riffy
New member
Warhead said:
I've noticed stuff like that too. Last time I commented on a thread that was years old but it was showing current. Freaking computers, what a fad, they'll never last
I've noticed stuff like that too. Last time I commented on a thread that was years old but it was showing current. Freaking computers, what a fad, they'll never last
undergroundtoon
New member
I think when someone votes on a old or new poleriffy said:I've noticed stuff like that too. Last time I commented on a thread that was years old but it was showing current. Freaking computers, what a fad, they'll never last
it puts it on the thread as a "new post" hence the bump. So you can let it die if you want. ........ Nothing to see here move along.
M
maskedman72
Member
i havent tried it but there is also the mojave audio ma-200.
D
dementedchord
Psychotic State alumni ch
if i had a grand i'ld buy the mojave ... no doubt...
PhilGood
Juice box hero
maskedman72 said:
I have made the Royer mod version of the MA-200 using various mic bodies and capsules, from MXL 2001s to V67s using 797 capsules and capsules removed from Superlux mics. With these capsules they compair closest and favorably to the sound of a U67.
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?p=596992
Some audio samples on page 2...
MichaelJoly
Banned
Don't you love how a new poll vote resurrects a thread?
Anyway, it would be interesting to see what folks like for tube mics these days - five years on from the start of this thread.
Anyway, it would be interesting to see what folks like for tube mics these days - five years on from the start of this thread.
M
Micter
No Title
I voted Rode K2. I have to be honest, I don't have any experience with half of the mics on the list.
R
Richard Monroe
Well-known member
What's interesting is that in 5 years, many of the standard options remain the same. At4060 used to fit the bill, but is now a $1200 mic. NTK/K2 are still near the top of the list, and have remained viable studio workhorses. Solid Tube is still an underated R and B tool. MXL Genesis could be added to the list. Studio Projects T3 is still around, as is CAD M9. Add CAD Trion 8000. Studio Projects TB1 is gone. Soundelux is gone. I'd guess, on the current list, NTK remains my favorite. It has survived the test of time, is still affordable, and doesn't have a Chinese capsule. Solid Tube is still a better mic than it gets credit for.-Richie
MichaelJoly
Banned
I'm trying to pry loose some statistics to prove this, but my hunch is the Apex 460 is the best selling tube mic under $1000.
darrin_h2000
Banned
Id have to assume that the AT3060 might be the best one listed because of the general quality of the AT mics...Id assume that there have been some new ones since this list was made...and here it is...the AT4060
http://www.audiolines.com/Studio-Recording/Microphones/Condenser-Microphones/Audio-Technica-AT4060
http://www.audiolines.com/Studio-Recording/Microphones/Condenser-Microphones/Audio-Technica-AT4060
cominginsecond
Decentralized Media Mogul
I'm pretty sure the 4060 predated the 3060 by several years.
darrin_h2000
Banned
Me too...but since it wasnt on the list...and you can buy it now for $999...Im assuming that the price just went down...that might be one of the best tube mics period so you can close the thread...no cheap chinese mic is going to beat it.
PhilGood
Juice box hero
Good lord. I can't believe how much I've learned and how much things have changed for me in even 2 years. There's a few things wrong with the "Royer Mod". I can't believe I even made this statement.
Same thing with the "Apex mod". There just a bunch of junk that went wrong when that thread developed. Now its taken on a life of its own all over the web.
I wish there was a reset button.
C
craigmorris74
New member
Same thing with the "Apex mod". There just a bunch of junk that went wrong when that thread developed. Now its taken on a life of its own all over the web.
I wish there was a reset button.
I'd love to hear you elaborate on this!
Craig
PhilGood
Juice box hero
I'm not feeling very well today, so I won't go into great detail, but off the top of my head:
6072 tube (12AY7). Not the greatest tube for a microphone. I didn't realize that until one of my more learned colleagues pointed it out. Yeah AKG picked it, but really there are way more exciting tubes out there. I really knew what he meant after trying it out for myself. Plus with this tube's impedance you have to use a higher turns ratio transformer which means you hit the transformer hard and you also end up with lower output. Everyone (including me) jumped on that Cinemag transformer. BO-ring! Not to mention a transformer that small it has a low over-load point on the low end. A tube with lower impedance would be great and I'm about to try that right now in a Nady TCM-1050. It meant re-wiring the socket. No biggie. I can also use a better and larger transformer with a lower turns ratio. And believe me, the type of transformer you use, how its made, the winding method, the lamination metal types and density of the stack has a LARGE influence on the texture and presence of the sound. Bigger than I had imagined. Marik is making some transformers now that KILL!
There are also capacitors that were swapped out or removed that should be left there, and ones that were not taken out that should be. Not to mention what type should be used. Certain resistors should be changed as well. The HF peaked could have easily be compensated for or subdued! So many ideas were missing or not even tried!
Also, when you lower the voltage in the power supply it means you have to re-bias the tube circuit at both the cathode and capsule. Not many people know how to do this or what to look for. No one even made mention of that on any of the forums I read. A class A tube circuit can really be messed up sound-wise by incorrect biasing.
Capsule choices and grill mesh are another story. Removing the mesh should only be done if you know what sound you're going for, and a lot of that depends on the type of capsule/tube/transformer configuration. Changing the wire mesh SIZE may be more important than how many layers the grill has.
How you solder, connect and arrange components and clean the boards are often over-looked issues. There should be stand-offs used and special insulation where the wire passes through the grill plate to the circuit! These are high impedance circuits and electricity always takes the path of least resistance. Sometimes that means right through the insulation (Can you say "capacitance"?) Even the wire should be treated a certain way to avoid that. Have you looked at how much wire is between the boards on the 460 style mics? Very bad idea!! Even MXL made one of the biggest microphone no no's in how they made the V69! There are reasons why skilled mic techs charge a lot and take time to do their work. They have a great deal of knowledge! Knowledge that shouldn't just be surrendered on the web, which is why I'm going to limit my detail. The information is out there if you spend the time and get educated. Some tidbits are free though. Did you know you shouldn't touch resistors with your hands unless they're really really clean? Even then cleaning them afterwards (and the board and other components) is a good idea. I wonder if the Chinese manufacturers do this after remembering reading so many posts about the "ocean" noise. You've got people out there soldering away with no real soldering skills and have no idea what flux left on a board can do. And don't even get me started on too much solder or bad solder joints!
Over-all, that mod could be made way better than what's all over the web right now. Pity, because so many people are doing it without continuing to learn what makes great mics great. I'm still a perpetual student myself, but the revelations for me lately are quite eye opening.
Sorry I'm editing this so much. I want to make sure I'm being as clear as possible.
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dickiefunk
New member
I've only used three tube mics :- AKG Solidtube, Apex 460 and SE 2200T.
The SE2200T was the clear winner for me.
The SE2200T was the clear winner for me.