Gauge ECM-87 sound samples

[Chris Lago]

Just got my Gauge mic tonight and I was wondering how you guys felt about the vocal samples.

I compressed, de-essed the first sample, and I added a Parametric EQ to the second sample on top of compression/de-essing.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[xhavepatiencex]

I am not really into that, the low end is rather undefined.

[KeithMoonwannabe]

wow I really like that vibe

how'd you position it?

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by xhavepatiencex

I am not really into that, the low end is rather undefined.

Maybe I was too close to the mic?

I was probably close to the mic haha.

[KeithMoonwannabe]

well I'm more concerned about the mids and highs than the lows since I want it for vocals, overheads, and some acoustic guitar. I'm usually taking lows out anyway.

If I need lows I have dynamics and my CAD M177.

[Corran]

It sounds just fine. BUT it doesn't have anything "special" sounding to it, you know what I mean? It's just kind of flat. Might be good, might not.

But seriously I don't have all that much experience recording vocals. I was just interested in how the Gauge worked out.

What do you think about it??

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by Corran

It sounds just fine. BUT it doesn't have anything "special" sounding to it, you know what I mean? It's just kind of flat. Might be good, might not.

But seriously I don't have all that much experience recording vocals. I was just interested in how the Gauge worked out.

What do you think about it??

I think it's pretty good, I might use it for Rock music.

[KeithMoonwannabe]

that's probably why I liked it cuz I record rock vocals usually.

I can see it working for that....at least pretty well considering it's a mere $150

[Obitheincredible]

I ordered on Thursday and cant wait!

[Chris Lago]

I think it's going to be my go-to mic for Male vocals. I love it on my voice. I like the high frequency sparkle. With the Telefunken almost maxed out on my preamp, it sounds so warm like hot butter.

It's a very harsh mic without a decent tube preamp, but the mic sounds fantastic with the gain almost the way on my Art Digital MPA.

[Obitheincredible]

Originally Posted by chrislago

I think it's going to be my go-to mic for Male vocals. I love it on my voice. I like the high frequency sparkle. With the Telefunken almost maxed out on my preamp, it sounds so warm like hot butter.

It's a very harsh mic without a decent tube preamp, but the mic sounds fantastic with the gain almost the way on my Art Digital MPA.

Well that sucks then because I dont have a tube pre. I really dont want one either. Now I'm questioning the purchase. Guess I'll just have to see....I mean hear...

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by Obitheincredible

Well that sucks then because I dont have a tube pre. I really dont want one either. Now I'm questioning the purchase. Guess I'll just have to see....I mean hear...

Seriously it depends on the vocals. Mine need a lot of warmth because I have a Sibilant singing voice and I spell the Ts and pss and Dss it's horrible. If it was any other singer, it would be fine. I just have a small problem with word positioning at times (I am French).

This is a sample of me singing with good mic positioning. 6inch from the mic, no proximity effect.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by chrislago

This is a sample of me singing with good mic positioning. 6inch from the mic, no proximity effect.

...no disrespect, but...flat, no depth, nasally tone...I'd move to the next mic choice...

[Markus Stock]

Sorry to say it but on the last clip I am totally with kidvybes. It sounds very one dimensional, flat and nasally and just wrong to my ears.

[superiorsound]

Originally Posted by xhavepatiencex

I am not really into that, the low end is rather undefined.

I know what your talking about its missing alot of the silk in the mids. I have used about 30 times in the last 2 weeks It is great mic for certain items and no so great for others. I still reach for the U87 more however its a VERY GOOD MIC! TOO good for the PRICE! I used it via a ADL 600 tube pre and wow very silky however the mids and low are not as tight as the 87 but hey beggers cant be choosers..................This is great on overheads for imaging!!!!!

[superiorsound]

Originally Posted by chrislago

Just got my Gauge mic tonight and I was wondering how you guys felt about the vocal samples.

I compressed, de-essed the first sample, and I added a Parametric EQ to the second sample on top of compression/de-essing.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

ha ha at the end of that track Chris you need some autotune or Wavetune! ha ha

Sounds good!

[JPeters86]

I listened to the comparisons on the Gauge site:

Battle of the Brands

I was really hoping to not hear a large difference between for instance the U87 and the Gauge, but there is. Could still be a good mic for starters on a budget though.

[Chris Lago]

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.

[Mark Kaufman]

I'm very happy with the Gauge on acoustic guitar. I like it on my vocals, but I don't love it...I'm considering a tube mic like the MXLv69. (Remember, this is Low End Theory.)

Here's a recording I made in two tracks, one vocal, one acoustic guitar, both with the Gauge:

SoundClick artist: Kaufman's FAWM Songs - February 2009 - page with MP3 music downloads

Please note that I'm a hack at recording...when things sound bad, it's probably more due to my fumbling and knob-twiddling rather than an issue with the mic. But it does give a sense of what the mic picks up and how.

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by Mark Kaufman

I'm very happy with the Gauge on acoustic guitar. I like it on my vocals, but I don't love it...I'm considering a tube mic like the MXLv69. (Remember, this is Low End Theory.)

Here's a recording I made in two tracks, one vocal, one acoustic guitar, both with the Gauge:

SoundClick artist: Kaufman's FAWM Songs - February 2009 - page with MP3 music downloads

Please note that I'm a hack at recording...when things sound bad, it's probably more due to my fumbling and knob-twiddling rather than an issue with the mic. But it does give a sense of what the mic picks up and how.

I think it sounds pretty good.

[fiddler59]

For a $159 or so mic, it sounds pretty good to me...not my cup of tea because I do all acoustic roots Appalachian music. But if I were into Rock, R&B (I use to be until I broke my neck and ended up with severe nerve damage that effects my legs and hand strength, fiddle for me now)
I would definitely get one.

David B

[KeithMoonwannabe]

Originally Posted by fiddler59

For a $159 or so mic, it sounds pretty good to me...not my cup of tea because I do all acoustic roots Appalachian music. But if I were into Rock, R&B (I use to be until I broke my neck and ended up with severe nerve damage that effects my legs and hand strength, fiddle for me now)
I would definitely get one.

David B

dang dude that's terrible...well I'm glad you can at least play fiddle and enjoy it....but gez

[Chris Lago]

Wow that's a crazy story, well I'm glad to know that your love for music hasn't stopped, even through your hardships.

[fiddler59]

Yes, it was kind of crazy.....I was paralyzed from the neck down for several months... I have to sit to play now due to neuropathic pains in my legs (feels like your legs are on fire) but hey I ain't complaining....I am just so thankful to have a second chance !! Makes you realize how fragile life really is !!

David B

[superiorsound]

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.

I think your gonna fall in love with the Neumann not the price tag but the U87 is a monster that works with almost anything. I say almost because last week I had a rapper here who sounded horrible but I put a CAD 179 in front of him an WHala we were in business. the u87 is unforgiving you get what you give no hype but very smooth. I just picked up an LA2a for 1200 bucks USD thats almost Low end money!

[superiorsound]

Originally Posted by fiddler59

Yes, it was kind of crazy.....I was paralyzed from the neck down for several months... I have to sit to play now due to neuropathic pains in my legs (feels like your legs are on fire) but hey I ain't complaining....I am just so thankful to have a second chance !! Makes you realize how fragile life really is !!

David B

Wow well hey take this second chance and make the best of it. I had a recent scare my son whose 3 had a seizure man talk about scary I was the onlyone around and didnt know what to do. So I took a class on medical emergencys just for the future!

[jaz49]

I like it a lot more than some of the others do...very different than your clips with the other two mics. I actually think it works for your voice and style singing better than the other clips you posted. I wouldn't use it for my style singing however...I'm still interested in those Kels...want to sell yours!? I might be interested if you ever do.
http://www.myspace.com/lejaz

[jaz49]

Originally Posted by fiddler59

For a $159 or so mic, it sounds pretty good to me...not my cup of tea because I do all acoustic roots Appalachian music. But if I were into Rock, R&B (I use to be until I broke my neck and ended up with severe nerve damage that effects my legs and hand strength, fiddle for me now)
I would definitely get one.

David B

Thanks for sharing fiddler...reminds me of the folks I work with. I used to work for a former Bristol Meyers VP who broke his neck and wound up paralyzed for life. Next time we're lusting after that Neuman mic or vintage Neve preamp we can't afford, maybe we should be a little thankful for what we've got...not moanin' about what we can't get. I'm not passing judgment...I get the gear itch too...hey, I'm at Gearslutz.com ain't I?

Best to you
My girl: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lejaz

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by jaz49

I like it a lot more than some of the others do...very different than your clips with the other two mics. I actually think it works for your voice and style singing better than the other clips you posted. I wouldn't use it for my style singing however...I'm still interested in those Kels...want to sell yours!? I might be interested if you ever do.
Le Jaz on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Videos

I don't know why, but I feel the same way about the Gauge mic, I love it! It just sounds completely different than the other ones. I wish I could sell my Kel, but the thing is, it sounds so great on female vocals that I will have to keep it. I think eventually I might have to sell all 3 to get a way better mic haha.

ps: I found the low end cutoff switch inside, the Gauge mic might sound better with it.

[Chris Lago]

Doing A/B comparison against high end mics, I do know what you guys are talking about. I think I'll shop for a better mic.