APEX 460 tube mic

[Brain Digger]

Anyone tried this mic? I am a liitle worried about the 20dB-A self noise.

[rlcowa@work2]

I just reseived my Apex SP2 pack of mics with the 460, 415 and 2 185s. I had the the 460 plugged in along side all my other "best" mics. I was very impressed with the 460. The smooth low end was just what I was looking for. The 415 is also pretty impressive.

For $389 at 8th Street, it was a deal! I have yet to record with the 460 but think it will be great! I may very well pick up another SP2 pack just to have some extra pairs.

Can anyone compare the Apex 435 (IntelliDoc has 4 I hear) and the 415? I like the 3 patterns on the 415. It sounded very smooth as well.

Blessings! R

[IntelDoc]

I have 2 435's and use them all the time for acoustic mics. I own 4 oktava 012's.....

Great mics for the money.

- Doc

[badperson]

I own 4 oktava 012's.....

I may very well pick up a pair of these...

[doylemusic]

I just ordered a pair of 435's (gotta see what the rave is about). If anyone wants to pick up a matched pair of the apex 435, I know where you can get a good deal. Shoot me an email.

[bb_aus]

ICan anyone compare the Apex 435 and the 415? I like the 3 patterns on the 415. It sounded very smooth as well.

i would like to hear a comparison of the 2

[rlcowa@work2]

I used my new Apex 460 last night. The female vocalist I am working with has fallen in love with it! I previously had her using an AKG C4000B but when she heard her voice thru the 460, she just lit up! That is what I was hoping.

Her voice sounded warm and full thru the 460. The C4000B is pretty full but the 460 has a better bottom end. We got a more "intimate" result. I had her about 3 inches away with a pop screen. Once she (the singer, not the mic) really warmed up and was a bit louder, I moved her away from the mic a bit but never lost that intimate sound.

I am going to buy another Apex SP2 pack in a few weeks.

Blessings... R

[Brain Digger]

ANyone heard of this other line coming out of China-------NTEC ie NTEC 3300, 5500 tube mics

One is on ebay right now? Never heard of them except that they are trying to copy Neuman mics.

I too am shopping for more mics and the price just seems soooooooo great.

I have a microtech gefell UM70S, some audiotechnica,..........and very little cash.

[Chris Cavell]

ANyone heard of this other line coming out of China-------NTEC ie NTEC 3300, 5500 tube mics

One is on ebay right now? Never heard of them except that they are trying to copy Neuman mics.

I too am shopping for more mics and the price just seems soooooooo great.

I have a microtech gefell UM70S, some audiotechnica,..........and very little cash.

If you're looking for budget "Shanghai" imported mics that are a bit above the bar as far as most of the imported "Shanghai" mics go...then you should look at APEX and ADK (if you really want to talk budget...look at ADK's Generis line of mics).

[Chris Cavell]

Actually looking at the NTEC I saw on ebay...I wouldn't be surprised if it's the exact same capsule, transformer, body, and circuit design as the Apex 460 and Telefunken USA R-F-T M16. I'd buy the cheapest of the bunch, replace the caps, possibly the resistors (but probably not necessary), try a few different 12ax7 tubes, and replace the transformer with either a lundahl or a jensen. Total cost with mods for the 460 would be likely less than $400, and sound ten times better than the Tele RFT M16 (which cost $1200+ for a nearly identical mic).