30th October 2012
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#1 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 247
Thread Starter | sE 2200T or 2200a MKII for vocals?
Hey GS.
I was doing my usual obsessive research of various mics that are 'affordable' to me.. and Ive noticed a lot of positive reviews of the 2200 models of sE. I was wondering if anyone had experience with both the 2200T and/or 2200a MKII?
Which would you prefer for male vocals(rap/hip hop, and R&B)? Room is treated and pre is a FocusRite ISA One. I already have a Studio Projects CS1 and SM57, so I have the mid forward and neutral bases covered. Looking for which mic is more present and detailed as a lead mic.
On the one hand, we have a tube mic(havent used a tube mic yet), thats supposed to be a better version of a mic with positive reviews already. Some of the vids/reviews I read make it seem like the tube doesnt make much of a difference at all. When I think of tube mics that Ive heard clips of, I think of that high end airy-ness and clarity, and thick low mids.. and I like that kind of sound and dont have it in my arsenal. I also REALLY liked all of the audio clips Ive heard of this tube version so far.
On the other hand, the 2200a MKII is again, a step up from a mic that had good reviews. I dont know how dramatic the 'upgrade' is. I like the fact that it has multiple patterns, which is another feature my mics lack as of right now. Im not using instruments right now, so Im not DYING for multiple patterns, but I really WOULD like to have them to experiment/learn on, and possibly use different patterns for background vocals as well.
Im curious which of these upgrades of the original 2200a is better sounding. Im not very familiar with matching voices to mics, but my voice can be a little 'mumbly' by nature, even though I try my hardest to pronounce every syllable clearly. I feel like right now I end up rolling off a lot of lows and cutting low mids because it sounds a little muddy, even with a good distance from the mics to avoid the proximity effect. Maybe stacking vocals(even though I pan and spread them out) makes this 'flaw' in my voice come out even more.
Anyways.. this makes me want to avoid looking for a 'warm' mic as my next purchase, and look for a clearer, more airy, and dare I say brighter mic. I dont mind a mic that has rich, thick, and big lows as long as theyre clear. To my inexperienced ears, the lows n low mids are just not a match for my voice.
I dont know what it is about tube mics that makes me want one.. but theyre very appealing to me. Along with the fact that sE seems to have a good reputation, and I like what Ive heard so far from clips. If the tube really doesnt make much of a difference though.. Id rather have the multiple patterns and put em to use. I think the shockmount on the newer MKII is different too.
Anyways... given all of the information.. which would YOU pick?? Any n all feedback on these two mics is greatly appreciated.
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31st October 2012
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#2 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Nottingham, UK
Posts: 1,133
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As far as i am aware, the MK2 sounds the same as the original 2200a, just with added polar patterns and a new shockmount design.
Personally, i never cared much for the 2200a. It's painfully bright and quite harsh with a large proportion of sound sources. I've still got mine, but i never use it unless i have to.
I believe the tube version of the 2200a would potentially roll of some of that top end and add a bit of grit and character, although im sure the effect would be small.
You are running into a decent preamp which will help (especially considering you can alter the impedance to a lower setting to roll off the highs).
Are you sure you are dead set on the 2200a?
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31st October 2012
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#3 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 247
Thread Starter |
It's not my final, set in stone decision or anything. I was just wondering which model I should consider. My room is heavily treated and I think that sucked some of the highs n clarity out. Not my mics fault.. so im gonna bring some highs back in the room before blaming it on gear n buying more.
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31st October 2012
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#4 | | Lives for gear
Joined: May 2009 Location: London
Posts: 1,067
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I am not sure if you are aware, but have you considered going for the SE Z3300A?
Reason I say this is that the SE Z3300A is going for an end of line price at the moment (£199) and it is a big step up from the SE 2200A (I sold the SE 2200A when I got the SE Z3300A)
Sure, there is improved output and slightly lower noise from the SE 2200A to the SE 2200A MKII but very little has changed soundwise. The SE Z3300A however, is a much better sounding mic, it is huge in physical size and sound wise in comparison to the SE 2200A, it is a well featured multimode mic and it is actually CHEAPER than the SE 2200A MKII/SE 2200T. I think the first one cost me over £350, so was shocked the price dropped.
They only dropped the price to £199 recently, I went out and bought another one! That is how much I rate this mic. I got a XLR lead and official metal pop screen thrown in as part of the deal, so this is an utter bargain at the moment.
SE Z3300A - http://www.andertons.co.uk/condenser...denser-mic.asp | |
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31st October 2012
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#5 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Cornwall, UK
Posts: 3,674
 | Quote:
Originally Posted by dxavier  I am not sure if you are aware, but have you considered going for the SE Z3300A?
Reason I say this is that the SE Z3300A is going for an end of line price at the moment (£199) and it is a big step up from the SE 2200A (I sold the SE 2200A when I got the SE Z3300A)
Sure, there is improved output and slightly lower noise from the SE 2200A to the SE 2200A MKII but very little has changed soundwise. The SE Z3300A however, is a much better sounding mic, it is huge in physical size and sound wise in comparison to the SE 2200A, it is a well featured multimode mic and it is actually CHEAPER than the SE 2200A MKII/SE 2200T. I think the first one cost me over £350, so was shocked the price dropped.
They only dropped the price to £199 recently, I went out and bought another one! That is how much I rate this mic. I got a XLR lead and official metal pop screen thrown in as part of the deal, so this is an utter bargain at the moment.
SE Z3300A - SE Electronics Z3300A Condenser Mic | Andertons | I thought the Z3300A was basically a multi pattern version of the 2200a using two of the 2200a's capsules?
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1st November 2012
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#6 | | Lives for gear
Joined: May 2009 Location: London
Posts: 1,067
| Quote:
Originally Posted by dickiefunk I thought the Z3300A was basically a multi pattern version of the 2200a using two of the 2200a's capsules? | No, not at all, I have never heard that. It is a dual capsule but I have never heard or seen any reference it was two 2200A capsules. For me, the mic that is two 2200a capsules is the 4400a, not this mic. This mic was part of their higher end Z range and this resulted in the Z3300A,the Z5600, Z5600A MK1 and Z5600A MK2. I have both the Z3300A and Z5600A MK2.
Put it this way, I had the 2200a and never used it again, once I heard the Z3300A. I then sold the 2200a and bought another Z3300A. At the price it is going for now, I wanted a spare because I like it that much and you have to think, this is a better mic than the 2200a or 2200a MK11 or 2200T (Which is a Toob mic rather than a Tube Mic) and it is actually cheaper. It wasn't before, as I know I paid close to £400 for my first one, but it is now. Also if aesthetics are your thing, the Z3300A is a big mic (it's the same size as the Z5600A MK2) It makes the 2200a look small.
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6th January 2013
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#7 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Cornwall, UK
Posts: 3,674
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Hi dxavier. How do you find the Z3300a compared to the Z5600mkII?
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6th January 2013
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#8 | | Gear addict
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 357
| Quote:
Originally Posted by euphoria89 . It's painfully bright and quite harsh with a large proportion of sound sources. | I always felt it was very bright and clean in kind of an airy, non-harsh way (unlike a lot of cheap LDCs). When pulling down the highs with shelf EQ, it sounds pretty natural to me.
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talking crap about the sm7b deserves a punch in the face | |
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6th January 2013
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#9 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 247
Thread Starter |
Svenarne I think thats what I'm looking for. So far I have a Studio Projects CS1 and recently I bought an AT4040(and an SM57 that just doesn't cut it on vox for me). I kind of wish I had the 4033 but that's $400, n i got the 4040 for $250 so I couldnt pass it up. I'd say they both cover "neutral" territory in different ways. IDK if the 4040 has the balls for lead vox, though its very accurate. I'm gonna give it more time and learn to work with it before I judge it.
As far as condensers go, I think I want to get an MXL v67g(mod it later if needed) and the 2200a. Supposed to be very similar, a lot of the same parts. This way I'll have a bright n darker version of a similar sound.
I'll probably get the MXL next since its so inexpensive, but I've decided I'm definitely gonna pull the trigger on an SM7b as well. So many mics and not enough money lol. Once I'm able to get am all though, I think I'll have a lot of bases covered.
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