I just feel like I should have a tube condenser mic

Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 7:01 am

But I can't say that I 'need' it; I just want one. I only record vocals (my own) acoustic and electric guitars. Right now I go between a 4033 a Bluebird and a 58.

I'd like to keep it around $500 - $700 +/- so I've looked (new and used) a bit at things like the K2, KSM44, 4060, T3, etc.

Totally open for some suggestions.

Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 9:22 am

I've read really really awesome reviews on the Studio Projects T3 and am kinda looking to get one myself. I know I can't spring for anything over the same price range you're looking at as well.

Does anybody have direct experience w/ a T3? How do they respond to/with API modules?

Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 9:23 am

Oh, almost forgot. I do already have a Shure KSM44 and it is AWESOME! I've heard it can be super transparent as well w/ better preamps, which I'm lookin to get.

Really great mic, especially in that range. Still interested in the T3 though...

Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 1:36 pm

The KSM44 isn't a tube condenser...great mic though.

Here's a few to look at in (or close to) your price range: Rode K2, M-Audio Sputnik and Groove Tubes' GT67 and MD1B. Studio Projects' T3 is certainly worth a look as well. If you're willing to spent about $1,000 I can personally vouch for Mojave Audio's MA-200...wow.

Frank

Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 4:19 pm

You're right about the KSM, my bad. I've looked at so much stuff, it all just runs together after a while.
The Mojave was/is certainly a consideration, of course for a little more I could get a Peluso 2247 or the Tele AK47, or for a little more I could get the U87........

...yes, that's the problem.

Sad

Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 7:21 pm

AT4060 is a winner and is surely worthy enough to be in anybody's mic collection.

Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 7:48 am

Avant CV 12 is worth a look, $500. I rolled a vintage GE 5 Star tube into mine, loving it.

Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 9:03 am

The title of the thread made me laugh. But hey, I'd love a nice tube mic as well. It just means spending a little more to get the same level of quality as a solid state mic.

Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 10:39 am

SE Electronics Z5600A

Mine sounds great.

Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 4:52 pm

Good additional suggestions that I've not even heard or considered. Thank you.

Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 5:24 pm

I second the SE electronics mic. Can be a little bright for some sources, but I've been loving it on MY voice as well as others (sweeter for tenors / female vocals) and it serves nicely as a room mic for drums. It also comes with a very sturdy shock mount!

Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 12:32 am

I love my vintage U67's & KM 56 tube condenser microphones. But really, I rarely use them. Why? They do have that classic mellow tube sound. But that's not what I am generally looking for. Strangely enough, I have a friend who had a new U87ai converted into a dual triode tube 87 microphone. Doesn't sound anything like my U67's! And although it still sounds good, he prefers my U67 to his tube U87. There is just a huge difference in considering a microphone that uses a pentode instead of a dual triode. Those actually have the tendency to be a little noisier than a dual triode. But hey, it was intended to replace the U47.

So what's this thing you have up your butt about tube microphones?
Ms. Remy Ann David

Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 11:35 pm

Man, I wish it was as easy as something up my butt.

Really, I don't know. I'm fully convinced that a 57 and a 58 is about all you need. Thrill of the chase? I like warm, harmonically warm vocals...love The Beatles through and though, Pink Floyd...all the stuff that just reaches out and hugs you.

Maybe a tube mic won't get me closer to that any better than my other/current mics, but I figure that I'll certainly never know unless I try.

Plus, I just like to buy stuff.

Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:42 am

"Plus, I just like to buy stuff."

Go buy a burger or something then

Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:43 pm

Codemonkey wrote:

"Plus, I just like to buy stuff."

Go buy a burger or something then

Well, that's not very nice. I like gear, what's wrong with that?

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