SE Z5600A Mk2

[siniarch]

Went to West LA Music on Saturday. I have to say, be careful, Customer Service is Excellent and they are very good salespeople. (David is killer) In a good way I mean.
I went in to look for something around $250-300. I walked away with this mic SE Z5600a II (not sure if it's "Mk"2 version) for $675. I really like this place!

So, on Sunday I recorded these with two singers. I had the SE5600a on the bottom and a Sterling Audio ST69 on top. Both on Figure 8 pattern. One singer in front, one in back. Going through Sebatron VMP4000 and Liquid Saffire 56. I also ran it through a ProVLA II because the singers were belting at some points of the song but I won't post the compressed versions so you can hear the mic better. (mind you the Sebatron is colored and smooth in my opinion) I'm also adding the music but keeping it low so you can hear the voices better. (and the music I got from youtube btw)

Also, these are raw, I haven't tweaked them so take that into consideration.

And to answer your question, YES, I do think that this mic has a smooth Top End. In fact, a Smooth everything. IMHO (in fact, the first singer I think benefits from this mic, and the second needs a brighter mic and I think the ST69 suits her better.)

I'm sure you also saw this: sE Electronics Z5600a II

[ShadowAMD]

Originally Posted by siniarch

Went to West LA Music on Saturday. I have to say, be careful, Customer Service is Excellent and they are very good salespeople. (David is killer) In a good way I mean.
I went in to look for something around $250-300. I walked away with this mic SE Z5600a II (not sure if it's "Mk"2 version) for $675. I really like this place!

So, on Sunday I recorded these with two singers. I had the SE5600a on the bottom and a Sterling Audio ST69 on top. Both on Figure 8 pattern. One singer in front, one in back. Going through Sebatron VMP4000 and Liquid Saffire 56. I also ran it through a ProVLA II because the singers were belting at some points of the song but I won't post the compressed versions so you can hear the mic better. (mind you the Sebatron is colored and smooth in my opinion) I'm also adding the music but keeping it low so you can hear the voices better. (and the music I got from youtube btw)

Also, these are raw, I haven't tweaked them so take that into consideration.

And to answer your question, YES, I do think that this mic has a smooth Top End. In fact, a Smooth everything. IMHO (in fact, the first singer I think benefits from this mic, and the second needs a brighter mic and I think the ST69 suits her better.)

I'm sure you also saw this: sE Electronics Z5600a II

Really thanks for that, I appreciate it.. I have to admit I'm a little split, In some places to me the z5600a sounded brighter than the ST69 but then again the proximity to the mic sounded a little different so I'm not sure if reflections count in that scenario?

Funnily enough though even being a male singer, I have quiet a sharp powerful voice although I like the clarity of a condenser and never really got on with dynamics too well.

Hmm even more food for thought..

This was the one review that got me thinking if this is the right mic:

"Firstly I'll start with the features. HPF, -10dB pad, remotely selectably patterns. Also the tube is easily switchable.

The xlr-connector on the power supply broke off pretty quickly, but SE gave gave me a new connector as that was the cheapest way of repairing it.

The sound. I liked it on overhead duties. But on some sources it can be a bit ess'ey and sharp. On vocals it's nicely detailed. It's not up there with the big names, but nontheless it's a big step up from mics such as an Nt1a or Se2200."

Thanks again for sharing.

[siniarch]

I'm listening on my laptop now (with headphones for my phone. ugh) so I can't hear the differences as much now, but last night it was clear to me that the ST69 was sharper and brighter. The Z5600a to me was smoother and not as bright. Perhaps it was fuller in the mids and that's what it's throwing me off, or maybe that was listening to the compressed versions though??

I do have a ribbon mic that smooths everything out. Maybe a little too much at times:
Award-winning microphone engineering from Michael Joly

I use it with a Fethead:
FetHead - tritonaudio

the R144 seems slower than the ST69, so it smooths things out which fits some singers better.

btw. I'm very new so take everything I say with a grain of salt. hahahahaha

[ShadowAMD]

Originally Posted by siniarch

I'm listening on my laptop now (with headphones for my phone. ugh) so I can't hear the differences as much now, but last night it was clear to me that the ST69 was sharper and brighter. The Z5600a to me was smoother and not as bright. Perhaps it was fuller in the mids and that's what it's throwing me off, or maybe that was listening to the compressed versions though??

I do have a ribbon mic that smooths everything out. Maybe a little too much at times:
Award-winning microphone engineering from Michael Joly

I use it with a Fethead:
FetHead - tritonaudio

the R144 seems slower than the ST69, so it smooths things out which fits some singers better.

btw. I'm very new so take everything I say with a grain of salt. hahahahaha

It's all good and I have a range of mic's it just turns out my voice is a PITA.. I noticed the same as you, just looking at vocal ribbon mic's now.. Maybe it will help

I kinda want the clarity of a condenser with the smooth top end of a ribbon.. Lol don't want much ;D

[siniarch]

How about using 2 mics for you. Get ye a ribbon mic and record with a condenser as well. One on top and one on the bottom as I just did.
You could EQ the condenser to cut the highs and vise-versa the ribbon to cut the lows and mix them together.
That might give you what you want?
Or just mix them together and play with the volumes?

[ShadowAMD]

Originally Posted by siniarch

How about using 2 mics for you. Get ye a ribbon mic and record with a condenser as well. One on top and one on the bottom as I just did.
You could EQ the condenser to cut the highs and vise-versa the ribbon to cut the lows and mix them together.
That might give you what you want?
Or just mix them together and play with the volumes?

I should give it a shot

But if you do come across an awesome smooth top condenser let me know

[ShadowAMD]

Originally Posted by siniarch

How about using 2 mics for you. Get ye a ribbon mic and record with a condenser as well. One on top and one on the bottom as I just did.
You could EQ the condenser to cut the highs and vise-versa the ribbon to cut the lows and mix them together.
That might give you what you want?
Or just mix them together and play with the volumes?

I ended up with a Mojave 301 Fet. I'll tell you how it goes

[siniarch]

Sweet, I've heard good things about that company. How much was it, if you don't mind me asking?

[ShadowAMD]

Originally Posted by siniarch

Sweet, I've heard good things about that company. How much was it, if you don't mind me asking?

$800, so not bad