Blind Mic Test

[downrazor11]

this is a different form of a previous test i had posted...

i have 4 clips of a blind microphone test; 5 microphones, 2 clips at 5 inches and 2 clips at 10 inches, all in the same mic order. they were all tracked through an apogee minime (with compressor curve 2) through spdif into mbox 1 at 44.1/24bits. no other effects are on the tracks. the files are 192 kbps mp3s, a little over 1 mb each.

i will reveal the mic identities later, first tell me what you think is the best and worst for this voice... i will pm you with the results

5 mics at 10 inches singing line 1:
http://minorcrisis.net/files/mics_10inches_line1_a.mp3

5 mics at 10 inches singing line 2:
http://minorcrisis.net/files/mics_10inches_line2_a.mp3

5 mics at 5 inches singing line 1:
http://minorcrisis.net/files/mics_5inches_line1_a.mp3

5 mics at 5 inches singing line 2:
http://minorcrisis.net/files/mics_5inches_line2_a.mp3

a version of this thread is also up at psw and hc

[gsilbers]

you could add the names of the mics in no particular order. so people that might be interested in those mics will give it a try.

[downrazor11]

the mics are, not necessarily in recorded order: an ADK vienna (version 1), a sterling audio st77, an MXL v69me with a stock tube, an MXL v69me with a mullard tube, and a GT/Alesis am51... you still don't know which is which...

[TheGetDown]

in descending order, I liked:

4
2
5
(the above all sounded similar, good for the singer)
1
3
(these two sounded brittle to me, but could sound good on a different source.)

[gsilbers]

Originally Posted by downrazor11

the mics are, not necessarily in recorded order: an ADK vienna (version 1), a sterling audio st77, an MXL v69me with a stock tube, an MXL v69me with a mullard tube, and a GT/Alesis am51... you still don't know which is which...

nice . i was interested in the vienna and heard the MXL wherent good, so this blind test is cool.
lets hear...

[downrazor11]

as a side note, i am sending the vienna in for repair, this is what the capsule looks like:

Badongo free file hosting and image hosting

notice the slight warping along the edge. i asked for the old capsule back just in case there is a difference in tone...

[redddog]

Those guys at ADK are THE BEST at customer service. They'll hook you up.

[Brian Middleton]

Originally Posted by TheGetDown

in descending order, I liked:

4
2
5
(the above all sounded similar, good for the singer)
1
3
(these two sounded brittle to me, but could sound good on a different source.)

I had the same top 2, basically tied for me. #4 is bigger and richer, #2 more natural, but I like them both. I had #3 in 3rd place--I thought it was a little more "tubey" (in a not-good way) than the top two, but still a nice sound. #1 sounded thin to me, and #5 sounded sibilant and a little "phasey" or something.

This test is a pretty nice ad for the Mini-Me. The preamp and ADC sound like they are, at worst, doing absolutely no harm to the sound.

[peeder]

Mic 4 - My choice, smooth and realistic and compelling enough. A bit of vintage flavor to it which works with the material. Try varying distance to blend and control lows.

Mic 3 - More realistic presentation but a bit veiled and sizzly upper mids

Mic 5 - A bit harsh and brittle and thin.

Mic 2 - Not doing it for me. Hollow scoop.

Mic 1 - Too bright and sibilant and thin. Use only if need to maintain intelligibility in a dense mix.

Thanks for posting this, good luck!

[bcgood]

Mic 2 is my favorite. It has a silky presence thingy going on that I like with your voice. I think it would be good in a mix.

Mic 4 sounded too "bassy" to me but maybe that's what you like?

Mic 3 is probably my second favorite. I liked the way it emphasized the mids.

bcgood

[downrazor11]

since it has been a couple days since i put this up it is time to tell you all which was which...

































Mic 1=MXL V69me stock;;;
Mic 2=MXL V69me mullard;;;
Mic 3=ADK Vienna;;;
Mic 4=Sterling Audio st77;;;
Mic 5=GT/Alesis am51

[TheGetDown]

I gotta say, that MXL surprised me!