Enhanced Audio M600, first impressions

[gainreduction]

I just bought an Enhanced Audio M600 mic mount.

For those of you who are not yet familiar with this product, check out http://www.enhancedaudio.ie

In short, it's a universal mic mount that fits most microphone models.

But it's not just any mic mount. It claims to improve the sound and performance of any microphone by mechanically isolating the microphone from subsonic sounds and vibrations. For more detailed information about this, check the site.

So, does it work ?

YES.

I was quite surprised by how big a difference it made, to the better.

Here is what I wrote in an e-mail to Enhanced Audio after trying it out:

I've spent a couple of days with the M600 now and I'm really impressed. I
have recorded vocals and acoustic guitars so far and used the M600 on my
restored, up-to-spec vintage Neumann bottle with a M7 capsule.

The difference is more dramatic than I could imagine. The M7 capsule has a
strong proximity effect (that singers love of course, for better or
worse...) and the first thing I noticed was that the proximity effect was
more controlled and less boomy. A lot less boomy in fact. The low end was
solid and deep instead of extremely exaggerated when the singer was up close
to the mic.

Next thing I noticed was the sound of the mic being smoother overall.
Especially the upper mid-range harshness that can be a problem on loud,
screaming singers was not there. The high end sounded a tad more open and
"expensive" aswell. Low mids solid and present.

Overall the performance of the mic was a little more detailed and dynamic
and for lack of better words this vintage piece sounded a little more
"modern" and controlled in a good way.

Acoustic guitar sounded great aswell but since I had never recorded this
particular guitar before I can't really compare. However, soundcheck was
completed by just turning up the gain so I guess that's a sign...

It's beautifully engineered and feels like it will never break, super high
quality. And the space-age look keeps the singer in a good mood aswell

Yeah, this is the best 200 euros I spent in a long time. Thanks for making a
great product.

End of e-mail.

This is a product that makes a lot of sense to me. Eliminate problems at the source. Mechanical vibrations most certainly do travel up the mic stand and into the mic thus eating up headroom, masking the sound and in bad scenarios even resonating in the rubber bands of the shockmount.

The M600 eliminates these problems and gives the microphone optimal performance.

I hear it coming... "we need to hear audio samples". Strange as it may sound I don't think samples will make the M600 justice. It's something you need to hear and experience for yourself.

So before you spend another $5000 on a bunch of pres or mics or whatever to get an improvement in sound, get the M600 for a lot less.

[murp]

I realize that I shouldn't comment without hearing the piece, but I'm going to call bullsh!t anyway.

It is within the realms of plausibility that a microphone mount could reduce low-end rumble, but I just can not fathom how something that is HOLDING the microphone can get rid of "upper mid-range harshness".

On the other hand, IANAEAE (I Am Not An Experienced Audio Engineer), so take with the requisite dosage of salt.

[mwagener]

Originally Posted by murp

I realize that I shouldn't comment without hearing the piece, but I'm going to call bullsh!t anyway.

It is within the realms of plausibility that a microphone mount could reduce low-end rumble, but I just can not fathom how something that is HOLDING the microphone can get rid of "upper mid-range harshness".

On the other hand, IANAEAE (I Am Not An Experienced Audio Engineer), so take with the requisite dosage of salt.

You should really try one before you make a judgement. I have two and I wish I had ten more, they really work.

[murp]

Originally Posted by mwagener

You should really try one before you make a judgement. I have two and I wish I had ten more, they really work.

fair nuff...

I'm not about to argue with "the d00d", but could you maybe quantify the sonic impact? Where abouts in the audio spectrum do you perceive the difference the most? Like I said, I can believe that it would help with low-end rumble, but does it really improve things towards the other end of the spectrum?

[ToddP]

Remember that when you affect one frequency, all are affected to some degree.
If you go to the Enhanced Audio site above, or to http://www.lasvegasproaudio.com/m600.html, you will see a chart that attempts to quantify as you asked. However, the proof of the pudding is in the listening. There are a lot of people with great ears who are telling us that it makes a positive difference in many cases.

[krs]

sunflute posted some clips recently, and the difference was not subtle. Search for it I'm too lazy,,,those clips tell a big story!!

though i admit, it is weird

[Omicron_9]

Originally Posted by ToddP

Remember that when you affect one frequency, all are affected to some degree.
If you go to the Enhanced Audio site above, or to http://www.lasvegasproaudio.com/m600.html, you will see a chart that attempts to quantify as you asked. However, the proof of the pudding is in the listening. There are a lot of people with great ears who are telling us that it makes a positive difference in many cases.

If the price ever comes down, I'm in. The current price for the m600 is unjustifiable. Just my opinion, but I'm voting with my wallet.

-O.9

[mwagener]

Originally Posted by Omicron_9

... The current price for the m600 is unjustifiable. ... -O.9

That depends on where you draw the line for quality in your recordings. I think the price is totally justified, it doesn't cost much more than a standard Neumann spider mount, which does nothing for the quality of your recordings and which will wear out in a few years. We are working in a microcosm of sound and if I can improve the sound of ALL my mics with a single purchase, it's very much worth the price to me.

[gainreduction]

Originally Posted by mwagener

That depends on where you draw the line for quality in your recordings. I think the price is totally justified, it doesn't cost much more than a standard Neumann spider mount, which does nothing for the quality of your recordings and which will wear out in a few years. We are working in a microcosm of sound and if I can improve the sound of ALL my mics with a single purchase, it's very much worth the price to me.

Totally agreed ! For what it does, it's not expensive at all.

[Omicron_9]

Originally Posted by mwagener

... I think the price is totally justified, it doesn't cost much more than a standard Neumann spider mount, ....

This is faulty logic. If someone was selling SM57s at $500. each, and someone stated the obvious, that this is overpriced. Then someone states that some Neumann mics cost thousands of dollars, and the SM57 is a great mic, therefore it's a bargain for only $500.

This isn't to say the SM57 isn't wonderful, but it's not worth $500., and the fact that Neumann makes similar products for large prices doesn't justify a similar product being overpriced.

In my opinion, the M600 is still overpriced.

-O.9

[antiguru]

When this product came out it screamed HI-FI SNAKE OIL


But people who know their stuff say it works..... I'll probably get one.

costs about the same as a good suspension mount anyways.

[gainreduction]

Let me put it this way, the closer to the source you solve your sonic problems the better.

If the mic works magic at the source you don't need to perform miracles come mixing time.

That saves you time and gear.

The M600 can help you with that.

There's no eq in the world that has an "auto-focus / zoom-in" button. In a way that's how I experience the M600, like a picture that's nice and all but you didn't realize it was slightly out of focus until you see the focused version. Translate that to audio.

Nobody is forcing the M600 down your throats.

It's a 190 euro piece of gear that makes you sound better, simple as that.

I would really not care if it was a cable, outboard unit or software or whatever. If it cost that little and improved my tracks I would buy it and consider it a bargain.

And don't forget... it's the sluttiest mic mount around.

[mwagener]

Originally Posted by Omicron_9

This is faulty logic. If someone was selling SM57s at $500. each, and someone stated the obvious, that this is overpriced. Then someone states that some Neumann mics cost thousands of dollars, and the SM57 is a great mic, therefore it's a bargain for only $500.

This isn't to say the SM57 isn't wonderful, but it's not worth $500., and the fact that Neumann makes similar products for large prices doesn't justify a similar product being overpriced.

In my opinion, the M600 is still overpriced.

-O.9

Well, how about if somebody would sell a Neumann microphone for $75 (the price for a SM57) would you still think the Neumann is overpriced? In my opinion the Neumann spider mount which costs over $200 and does nothing for the sound of your mic, is totally overpriced, but the M600, which changes the sound of your mic for the better and sells also for just over $200 is well worth the money. I think the faulty logic is on your side.

[Omicron_9]

Originally Posted by mwagener

I think the faulty logic is on your side.

Michael,

Quite possibly; I'm no stranger to being wrong. But that's why I put "in my opinion" in bold italics; an opinion is all it was/is.

And my apologies if it seemed that I was taking a shot at you; that was not my intent.



-O.9

[gainreduction]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

How does it work on a mic that's using it's internal bass roll-off? Does it reduce low frequencies on a mic that's already filtering them out?

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

The M600 mechanically reduces SUBSONIC information, you still have all the low end you need, though a bit more solid, less boomy and even extended at the same time.

The more I use the M600 the more I notice the improvements in the lower midrange.

I'm recording strings in a couple of days and I'm going to bring the M600 for the main stereo mic to see how it affects the stereo image.

I remember Michael Wagener posting about how the M600 improved the stereo image on his overhead mics.

[Schaap]

Yesterday we did a shootout with brandshockmounts and some universal shockmounts (AKG, AT.) with Schoeps, Neumann etc. The mics in the M600 produced sounds better than anyother in terms of clarity, depth(!) and more open. It seems that guitars and especially the dobro came to live.
It is strange that it matters so much but it really does.

Today we ordered another M600.

BTW: we never noticed it but the Audio Technica SD shockmount gave better results than the AKG SD! So compare your shockmounts, who knows it may make a difference..


Henk

[mwagener]

Originally Posted by Omicron_9

Michael,

Quite possibly; I'm no stranger to being wrong. But that's why I put "in my opinion" in bold italics; an opinion is all it was/is.

And my apologies if it seemed that I was taking a shot at you; that was not my intent.



-O.9

no apolgies needed, I didn't take it that way at all. Logic is a funny thing, isn't it? I thought the same as many on this forum, but I always wait to form an opinion until I have a chance to try something, and in this case I was very surprised.

[Schaap]

How does it work on a mic that's using it's internal bass roll-off? Does it reduce low frequencies on a mic that's already filtering them out?

Hi Jim,

Tested with a Schoeps CMC6 and MK41S did also give a better performance of the M600 than other shockmounts.

Specs MK41S: http://www.schoeps.de/E-2004/specs-mk-ccm41s.html


Henk

[walth]

i want one.