Joly modded MK219 vs Kel HM-7U

[John N]

Going to have my MK219 modded by Mr Joly - would that kick butt on a Kel HM-7U or would they be kinda comparable tone-wise?

From the samples I've heard of each I'm guessing they'd be somewhat similar.

Anyone care to chime in on that...

JN

[memphisindie]

Different. Maybe better. Depends on your use.

[BudgetMC]

Yep. I've got a modded 319. It's a great mic... but there is a lot of love out there for the HM-7U. I'd suggest getting the mod and then really working the mic before going with something else.

All depends on what you are using it for, of course.

Originally Posted by memphisindie

Different. Maybe better. Depends on your use.

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by BudgetMC

Yep. I've got a modded 319. It's a great mic... but there is a lot of love out there for the HM-7U. I'd suggest getting the mod and then really working the mic before going with something else.

All depends on what you are using it for, of course.

That sounds like a good plan to me, I have 4 modded 319's and six modded 012's, I wouldn't swap all of them for anything.

[Michael_Joly]

The KEL HM-7U, with its K47-style capsule is definitely a step in the right direction - away from overly-bright and mis-used K67-type capsules.

One consideration when evaluating the HM-7U and OktavaMod 219 PE is output topology - the HM-7U is a transformerless design while the 219 offers the sonic attributes of being transformer-coupled.

[John N]

So at the risk of sounding like an idiot, please educate me on what the difference is between transformer output and transformerless...

thanks

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

The KEL HM-7U, with its K47-style capsule is definitely a step in the right direction - away from overly-bright and mis-used K67-type capsules.

One consideration when evaluating the HM-7U and OktavaMod 219 PE is output topology - the HM-7U is a transformerless design while the 219 offers the sonic attributes of being transformer-coupled.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by John N

So at the risk of sounding like an idiot, please educate me on what the difference is between transformer output and transformerless...

thanks

...a well designed transformer in the circuit offers the characteristics of calculated harmonic distortion...sometimes perceived as "warmth" or "vintage tone", it can be a good thing or not, depending on the source being recorded...like any other microphone, a transformer-coupled mic is yet another "color" in your recording gear "pallette"...

...cheap transformers, like those found in many of the Chinese mics, can add undesireable distortion, and that is why Kelly chose to design his HM-7u without cheap transformer/tube circuits...the Oktava mics, for the most part, have better quality transformers, yeilding more desireable results...of course, your mileage may vary...

[memphisindie]

Transformers eliminate hum, balance the circuit, can be clean-ish or harmonically distort-ish.
The top end on a transformer mic is clean and crisp and even sometime silky on some better one$$$, the lows and mids are beefy, sometimes with mid "bloom" which can be magical on some guitars and vox.
Transformerless mics are more clear, smooth, and silky with punchy mids and lows which can be extremely deep.