Bock ifet7?

[Schmacko]

Originally Posted by warhead

The Bock iFet is just about to ship.

War

Cool news.

For those of us who have Soundelux iFet7's, what improvements/differences should we hear? For instance, is the "V" mode still based on the u87? And, what's the story with the capsule this time around?

Thanks!

[DAWgEAR]

Originally Posted by Schmacko

Cool news.

For those of us who have Soundelux iFet7's, what improvements/differences should we hear? For instance, is the "V" mode still based on the u87? And, what's the story with the capsule this time around?

Thanks!

Inquiring minds want to know ...

[shrimpbait]

Originally Posted by warhead

The Bock iFet is just about to ship.

War

Great to hear! Been anticipating this one for a while ...

[RoundBadge]

Bock ifet living on kick drum here.
Great stuff

[dbock]

Originally Posted by Schmacko

Cool news.

For those of us who have Soundelux iFet7's, what improvements/differences should we hear? For instance, is the "V" mode still based on the u87? And, what's the story with the capsule this time around?

Thanks!

More like a km84 circuit, less negative feedback than the 87 circuit and no frequency shaping elements, but still a single fet (like the 87) which was always the case with this mic. We don't need all the frequency shaping stuff with this capsule like you do with a k67.
The "i" mode is still a discreet 5 transistor device, but with enhanced LF response.

[softwareguy]

Originally Posted by dbock

More like a km84 circuit, less negative feedback than the 87 circuit and no frequency shaping elements, but still a single fet (like the 87) which was always the case with this mic. We don't need all the frequency shaping stuff with this capsule like you do with a k67.
The "i" mode is still a discreet 5 transistor device, but with enhanced LF response.

I'm sorry to be dense, but does that mean that the circuit is the same as it was in the Soundelux mic, or that you use different means to achieve similar ends?

Does the "v" mode circuit still aim for the U87 sound?

[NathanEldred]

This mic is underrated for a lot of vocal duties. I love this mic on loud or screamy vocals (i.e. punk or metal). Nothing else handles it the same way. Smokes any dynamic in that application. Great for bluesy/smokey/raspy voxs too. I've had great results with female and male with it.

[dbock]

Originally Posted by softwareguy

I'm sorry to be dense, but does that mean that the circuit is the same as it was in the Soundelux mic, or that you use different means to achieve similar ends?

Does the "v" mode circuit still aim for the U87 sound?

Not dense at all. The circuits haven't changed dramatically, minor tweaks to improve reliability etc. The "v" mode is similar to the 87 in it's single fet simplicity, but departs from it in not using an all pass filter or 10dB of negative feedback, rather using a more gentle 3dB full band NFB, which is needed to prevent early HF distortion in the fet. FETs that can withstand mic capsule HF distortion without NFB are.......rare.

[acupunk]

David is the Ifet7 good for acoustic guitar or do you think
the 241 is a better choice?

[warhead]

Hey David, beautiful mic ya got here.

Going to try and use it in the next few days to get a feel for it.

War

[oceantracks]

Hey guys...do you think this mic would be as good of an all arounder (or better) than the 195 which I currently have? Duties are acoustic and electric guitars, vocals....thanks

Back in the day I never thought the original Neumann FET sounded very good on vocals but in later years they sure started getting used that way....I loved the sound of Michelle Branch on "Everywhere" and the assistant engineer told me that was a FET 47.....

Thanks
Tom

[Jay Fitz]

Originally Posted by oceantracks

Hey guys...do you think this mic would be as good of an all arounder (or better) than the 195 which I currently have? Duties are acoustic and electric guitars, vocals....thanks

Back in the day I never thought the original Neumann FET sounded very good on vocals but in later years they sure started getting used that way....I loved the sound of Michelle Branch on "Everywhere" and the assistant engineer told me that was a FET 47.....

Thanks
Tom

Yes, it will have more tonal flexibilty than the 195 as it has two different amplifier circuits allowing for two sonic options for any one source.

[warhead]

The "i" mode is quite low in output, and really only intended for very high SPL sources (kick, bass etc) where the "v" mode is very much suited to voice. Just sitting here talking into it (the way we love to initially dig into a mic) this thing is smooth as all get out.

More later, but the 195 I would consider more "sonic" choices as far as response, and the iFet more along "dynamic range" choices.

War

[NathanEldred]

Unless its changed from the old ones (which David has said it hasn't from what I see) the I mode is going to fit on some vocals. The I mode is clearer and less mid thick than the V version to my ears; so try one, then try the other, they are different and complementary as one should work on a large variety of sources.

[mikeyman]

alot of cash thats for sure

[Jay Fitz]

Originally Posted by mikeyman

alot of cash thats for sure

Really?

[warhead]

In the $2k range this mic is a huge standout actually, so far I'd say no reason why it couldn't just live on a vocal mic stand in any great studio. Extremely forgiving, nice workable proximity effect, and you could probably stick the thing right next to a jet engine in instrument mode and not overload it.

It has an easy way of handling sibilance that you have to hear to believe.

War

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by mikeyman

alot of cash thats for sure

Imo no
2k for a ldc that's easily as good and at times better than a 4k fet 47

[oceantracks]

I think it's a good and fair price.

Again, when the original Neumann came out, nobody I knew could stand it. Sounded like a blanket was over it. But history has been rewritten and now that mic is apparently a big deal.

I'm sure David's version is an improvement. I could use an SM57 and all Bock mics for everything else and be happy.

TH

[tubehead]

Ifet7 Great mic, great value! Serial number 3 here.

[warhead]

Just to clarify, even though this thread is named ifet7, the new mic is simply the Bock Audio IFET.

War

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by oceantracks

I think it's a good and fair price.

Again, when the original Neumann came out, nobody I knew could stand it. Sounded like a blanket was over it. But history has been rewritten and now that mic is apparently a big deal.

I'm sure David's version is an improvement. I could use an SM57 and all Bock mics for everything else and be happy.

TH

latetly I'm prefering the ifet to the fet47..seems bigger more open to my ears.
the fet47 I'm using is in mint condition.
today a 421 inside 3 inches from the beater and ifet just outside the hole pointing at the beater.
no eq needed

[Allaboutrhythm]

I purchased a ifet7 second hand in Chicago mid 2009. A year later I was an intern/post assistant at CRC and had the chance to use on of the studios to do a little shoot out with some of the other interns. It was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I only play drums and had to stick to kick and snare as my trial sources.

In the shoot out I took full advantage of CRC's mic closet and was able to compare the ifet7 to a few vintage u87's, u87ai, and u87 anniversary edition on snare.

I setup two u47 Fets along with the ifet on the kick. (ifet center, and u47's on either side. We took samples with these mics at multiple positions. (close to front head(1-3"), 6"(ish), and a foot (or so). I don't recall exactly, but I know we tried to be as consistent as possible and measured everything out.

I am sure that there is some bias, but truly felt that while the variances where there, the ifet was amazing at capturing 98% of what all of the mics were putting out. Obviously, the vintage u87's had some clear differences among themselves compared to the Ai and anniversary edition.

I was really pleased to hear how the u47's compared as well. My only gripe is the size of these mics and their ability to be used in a shoot out given that they would have tonal differences based on placement. (with three mics side by side on a 22" there are tonal changes) Much similar to miking a guitar cabs cone in the center versus pulling to the left or side. Looking back, I probably shouldn't have put in in the middle and arranged them to pick up the same part of the kick.

I have the session saved somewhere as well as pics of my placement of mics.

I am happy to share the session and pics with anyone who would like to hear the differences. Would it be wise to simply post a dropbox link to a shared folder for people to just download it? If so, and people are interested, I can put it up later tonight.

Its not everyday you have access to multiple vintage and modern versions of mics for comparison (in a great sounding room through great gear). I feel blessed to have had the chance to put my mic up against the rest and see how it all turned out.

Bottom line, I love the ifet7, and would gladly save up for a second if possible. Sadly, it took me three years just to find the one I was able to get. One of those passing gems on craigslist. BTW, anyone know where I could take the mic to have a looking over? It works perfectly, but being used when I got it, I would love to just have it checked out.

Thanks,

[tubehead]

Originally Posted by Allaboutrhythm

I purchased a ifet7 second hand in Chicago mid 2009. A year later I was an intern/post assistant at CRC and had the chance to use on of the studios to do a little shoot out with some of the other interns. It was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I only play drums and had to stick to kick and snare as my trial sources.

In the shoot out I took full advantage of CRC's mic closet and was able to compare the ifet7 to a few vintage u87's, u87ai, and u87 anniversary edition on snare.

I setup two u47 Fets along with the ifet on the kick. (ifet center, and u47's on either side. We took samples with these mics at multiple positions. (close to front head(1-3"), 6"(ish), and a foot (or so). I don't recall exactly, but I know we tried to be as consistent as possible and measured everything out.

I am sure that there is some bias, but truly felt that while the variances where there, the ifet was amazing at capturing 98% of what all of the mics were putting out. Obviously, the vintage u87's had some clear differences among themselves compared to the Ai and anniversary edition.

I was really pleased to hear how the u47's compared as well. My only gripe is the size of these mics and their ability to be used in a shoot out given that they would have tonal differences based on placement. (with three mics side by side on a 22" there are tonal changes) Much similar to miking a guitar cabs cone in the center versus pulling to the left or side. Looking back, I probably shouldn't have put in in the middle and arranged them to pick up the same part of the kick.

I have the session saved somewhere as well as pics of my placement of mics.

I am happy to share the session and pics with anyone who would like to hear the differences. Would it be wise to simply post a dropbox link to a shared folder for people to just download it? If so, and people are interested, I can put it up later tonight.

Its not everyday you have access to multiple vintage and modern versions of mics for comparison (in a great sounding room through great gear). I feel blessed to have had the chance to put my mic up against the rest and see how it all turned out.

Bottom line, I love the ifet7, and would gladly save up for a second if possible. Sadly, it took me three years just to find the one I was able to get. One of those passing gems on craigslist. BTW, anyone know where I could take the mic to have a looking over? It works perfectly, but being used when I got it, I would love to just have it checked out.

Thanks,

Contact TransAudio or reach out to Mr. Bock here.

[acupunk]

how would the ifet be verses a U87?
would it sound similar?

[dbock]

Originally Posted by acupunk

how would the ifet be verses a U87?
would it sound similar?

No, different capsules.

[Doc Mixwell]

Just started using the IFET yesterday, and can't yet take it out if "I" mode. WHOA..Thinking bout buying it for my spot...asap...it sounds absolutely beautiful over here. You guys will love this thing. Will have more in depth info after tomorrow. We are doing a large session with it, along with other classic microphones.

[Drumsound]

Originally Posted by warhead

I'd say no reason why it couldn't just live on a vocal mic stand in any great studio.
War

Because you have to put in on the front BD head during basics.

[shrimpbait]

Soooo .... Does anyone have anymore thoughts about this mic? Any recent purchasers?

I checked the clipilator but I do not see anything yet.

Appreciate anyone's thoughts.

Thanks

[Brad Lunde]

Originally Posted by shrimpbait

Soooo .... Does anyone have anymore thoughts about this mic? Any recent purchasers?

I checked the clipilator but I do not see anything yet.

Appreciate anyone's thoughts.

Thanks

In my demos and showing it around, I am very pleased with the Vocal mode vs the original Soundelux ifet7. Much "smoother", warmer, sexier sounding and more interesting vocal mic. We were shooting for a V mode good enough that many will buy it for the Vocal sound, not just the I mode sound. The intent was two great FET mics in one, and I think David upped his game with this IFET.

I am running into people who seem to want to switch between I and V modes with channel gain up on the preamp. You would never plug a mic into a console channel with the gain up, and this is the same. With the mode switch, you are actually switching inputs and outputs simultaneously between two different [mic] amplifiers. It is not an EQ switch or a filter switch like the 195. David made it hard to switch so user would realize its something major and mute the channel. We also put a note in the box!

Brad