Apex 435's

[rockrev]

I never thought I'd buy mics this cheap, but after reading all the great (and unbelievable) reviews, I finally broke down and bought 2! Can't wait to try these!

rockrev

[tele_player]

I have one, it's pretty nice for the price.
In case you don't read the instructions, there's a bass rolloff switch inside, which is quite useful on some sources.

[Dogcode]

For the price, I bought 4. They`re great!

[GothicV]

stupid microphones lol. I tried to order the apex pack with 2 SD condensers, and they never came in so they gave me the pack with 2 SD condensers and the 435.

[Bastiaan]

Stupid may be, but you got three mic's for the price of 2. Not a bad deal....

[GothicV]

I agree... but the service at my store went to hell when they hired all these little teenagers that have no idea about anything but will work for minimum wage.

[Third Eye Studios]

Here's my opinion on the 435's,like it or not. I also bought two of them when Doc originally posted about them (I think it was Apex 435 vs. TLM 103). I think they are OK for the money. They are better in my opinion in less dense mixes, if that makes sense. They don't have they quality to cut through a dense mix like the TLM 103. For the money they are good. I also have the Apex 460 tube mic (there was a guy on ebay that used to sell these mic with mods, along with the same matched pair of 435's that Doc got), which I really like.

[IntelDoc]

Agreed Third Eye...

I like the APEX alot, but still use my TLM-103 and others. The APEX is a great mic for acoustic guitars.... I do not use them solely on that though. To me they are TOO bright as overheads and that is where the Oktava 012's come in. I find that the APEX will break up if you throw too many things at it. I did compare them to a pair of U87's at a larger studio and the client like the APEX better. IT was brighter and had a better bass response than the U87's. The 87's were FLATTER.... Now, would I trade a pair of 87's for the APEX... hell no, but I would keep using them. They work well for voice-over work as well. I did not like them as a guitar cab mic. The 609 and the 57 seem to be the go to choice for that. However the 421 the other day was pretty sweet too.... Waiting on the R122 Ribbon to show up and that should lay it all on the tracks.

So for the money, I really, really like the APEX on acoustics. Use them all the time. I have Oktava 319's and like them too. A bite louder and brighter actually, but the APEX seems to be my reach for mic on guitars. They look like mini-U87's so that is cool to look at and they are solid.

For the money, you cannot go wrong with a pair for under 200 bucks.

- Doc

[rockrev]

Well, I got both 435's for $140, so as long as they sound usable I fine with them. They will probably be used more for "this & that" or utility mics. I'll definitely try them together on acoustic - I've always favored a pair of SCD's or a fat mono LDC on acoustic - but we'll see.

Now, that 460 that you were talking about, Third Eye . . . that baby looks really good for $229! A multi-patterned tube mic for that cheap? Crazy! So tell me . . . how does it stand up to the other "budget" tube mics . . . MXL V69, SP T3, Rode NTK, etc. The thing is, those mics listed are cardioid only. Is the 460 a dream come true?

Thanks,

rockrev

[Dogcode]

The 460 is a dream.......we`ve a/b`d it against some Sounddeluxe and Nuemann tube mics, and found it to be a little hotter, but with a little eq they sound fine. I really like mine.

..Roy