Just sold a Neumann and looking to put something in its place. In the 1,200 to 1,500 ballpark for a vocal/all around mic. Any mics you guys could not live without? I have looked at a Peluso but Mix mag just had a new mic article that had some other mics that are also catching my eye. Already have a TLM103 and U87, AKG 414 and while there are some great solid state mics maybe something tube?
mmmmm mics :-)
any votes?
S

Rode NTK is a nice inexpensive tube mic.

soundelux u-95

+1

"Just sold a Neumann and looking to put something in its place"

What Neumann did you sell and why?
That would help me recommend a replacement.

Soundelux u-95 I second that for a try.

Mics to try in that range:

Blue Bottle Rocket mics

Stage Two is a Tube and the Stage One is solid state.

Nice because you can change capsules

(I have the Red version)

Also:

the Avant BV-1

BV-1

Or some of the Telefunken USA Chinese/USA mics


Always try before you buy.

I really like the Rode K2 on just about everything I try it on (I haven't tried the NTK)... see here

http://www.rodemic.com/microphone.php?product=K2

I sold a Neumann M147. Just wasn't crazy on the mic, don't know why. I was thinking Tube and Neumann would equal amazing and found it sounded good on a few things but not in the end what I was looking for. Had a Peluso 2247 that I had in the studio on loan for a bit and really liked that mic, so that is in my top choices. But I'm looking at all these other mics you guys are mentioning. Wish I had the time and place to do a big listening test and especially to have my wife sing through them all but... I'm looking at used since there is a good amount of nice used gear these days.
thanks all and I'm going to keep looking at these!
S

You may also want to try an Audio Technica AT4060 with your wife.

They're a very nice mic for female vox.

http://tradingpost.sweetwater.com/36723-likenew-soundelux-u95

I've got a Peluso 2247LE and I have to say, I wouldn't trade it. It sounds great on males and females alike as well as many instrument sources. The customer service is amazing too. I had a cable problem when I first got the mic. John Peluso answered the phone and had a new cable in the mail that day. I like that!

Dan hey do you know the difference between the 2247LE and 2247SE? I read on there web site the difference but what really is the sonic difference? I know its a German tube vs. American tube or something like that but everything else is the same... no?
Was it worth buying the LE?
Sam
Oh I'm also looking at the Neumann TLM-49
anyone use these on vocals?

I've heard great things about Pelusos but have yet to try one.

IMO the TLM-49 is just OK. I know several people who like it a lot but but it doesn't knock me out.

If you could afford an M-49 that's a different story altogether.
It actually offends me that they use the same number for the tlm. I must need a life.


Chameleon Labs makes a mic that's actually pretty "m-49 ish"

http://www.chameleonlabs.com/pop_prod3.html

it has a variable voltage control and dialed back towards the "cool" setting it does that nice low end like a M-49.
For the price it's a very attractive mic.
For the price (550) it's a tough mic to beat.
They're also running a special for a grand that's one of the large diaphragm and two of the small as a package deal.
Good stuff.

Blue Mouse & Kiwi have both treated me very well in a variety of applications.

FWIW - Another pair of mics making a big splash in these parts are the Violet Globe & Amethyst.... and the Equation Audio F20 is getting a lot of nods, too.

Hey Mark - are you using the TS2 or the TS1?

I own and regularly use a TS-2, do not own but have used and like the TS-1.
I just ordered a set of one TS-2 plus two TS-1 for a friend and he's ecstatic with both.
It's a great versatile package at double the price.
When I purchased it I was told there's a "lollipop" head in prototype for the TS-1 body that should be available soon.

I also have two of their 7602 pre amps.

http://www.chameleonlabs.com/product7.htm

We did a shoot out with some vintage Neve and Avril using AKG and Neuman mics. The 7602 held it's own, no "winner" determined.

I never compared them side by side sonically, but yes, the tube is the only difference as I recall. And I'm enough of a believer in the sonic contribution of nos tubes to spend the extra money on it. And, I wanted to get as close to the vibe of a 47 as possible. I have no doubt that it's probably a very subtle difference between the two, but then it's less than $200 difference, street price. Love it!

Anybody using the Peluso P12?

I called on the U95. Real nice guy. He lives right down the 605 frwy. from me so I might go check it out. So what is the difference again from the Soundelux U95 and the U195? The U95 was built first and discontinued right?
S

Is the the Soundelux U95 still available?

I still have a U95 that I paid $4000 for back in '98. Soundelux Mics is now Bock Audio, the original designer for Soundelux.

http://www.bockaudiodesigns.com/