Groove Tubes Model 2a mic - WHAT DO YOU KNOW? HELP!
hey guys,
just acquired a groove tubes model 2a that i bought off a guy from craigslist. from what i have read it is a nice vintage mic. however the guy didnt know too much about it as he was not the original owner and not much of a mic pro.
my dilemma is that i cannot find any information ANYWHERE on this microphone. now that the groove tubes company has been bought out, their email tech support is garbage because apparently they "lack records" on older groove tubes gear.
IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE? do any of you know any info on the GT Model 2a?
i would love any information at all. if someone had a frequency response chart, i just might shed tears of joy.
P.S. if anyone knows what this piece of joy is worth that would be cool. as well as maybe the years they were manufactured?
From a 1997 (the year the mic was released) review in Sound On Sound magazine:
"Groove Tubes are a company best known to guitar players for their matched sets of valves, but they also produce valve amplifiers, outboard processors and microphones. Their MD1, 2 and 3 mics have enjoyed success for a number of years, but now they've been given new amplifier circuitry to further reduce noise, increase headroom and lower total harmonic distortion. Though the same capsules are used as in the original models, a new suspension system has been added to reduce handling noise -- some performers are actually taking these mics out on the road.
Because these are valve mics, you can't run them from regular phantom power sources, so Groove Tubes produce the mains-powered PS2A power supply, which can power any two mics (and some other Groove Tubes products) simultaneously. The mic connects to the power supply via a locking 9-way D connector, and while I have to agree with those people who find these a trifle ugly, they do have the advantage of being inexpensive and easy to obtain, so if you do need to repair or replace a cable the bits aren't hard to come by.
The MD2a cardioid is, outwardly at any rate, mechanically similar to the MD1a, except that it has a black crackle paint finish and there's a variable sensitivity control peeking out of the end of the case. Unlike a pad, this control affects the capsule sensitivity; talking of which, the gold-sputtered diaphragm used in this capsule is just 3 microns thick -- less than a third of the thickness of that fitted to the MD1a. The result is a much extended top-end response: this model claims 40Hz-25kHz ±2dB. The response curve is also a lot smoother than that of the MD1a, with fewer local bumps and dips. The equivalent input noise is 26dB SPL and the sensitivity is 26.4mV/Pa. The transformer output stage spec is the same as for the MD1a.
What we have here, then, is a mic that's a hint noisier than the MD1a, and a little less sensitive, but with a hugely extended upper frequency response. In practical terms, this translates to a mic that's very good at handling transient sounds, making it suitable for percussion, drum overheads, brass, sax and acoustic guitar, as well as vocals. Subjectively, I found it a little less warm than the the MD1a when used on vocals, and the mid-range seemed to project more. Whether this is a good thing depends on the singer -- some people will find this mic gives them the extra cut and projection they need, while others may find it slightly nasal-sounding. Used for up-close vocals, this can be a very flattering mic which will really stand out in a mix."
I have one of these, along with some MD6td mics and a MP1 preamp. I haven't used them in years (for no good reason). GT sent me this spec sheet once and I must've scan it for someone because now it's on my hard drive. Hope it helps.
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