Mic Testing - FYI

[Kenny Gioia]

Just this week Mercenary Audio (Fletcher) let me borrow a bunch of mics. I got a few from Sam Ash Also.

The Mics were:
1. Sony C800G - $6,000
2. Soundelux Elux 251 - $4,500
3. Soundelux U99 - $2,250
4. Soundelux U95s - $3,250
5. Soundelux U195 - $1,125
6. Brauner Valvet Tube - $2,500
7. TLM 103 (My Old Mic) - $699

First we tried (four of us) Acoustic Gt.

Blind Test.

They all sounded good but the U99 and the Brauner Valvet stood out.

The TLM was the worst and the Sony was second to worst.

Then I cut Vocals with Darryl Hall and the U99 and the Valvet were the best again.

The Sony, TLM and the 251 were the worst.

I do mostly female vocals but I haven't tested that yet.

The Sony did not suck, but being that it was the most expensive in the bunch, it clearly is overpriced.

I actually found the 251 less than impressive. I was rooting for that one.

Also to our ears the U195 sounded better than the U95s. Considering that price difference I would say the U195 was the winner for price/performance. It came in third both times.

I'll post more as I go.

[CO2]

Hello Produceher:

Was the Brauner the vocal version of the Valvet or the standard Valvet?

I am tickled to see the Valvet do well.

Also, here is the economical tip of the week........... the NADY 1050.

Check it out if you get a chance!

Best Regards

[Daniel_Dettwiler]

Thanks Kenny, this is very interessting. When you like the Brauner Valvet you migh also check the VM 1, great mic.

I'm very interessted in hear more about the sounddelux's, they are hard to get in Europe for Tests.

daniel

[Felix]

wow! i've never seen so much interest in soundelux. i'm glad the U195 came in third (i have one). so do you mean to say the U195 is a better overall mic than the ELUX 251? that is supposed to be their flagship model designed from much r & d... i'm ok with that as i haven't bought one. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[lwilliam]

What preamp were you using? As I'm sure you're aware, that can make a HUGE difference as well, just because of impedance matching and other preamp "character" issues which may compliment or not...

How would you describe the difference between the "best" and the "worst"?

[CyanJaguar]

heyproducher,nice post,

Have you heard a blue blieberry? how does it sound compared to the u195.

I just got the blueberry(not too impressed) and I would like one more high class mic.

So what are the differences you hear between the BLUEs and the Soundeluxes

[Daniel_Dettwiler]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Hello Daniel:

I agree. The VM-1 and VM-1 Klaus Heine version are amazing! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

hy CO2

What is the difference about the VM1 and the VM1 Heyne Edition? Have you heard both? I really like the VM1 (I own 4 of it), but I don't normaly use it on Soloinstruments or vocal. Maybe I have to try the Heyne Edition for a little more "edge" and "mood".

daniel

[Felix]

what setting did you use the U195 at? "Fat" or "FET"? what differences do you notice between the two settings?

[CO2]

Hello Daniel:

I have a friend who was looking to purchase a vintage condenser.

He actually maintained a dialogue with Dirk Brauner (via email) regarding the Brauner line and how they were constructed.

The VM-1 is completely handbuilt with hand turned coils and point to point wiring. The Valvet uses a manufactured coil and a printed circuit board. The Valvet is now available in a special vocal edition. I have yet to hear it though.

With regard to the VM-1 KH edition, Klaus is sort of a European Stephen Paul. Dirk Brauner met Klaus at a trade show and the two discovered they had a shared interest in building a modern version of the vintage Neumanns. Hence the VM-1 KH.

I wish I could tell you more about the differences between the two VM-1's. But my friend ended up buying a B.L.U.E. restored U-47 (short body). I never got a chance to hear the VM-1 KH.
[img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

Best Regards

[CO2]

Hello Daniel:

I agree. The VM-1 and VM-1 Klaus Heyne version are amazing!

Handbuilt at Dirk Brauner's farm in Germany (in his barn) by meticulous craftpersons.

Brauner and B.L.U.E. are two European companies who have continued to build microphones in the time honored tradition of Dr. Georg Neumann.

I WISH I could afford a VM-1 KH Edition, but I will probably have to "settle" for a Valvet.

Best Regards