this BBS, but my experience in almost 2 years of contributing to this site suggests that most are looking for products that are the "gem in the lot". If that is a Marshall microphone, then my recommendations stand corrected! BUT, everyone reading ANY recommendation is certainly entitled to a fair written debate from different oppinions, AS WELL AS audio examples of these opinions. I find this way of stating opinions to be the most informative and prudent to the unknowing.

I feel these are valid and pertinent points to consider when one is on a budget and need an "multi purpose" large diaphram condensor mic.

My main point here is that if more audio examples of these "reviews" were available for all to hear, the recommendations would carry more weight. It is human nature to doubt what one does not know, and I do not know a lot of these sub $200 mics that are freely recommended on BBS's. From what I have heard in posted mp3's by people using these mics, and the few experiences I have had with some of them, I am very dubious of their quality, regardless of who recommends them.

I ask that you DON'T stop posting about other alternatives to the rather inflated large diaphram condensor mic category. But I DO ask that you can at least back any claims you make about these mics with audio examples of their use. That is fair to everyone reading differing views.

With the upmost respect,

Ed

P.S. The "last edited by" thing was me only adding more clarification, and spelling corrections to this post.
 
Last edited:
Ed, I didn't take your post as a slam, and I have a great deal of respect for your opinons and all of your posts for that matter.Maybe if I explain where I'm "coming from", it might clear the air somewhat (although I AM concerned that some people feel this is becoming a "Harvey forum").

About 8 years ago, I got out of the "electronic design" part of my life and basically retired, but I had a small demo studio in my home for my use and eventually my son's band's use. Around the same time, I got on the Internet and discovered that a lot of my old engineer and producer pals from my California days were on something called "rec.audio.pro" - a Usenet group (whatever the hell that was). How cool!! I could again hang out with old pals, find out what was going on, and stay up with what was new, even though I had moved to the middle of nowhere.

But as more and more new home studio people found rec.audio.pro, it became a clearing house for people asking (you guessed it), "what's the best mic for under $200?". Generally, the answer was "a Shure SM-57; now get the hell out of here!". But 7 years ago, when I made my studio a commercial venture, that question took on some new meaning for me as well. There were decent "used" mics all over the place for under $200 (like the Sennheiser 421, the EV C15P, the Shure SM-81), but not many new mics that I was aware of.

There were some new lower-cost entries from CAD, AT, AKG, Oktava, Rode, and Marshall, but their lack of quality control and consistancy, or poor performance, made them less than serious contenders for any kind of recomendation for pro use. Since I had a reputation for testing on rec.audio.pro (I had recorded a number of differt things with the Neumann TLM103 when it first came out, and I did a full specs test on the RNC), it seemed like a natural to see if there really were any good low cost mics out there. I called Taylor Johnson at the Sound Room and he agreed to let me test the whole line of RTT/Oktava mics, with the stipulation that I would print the test results in rec.audio.pro, good or bad.

The results surprised me in a few areas. The 219 was pretty bad (about the same as the unit I had tried before from GC), the 319 was a little better (but not great), but then I came to the MC012 with the 3 capsules and the LOMO 33 mm head - and these floored me. Screw "for the money" - these were damn nice mics, period!!! Anyway, I reported my findings, and some other pros tried them - and agreed. I even sent my mics (I wound up buying a pair of the MC012s and the LOMO head) to a friend of mine at one of the most prestigeous mic companies in the world, and he was shocked at how close these came to some of their $2,500 mics.

I had publically trashed the Marshall mic line based on what I heard of the 2001, but someone told me the rest of the line was different, so when I went to the Audio Engineering Society (AES) show in LA last year, I looked up Brent Casey at Marshall, and made the same offer. He accepted, and after a few months, he sent me the entire line. As I did with the Sound Room, I asked a few months later for some duplicate models (to test consistancy) and and they were sent as well.

I listened again to the 2001 and it sounded the same as I remembered when I tried it before - like some of the cheaper ATs, the big Oktavas, and the AKG cheapies - not a lot of bottom, and peaky high end. Then I listened to the 600s (their Neumann KM184 wannabee), and I wanted to puke. No top end, boomy, and pretty much worthless. Their handheld 1000 condenser mic wasn't any better. So I stopped and called them and said, this stuff is really testing crappy. Brent said let me send you these new 603 models we just got in and try taking the ball off the 1000 condenser mic.

Whoa, this thing now sounded amazing. And the 603s he sent were the same thing - they sounded great - exactly what the 600 mics SHOULD HAVE SOUNDED LIKE, but these puppies only sold for $100 each - not the $250 each that the 600s sold for. That was my first find in the Marshall mic line. I won't bore you with the rest of my findings, most people already know about them, but there were some outstanding values I've found so far in these "low end" mic lines.

I did all this testing to try to answer some of the questions we get in rec.audio.pro from people just starting out. Most pros don't bother with this low end mic stuff, but I had the time to do the testing, and I thought it might be of some help to people just starting out. Along the way, I found some real bargains, and other people (like noted reviewer Ty Ford) tested the mics and arrived at pretty much the same results that I did. I don't believe my own ears all the time, and other pros have checked out some of my recomendations and agree that the mics I've singled out as my picks are pretty exceptional and amazing values.

I know Al Schmitt is going to try out some of the Marshall and Sound Room mics, based on my opinion of them, so I'm waiting to hear what he has to say about them. As one of the steller Neumann endorsees, he has a pair of the best ears in the business.

Anyway Ed, that's how I kinda got into this whole mic testing thing. I designed mics in the past, and I have fairly good ears for somebody my age - at least to know what's good and bad in mics, and just enough theory to be dangerous. I don't have any intention of leaving this forum unless a lot of people all tell me to go away, but I certainly don't wanna turn this place into a "Harvey says" hangout either. I'm always interested in spirited, intelligent debate from knowlegable people, but like many others here, I worry about opinions where somebody says, "It Rocks!" but that's all they have, and no basis for comparison. I also worry about consistancy from unit to unit, since if I'm gonna recomend it, I want the purchaser to get the same sound I heard.

I hope this clears up my position on this whole subject.

Respectfully,
Harvey Gerst
 
both good points,

I for one am glad Harvey and his opinion are around. Just like I'm glad Ed and his opinion are around. My introduction to both of you was rocky at best. I've gotten into tussles with both of you in lieu of civil introductions. It's cool, we know where we all stand. I've tried and bought a mic because Harvey softened my opinion of Marshall, but only after my ears confirmed it. I tried and used a compressor because Ed softened my opinion of the B-word, but only after my ears confirmed it. You guys have recommended gear that I re-tried and re-hated. You've also dissed gear that I absolutely adore. This is the beauty of the recording world.

The thing to remember is that I didn't and won't rush out and buy something because some faceless/nameless recommends it. I will however re-evaluate my position when faced with a convincing counter. Just as I hope you guys would.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
 
Re: both good points,

Tom Cram said:
I for one am glad Harvey and his opinion are around. Just like I'm glad Ed and his opinion are around.



Me too, and my post about this being a Harvey forum wa to try and get some more opinions going on. If God said, get this mic foo'! I'd say, well, what do other people think about it. Cause mics are opinion based, and if you want to figure out what is probably the most true, you need more opinions. We need people that aren't retarded like me to post about mics....
 
Re: both good points,

Tom Cram said:
I for one am glad Harvey and his opinion are around. Just like I'm glad Ed and his opinion are around. My introduction to both of you was rocky at best. I've tried and bought a mic because Harvey softened my opinion of Marshall, but only after my ears confirmed it. I tried and used a compressor because Ed softened my opinion of the B-word, but only after my ears confirmed it. You guys have recommended gear that I re-tried and re-hated. You've also dissed gear that I absolutely adore. This is the beauty of the recording world.

The thing to remember is that I didn't and won't rush out and buy something because some faceless/nameless recommends it. I will however re-evaluate my position when faced with a convincing counter. Just as I hope you guys would.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
Hey, I've got a face - and a name!! :) But seriously, I agree with that position and let me give you a great example of it in action. I was recording a singer going thru my trusty MXL- V67G into my RNC, and he sounded like shit. I wound up running him thru a Shure SM-7 into my dbx 166 and it was perfect. Is the dbx 166 my first choice of compressors? Hell no, but I would never get rid of any of my 3 166s, cuz they're perfect when I need them for specific jobs. With the exception of the Alesis 3630, everything has its place in the world and can be a good tool at times, or the wrong tool. Knowing the difference, and which tool to use when - that's the hard part. Now if I could just find a manual for my dbx 242 or even get dbx to admit they even made the damn thing.... :)
 
242, Hmmmm....

Harvey, I'll see what I can find out. I know what the 242 is, I just don't know if I can find a manual. Give me a few days.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
 
Re: 242, Hmmmm....

Tom Cram said:
Harvey, I'll see what I can find out. I know what the 242 is, I just don't know if I can find a manual. Give me a few days.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
Tom, if you find a couple sitting around the factory, do yourself a favor and buy at least two of them. It's the best kept secret in the dbx line and I can't say I blame them for wanting to keep it a secret. I lucked out and bought two before they realized what they had done and pulled the units.
 
I found it.

Harvey, I found a manual for the 242. I don't know if it will be very useful, it's pretty slim. e-mail me off-line with your address if you want me to send you a copy.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
 
All I know is that for some guy recording on a $150 sound card thru a $80 preamp in the corner of my spare bedroom, $200 can get me a fabulous microphone, perfectly in proportion to my sonic expectations divided by my budget multiplied by my suck ass voice....

I appreciate Harvey more than he'll ever know for pointing some of us budget-handicapped people in the right direction....

As far as you, Ed...shame shame on you.....
 
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