Gauge ECM-87 sound samples

[Mark Kaufman]

For the record, I have a lot of respect for the guys who sell the Gauge. But my Low End heart thought it got an incredible deal...when I could have gotten the same sound for a third the cost. So, I diss myself for not doing proper research. I still think $149 for a Gauge is cheap. Just wish I knew how much cheaper I could have scored.

And I'm not kidding about the nice shockmount and windscreen...the steel mesh kind...should last as long as I do.

Meanwhile, I've just located me a modified Oktava MK-319... Now I'm inching a wee bit closer to that elusive Low End Neumann...

[Heartfelt]

Cool down Chris... it's just a mic.

Originally Posted by Mark Kaufman

For the record, I have a lot of respect for the guys who sell the Gauge. But my Low End heart thought it got an incredible deal...when I could have gotten the same sound for a third the cost. So, I diss myself for not doing proper research. I still think $149 for a Gauge is cheap. Just wish I knew how much cheaper I could have scored.

And I'm not kidding about the nice shockmount and windscreen...the steel mesh kind...should last as long as I do.

Meanwhile, I've just located me a modified Oktava MK-319... Now I'm inching a wee bit closer to that elusive Low End Neumann...

I don't have any disrespect for Rob or his partner either. Do I think the business model is flawed?
Yup and it is odd to me that such proven people would put their name behind a $50 mic
comparing it to a U87. That is a discredit to their credentials. I wish them the
best but I don't see it a wise investment.




Rob

[Chris Lago]

I actually listened to your recordings... What mic did you used? It sounds great. And I'm sorry I was being a little irrational, I was just tired of reading about the microphone really.

That being said, I'm testing out the new ECM47 tube mic soon

[Heartfelt]

No biggie bro!

[Heartfelt]

Originally Posted by kidvybes

...vocals recorded with Bruce Swedien's Shure SM7...so, based on your reference to the Gauge mic being used on a Grammy nominated project, if you spend $149 you might just get nominated for a Grammy...but if you spend around twice that, you just might break every damn record in the history of recorded music...not bad for a $300 investment...

I hear a lot of things like the above and about Taylor Swifts Vocals being recorded with an Avant. I believe that a great engineer like those could take an OK mic and do well with it being that they have the experience to avoid the problems THOSE mics bring to the table.

I think we get in trouble when we take those situations as an all-rounder endorsement and we inexperienced peeps expect Swedien results. That being said, the caliber of the SM7 has been proven by many, many engineers, projects and singers. It is a true exception. It is an all-around staple product.

my .02
Rob

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by Heartfelt

I hear a lot of things like the above and about Taylor Swifts Vocals being recorded with an Avant. I believe that a great engineer like those could take an OK mic and do well with it being that they have the experience to avoid the problems THOSE mics bring to the table.

I think we get in trouble when we take those situations as an all-rounder endorsement and we inexperienced peeps expect Swedien results. That being said, the caliber of the SM7 has been proven by many, many engineers, projects and singers. It is a true exception. It is an all-around staple product.

my .02
Rob

...that closing statement was a somewhat obvious attempt at humor (based on Chris' reference to the Gauge mic being used on a Grammy nominated project)...certainly not meant to be taken seriously (not even for a moment)...but, yes, I agree...the SM7 is a true classic gem, no doubt...

[Heartfelt]

Originally Posted by chrislago

I actually listened to your recordings... What mic did you used? It sounds great. And I'm sorry I was being a little irrational, I was just tired of reading about the microphone really.

That being said, I'm testing out the new ECM47 tube mic soon

Actually, things I said implied personal insult... you're right. I am editing my posts.

[Roccisano1]

I think everyone has to keep in mind that not all mics are going to sound the same regardless of price. There will be situations where a brighter or darker mic will make a difference. There's also the difference in the sound of the room...a good sounding room makes the most difference. The fact still remains that a great mic wont make a great recording. It's a great artist that makes a great recording and he can do it on a $22 mic or a $5000 mic. That said The Gauge microphone for $149 really isn't a bad deal. It sounds quite similar to the TLM 103 and a bit brighter than the AKG 414 (I own both). It comes with a shockmount and pop filter for that price and I find it quite useable...Oh and PS I own one of them too.

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by Roccisano1

I think everyone has to keep in mind that not all mics are going to sound the same regardless of price. There will be situations where a brighter or darker mic will make a difference. There's also the difference in the sound of the room...a good sounding room makes the most difference. The fact still remains that a great mic wont make a great recording. It's a great artist that makes a great recording and he can do it on a $22 mic or a $5000 mic. That said The Gauge microphone for $149 really isn't a bad deal. It sounds quite similar to the TLM 103 and a bit brighter than the AKG 414 (I own both). It comes with a shockmount and pop filter for that price and I find it quite useable...Oh and PS I own one of them too.

Wow, you actually own two mics that I hate a lot!

[Roccisano1]

Thats part of the problem....I think I've purchased every new mic out there because I'm a gearslut.!!! If I can figure out how to do it on here I'll post some clips from a recent session where the singer was singing in to the 414 and the ecm87 side by side.

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by Roccisano1

Thats part of the problem....I think I've purchased every new mic out there because I'm a gearslut.!!! If I can figure out how to do it on here I'll post some clips from a recent session where the singer was singing in to the 414 and the ecm87 side by side.

Sweet, which one did you like best? I personally use the M-Audio Luna for my voice, it fits like a glove.

[Roccisano1]

For this application the choice was 4 out of 4 in favor of the ECM-87. The AKG 414 has a bit more body (mids) to it when compared to the ECM-87. As I'm sure no ones suprised the ECM-87 is a bit brighter which actually can help cut through a mix depending on the music style and voice. In my experience the ECM-87 doesn't handle higher volumes as well as the AKG either. A But both mics have an overall similar tone and they are equally quiet..very low noise floor. I can't say the same about other mics we have used. I find the M-audio LUNA a bit dark for my tastes. I think we paid $249 for it last year. It's darker than the 414 and has an exaggerated bottom end....at least on vocals. Mic's are like ice cream flavors - different ones work for different people. What we try to do is match the microphone to a particular vocalist. I'm new to these forums and if somebody tells me how to post audio clips, I'd be glad to do it.

We also just purchased a pair of Karma K10's to try out....as inexpensive mics go..we'll see how they compare to the Oktava MK012 and MXL 604's.

[Chris Lago]

Really? The Luna is dark? Damn we probably don't have the same mic/pre combo, because mine sounds like silk!

[carllock]

Gauge came in today...Best $150 ever spent....not a U87 but very nice smooth mic. Will work great for voice-over work.

[Matti]

You can buy an ADK 51 for some 50$ I think

Matti

[JMc]

Originally Posted by carllock

Gauge came in today...Best $150 ever spent....not a U87 but very nice smooth mic. Will work great for voice-over work.

Interesting, because I've read this whole thread wondering how the mic would fare doing VO in particular.

[Michael_Joly]

Originally Posted by JMc

Interesting, because I've read this whole thread wondering how the mic would fare doing VO in particular.

Hey Jmc - remember that MXL 4000 thread and the VO tests you did? The ECM-87 uses a K67-type capsule driving a flat-response circuit (as does the 4000). So apart from headbasket-induced differences the sound would be very similar.

[iBeatz]

Originally Posted by chrislago

Haha hey shut up I was just singing real quick now I actually like the tone, I'll use it for my next song. I like the silk, it reminds me of a Gefell M930, but hey, it's your call, if you don't like it, you don't like it.

I'll be renting a Neumann U87 on the 28th to compare. What I'm thinking of doing is to keep the same distance with both mics, sing, and then EQ the Gauge to try to get a similar tone.

Not very impressed with the GAUGE, there's better mics for the price IMHO

[Matti]

Once in a while somebody claim generic chinese mics different than the others

Matti