Peluso P28 MD tube mic

[sdelsolray]

Has anyone tried this new mic from Peluso? It's a mid-diaphragm (18mm) front address tube mic, inspired by the older German tube mics of similar design. I've never tried those older Schoeps and Neumanns, but had a pair of Groove Tubes 44's that were actually pretty nice.

Anyone have any experience with these Pelusos?

Pelusos P28 Mid-diphragm tube mic

[henryrobinett]

Finally I've completed extensive testing on this mic. I love it. I compared it against the Peuso CEMC-6, SM81 and LDC AT4050. I think it betters all of those. I've used it on acoustic guitar, drum overheads, various applications as a room mic, acoustic bass, voice and acoustic piano. It shined in every case, except the acoustic bass, but that was more an issue of placement and application.

This mic has great detail. It's very neutral, warm and clear, distinct highs; not at all brittle or harsh.

I'm trying to figure out how I can buy another one. I wasn't in the market for another stereo pair damn it. But I preferred it on piano where I usually use my AT4050s. The 4050s sound a bit harsh in comparison to my ears. The P28 has a great full spectrum frequency response.

I just think this is another great Peluso mic! I'm just sorry that it's taken me this long to really test it out.

[henryrobinett]

I'll also say this: I don't think this belongs in the High End. But what great and expensive sounding mic.

[sdelsolray]

Thanks Henry. I was hoping somwone would chime in on these mics. I looking to add a third pair of SD mics. I only record solo fingerstyle acoustic and classical guitar. The other pairs I have are Schoeps CMC6/MK4 and Gefell M294. The pres I use are Pendulum MDP-1a, John Hardy M-2 and/or Pendulum SPS-1.

The Beyer MC 930 peaked my inerest due to a few threads, but I've never ehard anything about the Peluso P28 tube SDs.

How would you compare them to the Schoeps or Gefells identified above, if you have an opinion?

[henryrobinett]

Ah! Sorry. i can't compare those mics because I haven't heard them.

But I'm a guitarist as well. Not too much PIMA classical style but I play jazz and do some fingerstyle on steel string. I think a pair of these would sound wonderful in that application.

[NathanEldred]

The P28 is closer to the voicing of the Gefell mics than the Schoeps microphones. The Gefells (talking about both the 29x series and the M300) and Peluso P28 have a presence/air rise around 8khz and up, where the cardioid Schoeps do not have a similar rise and are more flat in the top (though not true of all Schoeps, it depends on the capsule used). Slightly different applications where depending on how picky you are about your audio, and how deep your wallet is you'll have either one mic, and EQ a bit, or all three and not EQ at all.

[NotVeryLoud]

I recently did a quick comparison of the P28 and the UMT70 on acoustic guitar. I've attached some brief samples just for kicks.

The two mics were placed equal distance from the 12th fret, the diaphragms were aligned vertically. Manley dual mono preamp with input gain at 40 (as clean as possible) into an Apogee Mini-Me running at 24/44.1
The UMT is in cardioid mode.

[drBill]

Notveryloud - thanks for the clips. I'm just on my laptop right now, but IMO, the Gefell blows away the peluso. The peluso gets thin and almost raspy sounding in the middle of the clip where the UMT70 stays nice and round with an open top. I might be a bit biased cause I have a great pair of UM70's and some M71's, but I much prefer the Gefell's. Tomorrow when I'm in the studio, I'll check back and listen again. Thanks!

Bill

[henryrobinett]

Oh I really prefer the Peluso. Much more open in the top end. The UMT70 sounded to me like it had a sock over it. The Peluso seems to have a tighter low end and crystal highs. It seems very balanced to me along the frequency band.

Thanks for sharing!

[s_sibs]

UMT70 sounds alittle rounder. The Peluso sounds at bit brighter/clearer.

Neither sound is better to me. If I knew the guitar was going to be in a busy mix, I might pick the Peluso because it would cut through better (before eq). If it were a solo guitar part I may use the UMT70 and eq the top a bit.

[drBill]

Originally Posted by drBill

Tomorrow when I'm in the studio, I'll check back and listen again. Thanks!

Bill

Well, just a reminder to myself not to listen on my laptop again. LOL

Actually, I still prefer the Gefell. It's much more 3 dimensional although it would definately need some EQ on top - especially if the mix was dense. The Peluso sounded attrative to me at first, but upon critical lilstening a few times, I'm just not hearing the depth that the UMT had. It just sounds flatter to me. Don't slap me, but it sounds more "chinese". It's got that high end thing happening, but not in a great way. I'd think with all the people swarming towards Ribbon mics, they'd love a sound more like that particular Gefell. Surprisingly, I tend to find the UM70's pretty bright on most sources - of course I have no idea what that particular guitar sounded like in that room.

Cheers,

Bill

[DBArnold]

I just finished up some recordings with the P28 and the Cemc6 with various preamps on Grand Piano. Go check them out if you guys get a chance

peluso , p28, pencil tube,

Best Regards,

[NotVeryLoud]

I go back and forth. The Peluso has the clarity, but the Gefell has the warmth. Interestingly, when I combine the two signals and pan them hard left & right it sounds really, really nice.

[forsooth]

Damn Henry .........quit writing about Peluso mics......you are costing me a fortune!

Every time you review one I end up buying it! Now I need to rob the piggy bank again.

I have the CEMCS and the R14............. love them!

forsooth

[henryrobinett]

Originally Posted by forsooth

Damn Henry .........quit writing about Peluso mics......you are costing me a fortune!

Every time you review one I end up buying it! Now I need to rob the piggy bank again.

I have the CEMCS and the R14............. love them!

forsooth

YOU??!!! Damn it. Every time I get one for review I have to buy it.

[forsooth]

Henry, I think my next mic will be the 22 47 LE ! They have a dealer nearby and every time I'm recording a session in that area I'm sorely tempted to drop in and look at the goodies.

It's my only bona fide vice.......... at least that's how I justify my habit to my wife!

I don't think she knows how serious it is though!

Best

forsooth

[henryrobinett]

Understood. Well if it's your only real vice, you're doing pretty well.

The 2247LE is a great mic. Not meaning to feed into your habit, but it's brilliant.

[forsooth]

Now the next thing I need to find would be a singer who can measure up to the 22 47 LE!

That is going be just as hard as finding the cash for the mic!

forsooth

[Nu-tra]

I'm getting a p12 next week. I have a pair of the cemc6 mics too and I LOVE them. I think Peluso needs to get some more magazine reviews on their mics. Peluso doesn't get the attention they deserve.

[forsooth]

There was a pair of CEMCs on ebay the other day and I almost went for them. I regret it now! They are so versatile and a second pair would not have gone wrong. I also have a omni set of capsules for mine.

I agree Nu-tra, great mics that got some bad press one time.........undeserved in my opinion, I'm a Peluso fan

forsooth

[henryrobinett]

Well I went for it last week. I should be getting my second P28 this week. So now I'll have a matched pair CEMC-6 and a matched P28 pair! I also have an unmatched AT4050 pair, matched MXL-V69 and four unmatched Octava MK-012. What am I going to do with all of those??! I don't think my wife understands either.

I think I'll sell the MXLs and a pair of the MK-012s so I can buy more dynamics. I need an RE-20 and a couple of 421s.

[forsooth]

I thought I had a problem! Henry, you need help!

forsooth

[AMIEL]

My vote is for the Peluso!Dan nice recordings!

Would love to hear the P28 with the Pacifica.

[Empty Planet]

Originally Posted by Nu-tra

...I think Peluso needs to get some more magazine reviews on their mics. Peluso doesn't get the attention they deserve.

I think he's got an interview coming up in Tape Op.

And Henry, don't overlook the 441. That's one great dynamic.



Cheers.

[henryrobinett]

Originally Posted by forsooth

I thought I had a problem! Henry, you need help!

forsooth

Yeah baby! But those are just my pairs. You don't know the half of it. But I pale in comparison with some real pros around these parts.

[forsooth]

Henry, I'm gonna start a 12 step program this week to see if I can find a cure.

Here it is, feel free to try it and let me know how you get on.

I 22 47LE
2 22 251
3 P12
4 P28
5 more CEMC 6s
7 R 14
8 continue until you start to feel better, repeat as necessary!

Now I need to get to work !

forsooth

[Brad McGowan]

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

Well I went for it last week. I should be getting my second P28 this week. So now I'll have a matched pair CEMC-6 and a matched P28 pair! I also have an unmatched AT4050 pair, matched MXL-V69 and four unmatched Octava MK-012. What am I going to do with all of those??! I don't think my wife understands either.

I think I'll sell the MXLs and a pair of the MK-012s so I can buy more dynamics. I need an RE-20 and a couple of 421s.

Hey Henry,

If you are looking for dynamics check out the Heil PR40 and PR30 instead of the RE20 and 421. My Heils are getting a lot more use these days.

Brad

[henryrobinett]

Brad -- Thanks! I've had my eyes open for those. You really 'em, huh? I think I'll go the Heil route instead of the RE-20. That's what I've been thinking, but I meant I needed a RE20-ish mic.

[Brad McGowan]

I really dig them. The PR40 has the minimal proximity effect thing going on, but has a condenser-like presence up top. And the low end on that thing gets way down there. It's pretty awesome on kick, bass cabs, male vocals, and surprisingly acoustic guitar. I recorded a Martin 000-16 with it the other day and was really impressed. The PR30 has less sub lows but has a meatier low end overall. The midrange is very smooth. The combination makes it a no brainer on drums and guitars. Both mics have really fast transient response too. You won't regret getting them.

Brad

[Resonant Alien]

Originally Posted by drBill

Notveryloud - thanks for the clips. I'm just on my laptop right now, but IMO, the Gefell blows away the peluso. The peluso gets thin and almost raspy sounding in the middle of the clip where the UMT70 stays nice and round with an open top. I might be a bit biased cause I have a great pair of UM70's and some M71's, but I much prefer the Gefell's. Tomorrow when I'm in the studio, I'll check back and listen again. Thanks!

Bill

To be fair, the UMT70 is 2X the cost of the P28.....