More chinese microphones ? Kel

[robmix]

Anyone checked out these Kel microphones ? Looks like a Canadian company with manufacturing in China.

http://www.kelaudio.com/hm1.html

A friend of mine checked them out and said they were cool, anyone else ?

[Frank Eleveld]

This 'KEL' microphone seems pretty much identical to the Red5 Audio RV-6 mic which I have. The RV-6 is very good value for money - it costs £ 45 including VAT in Britain, including carrying case, foam windshield and shock mount. Don't expect it to beat a higher end mic like a Neumann or so, but I suspect you won't be disappointed if the KEL is the same as the RV-6 and similarly priced.

Cheers,
Frank

[stonewall40]

there's some discussions and a review on these over at recording.org....

[PlugHead]

FWIW,

I heard the side address model at a live gig I recorded, so it wasn't in a controlled studio environment, but it sounded great for drums/perc. I think it's about 90 bucks or so Cdn., and their company's based in Winnipeg. The FOH guy said what do you expect for that kind of bread? Even if the drummer smacks them, you're not out much, and they're quite useable AFAICS...

Another cheap condenser: welcome to the jungle of low priced mics. I wish them success, and if I need a few more low cost condensers I might pick up a pr.

[Telecastr]

Originally Posted by Frank Eleveld

This 'KEL' microphone seems pretty much identical to the Red5 Audio RV-6 mic which I have. The RV-6 is very good value for money - it costs £ 45 including VAT in Britain, including carrying case, foam windshield and shock mount. Don't expect it to beat a higher end mic like a Neumann or so, but I suspect you won't be disappointed if the KEL is the same as the RV-6 and similarly priced.

Cheers,
Frank

The Red 5 Audio mic has a 10db pad and a low cut filter. The Kel mic doesn't appear to have those features.

Kel had some banner ads here on Gearslutz a few months back when these mics came out. Judging by the clips posted on the Kel site, I'm less than impressed by their microphones.

They rerecorded some samples, and they are much better now.

[aussie_techie]

whats the point of such a cheap crappy mic. at least step up to a mid level chinese mic liek a studio projects C1 or at least an apex some of their mics sound good. or better yet get some dynamics

[2leod]

I wouldn't call them crappy. They sound big and meaty on toms, useful in some contexts for brittle sources. Think pear shaped sounding and basically good bang for the buck for the right application. Good to have in the toolbox IMO.

[Empty Planet]

Originally Posted by aussie_techie

whats the point of such a cheap crappy mic

Well I hear ya about getting some good dynamics, and no, I can't imagine a point to producing a "cheap, crappy mic," but the whole idea of this Kel line is that it's supposed to be an answer to precisely those cheap Chinese condensors like the C1 -- the Kel mics highs aren't hyped. I have a C1 so I know the screetchy scratchiness of which I speak.

I heard a really nice acoustic guitar track recorded with a pair of the HM-1s by a young studio owner. It was a nice sound. I've got one of these Canadian mics on the way to me as we speak -- I'll let you know when it gets here.

Cheers.

[aussie_techie]

if they work for you then good (the sample i heard was crap) but get a range of mics. i see alot of people buy up alot of these sort of cheep condenser with out even getting basic dynamics then they wonder why they dont have the right tools for the job. remember always be carefull what your buying.

[theblotted]

not all recordings to tracks gotta be super nice. it's just a different color/shade in the crayola box. it's more about how you utilize them.

like that whole "radio" effect on many vocal cuts today. plug's, outboard, or mic's... options are great.

plus, if you got a song with nice sounding instrument, you can use a different (sometimes crappy) mic on another inst to give contrast, separation, etc.

all this, given that you know what you're doing... if not, or just starting out, at least it'll get you a signal... try putting in signal into your recordings with any other stuff.

my humble 2 cents.

[theblotted]

or you can always get one of these:

http://www.kingcapitolpunishment.com...crophones.html

tutt

[mds]

WTF?!?!?

[Empty Planet]

Well I finally got my HM-1, and I have to say...FWIW, I'm impressed. At that price -- around a hundred bucks -- it's actually pretty damned great. On my particular mic there's a small bump around 90 and another around 450, and then it's pretty flat from there on out, so for ears weary of badly hyped highs it's a delight. None of the annoying resonances I'm used to hearing on cheap condensers, either. What a relief. What a pleasant surprise.

I gave it a moderate workout with acoustic guitar and vox, and while I do not see this mic becoming more than a specialty flavor on vocals, it was a real thrill on guitar.

In my experience with it this morning, the mic took a so-so acoustic guitar and made it sound like something actually pretty nice. Rich and solid, exciting even, and just...well, easy. It was really simple to get a good sound; throw it up and play. And I love easy mics. Of course I'm running it through a Funkenwerk V78m so that's working its own magic, but I have to say, this guitar has never sounded so good with any mic anywhere near this price.

I wish Kelly and his company great success.