Upgrading Mic..My top 3 choices.

[Johnkenn]

The Korby Kat Blue is absolutely one of my favorite modern sounding mics. Definitely think you should try that...

[Remy Leloup]

I was pretty impressed ( in your budget plan ) by the lookalike U 47 ( do not remember the name ) of Cathedral Pipes microphones , check their website

[Slikjmuzik]

I would just go with the Manley CardRef. Sounds solid, it's been used by everyone from Maroon 5 to Britney for smash hits, has striking looks so most artists will feel inspired in front of it. It's a solid way to go, just get a good pre. That's the kind of mic that having a Mercury m72 and a 1073 goes a long way for tonal options.

[cheu78]

Originally Posted by John Z

I am finally going to upgrade my mic. Going for that modern bright sound again. Looking for something under 3k, but i am dead set on one of these.

1-Manley Reference C
2-Brauner Valvet
3-Lawson 251

Anyone used these before. By the way, i am coming from a Peluso 251. I am probably buying used so there is not a way i can actually try each of these.

I'd probably get the Brauner Valvet (possibly the Valvet X or maybe the Phantera), but the Manley definitely looks appealing for reaching that modern bright sound.

It's a different sound but I suggest to check out also a Violet Globe Standard (fwiw you could read my review in the GS reviews section, the review is actually of the Vintage version, which is not as "sparkly" as the standard).

I'd not rule out a JZ BH2 (or BH series) or, but this is a bit more than your budget, a Josephson (like the 716, or on the used marked maybe a 700?)

Btw I wouldn't buy a 3k mic without trying/testing it.. at this level is really a matter of taste, all of these are very nice mics.. try to find some studios near you that owns these mics (at least the Brauner and the Manley)..

Just my 0.02$,



Cheu

[Jim Williams]

I'd be dead set on trying all those contenders first, before you buy one.

[John Z]

Thanks for the replies guys. I am probably going to go with the Manley R C. I am positive it will provide me with the type of sound i am looking for. As Slikjmuzik said, the mic has been used in countless major releases, most in the same genre i am.

[Jim Williams]

Originally Posted by John Z

Thanks for the replies guys. I am probably going to go with the Manley R C. I am positive it will provide me with the type of sound i am looking for. As Slikjmuzik said, the mic has been used in countless major releases, most in the same genre i am.

So has an SM57.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by John Z

I am probably going to go with the Manley R C.

...until one of the sinophobes around here tell him it's got a chi-com capsule...

[Vintageidiot]

Great choice, only an idiot would argue against the Manley Reference Cardioid....

[didier.brest]

Take care about the self-noise from the Manley. In my knowledge, Manley is the only microphone manufacturer who does not provide the self-noise level as an equivalent acoustic level expressed in dB SPL A-weighted (dBA). Depending on what you are recording, it may be a drawback or not.
Here a comparison test of the Valvet and the Reference Gold (same electronics like the Reference Cardioid, but the capsule is provided by Josephson): the Valvet is about 15 dB quieter.

[superwack]

Originally Posted by John Z

I am finally going to upgrade my mic. Going for that modern bright sound again. Looking for something under 3k, but i am dead set on one of these.

1-Manley Reference C
2-Brauner Valvet
3-Lawson 251

Anyone used these before. By the way, i am coming from a Peluso 251. I am probably buying used so there is not a way i can actually try each of these.

All great mics and you probably can't go wrong... I do get a chuckle from the idea that you are thinking about replacing one mic semi-based on a 40+ year old design (Peluso 251) with another based on the same old design (Lawson) to try to get a "MODERN" sound... don't get me wrong, 251 type mics are my favorite but that is kinda funny.