Blue Bottle vs Telefunken 251 vs Soundelux 251

[bforest4]

Blue Bottle with 251 capsule vs Telefunken 251 reissue vs Soundelux 251. Has anyone compared these mics in person?

[Fletcher]

Yes.

They are all completely different... in fact, the majority of original Telefunken 251's are very different from each other, and there have been several iterations of Soundelux 251 [their 250 was my favorite of the species]. The Blue Bottle was a very nice mic 5-6 years ago when I got to play with one... it didn't "win" in the shootout of the vocal mics on that particular session but it was a competent unit.

How about instead of trying to compare model numbers you give an idea of what you're trying to achieve.

The thing about original 251's is [at least the good ones] that they were very often not the "best sounding" mic in a solo context but had some extraordinary ability to sit in context with a song in a way that was very musically pleasing and really captured the essence of the performance.

The S'delux 251's were considerably brighter... but not in the "harsh" / "strident" manner than many other "high end" mics try to win friends at the sales counter by being the brightest mic offered in the line up.

For whatever it may be worth, I have found that there are 3 mics that have almost become my "go to" mics for vocals that require condenser mics. The first being the Horch RM-2J, the second being the Telefunken-USA AK-47 and the third being the Microtech Gefell UM-900. I have rarely met a session where one of those 3 mics wasn't the perfect tool for the job... but as always, YMMV.

Peace.

[nikkei]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

For whatever it may be worth, I have found that there are 3 mics that have almost become my "go to" mics for vocals that require condenser mics. The first being the Horch RM-2J, the second being the Telefunken-USA AK-47 and the third being the Microtech Gefell UM-900. I have rarely met a session where one of those 3 mics wasn't the perfect tool for the job... but as always, YMMV.

Peace.

I picked up the AK-47 after Mercenary steered me in the right direction. I use it with the Avalon 747 (just ordered a Chandler LTD1) and Purple Audio MC77.

I've got more expensive mics, but the AK-47 is my GO TO mic for everything now... highly recommend you try it out!

nikkei

[Meriphew]

I'm a huge fan of the Soundelux Elux 251. Stellar mic.

[lane thaw]

The thing about original 251's is [at least the good ones] that they were very often not the "best sounding" mic in a solo context but had some extraordinary ability to sit in context with a song in a way that was very musically pleasing and really captured the essence of the performance.

Yes Yes Yes - I recently did "scratch" vox at a studio that had a pristine original 251 and felt it was too bright/harsh in the cue, and I ususally go to another studio to have my favorite U47/1073 chain. But it turned out to be a keeper, once it was listened to in a "ruff" mix. It was tracked into a 1084.

[Trebor Flow]

I recently aquired the 251 cap for my Bottle. One cool thing about the BLUE 251 (B0) is because it is a single back plate capsule, it doesn't have even a hint of aggression in the mids and actually has the smoothness of a K47 but with an extended top end.

It's a great combo - and as the other posters have said, often sounds too bright when your tracking but sounds suprisingly spot on in the mix.

It kinda reminds me of a C800G - it's that type of vibe, worth checking out without a doubt.

Robert

[wildpark]

hey lets change this tread too iam huge fan of e

but i can agree with fletcher

gefells a underrated and there are many u47 emus out there best ist you take the original if you collecter or build one with best parts avalible yourself.

patrick

p.s

i sold my 251 and iam a jed huge fan on brauner vma vintage setting with tele v76 pre in my protools rig e

[RCA]

Originally Posted by bforest4

Blue Bottle with 251 capsule vs Telefunken 251 reissue vs Soundelux 251. Has anyone compared these mics in person?

The 251 is by far the best...

[RKrizman]

RCA, is there a reason why you are reviving all these old 251 threads without really adding any new content?

-R