High End Mic and Pre you still love?

Chaim Goldman · 13th September 2006

If you can only pick 1 mic and 1 pre that you actually use and love, which one will it be?

(assuming you have many high end mics and pres)

C.Lambrechts · 13th September 2006

Before I had the buzz MPE 2.2 that would have been the avalon ad2022. Since I have the buzz it is both the buzz and the ad2022.

I tend to go to the buzz for instruments and the avalon for vocals these days.

Yup ... you might say I kinda like transparant ... which I've see refered to by other people as 'thin' in another thread.

TanTan · 13th September 2006

can't choose one mic , but for pre 1064 \ 1073

Fletcher · 13th September 2006

The Thermionic Culture "Earlybird 2" [not the 2.1 but the original as I'm not all that wild about having options with the EQ... I think Vic did a fine job with his original EQ point choices and I don't want options from there]. As always, YMMV.

C/G · 13th September 2006

Out of the gear I own it would have to be Shadow Hills GAMA pre and Gefell M582 with UM70 capsule. The GAMA has three transformer flavours and the Gefell can be used on almost anything.

AllAboutTone · 13th September 2006

Avalon AD2022 , Neumann 87ai vintage for right now but im much more sure that there is a room full of tubes mics that work alot better. 2022 is NOT thin but so sweet transparent.

tiny333 · 13th September 2006

hi

i am going to add a vote 4 my trusty old v76 with soundelux 251

the soundelux mic is wonderful ...it has a lovley top end (unlike a real one!)
and i can use it on most things...even gtrs if i use a z vex nano amp !

as 4 the v76 what can you say its the best

ISedlacek · 13th September 2006

Horch RM2J & Pendulum MDP-1

Real jewels in my studio ... They never stop to give me an utmost pleasure and satisfaction ...

mr.gefell · 13th September 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

Horch RM2J & Pendulum MDP-1

Real jewels in my studio ... They never stop to give me an utmost pleasure and satisfaction ...

As usual " Ivo for president" here

I would like to try the rm2j and the marek vrs one day

seaneldon · 13th September 2006

haven't spent THAT much time with it, but the early bird is indeed tasty, especially in conjunction with the phoenix compressor. the dw fearn vt1 is one of my favorite mic pres, too. vipre into chandler ltd-2 is a wonderful combination for rock and roll everything.

microphones? i like microphones more than i love dark beer. i love all great microphones. i don't like bad microphones.

robmix · 13th September 2006

Hands down - the Daking. Liked it so much I sold most of my other pre's and bought 32 Dakings !!!!!!

T.RayBullard · 13th September 2006

mine would be my pendlum MDP-1 and my highly modded AKG 426B

OR my DAV pres and one of my 33 gefells.

(all my gefells are precious to me!)

OR my Pearl ELM Mics and Electronaut?

hell, everything in my kit ive spent a long time picking out, so I love it all.

Jim Williams · 13th September 2006

My modified AKG 460B's into the Audio Upgrades High Speed mic pre gives me the ultimate recording gimmick.... reality. That's the hardest thing to get these days of fashion flavors in audio.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

C/G · 13th September 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.RayBullard

hell, everything in my kit ive spent a long time picking out, so I love it all.

Me too. I'll throw in my Mercury M72 as well.

snedley · 13th September 2006

Soundelux U99 and Pendulum Quartet.

max cooper · 13th September 2006

I also can't choose one mic, but after having lived with my Wunder PA four for a couple of months, I couldn't be happier with it. I've been trying other things in the interim, but nothing has come close as a "meat and potatoes" preamp. I just want to use it for everything. The API's are feeling a bit left out of late.

GearHunter · 13th September 2006

API 512C and 1980's U87.

Classic. Simple. Elegant. thumbsup

True North · 13th September 2006

Tube Tech MEC1A - lov it on vox and bass almost all the time - mind you this has as much to do with the compressor section as it does the mic pre

Mics - don't hold me to one - I can't do it, I don't even want to think about it!

Norman Lindsey · 13th September 2006

buzz ma2.2 or sebatron vmp-4000e (mullard tubes) with an AT4047 gets us through all of our vocal work .

HudHudson · 13th September 2006

I've loved my Soundelux U95S for eight years (thank you, Fletcher!), especially through a V76, but it was also wonderful through a 1073 (thanks again, Fletcher!).

vernier · 13th September 2006

UA-1008 and 77-DX, U47, M149, or D19 ..doesn't matter.

**TonyBelmont** · 13th September 2006

Neve 1073 (or similar) and Neumann U87.

84K · 13th September 2006

MICS:

RCA BK-11

AKG D25, and D30

Royer R121 (I got my first one the month it came out and I still LOVE it)

PRES:

pendulum mdp-1a... 8 years later, still blowin my mind

shep sn-8 (most under-rated neve-esque box ever... kills the rest of them)

Fletcher · 13th September 2006

I didn't add the mic part to my previous response... I'm a dummy.

Probably a Josephson e22S... best "all around" mic in my arsenal

DeepSpace · 13th September 2006

Well, if I could seriously only pick one of each, then I'd have to go for maximum versatility, which puts a bit of a damper on color and on those mics and pres that are to die for on some things - which, now I come to think about it, rules rather a lot 'o really nice stuff out.

I know it's gonna sound boring, but like a couple of others here, if I had to narrow it down to one, I'd probably go with the U87ai for the mic - and for the pre I'd have a really hard time choosing between the AD2022 and the 1073DPD - but I think the AD2022 might have the edge for two reasons. One is that it is supremely transparent (I love the Neve color, but it is still color) and the other is sheer versatility (DI, impedance matching - less important with only one mic, but still... - 20db pad, LPF etc).

Damn tough choices. Fortunately I'm not facing the need to make that decision any time soon!

jmikeperkins · 13th September 2006

If I could only pick one mic and pre, I would choose an EV RE20 through my Telefunken V376 mic pre. You can make a whole record with an RE20 as it can do just about anything. The V376 is the 1st generation solid state V76, designed and made by the same people (TAB in Germany) and is a very versitale and very quiet pre with a lot of gain for a low output mic like an RE20.

Makinithappen · 13th September 2006

Right now, probably my Charter Oaks SA538 mic and Vintech Dual 72 but my favorite things change weekly.

tenor39 · 13th September 2006

DPA 4041 or 4012 with the new prototype

Fred Forssell HV preamp.

Plush · 14th September 2006

Schoeps M222+EAR mic amp

Roland · 14th September 2006

As Crazy as it sounds I would choose an old U87, I know its not fashionable, its not a mic that many people will own up to liking, but I can't really think of a single thing that you can't record with it. I've seen them used on everything from an orchestra to a drum kit tom tom, lead vocal to guitar cab.

As for mic amps something good and reliable, quiet, low distortion, wide frequency response and decent bottom end, could probably be resonable happy with any of the other suggestions above. But I will throw Crispin Herrod Taylors Crookwood i-pre's into the list,

a) because they are as good as anything out there,

b) they deserve a much wider audience not just the few amongst us who know how well he is respected, he's also a really nice bloke!

c) I've just bought 24 of them and should be taking delivery around the end of October.

The DAV's were a potentially strong candidate as I also liked their sound, however the i-pre's are remote controllable and spec better, this coupled with Cripin's pedigree swung it for me!

Regards

Roland

13th September 2006	#1
Chaim Goldman Gear interested Joined: May 2005 Location: NY USA Posts: 20 Thread Starter	High End Mic and Pre you still love? If you can only pick 1 mic and 1 pre that you actually use and love, which one will it be? (assuming you have many high end mics and pres)

13th September 2006	#2
C.Lambrechts Lives for gear Joined: May 2002 Location: Ans (Liege) Belgium Posts: 3,286	Before I had the buzz MPE 2.2 that would have been the avalon ad2022. Since I have the buzz it is both the buzz and the ad2022. I tend to go to the buzz for instruments and the avalon for vocals these days. Yup ... you might say I kinda like transparant ... which I've see refered to by other people as 'thin' in another thread. __________________ Chris Lambrechts

13th September 2006	#5
C/G Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 2,829	Out of the gear I own it would have to be Shadow Hills GAMA pre and Gefell M582 with UM70 capsule. The GAMA has three transformer flavours and the Gefell can be used on almost anything. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------

13th September 2006	#7
tiny333 Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 781	old favs hi i am going to add a vote 4 my trusty old v76 with soundelux 251 the soundelux mic is wonderful ...it has a lovley top end (unlike a real one!) and i can use it on most things...even gtrs if i use a z vex nano amp ! as 4 the v76 what can you say its the best

13th September 2006	#8
ISedlacek Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Czech mountains and forests Posts: 3,858	Horch RM2J & Pendulum MDP-1 Real jewels in my studio ... They never stop to give me an utmost pleasure and satisfaction ... __________________ Ivo Sedlacek Savita Music Velvet Mastering Velvet Sound

13th September 2006	#3
TanTan Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Israel Posts: 990	can't choose one mic , but for pre 1064 \ 1073

13th September 2006	#4
Fletcher member no 666 Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 10,108	The Thermionic Culture "Earlybird 2" [not the 2.1 but the original as I'm not all that wild about having options with the EQ... I think Vic did a fine job with his original EQ point choices and I don't want options from there]. As always, YMMV.

13th September 2006	#6
AllAboutTone Gear Guru Joined: Nov 2005 Location: S.Carolina Posts: 11,474	Avalon AD2022 , Neumann 87ai vintage for right now but im much more sure that there is a room full of tubes mics that work alot better. 2022 is NOT thin but so sweet transparent.

13th September 2006	#10
seaneldon Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Bahstahn, MA Posts: 2,687	haven't spent THAT much time with it, but the early bird is indeed tasty, especially in conjunction with the phoenix compressor. the dw fearn vt1 is one of my favorite mic pres, too. vipre into chandler ltd-2 is a wonderful combination for rock and roll everything. microphones? i like microphones more than i love dark beer. i love all great microphones. i don't like bad microphones.

13th September 2006	#11
robmix Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,559	Hands down - the Daking. Liked it so much I sold most of my other pre's and bought 32 Dakings !!!!!! __________________ Rob Hoffman -------------------------- http://www.elicitmusic.com

13th September 2006	#12
T.RayBullard Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2005 Location: Columbus County, North Carolina Posts: 2,426	mine would be my pendlum MDP-1 and my highly modded AKG 426B OR my DAV pres and one of my 33 gefells. (all my gefells are precious to me!) OR my Pearl ELM Mics and Electronaut? hell, everything in my kit ive spent a long time picking out, so I love it all. __________________ I think it is wrong to make everything equidistant from the listener with too many mics. The pasting-on effects end up like bad Photoshop work on graphics & photos - too unbelievable.-Tony Faulkner http://www.last.fm/user/TeddyBullard/

13th September 2006	#13
Jim Williams Voiding warranties Joined: Feb 2004 Location: beautiful Carlsbad, CA Posts: 10,070	My modified AKG 460B's into the Audio Upgrades High Speed mic pre gives me the ultimate recording gimmick.... reality. That's the hardest thing to get these days of fashion flavors in audio. Jim Williams Audio Upgrades

13th September 2006	#15
snedley Gear maniac Joined: May 2003 Location: garden city, mi Posts: 282	Soundelux U99 and Pendulum Quartet.

13th September 2006	#16
max cooper Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2004 Location: tx Posts: 8,802	I also can't choose one mic, but after having lived with my Wunder PA four for a couple of months, I couldn't be happier with it. I've been trying other things in the interim, but nothing has come close as a "meat and potatoes" preamp. I just want to use it for everything. The API's are feeling a bit left out of late.

13th September 2006	#17
GearHunter Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,578	API 512C and 1980's U87. Classic. Simple. Elegant. thumbsup

13th September 2006	#18
True North Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario (Canada) Posts: 3,213	Tube Tech MEC1A - lov it on vox and bass almost all the time - mind you this has as much to do with the compressor section as it does the mic pre Mics - don't hold me to one - I can't do it, I don't even want to think about it! __________________ "In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey" - Beck, Loser "I do use compressors/limiters but not for controlling dynamics, I use EQ for that!" Jp22 (damn I miss him) "Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance." -- Will Durant, historian (1885-1981) "I try to get a boom out of the bass drum, in one of my albums, my CD, boom, I try to get that big boom, I could not get a big boom, I paid bucks, and could not get the boom" - Recording Expert, Tad Donley

13th September 2006	#19
Norman Lindsey Gear maniac Joined: Mar 2004 Location: The Bane of Oz Posts: 281	buzz ma2.2 or sebatron vmp-4000e (mullard tubes) with an AT4047 gets us through all of our vocal work .

13th September 2006	#20
HudHudson Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Austin, Texas USofA Posts: 1,671	I've loved my Soundelux U95S for eight years (thank you, Fletcher!), especially through a V76, but it was also wonderful through a 1073 (thanks again, Fletcher!). __________________ "The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." - Hunter S. Thompson should have said this, but didn't www.yellowdogstudios.com

13th September 2006	#21
vernier Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 6,130	UA-1008 and 77-DX, U47, M149, or D19 ..doesn't matter.

13th September 2006	#22
TonyBelmont Moderator Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Boston,MA Providence,RI Posts: 15,919	Neve 1073 (or similar) and Neumann U87.

13th September 2006	#23
84K Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2004 Location: right coast Posts: 3,857	MICS: RCA BK-11 AKG D25, and D30 Royer R121 (I got my first one the month it came out and I still LOVE it) PRES: pendulum mdp-1a... 8 years later, still blowin my mind shep sn-8 (most under-rated neve-esque box ever... kills the rest of them)

13th September 2006	#25
DeepSpace Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Inside the Outside Posts: 1,193	Well, if I could seriously only pick one of each, then I'd have to go for maximum versatility, which puts a bit of a damper on color and on those mics and pres that are to die for on some things - which, now I come to think about it, rules rather a lot 'o really nice stuff out. I know it's gonna sound boring, but like a couple of others here, if I had to narrow it down to one, I'd probably go with the U87ai for the mic - and for the pre I'd have a really hard time choosing between the AD2022 and the 1073DPD - but I think the AD2022 might have the edge for two reasons. One is that it is supremely transparent (I love the Neve color, but it is still color) and the other is sheer versatility (DI, impedance matching - less important with only one mic, but still... - 20db pad, LPF etc). Damn tough choices. Fortunately I'm not facing the need to make that decision any time soon!

13th September 2006	#26
jmikeperkins Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 844	Desert Island mic and pre If I could only pick one mic and pre, I would choose an EV RE20 through my Telefunken V376 mic pre. You can make a whole record with an RE20 as it can do just about anything. The V376 is the 1st generation solid state V76, designed and made by the same people (TAB in Germany) and is a very versitale and very quiet pre with a lot of gain for a low output mic like an RE20.

13th September 2006	#27
Makinithappen Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2006 Location: St. Louis, MO USA (Hot Louis) Posts: 1,566	Right now, probably my Charter Oaks SA538 mic and Vintech Dual 72 but my favorite things change weekly. __________________ I think you'll find that 'generic and flavourless' is generally something that occurs before the microphone -Karloff70 Two f**in' weeks to make up your mind whether you want a beard or you want a job. This is the Buddy Rich Band; young people...with faces!- Buddy Rich

13th September 2006	#28
tenor39 Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 595	DPA 4041 or 4012 with the new prototype Fred Forssell HV preamp.

14th September 2006	#29
Plush Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2003 Location: EARS/Chicago Posts: 4,274 2 Reviews written	Schoeps M222+EAR mic amp

14th September 2006	#30
Roland Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2002 Location: St Leonards on Sea, England Posts: 2,133 2 Reviews written	As Crazy as it sounds I would choose an old U87, I know its not fashionable, its not a mic that many people will own up to liking, but I can't really think of a single thing that you can't record with it. I've seen them used on everything from an orchestra to a drum kit tom tom, lead vocal to guitar cab. As for mic amps something good and reliable, quiet, low distortion, wide frequency response and decent bottom end, could probably be resonable happy with any of the other suggestions above. But I will throw Crispin Herrod Taylors Crookwood i-pre's into the list, a) because they are as good as anything out there, b) they deserve a much wider audience not just the few amongst us who know how well he is respected, he's also a really nice bloke! c) I've just bought 24 of them and should be taking delivery around the end of October. The DAV's were a potentially strong candidate as I also liked their sound, however the i-pre's are remote controllable and spec better, this coupled with Cripin's pedigree swung it for me! Regards Roland

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