Tube mics on location?

[Jungle Jazz]

Because of the power supplies, extra cabling, and other issues associated with tube mics, I usually avoid them for location use. However, I often prefer their sound for certain applications. Do any of you use tube mics for location work? If so, how do you tend to use them, and how do you account for the potential issues they might present?

While I wouldn't want to use a high price, vintage tube mic on location, I'm curious about some of the more affordable contemporary options. Does anyone have any experience with current mid-level tube mics for location work, especially the offerings from Peluso, Telefunken (RFT line), Advanced Audio, or others under $2,000?

[PlugHead]

Tho I regret carting them in and out of remotes, I often bring tube mics to location recordings. The biggest problem I've encountered is 'size' of my luggage, and the other being RFI sometimes creeping into the signal path - never had that happen with FET/dynamics/ribbons, but has happened on occasion with a tube mic or 2...

I reg. use Chameleon Labs TS-1's, Mojave MA-200's, Pearlman TM-1, and a few others - no megabux tube mics travel out with me, but I'm not afraid to pull those along - they give me what I want, and I have no hesitation to hump them to and fro, depending on the gig and my needs...

I hope this helps,

[Corran]

I occasionally use a tube mic or two on a jazz date, but I prefer not to due to the issues you mention, especially power for the PSU. A lot of times I simply can't use any because there isn't any available power close to the mic.

[Jungle Jazz]

Thanks for the feedback so far. Those Pearlman mics seem to get a lot of positive reviews, and the Mojave was popular when it first came out. Anyone using something like a Peluso P12 or Advanced Audio CM-12 on location?

[amfortas2006]

I took my Neumann M149 a couple of times on location, and had no problems

It has its own aluminum case and transporting it is no problem - but, this microphone is also built to take it, I guess not all are built as sturdy.. wouldnt know that, cause its my first tube

[Jungle Jazz]

I'd love to have an M149 for location work. Heck, I'd like to have half a dozen of them. Doesn't Al Schmitt use like five or six of them when he's working with Diana Krall? Sadly, that's way beyond my budget. Does anything cheaper come close to the sound of an M149?

[stampen]

Originally Posted by Jungle Jazz

Thanks for the feedback so far. Those Pearlman mics seem to get a lot of positive reviews, and the Mojave was popular when it first came out. Anyone using something like a Peluso P12 or Advanced Audio CM-12 on location?

Sure. I have a pair of P12s and have used them on a few remote jazz recordings. No problems. The only reasons for not using them have been that they didn't match well with the source.

/A

[Jungle Jazz]

Originally Posted by stampen

Sure. I have a pair of P12s and have used them on a few remote jazz recordings. No problems. The only reasons for not using them have been that they didn't match well with the source.

/A

What sources did you find that they work on (and don't work on)? Thanks.

[amfortas2006]

There's a lot of good microphones that don't cost the world!thumbsup

[Jungle Jazz]

Originally Posted by amfortas2006

There's a lot of good microphones that don't cost the world!thumbsup

Do you have any favorite inexpensive tube mics that sound good for location jazz recording?

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by Jungle Jazz

Do you have any favorite inexpensive tube mics that sound good for location jazz recording?

Chameleon Labs TS-1's are actually very fine for a lot of duties - dbl. bass, piano, strings and can work for a lot of acoustic instruments. They aren't the typically sizzley/bright SDC's and suit well to various instruments.

Tho I've not heard the TS-2, I'm very interested in auditioning one, as more than a few people who's opinions I respect mention that they are an exceptionally good sounding product. IIRC, they were having a blowout a few weeks back selling prs of TS-1's and a TS-2 for about a grand - if I already didn't own the TS-1's I would've jumped on that...

Otherwise, The Pearlman TM-1 and TM-2 are good and versatile mics.

[Jungle Jazz]

According to the Chameleon Labs website, the TS-2 has been discontinued. Maybe that's why they were blowing them out.

[stampen]

Originally Posted by Jungle Jazz

What sources did you find that they work on (and don't work on)? Thanks.

I have used them on drums and liked them. I have used them (one) on tenor sax and in one case it was great and in another case (another player) it was the wrong one. I still haven't used them on piano but really want to.

/A

[Jungle Jazz]

Originally Posted by stampen

I have used them on drums and liked them. I have used them (one) on tenor sax and in one case it was great and in another case (another player) it was the wrong one. I still haven't used them on piano but really want to.

/A

Thanks for those observations.

Well, it's looking like most folks don't use tube mics on location, and there's plenty of reasons not to. However, if I were to put this in the hypothetical, if you were going to use tube mics on location, especially for recording acoustic jazz (piano, upright bass, drums, and maybe some horns), are there any contemporary models you would consider?

It seems that many contemporary tube mics are patterned after a few vintage models: the U47, C12, 251, and U67. If you were going to use tube mics on location, which of these mic types might be the most versatile?

[amfortas2006]

Originally Posted by Jungle Jazz

Do you have any favorite inexpensive tube mics that sound good for location jazz recording?

Groove tubes

[Eric Weber]

If it's amplified jazz then the small difference in sound between tube and solid state microphones will be masked by the PA... no need for the added trouble or expense...

I use my Sony C800's and C37's occasionally for location classical... the only issue is to allot a hour for warm up... and the extra work... just a matter of decideing what's the best wepon for the hall....

[dandeurloo]

Originally Posted by Jungle Jazz

Thanks for the feedback so far. Those Pearlman mics seem to get a lot of positive reviews, and the Mojave was popular when it first came out. Anyone using something like a Peluso P12 or Advanced Audio CM-12 on location?

I have all of the AA mics with me. They come in good cases so its not a problem.

[Jungle Jazz]

Originally Posted by dandeurloo

I have all of the AA mics with me. They come in good cases so its not a problem.

I'd be interested in hearing your feedback on any experience you have had with them for jazz or acoustic instrument recording, especially with the CM47 or CM12.

[Jungle Jazz]

Originally Posted by Eric Weber

If it's amplified jazz then the small difference in sound between tube and solid state microphones will be masked by the PA... no need for the added trouble or expense...

That's definitely a realistic concern.

[stampen]

I have too little experience with the true old classic tube mics to really have a valid opinon....but it won't stop me.

There are lots of mic comparisons going on and I try to listen to many of them. I own enough good gear to understand that after the performance and the acoustics, the mics are most important part. I own enough good preamps to know that they won't make or break the recording.

It seems that the mostly copied mic is the U47. From all the mic comparisons I've listened to with clones of the U47 I have come to the conclusion that I want and need a good mic of that FLAVOUR. There are enough modern clones that sound close enough to get me that flavour. They will not sound exactly like a vintage Neumann one but that's not important. When it's time for me to make that U47 style purchase, and when the cash flow is right I will be happy with a Wunder or maybe a FLEA to get that tonal option. They are close enough. Maybe not as good as some originals I've heard but certainly better than some other originals. I won't buy a vintage mic with a crucial breakable part (the VF14 tube) that is hardly obtainable and will cost me +$2000.

I would like to educate myself more on the U67 model and also the M49.

/A

Originally Posted by Jungle Jazz

Thanks for those observations.

Well, it's looking like most folks don't use tube mics on location, and there's plenty of reasons not to. However, if I were to put this in the hypothetical, if you were going to use tube mics on location, especially for recording acoustic jazz (piano, upright bass, drums, and maybe some horns), are there any contemporary models you would consider?

It seems that many contemporary tube mics are patterned after a few vintage models: the U47, C12, 251, and U67. If you were going to use tube mics on location, which of these mic types might be the most versatile?

[Jungle Jazz]

Yeah, I suppose something in the U47 category would be versatile. Ah, but there are so many reasonably priced options now: Peluso, Advanced Audio, BeesNeez, Telefunken, Lawson, mods from the various guys who push their gear here on GS....I wonder which would provide the best price, performance, and durability ratio.