TUL microphones

greetings · 2012-06-08T18:21:11+00:00

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

DrGonzo

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

Its a Miguel Almeria... They are importing them at Musica, from spain perhaps or not sure exactly. I just got yesterday and am so incredibly happy with it... its gorgeous and was very very well priced at R3.2k.... recommendations!

Ja the T12 really does sound great on toms, i can attest to that. on Djembe I'm sure its a winner as well...

Big-G

A friend of mine has also been using the f47, and another friend all three mics, and both of them are raving about their abilities and tonal warmth.

Now all I need to do is try them out myself, and sell a load of stuff to buy some!!! Anyone looking for fish tanks? Golf clubs? Mountain bike? Russian wife? ?

Keep the opinions coming in guys, really enjoying hearing about these gems!

Regards
G!

DrGonzo

Big G wrote Now all I need to do is try them out myself, and sell a load of stuff to buy some!!! Anyone looking for fish tanks? Golf clubs? Mountain bike? Russian wife? ?
G!

Dibs on the Russian ?

Big-G

DrGonzo wrote Dibs on the Russian ?

Sorry, had to send the Russian back.... She had a few factory fitted faults! ?

DrGonzo

So long story short, I think the TUL's kick some serious butt.

I think I'm gonna get the T12 (next month tho, broke as at the moment!) and then try and save up for the F47 later on....

I have had a trial SE Z5600 tube mic for a week now and have done a couple of tests and find it a bit too bright for my liking, there is like this very high presence lift going on... its nice and it will work for somethings but not for me hey...

here is a demo between the Z5600 and the f47 on male vocals...

I tried to EQ the TUL, but every eq adjustment made it sound worse, so I guess it was just perfectly balanced the way it was±!

and here is another recording of the T12 on a nylon string

let me know your opinions 8)

kayDUB

Have you tried the Audio Technica 4047? Supposedly their take on the 47 fet.

Interested to hear the comparison, but will have to wait til I'm on my other PC.

DrGonzo

Really> I had no idea? I guess thats where the 47 in 4047 comes from ?

I would love to get a chance to hear one of em

kayDUB

DrGonzo wrote Really> I had no idea? I guess thats where the 47 in 4047 comes from ?

?

Ok, had a listen (samsung headphones!) and I must say I also prefer the f47 on that one. The Z5600 seemed to sound almost "hollow" or empty (bad terminology!) in comparison to me. Accentuated the sibilance too. I suppose it's not really a true comparison since it's 2 different takes.

Big-G

I haven't been able to listen to any of these samples yet, but I'll get to them soon...

I just had to share my 'kicking myself' moment.....

When I first heard of Tul mics, it was from gummail/junktree... A guy was selling a T12 for R1500!! I tried to do some research, and found very little on these mics, until I came across the SAE review of Tully's recent visit.....

By the time I decided to jump in, the mic was sold! A few days later, the person who bought it put it back on Junktree, and I immediately rang (or so I thought?), only to have the seller tell me that a buyer had literally just driven away with it! Gutting!!

I would have been rather happy to have landed a T12 for R1500! It just goes to show that if something comes up, you have to act fast!!

Thanks for listening to my little moan. I'll be quicker next time!

G!

Mo-Facta

Don't wanna be a party pooper here but I have heard from a few of my colleagues who shall remain nameless that TUL mikes don't sound that great.

Just sayin'.

Cheers ?

AlanRatcliffe

Opinions from pros always welcome - opposing or otherwise. That's how we get to make informed opinions. ?

kayDUB

Agreed, but how about some more details from the pros?
Don't sound great compared to what? What's a better optionin the price range?

DrGonzo

Mo Facta wrote Don't wanna be a party pooper here but I have heard from a few of my colleagues who shall remain nameless that TUL mikes don't sound that great.

Just sayin'.

Cheers ?

have you heard them yourself greg?

Big-G

It would definitely be interesting to hear what they didn't like about the Tul's? A little more info would be of great help...

From my limited time with them, I could see why some would not like them, as the bass response is significantly more sensitive than other mics (particularly the f47's) and as a result can be a little more difficult to sit into a mix, but at the same time, I view this tonality to be an advantage, especially when this mic is used in combination with other mics?

I hope you will expand your comments?

Cheers
G!

Mo-Facta

Alan, no, haven't heard them myself but I will soon as I'm going try to review one. My plan is to put it up against a Miktek CV4 (a R20000 mike from Nashville), which is a quality microphone and if the TUL's are faithful recreations of classic designs, we shouldn't see that much of a margin of quality.

I'll post my results when I do the review.

Cheers ?

AlanRatcliffe

Mo Facta wrote Alan, no, haven't heard them myself but I will soon as I'm going try to review one. My plan is to put it up against a Miktek CV4 (a R20000 mike from Nashville)

That'd be cool, thanks.

I must admit, while I like what I've heard so far, the actual fit and finish of the mics themselves gives me pause:

Mo-Facta

Oh, sorry DrGonzo, I thought it was Alan that asked if I had heard them. My mistake.

Cheers ?

Big-G

Alan, I'm not sure if you've seen any Tul's up close? Before I saw them in real life, I also thought 'Oh my goodness! What's this put together with? Recycled exhausts?', but when I actually saw them, and held them, they are a lot more impressive! Having said that, they were of course relatively new ones.... It would be interesting to see how they fair after several years of studio 'abuse', er I mean use?

Cheers
G!

AlanRatcliffe

Big G wrote Alan, I'm not sure if you've seen any Tul's up close? Before I saw them in real life, I also thought 'Oh my goodness! What's this put together with? Recycled exhausts?', but when I actually saw them, and held them, they are a lot more impressive!

Exactly that, yes - I'm going on pics. Which is why I asked.

And while I happily go by the sound (and price - let's be honest), clients go on looks, so it's nice if a mic has both.

The original C12:

Big-G

Ja the original C12, and especially the Green and Gold version, are definitely winners in the 'looks' department! On looks alone, the Green and Gold C-12 would earn its place in any studio I was running, but thankfully offers so much more than just looks!! Unfortunately though, the price tag is stupendously hefty, IF you can even find one!

As mentioned, the Tul's look a lot more impressive in real life, partly due to their significant size and weight, which you obviously can't really gauge from a photograph. I have yet to see the G12 in the flesh though, but I personally prefer the Pencil version in the photo, rather than the production model which is effectively mounted in an SM58 body. Tully had none in stock when I was visiting, but was expecting a delivery a few days later.

As you noted though, I would be buying this mic for the sound and the 'value', rather than looks, but as with a nice looking guitar or bass, if it looks good, or at least 'funky', it inspires you to use it more..... I'm certain the f47's 'funky' look and size would encourage me to use it more, but I'm not so sure about the others yet?

Time is the teller I guess? Along with my wallet! If the wallet says no, no matter how good the mics are, I cannot partake in one, or two, or three!

And Mo-Facta, I look forward to your comparison! I don't expect the Tul to come out on top compared to the significantly more costly Miktek, but I don't think it'll be as large a gap as the price tags would suggest?

Cheers
G!

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