TUL microphones

greetings

I'm a student at SAE Institute, and a while back we were treated to a microphone demonstration by Tully McCully, a South African local who makes TUL microphones.

To cut to the chase, his f47 FET (large diaphragm condenser, based on the Neumann U47 FET) was compared to a Neumann U87/U89 and an AKG C414 (amongst others) and out of about 20 people in the room, the overriding opinion was that it was better than any other mic there. Yes, the Neumann and AKG were close to it, but everyone felt that the vintage overtones that the TUL had just weren't replicated in the others. They all went through a Neve Genesys console, so they were very high quality preamps. Most people were skeptical at first, but as soon as they heard the comparison that skepticism was put to bed. And, these mics are MUCH cheaper than, for instance, the U87.

He also makes the T12 small diaphragm condenser (based on the almost unobtainable AKG C12 - this is great on toms, overheads, acoustic guitar, even vocals too), and the G12, simply the most amazing guitar amp mic I have ever been exposed to. It is currently being used by Steve Vai and Joe Bonamassa (Joe's latest record used only TUL G12's on the guitar amps). Other users include Kevin Shirley, and Crosby, Stills and Nash.

As of today, I am the extremely proud owner of the f47. And wow, I have spent the whole day with it and am amazed. It's also great on bass amps, kick drum, acoustic guitars. I think he only has 8 f47's left to sell, as he only had a specific quantity of a part he ordered from Russia to use in them.

From what I've been hearing and reading, these mics are causing quite a stir. Tully even has the drummer from Saturday Night Live flying to South Africa to meet Tully himself, as he has been using them (f47 and T12) on his kit and can't believe how good they are. Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/TulMicrophones

epictring

Interesting, how much?

greetings

Most expensive one is R7500.

epictring

Frodo Baggins wrote: Most expensive one is R7500.

the f47?

greetings

Yes. GREAT value.

AlanRatcliffe

I've been hearing things about the TUL mics - there's a review in this month's Muse mag.

Tully is a SA music stalwart - guitarist of the McCully Workshop, recording engineer and owner of Spaced Out Sound here in CT. Anton Fig (the drummer you mention - a monster player) and Kevin Shirley are both old SA scene musos too.

greetings

Oh, yes, I had heard they were also South African.

Pretty great that locally-made mics are making waves overseas!

I am super pleased with mine.

Mo-Facta

My question is, where did the Neve Genesys come from???

Cheers ?

Big-G

Hi Guys,

I'm new round these parts, and didn't spot an 'introductions' thread, so excuse if my first posting is here, and not there....

I'm actually really interested in these mics... I have been looking at the T12 particularly, but just get lost in all the different C12 clones out there!? I don't suppose there's anyone who's compared the T12 with the Avantone CV-12, or any other similarly priced mics?

Am I correct that the T12 is actually a tube based mic, or is it a straight FET?

Thanks in advance, and Mr. Baggins sir, do you have any pictures you could share of the f47?

Regards
G!

greetings

I haven't compared the Avantone to the TUL T12, but the T12 sounds amazing. It is not tube-based, I don't think. I would suggest that you contact Tully on their Facebook page, he will help you out. I'm sure you can even try them out, because me saying they're amazing won't mean much to you without seeing for yourself.

Here's a picture of the f47:

greetings

Mo Facta wrote: My question is, where did the Neve Genesys come from???

Cheers ?

Mo Facta,

SAE is a global college with campuses all around the world, so they have connections and financial support ?

They imported it. We also have the pleasure of using a Digidesign ICON D-Control in the other studio, with a selection of Focusrite, SPL, and Neve preamps ?.

Psean

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: I've been hearing things about the TUL mics - there's a review in this month's Muse mag.

Tully is a SA music stalwart - guitarist of the McCully Workshop, recording engineer and owner of Spaced Out Sound here in CT. Anton Fig (the drummer you mention - a monster player) and Kevin Shirley are both old SA scene musos too.

Would this be the Kevin Shirley who's producing Joe Bonamassa?

AlanRatcliffe

Psean wrote: Would this be the Kevin Shirley who's producing Joe Bonamassa?

One and the same:

Born on 29 June 1960 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Shirley spent his early years producing and engineering records for South African artists including Robin Auld, Juluka, Jonathan Butler, Lesley Rae Dowling, Steve Louw and Sweatband as well as performing and recording with his own band the Council, whose singer was Brian Davidson.

He moved to Australia in 1987 where he continued working with Australian artists, such as The Hoodoo Gurus, The Angels, Cold Chisel, Girl Monstar, Tina Arena, The Screaming Jets, Baby Animals. After producing Silverchair's debut album Frogstomp, he moved to the U.S.A.

In the US, he produced work for Aerosmith, Dream Theater, Black Country Communion, Journey, The Black Crowes and then for international hard rockers like Iron Maiden, Rush, HIM, Slayer. He also worked on the retrospective Led Zeppelin DVD. He has produced several albums for American blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa, the latest being Dust Bowl (released in the U.S. on 22 March 2011). Shirley produced the Mr. Big album What If....

Psean

What a C.V.! Great South African producer, great South African mics. That's the kind of thing I like to hear ?

DrGonzo

This thread got me very intrigued about these microphones!

So i emailed Tully and have arranged for him to send 1 of each of his mics up here to Emendy in Pretoria for a 3 month demo period! ? 8)

what a legend.

I will report back our findings once we get em.

arjunmenon

Frodo Baggins wrote: He also makes the T12 small diaphragm condenser (based on the almost unobtainable AKG C12 - this is great on toms, overheads, acoustic guitar, even vocals too), and the G12, simply the most amazing guitar amp mic I have ever been exposed to. It is currently being used by Steve Vai and Joe Bonamassa (Joe's latest record used only TUL G12's on the guitar amps). Other users include Kevin Shirley, and Crosby, Stills and Nash.

I've heard Neal Schon uses it too.
Very interesting thread this.

Malkav

I have also heard nothing but good words from friends of mine that have tried out these microphones ?

My suggestion is get them now while they're still reasonably priced ?

AlanRatcliffe

DrGonzo wrote: I will report back our findings once we get em.

And..? Any comments so far?

I'm hoping Tully steps up and brings out a U87 clone too, but I'm thinking an f47 will hold me over until he does. ?

DrGonzo

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
DrGonzo wrote: I will report back our findings once we get em.
And..? Any comments so far?

Well haven't had oodles of time to record with the miss, but from what I have heard so far I will say I am definitely impressed! (all 3)
The f47 is great, have had mixed results on vocals but that just goes to show that sometimes one mic is not always suitable for every different voice...
For the most part good tho...

Here is a quick test i threw together last night in my bedroom... comparing the TUL t12 to the f47 on classical/nylon string guitar.
I thin they both sound great but i lean towards the f47 for a more open and warmer sound.
(excuse the playing its just a random mix of improvised picking and strumming!)

TUL t12

TUL f47

What do you think? :-\

AlanRatcliffe

The t12 is quite revealing, very detailed and precise with a lovely low end. I really like it. Maybe wants to be a little further away from the source. Wouldn't be my first choice on nylon - bass was a bit too big for me and it is going to be too revealing for some players, but sounds gorgeous anyway. I'd love to hear this mic on low toms or Djembe and voices. I may just have to get one (and find something to record with it later ?).

The f47 definitely works better in the application - upper mids are maybe a little unrealistic compared to the t12, but they are nice anyway. I'd love to hear this on steel string, but can understand mixed results with that upper mid push. I know the U47 is a firm favourite on bass amps.

What nylon string are you playing, BTW? Sounds great.