Tube mic applications for piano and vox(going through a Tube comp too much for vox)?

skiroy · 22nd March 2009

I used a Trion 8000 tube mic on a piano today and it sounded to lifeless. I was wondering if a tube mic is not a good selection for a piano or other acoustic parts that require a classical clarity.

2. Second question is if a tube mic going into a tube pre or tube compressor like a Tla-50 is at risk of being overly warm for a Rap/Reggae?R&B vocal. I can see for a ballad or a real organic intimate vocal but what do you think in general? What kind of Pre/comp would you match with a tube mic?

betamatt · 22nd March 2009

Well, I'm probably not the best person to answer this question for you because I haven't used the particular gear you're asking about. However, I would offer one thing: I don't usually find it very helpful to think of mics or pres/comps in terms of kinds being "tube" or "solid state." In other words, the chain you mention may be too warm for a contemporary rap/reggae/r&b vocal. But, in terms of gear I've got access to, I would not consider, say, a Korby Kat-4 w/C800g capsule into Avalon 737 even close to too warm (don't think I'd ever use that chain, either). And that's tube->tube. But I could pick out another tube->tube chain that would be very warm and furry indeed.

In terms of tube mics and "classical" recording, well, look at the continued popularity of the Neumann M50 as THE mic for Decca trees. I think there are also still a number of classical guys using the Schoepps M221 (all tube mics). It just all depends on the particular mic and the preamp you pair it with. So you may have discovered that this particular mic doesn't do that sound (or you may just want to try in a different placement with a different pre). But I don't think you've discovered a general feature of tube gear.

22nd March 2009	#1
skiroy Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 1,851 Thread Starter	Tube mic applications for piano and vox(going through a Tube comp too much for vox)? I used a Trion 8000 tube mic on a piano today and it sounded to lifeless. I was wondering if a tube mic is not a good selection for a piano or other acoustic parts that require a classical clarity. 2. Second question is if a tube mic going into a tube pre or tube compressor like a Tla-50 is at risk of being overly warm for a Rap/Reggae?R&B vocal. I can see for a ballad or a real organic intimate vocal but what do you think in general? What kind of Pre/comp would you match with a tube mic?

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22nd March 2009	#2
betamatt Gear nut Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sonoma County Posts: 120	Well, I'm probably not the best person to answer this question for you because I haven't used the particular gear you're asking about. However, I would offer one thing: I don't usually find it very helpful to think of mics or pres/comps in terms of kinds being "tube" or "solid state." In other words, the chain you mention may be too warm for a contemporary rap/reggae/r&b vocal. But, in terms of gear I've got access to, I would not consider, say, a Korby Kat-4 w/C800g capsule into Avalon 737 even close to too warm (don't think I'd ever use that chain, either). And that's tube->tube. But I could pick out another tube->tube chain that would be very warm and furry indeed. In terms of tube mics and "classical" recording, well, look at the continued popularity of the Neumann M50 as THE mic for Decca trees. I think there are also still a number of classical guys using the Schoepps M221 (all tube mics). It just all depends on the particular mic and the preamp you pair it with. So you may have discovered that this particular mic doesn't do that sound (or you may just want to try in a different placement with a different pre). But I don't think you've discovered a general feature of tube gear.