Apex 205 w/ Michael Joly mods

drBill · 1st March 2007

I just got my Apex 205 back from Michael Joly at Oktavamod. I've got to say, it was one of the easiest, most pleasant experiences I've had. Michael was super easy to work with, has fair prices, and keeps you totally informed as to the status of your mics.

Anyway, this is my first ribbon. I've got lots of Neumanns, Gefell's, AKG's, Sennheisers, etc, but I wanted a ribbon for some Brass recording I'm going to be doing next month.

The mic arrived in 2 days and I got it just in tiime to do a couple of vocal sessions. Not what I intended to use it for, but I thought, what the heck and threw it up to check it out.

First session was a 4 piece (3 girls, 1 guy) black gospel group doing a song for a Robin Williams film. They were all top call session singers / church singers here in LA that I'd worked with in the past and I knew they would kill. I put up two Gefell M71S's with two singers on a mic facing each other. The mics were about 18"-24" apart with the singers about 4-5' apart in a medium large and fairly live room. I put the 205 dead center between the Gefells with the figure 8 pattern facing the singers.

The result was very nice. The Gefells were a bit on the bright side (what I wanted) and had a nice edge to them with a lot of articulation and definition. The 205 was a great addition. I don't know if I was just lucky or not, but I didn't have any phase issues with the 3 mics together. It gave a more "live" sound in the room and added a lot of heft down low. Perfect, as the scene on camera has the "choir" in a live envrionment and the extra bottom really warmed up the Gefells. Sweet.

Next up was a solo for the same song. We were lucky enough to get Oren Waters (of the Waters) to sing the lead. Words can't tell you how special this session was. This was one of those special ones that you don't often get. The kind we all went into this business for, but don't get to experience nearly enough. Oren is a phenomenal, phenomenal talent. If it wasn't for him learning the words, we would have finished in one take. As it was, we did 3 takes, but I think that was only cause we enjoyed listening to him sing so much. Man, MAN, that guy can sing with so much soul and power that it left us all speachless in the CRM. No autotune, editing or any other vocal fixing needed.

Anyway, back to the mics. I put up my cherished modded U87 for Oren. I gingerly put the 205 about 8 iniches behind the 87, and was in fear for it's survival.

Oren can belt it out like a freight train and I was scared that I'd blow the ribbon the first time I used it. Luckily Oren approched the 87 a little off axis so the 205 was even more off axis on the side away from him. Good thing too, cause I had the API's down ALL the way and was still borderline on getting overs on the 192's.

The 87 was fantastic. In your face, gritty, articulate and had just enough "breaking" up to give that classic motown vibe. Killer. Just what that mic was designed to do!!!! The 205 was not nearly as articulate a sound, but the two mics together were magical. The 205 opened up the room and again added a wonderful depth and weight to the vocal. Oren would often go so high up that an 87 alone would have been a bit thin. Not so when adding in the 205. This may be the first time I've ever used 2 mics for a lead vocal, but it worked out really nice. I wish I could post clips, but it's not possible.

Anyway, I hope to have more thoughts on the 205 after more uses, but for now I'm quite impressed. It's more open on the top that I thought it would be, has nice low end extention and looks as if it will take EQ well. Although I prefer condensers on vocals, the ribbon really rounded them out nicely. I'll definately put it up again next time I'm doing vocals.

Two thumbs up for the mic.

Two thumbs up for Michael.

alba359 · 1st March 2007

Sincere Thanks for these observations.

johnmarkpainter · 1st March 2007

Dr Bill,

I have a pair of these that I modded myself (next time I'll pay Michael!)

I am a brass player....pay close attention to Proximity effect with these. You would be shocked to hear how much Sub comes out of a Trumpet with a Harmon mute when you get too close!

drBill · 1st March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnmarkpainter

I am a brass player....pay close attention to Proximity effect with these. You would be shocked to hear how much Sub comes out of a Trumpet with a Harmon mute when you get too close!

Thanks for the tip. I won't be doing much harmon, but I'll definately keep that in mind.

gutsofgold · 1st March 2007

Thanks for that write up. I don't know if it pushed me to get a Joly modded Apex but I am siding towards one now.

Lately I've been in the market for a cheap ribbon and so far it is between a Joly modded 205 or 210, Shinybox with Lundal, or a Cascade Fat Head with Lundal.

Ohhhh the choices.

EvolutionSound · 8th December 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by gutsofgold

Thanks for that write up. I don't know if it pushed me to get a Joly modded Apex but I am siding towards one now.

Lately I've been in the market for a cheap ribbon and so far it is between a Joly modded 205 or 210, Shinybox with Lundal, or a Cascade Fat Head with Lundal.

Ohhhh the choices.

Did you end up getting one of these? I'm in the market for cheap ribbon too, and have narrowed my search to the Shinybox 46MXL or the Apex 205 w/MJ Mods & Lundhal. I also considered the Cascade Vin-Jet w/Lundhal. I'm having trouble deciding - did you get something? Any feedback? thanks.

drBill · 8th December 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnmarkpainter

Dr Bill,

I have a pair of these that I modded myself (next time I'll pay Michael!)

I am a brass player....pay close attention to Proximity effect with these. You would be shocked to hear how much Sub comes out of a Trumpet with a Harmon mute when you get too close!

Wow, back from the dead zone archives....

Had to comment on this. Just finished a few tracks for a smooth jazz tpt player who did his album "somewhere else", but wasn't completely satisfied with his "sound". Used the modded Apex 205 and the Chineve pre on him and he was completely flabbergasted. (Is that a word?

) Killer tone on the harmon parts. He said the best he has ever gotten with any mic he's used. And yes, the bottom (I think that's really what he liked) on that mic with a harmon tpt is amazing and full. He was right up on it crawling down the headbasket I think..... lol I rolled off some bottom, but having it there was amazing - especially to inspire his performance.

Side note - Hey EvolutionSound - I see you're in Prescott. How do you like it there? Any recording scene?

1st March 2007	#1
drBill Gear Guru Joined: Jul 2006 Location: So Cal Posts: 11,509 Thread Starter	Apex 205 w/ Michael Joly mods I just got my Apex 205 back from Michael Joly at Oktavamod. I've got to say, it was one of the easiest, most pleasant experiences I've had. Michael was super easy to work with, has fair prices, and keeps you totally informed as to the status of your mics. Anyway, this is my first ribbon. I've got lots of Neumanns, Gefell's, AKG's, Sennheisers, etc, but I wanted a ribbon for some Brass recording I'm going to be doing next month. The mic arrived in 2 days and I got it just in tiime to do a couple of vocal sessions. Not what I intended to use it for, but I thought, what the heck and threw it up to check it out. First session was a 4 piece (3 girls, 1 guy) black gospel group doing a song for a Robin Williams film. They were all top call session singers / church singers here in LA that I'd worked with in the past and I knew they would kill. I put up two Gefell M71S's with two singers on a mic facing each other. The mics were about 18"-24" apart with the singers about 4-5' apart in a medium large and fairly live room. I put the 205 dead center between the Gefells with the figure 8 pattern facing the singers. The result was very nice. The Gefells were a bit on the bright side (what I wanted) and had a nice edge to them with a lot of articulation and definition. The 205 was a great addition. I don't know if I was just lucky or not, but I didn't have any phase issues with the 3 mics together. It gave a more "live" sound in the room and added a lot of heft down low. Perfect, as the scene on camera has the "choir" in a live envrionment and the extra bottom really warmed up the Gefells. Sweet. Next up was a solo for the same song. We were lucky enough to get Oren Waters (of the Waters) to sing the lead. Words can't tell you how special this session was. This was one of those special ones that you don't often get. The kind we all went into this business for, but don't get to experience nearly enough. Oren is a phenomenal, phenomenal talent. If it wasn't for him learning the words, we would have finished in one take. As it was, we did 3 takes, but I think that was only cause we enjoyed listening to him sing so much. Man, MAN, that guy can sing with so much soul and power that it left us all speachless in the CRM. No autotune, editing or any other vocal fixing needed. Anyway, back to the mics. I put up my cherished modded U87 for Oren. I gingerly put the 205 about 8 iniches behind the 87, and was in fear for it's survival. Oren can belt it out like a freight train and I was scared that I'd blow the ribbon the first time I used it. Luckily Oren approched the 87 a little off axis so the 205 was even more off axis on the side away from him. Good thing too, cause I had the API's down ALL the way and was still borderline on getting overs on the 192's. The 87 was fantastic. In your face, gritty, articulate and had just enough "breaking" up to give that classic motown vibe. Killer. Just what that mic was designed to do!!!! The 205 was not nearly as articulate a sound, but the two mics together were magical. The 205 opened up the room and again added a wonderful depth and weight to the vocal. Oren would often go so high up that an 87 alone would have been a bit thin. Not so when adding in the 205. This may be the first time I've ever used 2 mics for a lead vocal, but it worked out really nice. I wish I could post clips, but it's not possible. Anyway, I hope to have more thoughts on the 205 after more uses, but for now I'm quite impressed. It's more open on the top that I thought it would be, has nice low end extention and looks as if it will take EQ well. Although I prefer condensers on vocals, the ribbon really rounded them out nicely. I'll definately put it up again next time I'm doing vocals. Two thumbs up for the mic. Two thumbs up for Michael.

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1st March 2007	#2
alba359 Gear maniac Joined: Nov 2002 Location: Louisiana Posts: 184	Sincere Thanks for these observations.

1st March 2007	#3
johnmarkpainter Gear nut Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Nashville Posts: 133	Dr Bill, I have a pair of these that I modded myself (next time I'll pay Michael!) I am a brass player....pay close attention to Proximity effect with these. You would be shocked to hear how much Sub comes out of a Trumpet with a Harmon mute when you get too close!

1st March 2007	#5
gutsofgold Gear nut Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 142	Thanks for that write up. I don't know if it pushed me to get a Joly modded Apex but I am siding towards one now. Lately I've been in the market for a cheap ribbon and so far it is between a Joly modded 205 or 210, Shinybox with Lundal, or a Cascade Fat Head with Lundal. Ohhhh the choices.