i have to admit i really like this mic the more I get to know it, i had to retract my earlier statements on the mics fidelity after more thorough testing because I don't want to mis represent this mic which is definitely a quality mic whose fidelity and vibe is competitive with other mics in its price class.
If the singer gets suddenly louder or delivers a verse at the wrong angle it sounds boxy in my booth which is not super large width wise, so the combination of the mics single wide polar pattern and my booth are both to blame for that. So the SE picks up more reflection off walls and such but only when the singer is really getting excited and not aiming directly at it (yes my walls in the booth are insulated with foam all the way) So even in my narrow booth as long as you can aim, the gemeni sounds crisp.
I know there are many on this forum who have mic closets worth more than my life, and care not for mics in this price range. But for those of you who are looking for an impressive mic in terms of look, build, and some retro sonic vibe at a fair price this one has got it!
Used the Gemeni II across an entire vocal track today featuring Erica Newell, back up singer for Damian/Stephen Marley working on her solo album at my studio and she had no complaints.
She liked the brightness, reminded her of the clearness of a blue mic which she always refers too, and I have found this mic like most, sounds much better when running it quiet, super clean gain in to the DAW. It seem especially on this mic with two active tubes inside you have to be careful about pushing an even volume. Sudden spikes in singing it did not react as smoothly as my transformer less AKG mic.
It really makes breaths louder on vocals and that is the sort of vintage vibe that one can grow to love on this mic.
Wish I had some more tube mics to shoot this out with, like a peluso or something in the same price range.
I'd like to do a comparison with their single tube mic version next.
This is a great mic and really worth trying out if you're interested. I guess my original skepticism has diminished, and I'm growing to appreciate what this mic can do. Wish I had more than 7 Days now!!!
cheers,
alex
