Cad vx2

[shadyru]

I've heard great things about this mic and cannot find one anywhere and have given up hope. Is there anything out there that is close to a CAD vx2 that is a very forgiving, smooth, airy mic but resembles the same price as well?

[Johns]

I am not sure I can help you because nothing in my mic locker sounds like the VX2. From what I've read on this board, the Telefunken MK series might be close. Keep looking, one is bound to show up at some point.

[warhead]

Hmm...a mic that went out of production with a $1500 street price...and this thread gets moved to Low End?

War

[gearaddict]

Originally Posted by warhead

Hmm...a mic that went out of production with a $1500 street price...and this thread gets moved to Low End?

War

Well we cant have the name CAD making the hi end look bad

The cad sounds way better than a u87...there..watch this!

[gearaddict]

Originally Posted by shadyru

I've heard great things about this mic and cannot find one anywhere and have given up hope. Is there anything out there that is close to a CAD vx2 that is a very forgiving, smooth, airy mic but resembles the same price as well?

I ahve a question..My dad bought a cad mic from MF a long, long time ago..it has no numbers, markings..nothing to tell ya what style it is...my father said it was made by cad just for MF...any idea about this mic? It it a condenser with hpf and pad!

[warhead]

It's probably a version of the M177 (cardioid) that was made for MF.

I don't own a U87, but I wouldn't trade either of my VX2 for one.

War

[gearaddict]

Originally Posted by warhead

It's probably a version of the M177 (cardioid) that was made for MF.

I don't own a U87, but I wouldn't trade either of my VX2 for one.

War

Thanks...the Mystery has been solved!!

[Full Clip Audio]

Originally Posted by warhead

Hmm...a mic that went out of production with a $1500 street price...and this thread gets moved to Low End?

War

They were even higher originally weren't they? I know the list was pretty steep!

I havent been able to find a used one recently either. I REALLY want another one. They are fantastic! That thing wins out over MUCH more expensive "name brand" mics often.

[KingDaddyO]

Originally Posted by shadyru

I've heard great things about this mic and cannot find one anywhere and have given up hope. Is there anything out there that is close to a CAD vx2 that is a very forgiving, smooth, airy mic but resembles the same price as well?

You might consider the CAD VSM-1 (little brother to the VX2). Similar in many ways to the VX2, such as very smooth, versatile & forgiving. Originally listed at about half the VX2's price, can now be found occasionally between 350 - 600. I'd call this one a bargain in that range, as it is also destined to lose it's sleeper status at some point.

I believe the VX2 originally listed for 2,400.

[warhead]

Originally Posted by gearaddict

Thanks...the Mystery has been solved!!

I just remembered, it should be called the M39 and spec out fairly close (if not the same) as the M177 cardioid.

Full Clip Audio, by the time we became a CAD dealer they were just doing away with the VX2. They were selling for $1500. We never even got the chance to ever sell any...! Seriously, I had brought one in to review and loved it so much I ended up buying 2 of them but had to buy them used since CAD was done with it.

I have since tried to bug CAD to bring the VX2 out again, at the time it wasn't quite as common for folks to spend $1500+ on a single mic...now it is. I think the market has changed enough for them to review this.

KingDaddyO, the VSM-1 is similar in that it uses the exact same capsule. However, it's the same as the (believe it or not) SMALLER 1.1" capsule that the VX2 also shipped with. I much prefer the 1.25" capsule, which is among the largest capsule you ever see available. The VX2 standard setup was to receive both of these caps.

The 1.25" is really the mojo capsule.

War

[gearaddict]

[QUOTE=warhead;3027512]I just remembered, it should be called the M39 and spec out fairly close (if not the same) as the M177 cardioid.



Here it is

[KingDaddyO]

Originally Posted by warhead

I just remembered, it should be called the M39 and spec out fairly close (if not the same) as the M177 cardioid.

Full Clip Audio, by the time we became a CAD dealer they were just doing away with the VX2. They were selling for $1500. We never even got the chance to ever sell any...! Seriously, I had brought one in to review and loved it so much I ended up buying 2 of them but had to buy them used since CAD was done with it.

I have since tried to bug CAD to bring the VX2 out again, at the time it wasn't quite as common for folks to spend $1500+ on a single mic...now it is. I think the market has changed enough for them to review this.

KingDaddyO, the VSM-1 is similar in that it uses the exact same capsule. However, it's the same as the (believe it or not) SMALLER 1.1" capsule that the VX2 also shipped with. I much prefer the 1.25" capsule, which is among the largest capsule you ever see available. The VX2 standard setup was to receive both of these caps.

The 1.25" is really the mojo capsule.

War

Yes, the VX2 larger capsule (and the 2nd valve) justifies the price differential and explains the larger soundscape. Still, the VSM-1 is a very nice mic. In direct comparison to the VX2 however, something has to give - in this narrow scenario, that would have to be the VSM-1.

[shadyru]

I cant find either mic so if someone can direct me to a mic that has the similarities of the CAD vx2 that would be awesome! Right now I'm looking into Blue Kiwi, M Audio Sputnik, Mojave Audio MA-200, Charter Oaks Sa538, anything else?

[Studiodawg]

The CAD M9's output is greater than the VSM-1...that is essentially the big difference I was told by CAD when the M9 came out...hence, "enhanced harmonics" in their sales pitch.

[warhead]

In a way I find the Oktava MK-105 to be pretty interchangeable with the VX2 on voice, acoustic instruments etc. It has that ability to avoid sibilance nicely on voice, but delivers a smooth bit of sparkle on acoustic sources also without being bright.

I'm not saying they're identical, I'm saying the MK-105 is in the "hey, it works on everything at least well if not great" category in its own way.

War

[Johns]

Originally Posted by shadyru

I cant find either mic so if someone can direct me to a mic that has the similarities of the CAD vx2 that would be awesome! Right now I'm looking into Blue Kiwi, M Audio Sputnik, Mojave Audio MA-200, Charter Oaks Sa538, anything else?

The Charter Oak is not in the same sound field as the VX2. It is brighter with not as much width in the lower mids. A very nice sounding mic, but to my ear, not in the same family.

[Johns]

War,

Just for information, I bought my first VX2 about 9 years ago for around $1800, new, with both capsules.

[warhead]

Johns, that's good info. They definitely were "MAP" $1500 when they stopped making them 5 years-ish ago. CAD told me they hadn't had an order for one in 6 months when they stopped!

The one I had in for review had me goo-goo eyed at the time, they call out of the blue one day and say they must cut the review time short to take it to a trade show since it was their flagship mic and I guess at the time, their only good demo mic. It KILLED ME to have to put it back in the box and ship it to their show.

By the time I inquired on buying a new one for myself they had stopped.

I bought one, then another, on eBay used. Got lucky on both of them, and their similarities of frequency response and tone are very, very tight with both bodies and all 4 capsules.

War

[aussie_techie]

[QUOTE=gearaddict;3027622]

Originally Posted by warhead

I just remembered, it should be called the M39 and spec out fairly close (if not the same) as the M177 cardioid.


Here it is

that is an M37, i have 2 of them, they were marketed under a subsidiary called Global Audio and they clearly say M37 on them. maybe MF just got an unbranded batch. the case looks like those that came with an M177 though as my M37s only had cardboard boxs. It was one of the last models to be made in the USA and i think the only under the GA name. The specs were exactly the same as the M177 in fact i think they just used the same specs. they were still listed on the cad site until the recent change

if you want a spec sheet i can probably dig one up for you, just PM me with your email address.

[aussie_techie]

here is the M37 data sheet

[shadyru]

Got my hands on a CAD VSM. Hopefully it's in good working condition! Are there any common problems on the VSM I should look for when I get it? Also how does this stack up against the VX2?

[Johns]

Originally Posted by warhead

Johns, that's good info. They definitely were "MAP" $1500 when they stopped making them 5 years-ish ago. CAD told me they hadn't had an order for one in 6 months when they stopped!

The one I had in for review had me goo-goo eyed at the time, they call out of the blue one day and say they must cut the review time short to take it to a trade show since it was their flagship mic and I guess at the time, their only good demo mic. It KILLED ME to have to put it back in the box and ship it to their show.

By the time I inquired on buying a new one for myself they had stopped.

I bought one, then another, on eBay used. Got lucky on both of them, and their similarities of frequency response and tone are very, very tight with both bodies and all 4 capsules.

War

I had a similar experience. I had a large remote recording and rented about 5 mics from my dealer to complete the setup. The VX2 was one of them. The setup for this 24 track session included 2 U87s, 2 TLM170s, 2 Schoeps CMC6 with MK4 capsules, and many others. The VX2 impressed the hell out of me. When I returned the rented mics, I bought the VX2. At the time it listed for around $2100. I got another on Ebay about 5 years ago for a good price.

Funny thing is I have retubed both of them with Mullard tubes. They sound different, and I'm not sure if it's better than the original tubes.

Shadyru,

The VSM will be in the same family of sound to the VX2. It's a warm sounding mic that's pretty versatile except for not having pattern control. There are no known issues with the mic that I am aware of.

[shadyru]

One more question(noobie) should the capsule be facing upwards or downwards or it who cares? Just wondering cause it seems with some tube mics they face downwards due to heat?

[Ribbonmicguy]

To me, the VX2 is overly bright (like mid hi bright going thru an exciter) and very hard to let it sit in the mix.

I've gotten a few songs to mix with VX2 as the vocal mic (different singers) and none of them is easier to mix than U87.

FWIW, I haven't heard it being used for other purposes though.

[Full Clip Audio]

Originally Posted by Ribbonmicguy

To me, the VX2 is overly bright (like mid hi bright going thru an exciter) and very hard to let it sit in the mix.

I've gotten a few songs to mix with VX2 as the vocal mic (different singers) and none of them is easier to mix than U87.

FWIW, I haven't heard it being used for other purposes though.

Maybe it was the pre, processing on the way in, room, technique or other factor. Its hard to say without knowing about the person who tracked with it. I have never found that to be the case and I use it on all sorts of things. I just used it on a female pop thing this week (in fig8) and it dstroyed everything from a 414 to M149. I didnt have to EQ a thing other than a little bit of air and even without it the track would have sounded great. If you have a chance, give it a shot yourself. With proper technique and signal chain I bet you would find it really great.

[warhead]

Originally Posted by Ribbonmicguy

To me, the VX2 is overly bright (like mid hi bright going thru an exciter) and very hard to let it sit in the mix.

I've gotten a few songs to mix with VX2 as the vocal mic (different singers) and none of them is easier to mix than U87.

FWIW, I haven't heard it being used for other purposes though.

I suspect somebody was using the 1.1" capsule and not the 1.25".

I don't like the 1.1" for this exact reason on voice.

I do like it on acoustic guitar etc, for this exact reason though.

War

[Johns]

I would agree with War. the 1.1 capsule has a pointed high frequency sound to it. The 1.25 cap is anything but bright, well rounded maybe, but not bright in the Soundelux U99 way.

[shadyru]

Agh I bought this vsm to be my main vocal mic I hope I didn't make the wrong decision this is to replace a rode ntk and at4033. I need a warm and airy mic with smooth high frequency ami still barking up the wrong tree? Also if I could get a vx2 for 1500 nos is that worth it or better off with a pearlman tm 1 or a peluso?

[warhead]

If you found a NOS VX2 for $1500 I would say go for it, but that's just me...and I own 2 of them.......

War

[KingDaddyO]

Originally Posted by shadyru

Agh I bought this vsm to be my main vocal mic I hope I didn't make the wrong decision this is to replace a rode ntk and at4033. I need a warm and airy mic with smooth high frequency ami still barking up the wrong tree? Also if I could get a vx2 for 1500 nos is that worth it or better off with a pearlman tm 1 or a peluso?

Have you tried tracking with it yet? That should give you your answer, regardless of what others say about how it sounds.

As far as which way to orient the mic - I've had no problems with either the VSM or the VX2, using the factory mount. This places the capsule in the downward position, so the heat rises up through the end where the cable connects.