3 Zigma Hybrid Mic Shipping:

[warhead]

3 Zigma Audio - Condenser Microphones

CHI = Capsule Hybrid Integrator System

I love concepts like these. Lets not get into a "does it sound just like a U67" thing but as long as the response curves make sense with where each capsule takes you, it's in line as far as the marketing of other swappable capsule designs.

The super low noise ratings have me curious to check them out as well, 7dB for most of the large caps and seriously low noise specs on the small diaphragms also. I've been talking to Larry about this stuff and I am hoping he has the winner on his hands we've talked about.

I have them all on order now and will report back soon. Street pricing will be excellent.

67 / 47 / 12 / 251 capsules, as well as several small designs, and a low noise preamp body to boot.

I saw them at the AES show and was very impressed.

The same designer who brought the "AU" capsules also designed and implemented these.

They aren't really ADK branded, but "3Zigma".

ZenPro Audio is offering a $50 Sabra Som SSM1 shock mount upgrade while supplies last, with every CHI mic.

War

[Tomer1]

Pricing?

[Coyoteous]

Originally Posted by Tomer1

Pricing?

It will be excellent...

- sorry, couldn't resist... mics look great, BTW.

[Tomer1]

excellent as in even a poor student will be able to afford one or as in its such an excellent product you will have to shell out a ton of money?

[Coyoteous]

We'll have to wait for Warren on that one. He said: "street pricing will be excellent." I hope you can buy "a la carte."

I could use a mic with both of the pressure omni SDC caps (free and diffuse field), and then maybe one of the classic-ish LDC's.

Warren, have you been away from Front End Audio for long? Good luck with your new venture!

[warhead]

Street price examples:

CHI solid state body + 12 / 67 / 47 capsule (pick one): $677

CHI solid state body + 251 capsule (3 micron): $777

Matched complete pair of cardioid or omni SDC caps: $1297

That is wrapped up ready to go.

Ala carte = yes, you can add capsules for:

12 / 67 / 47 = $379
251 = $489

They will physically arrive in about 10 days, they're going into the studio quickly to hear them.

Slutz can expect a full report on them.

War

PS: I left Front End Audio on Jan 1st this year.



Thanks for using the word "classic-ish", that makes sense rather than "clone" or anything else I think.

[Tomer1]

WOW!
thos are some amazing prices.

I reckon not US manufacturing and assembly but who cares of they sound great.
Can we have some more info about design and manufacturing?

Thanks,
Tomer.

[Larry Villella]

The 3 Zigma Modular-Hybrid Mic system is a three-way collaboration
between ADK's Founders, our Belgian Lead-Designer, and our new PhD
in Australia. Using the same Pre-Aged 99.999% Pure Gold Diaphragms
that are in the ADK Custom Shop mics, but in a Modular-Hybrid Format.

Specs to the moon!

Curves so accurate you can plot interstellar navigation by them.

What happens when a couple of guys who've been using mics for fifty
years gets together with a Mic-Designer AND an Aerospace Engineer?

3 Zigma is being run as a separate company from ADK. We share the
capsule-works with ADK Custom Shop, Beta and Design-Team. But the
board of directors and the distribution model are separate and distinct.

Hope that's enough data to get the members to put on their thinking caps!


More Technical Data is being added to the web-site weekly. Stay Tuned!!

Cheers!

Larry J. Villella, ADK))

3 Zigma Audio - Condenser Microphone

ADK))) Microphones on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

Golden Ear Test on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

[warhead]

I can pass along what I've been told, I do not work for 3 Zigma but know the owner, Larry Villella.

From what I gather, the rocket scientist / mic enthusiast combo that brought the "AU" capsules to the ADK line is exactly what's behind these mics. The entire system is being built in a factory in rural China, being overseen by the Aussie rocket scientist monthly.

In this day and age, what matters to me is quality / performance / usefulness. That remains to be seen, but I trust Larry and expect them to perform like he and I have discussed. My ears will confirm though. The low noise specs alone have me very interested in them.

War

EDIT: Larry and I were typing at the same time!

[jowillie]

Warren,

Don't forget us "spoken word" users when you do a little testing. The 251 curve looks interesting.

Positive congrats.
Onward & Upward

VO Mic Test

[warhead]

Oh I know, and more and more I find voice over guys needing a new home for gear sales. I discussed voice over with Larry when considering this line to sell, the low noise and versatility you guys need = a potential match made in heaven.

I see it possible as a VO studio taking in one preamp body and all capsules, testing on voice, and picking the one(s) they like and sending the rest back...?

War

[Brad McGowan]

Will these be showing at NAMM?

Brad

[warhead]

The mics will be shown at NAMM:

Booth 5569 - Dana B Goods (distributor)

Warren

[Glenn Kuras]

War,

Will the ZenPro Audio: Gear Now & Zen - Store Offline logo show up after the hammer hits the wall? Its been months of you keeping us waiting11111111

[3rdeyeKnight]

Originally Posted by Glenn Kuras

War,

Will the ZenPro Audio: Gear Now & Zen - Store Offline logo show up after the hammer hits the wall? Its been months of you keeping us waiting11111111

That would be cool! The reconstruction phase. Now bring down the wall!

[rapfreak]

Originally Posted by warhead

PS: I left Front End Audio on Jan 1st this year, to start anew. I have nothing bad to say about the people at Front End Audio, I just have another vision of taking care of you guys and it no longer fit that scenario. I owned 50% of FEA. I own 100% of ZenPro Audio. It's pretty easy math.



Thanks for using the word "classic-ish", that makes sense rather than "clone" or anything else I think.

Best of luck to both you and FEA. This is a big industry and I'm sure you both will work your best to fulfill your customers needs.

[warhead]

Thanks guys.

I may have to tear down that wall on launch day...

War

[Coyoteous]

Originally Posted by warhead

Thanks guys.

I may have to tear down that wall on launch day...

War

Go to the end for the punchline...

[warhead]

[warhead]

OK, just got back from a session at a friend's local studio (I'm still waiting on my build to start here...) testing the 3 Zigma line and can tell you so far, so good. We used the large caps on drums, ac gtr and vox.

More when I get to sort more deeply through the tests.

War

[sonicdefault]

Will you be putting up demo clips anytime soon?


-SD

[warhead]

I need to examine what I have, seriously it's all jammed onto a thumb drive right now and not sorted out at all.

That 67 cap is smooth man, and we were able to compare the 12 cap to an AKG C12A.

War

[sonicdefault]

What's your initial impression on the 47?


-SD

[warhead]

Liked it more on ac gtr than drums.

We really liked them all on voice...!

I will have better info later, I was very busy either being the drummer or capsule swap boy.

EDIT: Just to let you know my studio is stacked in boxes in storage while I get my room built, and I'm working on lots of other business related things so...please be patient. I am normally very responsive when it comes to such things but, I'm not in a situation where I can just load up a project, edit it & share easily...!

War

[bee]

Why is it that the websites prices are waayyyyyyyyyy higher?

[Coyoteous]

Originally Posted by bee

Why is it that the websites prices are waayyyyyyyyyy higher?

- shhhh...

[warhead]

I actually started an eBay auction while I work on the site.

War

[Brad McGowan]

Okay so you haven't even seen, touched, or heard the mics and you are bagging on their sound and build quality? C'mon.

Chinese built does not mean poor quality by default. The quality of the end product is a function of its design (done by aerospace engineer...I can vouch for those guys since I am one), and the company's oversight of the manufacturing process. If you have a poor design done by a company in the good 'ole US of A and the the company signs off on crappy workmanship then you will be guaranteed a poor quality product. It doesn't matter where a product is made. Old fashioned engineering rigor, attention to detal, and manufacturing process control will dictate the quality of the final product.

Besides, I would bet a good share of the electronics fab shops in the U.S. employ foreign nationals like Chinese and Mexicans.

The moral of the story is don't judge a book by the cover of some other book your friend's uncle's mistress told you they saw a homeless guy reading.

Brad

[warhead]

I definitely would not hack on these mics, having heard them side by side with some very nice stuff. While I wait on my own studio construction to happen (I just moved it) I took these into a friend's studio, and that friend happens to be one of these guys who is NOT looking to spend money. He is the "anti-slut" so to speak, he does not get off on shiny new gear but seeks out great sound like all of us. He does not post here, he is your average studio owner trying to have something left over at the end of the month. He is a benchmark for me, I bring new gear there because he doesn't just glow about things: he tends to think many things are a waste of time. It helps me focus on what a studio owner really wants and needs.

He also owns a pair of original C12A, as well as original 414's, 460's and other industry standards. He has the Lawson L47 setup at all times as well.

The "251" CHI capsule he considers to be a mic that he could directly swap out with his original C12A mics, on any source. The similarity between the two is stunning (except for the extreme LOW noise of the CHI, vs the hiss of the C12A...). The original C12A typically sell on eBay for about $5,000 to $6,000 if that means anything to you.

These mics do NOT have some kind of cheap sound to them, they really do not. The CHI system is very nice, I personally LOVED the 67 cap for its smoothness and it just seemed to be "forgiving" on everything in a really good way.

More later, I wish I could tear away from all this website building and coding crap, and wish I had my studio up and running to make sharing with you guys easy again!

War

I can appreciate skepticism for sure.

[warhead]

Originally Posted by Brad McGowan

The quality of the end product is a function of its design (done by aerospace engineer...I can vouch for those guys since I am one), and the company's oversight of the manufacturing process.

Yes, and the Australian rocket scientist not only designs this stuff but he also oversees the factory. If he can put people in space, I'm very certain he can design a good capsule.

War thumbsup