singemonkey
Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
Extremely rare mic. You would probably have to contact AKG for a schematic and then pay someone to build it for you.
Well, at least it's a plan. Thanks.
Mo-Facta
Big G wrote:
Hmmmm... That is interesting. Do you mind if I ask what Preamp you ran it through?
Cheers
G!
I actually used two different preamps. For the kick drum and guitar I used a Chilton M1, which is a 100% British-made, class-A, transformer balanced preamp. They are very high quality. For the bass guitar I used a locally produced DewAudio Firecat valve preamp which is a full voltage design and is also top class.
For digital conversion I used a Lynx Aurora 8 (kick and guitar) and an Apogee AD8000 (bass) interfaced with a Lynx AES16e. So, the preamps and conversion were definitely not the weak points in the chain.
Like I said, maybe the mike is not operating like it should but I can definitively say that the specimen I received did not perform well.
Cheers ?
Mo-Facta
DrGonzo wrote:
Big G wrote:
Hmmmm... That is interesting. Do you mind if I ask what Preamp you ran it through?
Cheers
G!
second that.. from what i have heard so far they sound lovely...
I guess it is all very subjective in the end.
Sure, it's subjective; that's what audio inherently is.
Problem is, I put it up against a Miktek CV4 and a Neumann TLM103 in the same session, which are both decent mikes, and considering I have heard the original u47 (the mike that it supposedly is a clone of) the difference was huge. I was expecting it to be SOMEWHERE in the ballpark but the TUL wasn't even in the same city.
It was somewhere in the bayou guzzling mud.
Cheers ?
Big-G
Mmmmm! Dewaudio Firecat!! Nice!!! I'm looking forward to Dewalds new project... A more basic and affordable single channel version! Should be good, and as you say.... VERY top class!
I'm quite surprised by this f47 not sounding great, especially coupled with Pre's like that? Perhaps you are right about that particular one not working correctly, or perhaps it just doesn't work nice with those particular pre's? I've not really spent enough time with the f47 though to truly see how it performs in the midst of a mix, but what I have experienced with it so far is nothing short of impressive, especially at that price point.
You mentioned that you think there are better mics for the money? I'd like to know what ones you consider at this price?
The Tul's certainly don't have the excessive top end that a lot of modern mics have, which is part of their appeal to me, as they tend to be smoother sounding. I wonder whether this warmth and smoothness has possibly been 'exaggerated' by the Pre's?
When i spent the evening recording acoustics with my friend in his studio, we were using the T12 through the Grace designs m101 pre's, which are considered to be a clean, crisp, transparent and perhaps a tad bright. I'm not suggesting that there's anything wrong with the pre's you were using, as I know all too well that they are very good, but more thinking that perhaps the combination of two 'smooth' components is a bit too much, resulting in laclustre high end info??
I know the TLM 103 also very well, and can perhaps see where the noticable lack of top end brightness can be seen, as the TLM has quite a strong top end. If you get the chance, try the Tul through a brighter pre, and see if you still have the same result?
Cheers
G!
Mo-Facta
You are quite right. The TLM does indeed have a bit of a presence boost in the tops and can be on the brighter side, especially with certain preamps. I noticed this in other, less expensive ones I've used with it (like a Focusrite platinum). The Chilton preamp tamed this considerably to the point that it sounds like a totally new, better sounding mike. Dewald reckons that it's probably the transformer on the input. These pres are known for being smooth and unflattering across the spectrum, but to my ears they impart a slight bit of colour as well. The Firecat has a nice midrange that's aggressive in a good way and is full of colour and I like it a lot.
Regarding your theory that "the combination of two 'smooth' components is a bit too much, resulting in laclustre high end", I can assure you that there is nothing lackluster about the top end of these preamps. Other mikes were auditioned at the same time, like the CV4, and its top end was fantastic. In fact, that's what prompted me to think that something was drastically different. It's also why I thought that this mike could possibly not be working correctly.
As far as mikes go, there's the Mojave stuff. Great LDC's. The MA-201FET is R10000.
Miktek C5 SDC is R8500.
Audio Technica 4040 is R4500.
There are many I would take over the TUL. I think I would take an SM7B over it as well.
The T12 is also a different mike altogether. Apparently it's based on the C12? The F47 is a u47 clone so it should have that characteristic, so I expected a pronounced low end. It also has toggle switch where you can engage the FET circuit, which offers a different tone. I tried both of them and the FET mode definitely had more low end so I turned it off when I recorded lead guitars. I actually sort of liked that sound because I miked the cone near the center about six inches off and the rolled of top end worked nicely with it. The final test will be with vocals so I'll report back then.
Cheers ?
AlanRatcliffe
Mo Facta wrote:
The T12 is also a different mike altogether. Apparently it's based on the C12?
So they say, yes.
The final test will be with vocals so I'll report back then.
Looking forward to it.
DrGonzo
In terms of my own mic search, I think I may end up getting a T12, as I have really liked it on some sources like drums percussion and acoustic...
but i'm still very much in the search of a multi-pattern LDC, that is a great all rounder...
Im getting a SE4400a to test today... any experiences with this?? also in the category is the Audiotechnica 4050 and much more expensive AKGc414... any more suggestions welcome
Mo Facta wrote:
Audio Technica 4040 is R4500.
Greg, do you have any experience with the AT 4050? it looks like it may be just what im looking for!
Big-G
Mr Dr Gonzo sir, also consider the Avantone CV-12. Thats multi pattern too, and seems to get very good reviews! Also like the T12 is based on the old AKG C12, but slightly more modern sounding from what I've read. I'm still yet to test this one myself though. So far I've been very very impressed with the CK-1 on acoustics (quite close in sound to the T12, but not as smooth, on acoustics at least). So if thats anything to go by, the CV-12 should be quite something?
I suspect that like with all the other SE mics, you are going to get lots of thin sounding results with the 4400, but I've not actually heard this mic, so perhaps it'll be a nice surprise?
I've been quite a fan of the Audio Technica's AT40** range. From all accounts, the 4050 is the best of the bunch, and quite a step up from the AT4033a which I like a lot, but again I've not used this one to any real extent.
Cheers
G!
DrGonzo
Mr Big G, I thank you kindly for your response and advice on the matter. ?
How would you describe the sound of the 4050? and what instruments does it excel with in your opinion...?
Im also very interested in the 4033 its not multi pattern but apparently very flattering on vocals. I wonder how similar it is to the 4050 or if they use the same capsule?? ( i also love the shape of the AT mics they look slick!)
I will also check out the AVANTONE... what price are we looking at and who is distributing them
If only the Shure KSM44 was not so expensive as that would be my number 1 choice to pair with my much loved SM81 SDC for mid side recordings...
AlanRatcliffe
DrGonzo wrote:
I will also check out the AVANTONE... what price are we looking at and who is distributing them
It's that dangerous, dangerous place, Eastern Acoustics... ?
Eastern Acoustics
4 Hastings Road
Wynberg , Cape Town 7800
27 21 7979 540
easternacoustics.co.za
salesATeasternacoustics.co.za
Big-G
As Alan points out, Eastern Acoustics are the distributer, but Marshall music in Cape Town City centre has them in stock, so I'd imagine they can be got in to one of their branches up that way, and Music Connection also gave me quotes for them, so they can be got up over that side.
The CV-12 goes for about R4500 + VAT, and there is very little flexibility on price, as Avantone are pretty strict about their costings. They are a company who sell their product for the price on the label, rather than 'the price minus whatever the salesman feels like reducing it by on the day'.
Having said that, I did manage to get a bit of discount on my CK-1 and CK-6. They both go for around R1500 - R1800. I'd recommend the CK-1 as a great 'second' mic to use on acoustics with another 'higher end' mic, especially for the price, and that comes with three interchangeable capsules... Omni, Cardioid and Hyper-Cardioid.
As I say, if the CK-1 is anything to go by, the CV-12 should be a real treat.
As for the AT 4050. I've not used that one yet, but its said to be better than the 4033, which I have used extensively. I loved the 4033 on acoustics and vocals, but did prefer the Neumann TLM-103 for vocals (which was also nice on acoustics). In fact, I often used both Neumann and AT4033 at the same time! Hehe! I even used both on guitar amps (coupled with an SM57 on front, and SM58 in back of open cabs) to bring out some top end information where necessary, and it did well for this too.
I'm still thinking that perhaps for your needs, you'd be better off going for two mics within your budget, rather than one that gobbles the entire budget on its own? Perhaps a T12 and CV-12 if you can stretch to that, or pick a nice vocal/acoustic mic from the bunch and get something like the G12 or the Avantone CR-14 Ribbon (About R2800) for guitar amps and other instrumentation?
Just my 2c.
Cheers
G!
DrGonzo
SO after some reading, I am pretty convinced on the AT4050... But i guess i cant know til I try one so im getting one from a mate next week and will do some tests on it.
I have decided that I need a clean multi-polar LDC first and foremost - that is no 1 on the priority list... then later on i shall get a TUL T12 (im defo's gonna get one of em) and then another SM81 to make up a pair ... and perhaps a "character " mic like the f47, c7 or something like that later on... THus I shall have a plenty versatile little mic locker!
that Miktek C7 looks awesome, it is just a touch above budget. ☹
but just in case @Mo-Facta do you know where one may get his hands on one locally?
DrGonzo
Big G wrote:
Just my 2c.
Your cents always appreciated ?
Manfred-Klose
Wow oh wee, these mics are awesome!!!!
Tully borrowed me some for a recording, i used 2 x T12s on drums the F47 on bass amp and vocals, and the recording has a real slick sound to it, the stuff is still in for mixing, so can only share when its done, but here is something i recorded quickly at home, when i had the mics, please excuse the sloppy playing, i wasn't planning on uploading it.
the Lead is a T12
left guitar is F47 and right guitar is T12.
for acoustic the T12 is really nice, and the f47 is good and suttle on vocals
Jazzman105
I used to swear by my SM57, being "the industry-standard" and all... Until I got a Tull G12 a few months ago. A much "truer" mic with seriously accurate fidelity. I cant go back, won't go back.
