What about Martin Kantola and his microphones?

[MorganN]

Morgan Nicolaysen did not start this thread. Morgan and Martin's posts (#s 1 & 2) were moved from another thread in this forum. Since I felt it was a bit off topic, I decided to start a new thread, so we can continue their discussion.

-Remoteness

Originally Posted by Martin Kantola

I'm not Bruce, but he might not check this sub forum too often. Yes he did use his NU-47. Great vocalist, that whole tracks sounds so good it makes you want to cry, he played me the mix.

Martin

Thanks for the info Martin! Great to see you in the forums. I have followed your microphone development, but understand that it is produced in rather small numbers..? Would love to try it out some time! Any chance of doing your own version of the u67?
Good luck with your business!

Morgan

[Martin Kantola]

Originally Posted by MorganN

Thanks for the info Martin! Great to see you in the forums. I have followed your microphone development, but understand that it is produced in rather small numbers..?

Yes, but that is about to change, or actually it's already happening!

Have a couple of new microphone designs (which will appear on my website soon) that can be produced in larger numbers (more than just a few). It's the Bruce Swedien signature mic and the NU-49 multi pattern tube mic.

Still make these by hand as before, but with the new designs I've been able to get the sound I want without using rare NOS tubes. This is good news for the pricing and spare part situation too.

Originally Posted by MorganN

Would love to try it out some time!

Have some demo units, so that can be arranged.

Originally Posted by MorganN

Any chance of doing your own version of the u67?

Good question. Have a an original pair that I love. They are rarely my first choice for vocals, but on acoustic guitar and drums overheads they do a great job. While developing my own designs I always bring out my vintage microphones to compare with, and did the same with the Swedien. It's a cruel method, but it gives good results in the end, and people have preferred the Swedien, both on acoustic guitars and overheads. But you need to hear it for yourself of course!

Thanks for the kind words.

Martin

PS. Recently uploaded a little interview with Bruce where he talks about my microphones. Link here: YouTube - Bruce Swedien interview

[MorganN]

Thanks Steve for creating a new post and sorry for drifting off topic.
I guess it's easy to get carried away.

Great to hear about the development in your business!
Just watched the video with Bruce and it sounds really promising!
I'll have an eye on your website!

It's great to see microphones being introduced today that not just are chinese microphones with an american label on them.
Could you elaborate on why choosing wood in making this mike?

I'll PM you about demoing them! That would be great! thumbsup

[Remoteness]

No problem Morgan.

IMO, it's a valuable topic and it should be discussed.

I look forward to seeing how Martin develops this new venture!

[Martin Kantola]

Originally Posted by MorganN

Could you elaborate on why choosing wood in making this mike?

The idea came to me in a vision, maybe 20 years ago. Still have my original drawing somewhere. Later I found out that wood is an excellent material for a studio microphone body. No metallic resonances, and I like to think of microphones as musical instruments, or at least tools of music. The weight is perfect too.

Originally Posted by MorganN

I'll PM you about demoing them! That would be great! thumbsup

OK, will try to arrange so that you can have one of the demo units sent to you, unless I decide to visit Oslo myself in the near future, it's not far away at all.

Martin

[Martin Kantola]

Some recent samples from Stockholm, Sweden, recorded with the Swedien No. 1, no processing or EQ.


http://www.nu47.com/samples/swe1acgtr.wav
http://www.nu47.com/samples/swe1drums.wav
http://www.nu47.com/samples/swe1tamb.wav
http://www.nu47.com/samples/swe1shaker.wav

They will play together if you line them up in your DAW.

Martin

[Cinemascope]

Martin is a gentleman & a scholar in a true sense

I have one of his NU-47s and the mic is just blindingly good.

It is of the U47 ilk but isn't trying to be an exact replica or a 'clone', it is very much its own thing, it's made of wood for starters ;-)

THe sound is huge, detailed and warm. It flatters in a really euphonic way which is what I'm looking for with it in making records

It is a standout piece
thumbsup

[MorganN]

Hey Martin!

See you're working on a new M50!
Care to share some info about it?

Cheers,

- Morgan

[summer_room]

-and Martin please, could you also tell us a bit about the "Black Pearl"?

thanks, Jon