Any experience with the Innertube Mag Mic?

[BattleAngel]

I had an Atomic Squeezebox that I loved but sold because it was too much for the demo work I was doing at the time. I'm looking into getting a dual Squeezebox now that my "studio" is gearing up to finally complete the tracks for a recording I've been fantasizing about for quite a while. I'm really going to need an outstanding vocal mic and the Mag Mic is very appealing. Can someone tell me a bit about their experiences with this microphone? On a related note, has anyone taken the Wunder mics for a spin yet?

[Fletcher]

I have a pretty early Mag Mic... I have to say I was amazed at what Stayne could do with that capsule. The thing is multi-purpose and great... though at times I have had singers have a tough time taking it seriously.

[Poutine]

Used a single unit on drums: behind and above, pointing down; with the mic somewhat cornerloaded: sounded stupidly HUGE. A producer/studio owner friend auditioned it on vocals and drums and purchased it.
Fletcher's point is a good one though - like all large diaphragm tube mics, its character will not always match every voice in every situation: Mic pre choice can also be a factor; impedance load, etc. Certainly worth checking out, and a good price to boot. I want a red one and a blue one.

[Les Stephenson]

I just received a mag mic and spent the better part of the weekend comparing it to my a C12VR, U87, and U47,. While all four of them sound great, the Mag Mic would be the one we'd pick for female vocals, which is exactly what we were looking for. It also sounds incredible on the piano. I'm pretty sure it wil sound great at anything it's pointed at. Great microphone!

[ProfessorFrink]

Fletcher's point is a good one though - like all large diaphragm tube mics, its character will not always match every voice in every situation:

Not to speak for him, but i believe Fletcher was just saying that some people have a hard time taking it seriously because it looks like a flashlight. Of course you're right, no mic will match every voice in every situation.

[stayne]

Originally posted by ProfessorFrink
Not to speak for him, but i believe Fletcher was just saying that some people have a hard time taking it seriously because it looks like a flashlight. Of course you're right, no mic will match every voice in every situation.

i think the other side of the coin might be more revealing. how in the world can ANYONE take seriously singing into the seemingly ENDLESS number of cloned u-47's, 251's and c-12's and pretend they have the same sonic/dollar value as the originals from yesteryear ???
how come i don't sound like pink floyd ???
[maybe because they weren't using these cheap shit imitation clones]
this business used to be based on listening and not fashion.

[BattleAngel]

Well, I need to get my voice on one of these and fast. I have a feeling that it would be a terrific mic for my voice.

Welcome to the board btw, Stayne :-)

[LdSpkrPro]

It's really a very sad commentary on the business that the guys that gave us the legendary microphones of old have forgotten how they made them. The AKG C-12 reissue is a perfect example of the continuing embarassment! And who in his right mind believes today's transistorized versions are better than the tube units of old ??

Now, verybody is getting into the act with the cheap condenser capsules from China, and their own mic preamp. When Neumann and AKG haven't been able, in 20 plus years to make a transistorized mic that sounded as good as their legendary tube mics . . . what makes you think that some new guy to mics can throw together a cheap capsule and their transistor premap and it's gonna be hot ???

The innerTUBE Audio MM-2000 uses a premium quality European capsule, and an IMPROVED TUBE circuit, with a premium output transformer. The side-by-side comparison with anything else isn't the least bit subtle: having used all the famous 'legendary mics', I can tell you...this is the only one that continues the legend. Do yourself a favor and check it out before you spend money on anything else.

[jdunn]

I've had a pair of red Mag Mics for years now. While the wire mesh bent by hand and fit over the capsule looks like cheapness, they sound fantastic. I too have used a single one as a drum overhead. I've also used them on vocals, guitars, piano, etc... It's a very versatile mic that indeed sounds good on just about everything.

Stayne told me that the guy who builds the Latchlake mic stands can build a very nice capsule housing for the mic, but he has only built a few over the last several years. Thus far I haven't wanted to be without my Mag Mics for an extended time, so I've just stuck with the hand bent wire mesh. As Cartman would say, "It's fine, just fine".

I also have a stereo mic pre that Stayne built me. It has ancient transformers (UTC input and Triad output), and tubes of course, with no gain switching at all. The only control is a -18 dB pad. This pre has a very natural, un-hyped high end, works great with the Mag Mics. A strange thing happens when I run some other tube mics through it though (Soundelux U95S, Korby CM3)..... the high end rolls off drastically. Must be a transformer impedance mismatch issue. It can be very useful for effects too, if you want to drive that input transformer hard for some 'electric violin' type distortion.

Yo what up Mammy Nun!

[Poutine]

I stand corrected - misread Fletcher's comment about the cosmetic issue with some singers: But to be honest, when I showed it to a number of musicians, I had to point out the fact that they were looking at the world's coolest flashlight... And that is what they call "vibe".
the last thing most musicians I've recorded are thinking about before a take is the shape of the mic. ('cept this one ex-nun, but that's another story)
And besides which, on that drum kit, without exaggeration, the flat MagMic sounded almost 3-D; - an amazingly good representation of the room and the kit; AND that was using an Amek Big console: imagine the sound thru a good mic pre.
As far as the "primitive" appearance of the grill: so what??? that's the thing about using a creative tool that was handmade by a human being who obviously cares about what they do.

[LdSpkrPro]

Poutine: "As far as the "primitive" appearance of the grill: so what??? that's the thing about using a creative tool that was handmade by a human being who obviously cares about what they do."

Check out the grille on the current production model MM-2000 on their website, it's very kewl.

www.innertubeaudio.com

[jdunn]

The upgraded grilles have been on the website for 3 years, though the site itself has changed a few times. What I was saying is that getting them is apparently like pulling teeth, and not Stayne's. He does not build the grilles himself. I'm sure if I had the money to send to Latchlake, and a while to wait for them to come back, I could get the new grille upgrade. I can't remember if it's $300 or $600 per mic either.

As far as the "primitive" appearance of the grill: so what???

Yeah, I said "It's fine, just fine". I am not complaining bro, just pointing this out. I know Stayne pretty well, have helped him take gear to AES and NAMM shows, etc... so I'm not trying to bust his balls here.



I did drop one on a wood floor once however, and the mesh got a little bent. I would feel safer with it having the metal housing around the capsule. One of these days I'll send em' in.

[Poutine]

Jason - No offense intended. - I wasn't "so whatting" your specific comment, it was just a general, kinda Miles Davis "so what", as in "no worries mate, what with the sound of the mic, so who cares?" so what... the little idiosyncratic craftsmanship of hand made stuff.
The demo unit I auditioned had a few grill dings, and the mesh openings were larger than a typical side-address, so perhaps it wasn't an updated grill.
The point I was awkwardly trying to make was that us folks tend to care more about the sound, rather than the looks, as Mr. Stayne can confirm regarding a certain prototype unit I nearly purchased from ITA International Corp.

[jdunn]

No offense taken, I just wanted to make sure nobody thought I was slamming the mic. Stayne is a great tube designer. And he has these insane Western Electric tube monoblock power amps in his studio. They sound very cool. So does the Helios console, etc...

[Poutine]

mmmmm
mono blocks

speaking of amps...anyone got suggestions for an amp to use with either a stock pair of Tannoy SGM10, or the Manley/Mastering Lab version????

[Jeff A. Roberts]

I've had my MM2000 for a few years now.

Because of that fact, my C12 VR's with CK12 capsules are almost never used for vocals. Also, my Neumann 147 & 149 rarely see singers any more. And my CMV563 w. a Blue B6 capsule hasn't see many uvuvulas lately either. I guess that makes the MM2000 my go-to vocal mic.

(BTW: I was a satisfied MagMic customer before I started making the grilles.)

And if you've seen an MM2000 with a pretty grill, I probably made it. The grilles are very difficult to make. My reject rate for the first dozen was over 90%. Making the grilles is a really good way to get lots of little cuts and burns all over your hands. I'll make a couple more next week and send them to Stayne to help with the crush of orders from AES.

Most singers that I work with find the MagMic (MM2000) to be inspirational and cool. I'll have to try the drum overhead thing.

[stayne]

Originally posted by Jeff A. Roberts
I've had my MM2000 for a few years now.

Because of that fact, my C12 VR's with CK12 capsules are almost never used for vocals. Also, my Neumann 147 & 149 rarely see singers any more. And my CMV563 w. a Blue B6 capsule hasn't see many uvuvulas lately either. I guess that makes the MM2000 my go-to vocal mic.

And if you've seen an MM2000 with a pretty grill, I probably made it. The grilles are very difficult to make. My reject rate for the first dozen was over 90%. Making the grilles is a really good way to get lots of little cuts and burns all over your hands. I'll make a couple more next week and send them to Stayne to help with the crush of orders from AES.

Most singers that I work with find the MagMic (MM2000) to be inspirational and cool. I'll have to try the drum overhead thing.

mr. roberts does quality work.
we now offer the u-87 retrofit with the same circuit as the nearly
famous MM-2000 mic in a flashlite.
the mag-87 as it is called has a much better noise figure and higher
gain than it's cousin, the original tube 87 with the 6072 tube.
the only difference between the mm-2000 and the mag 87 are the capsules
and the acoustic chamber the capsules are housed in.

[Poutine]

You should definitely try the drum setup
I just quickly threw it up a bit behind the kit, about 5-6 feet high, 3 - 4 feet from a room corner, pointing down at the kit: more wood, less brass.
Didn't play with the placement: just the pattern settings a bit
very present, without harshness, punchy kik that was quite big - no need for a kik mic, and lots of definition and detail... very very cool
A stereo setup would be fun, I bet - what with variable patterns and the resultant options.

Funny thing was that I wasn't even interested in the mic; Stayne insisted I try one, and had the nice folks at Bryston drop it off: The drum demo was purely a fluke; after hearing it, I sent it over to a friend's studio, where after one listen on vocals, they bought it.
That Stayne's a smart fella.

[WDG]

Hey is there a website for Stanyes products?

[LdSpkrPro]

you can check Stayne's stuff out at

www.innertubeaudio.com

[kevinc]

Originally posted by stayne
mr. roberts does quality work.
we now offer the u-87 retrofit with the same circuit as the nearly
famous MM-2000 mic in a flashlite.
the mag-87 as it is called has a much better noise figure and higher
gain than it's cousin, the original tube 87 with the 6072 tube.
the only difference between the mm-2000 and the mag 87 are the capsules
and the acoustic chamber the capsules are housed in.

I was just going to ask about the 87 kit. How much do you sell those for ?
Also does it completely replace the guts of the Neumann ?

It`d be nice to find a U87 cheap off ebay that didn`t work right and just stuff it with the retrofit guts. thumbsup

[jwh1192]

jdunn ...

you do not need to send in your microphone to have the mounts made ... just send in a flashlight ... same size of course ...

i have a C12VR that stayne put his scent on and again i agree it is the biggest thing in any track ... even with the stock capsule ... and i had never heard Mag Mic ... until i went to see stayne in his secret cave in the hills ... deep in the bowels of the earth near a place called "Atlantis" ... where young girls ... well i got off track for a moment ...

and ... he is a great guy ... you should see him at work with his sawsall ...

[stayne]

Originally posted by jwh1192
jdunn ...

you do not need to send in your microphone to have the mounts made ... just send in a flashlight ... same size of course ...

i have a C12VR that stayne put his scent on and again i agree it is the biggest thing in any track ... even with the stock capsule ... and i had never heard Mag Mic ... until i went to see stayne in his secret cave in the hills ... deep in the bowels of the earth near a place called "Atlantis" ... where young girls ... well i got off track for a moment ...

and ... he is a great guy ... you should see him at work with his sawsall ...

guys,
the new grills are beautiful
but they won't fit the older MM- 2000 bodies without a lot of
expensive metal tooling.
they are what they was.........they are what they is.

beer and sawsalls don't mix.

[jdunn]

jwh1192 - Thanks for the help, but as Stayne said, mine are older Mag Mics, about 4 years at least. I've been in touch w/ Jeff at Latchlake, and I'll be sending them in this week for grille upgrades. Nice!

[jwh1192]

it was just a bit of humor about sending in a flashlight instead of the mic ...

best of luck ...

john

[Jennifer Terran]

I have a Mag Mic 2000 that is, yes, pretty wonderful. But I am looking to sell it because I've found another love that's more fitting to the tamber of my voice. Just a very individual thing. If you are interested, please contact me: music@jenniferterran.com

will make you a deal.

jt

[terrybig]

The mag mic is a screamen deamon. Sounds good on any source. You cain't make it sound bad. Stayne is the real deal and knows his stuff. Just my 2 cents.Big Note Studio.

[terrybig]

Got a very nice mag mic for sale. Love it ,but need some cash to pay taxes.$2,000.00 email cove@wtconnect.com