The best 48v Condenser for the traveling producer.

[Sony Anderson]

Originally Posted by nikkei

Hi fellow Gearslutz!

I've been traveling at least 1x-2x a month to record records in various countries throughout Asia and Europe...many with less than stellar equipment and facilities.

I've been bringing my own iLok and SSD boot disk to mirror my own studio setup (so I have all my plugins and apps) and just use the studio's 192's and intel based macs.

However, some studios aren't as lucky...I just finished recording in a "state of the art" studio that was running ProTools 6.7.

So I've started bringing my own MacBook Pro (Early 2011), UAD Apollo...and just use the studio's booth and monitoring setup for zero latency recording.

Many of these studios have the U87AI or C414s...or lesser mics...

So I started to bring my own U87 Vintage.

Pros (only gonna list MY important few):
1) Sounds 'good' on any material
2) Phantom powered...so NO need to lug around power supply
3) Sounds 'good' despite room acoustics and preamps

Cons
1) Sounds 'good' on most material...it's nice to have an C800G for esthetically beautiful pop-artists that really need heavy tuning and all the help they can get.
2) Looks like a U87ai (so client 'wow-factor' isn't stellar)


I want to travel with ONLY 2 bags, so mic power supply isn't an option.

1 Check in (clothing, audio interface, keyboard, mouse)
1 Carry on (laptop, mic, hard drive)


Any suggestions for a portable 48v condenser vocal mic that will complement (or replace) the U87 vintage?
If it's good for business, price isn't really a huge factor.

Thank you!

Best,
nikkei

Your strategy using your MacBook Pro and UA Apollo works great indeed.

I had a great experience using the BLUE BLUEBERRY mic along with UA preamps. I also think that for the "client" it does have the "wow" factor since it's a good looking mic too.

That'd be my option, brother.

[Baithak]

How about the Sanken CU-44 MKII? I have yet to find a source on which it does not sound good. Plus it is a local mic for you :-)

Baithak

[Winny Pooh]

Josephson?

[cheu78]

If I had to bring around only one it will be a Violet Design Globe Vintage (or Standard).. it doesn't break the bank, it sounds FANTASTIC on several different sources, and it looks very very good.. (fwiw)

I had a session a couple of months ago with a R&B vocalist that took a picture of the mic

<<< fwiw I wrote a review in the gs reviews section, below my avatar there's the link

If you could add another mic into the bag it could be a good idea to get a Milab DC-96B (sort of sdc-ish), it's very small and sounds very good on vocals too and it's amazing on ac gtrs (if needed)..
if needed other good options might be a Gefell M300 or a km84 (for vocals duty also sometimes).

Or a Josephson C715 might be another great contender..(depends on the budget you have).

Another good suggestion is to bring around an MA5 (if the places where you're traveling have a lunchbox, you'll be golden..) or maybe buy a small lunchbox, like the 4 slots by tonelux or the 1 slot by chameleon labs (if it's worth something..I dunno never tried)..

I hope this helps,

Just my 0.02$,



Cheu

[nikkei]

All REALLY great suggestions!!

cheu78> As far as eye candy goes, that Violet Globe looks aggressive and cool!
Reminds me of all the fiberglass I had on my car before I hit my 30's.

The Josephson looks enticing. However, it looks like it'll be in the same vein of the U87 (classic sounding) from what I'm reading on the web.

Baithak> Gonna try to contact SANKEN and see if they'll let me demo a unit! Awesome since they're close!

Sony Anderson> I think I'll have to dust off my early Blueberry and put it to the test as well!

Thanks for all the suggestions!
Keep em rollin' if you have any more!

Best,
nikkei

[.:On The Rock:.]

The Neumann TLM 102 has fantastic noise rejection from the rear, which makes is a winner in most acoustic environments. It definitely sounds good on different sources, from horns to male rap to classical guitar. It's incredibly tiny and light - great for traveling. External pop filter is not necessary as well. The only downside is that it's only cardiod. Don't let the price fool you, this mic is wonderful.

Compared to a Neumann U87ai, I don't have much experience with them. They stay in the locker at the studio.

[hasbeen]

May I suggest a Neumann KM 86i

or if you can get one

Neumann Gefell MV692/UM70

Both mics sound great on just about anything.

The 86i is a great mic that does not get mentioned often.

[jmikeperkins]

Neumann U47 FET, Microtech Gefell UM70

[cheu78]

Originally Posted by nikkei

All REALLY great suggestions!!

cheu78> As far as eye candy goes, that Violet Globe looks aggressive and cool!
Reminds me of all the fiberglass I had on my car before I hit my 30's.

The Josephson looks enticing. However, it looks like it'll be in the same vein of the U87 (classic sounding) from what I'm reading on the web.

Thanks for all the suggestions!
Keep em rollin' if you have any more!

Best,
nikkei

The Globe is really good looking and it feels and sounds very solid.. It's very well made.. (after hearing the Globe, especially the Vintage, you'll double check for the tube and the transformer..I'm very impressed with this mic).

Regarding the Josephson.. IMO is nothing like a U87... If there something "classic" I'd say that it will probably become a "new classic"..

It's rather clear and open but not so sparkly as the brauners (generally speaking) and especially the C715 provide a very big sound and I'd say thick while still maintaining lots of details, which probably results to the 3Dness it has..
Sorry I tried my best to describe what I heard.. btw it's a great mic!

The Globe is more "soft"/round if that makes any sense.. It's detailed but probably is more smooth.. It's a different animal for sure.. Probably a bit more forgiving on some vocals than the Josephson (The Globe Vintage).

The best thing you could do is to test them out for yourself..

I hope this helps you somehow,



Cheu

[Jim Williams]

AKG 414 TL. Those are flat, all the patterns, bass roll-offs, pads, everything.
They have an excellent transient response and a tight focused low end, not at all like the B-ULS. Buy used for around $500.

[nikkei]

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

Will try em all

Best,
nikkei

[kafka]

Originally Posted by hasbeen

Neumann Gefell MV692/UM70

Originally Posted by jmikeperkins

Microtech Gefell UM70

+1 for the Gefell UM70. Stunning mic, smooth and open, even polar response, easy to use.

[MIKEHARRIS]

you havent mentioned the style of music...do you have more male than female artists ?

I assume you are using the pres in the Apollo.

[nikkei]

Thanks for the reply!
The style is mostly pop rnb male and female vocals....So my ideal mic to bring along would be the C800G, but the mic and the power supply are so darn heavy

best,
nikkei

Originally Posted by MIKEHARRIS

you havent mentioned the style of music...do you have more male than female artists ?

I assume you are using the pres in the Apollo.

[Slikjmuzik]

Given the style you've mentioned, go for a Brauner Phantera. Looks nice, only needs phantom power. It's in the 'bright' mic just like a c800g...both in a cartegory of bright that I find quite pleasing...especially for the style you've mentioned.

Down the road, if you need something to balance the Brauner that's not as bright, but you still need portability, go for the Wunder cm7fet.

[EddyR]

I suggest to check JZ Microphones Black Hole mic - BH1s or BH2. And if budget tighter then JZ Vintage 11 mic.