Mic Choice...leaning towards Bees Neez James, but open to suggestions!

[Doctor Ox]

Hi fellow slutz,
I am in the process of upgrading my modest home studio, and I can spend up to $1k on a vocal mic. I have been doing tons of research and am finding that the best bang for my buck is the BeezNees James. I am looking to get a very similar vocal sound to Jimmy Eat World's Bleed American record, or Fall Out Boy's Infinity On High (I'm aware that in order to get this, I'd also need Patrick Stump/Jim Adkins, lots of fancy outboard gear, etc etc). But I'm trying to get as close as I can in my home. U47-type mics were used on both of those recordings, from interviews that I've read.
I'm doing pop/rock music in the vein of both of the mentioned records.

I'll be running through a distressor and Great River ME1NV preamp.

So far, Ben over at BeesNeez has been a pleasure to speak with, and he is willing to modify the traditional James set up to have a bit more top end.

Should get me close to what I'm looking for, right? Or do you have any other mic reccomendations that I should check out in order to get this sound (so that I can lose more sleep over this! haha!)

Thanks!

[tenchijin2]

Ben's mics are getting some good press around here from actual users, so you'll probably be fine.

The only other 47ish mic in that price range that I have experience with is the ADK Berlin-47. I liked it, but I have no idea how it compares to other similarly priced mics with a 47ish sound.

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by Doctor Ox

Should get me close to what I'm looking for, right? Or do you have any other mic reccomendations that I should check out in order to get this sound (so that I can lose more sleep over this! haha!)

Thanks!

I would save a bit of dough and try the Telefunken M16 Mk2 for the sound your looking for. Its incredible with the chain you have. Of course it has nothing to do with a U47, and in my experience, all of that stuff doesn't really matter. The only thing that matters is how the microphone sounds on your voice and in the context of the music you're recording. Here is a very good example of the microphone in use for vocals; http://www.methodsandapplicationslab...b-Fig8Mics.mov

[SteveBoker]

I've had a James for a bit over 2 months now. I've been using it on male vocals, voice over, and violin. For my purposes, it has been fantastic. It has taken over for a lot of jobs where I had been using a modded vintage U87. I guess to my ears, the James isn't really like a U47, it is something all its own, but it is something pretty special. In cardioid there's a sweet spot about 8 inches in front of the mic where magic happens. I've mostly been running it through a GR 500NV or RNP 5012.

Also, I can vouch for Ben's tech support and service. He's a stand up guy as in "stands behind his mics". I had the tube go bad and he shipped another, no cost. Shipping takes a while from Australia to the US due to the wait for customs, but that's the worst I can say.

[Doctor Ox]

Hi Steve,
Do you happen to have any sound clips that you've recorded with the James?

[mistaD]

Originally Posted by Doctor Ox

Hi Steve,
Do you happen to have any sound clips that you've recorded with the James?

If you want the u47 why note get the Arabella and maybe have him tweak that for more high end?

[HA_DA_JA]

I sold my Rode Classic II which has sometimes bene touted as a poormans Song C800g. I used the money to buy the james and have never been happier.
Cheers

[Doctor Ox]

bump!

[warhead]

I think the best input you're going to get is to tell us what you already have, and what you wish it would do differently for your upgrade.

War

[anguswoodhead]

FYI - Review of the Bees Neez Jade, James and Arabella by Aussie Mag Audio Technology
Attached FilesBees Neez Mics - AT review.pdf (381.4 KB, 0 views)

[withintheflux]

Just ordered the James!

Thanks Ben. Nice guy. Seems to have honest pride in his line. I'll be receiving the new body and badge on my James, which apparently sports a new "tuscan gold" color with a powder coating. Sounds like a big makeover from the old silver body. He insists that its beautiful and that I'll love it. I don't normally prefer gold gear, but I can learn to love the cosmetics of a any sounding mic.

excited to give it a try.

Are there any other recent James owners who want to share their findings?

Blake

[peeweedrummer]

James = Great mic. a bit darker than your average cheap tube mic, but in a very good way.

[anguswoodhead]

I am selling my Arabella if that interests you?
Less than a year old - perfect condition sonically and cosmetically.
Valve is from 1948.
This mic sounds 'sweet' - very warm and open.
There are similarities to a U47.
Looking for around AU$1900 but make me an offer.

If you're wondering why - I have Ben's Mahalia and Phelicity and I am upgrading the Arabella to his U47 clone.

[lynyrd]

Wow man, I'm jealous! You've got more of Ben's mics than he does.

Originally Posted by anguswoodhead

I am selling my Arabella if that interests you?
Less than a year old - perfect condition sonically and cosmetically.
Valve is from 1948.
This mic sounds 'sweet' - very warm and open.
There are similarities to a U47.
Looking for around AU$1900 but make me an offer.

If you're wondering why - I have Ben's Mahalia and Phelicity and I am upgrading the Arabella to his U47 clone.

[anguswoodhead]

Originally Posted by lynyrd

Wow man, I'm jealous! You've got more of Ben's mics than he does.

I believe in the man and his mics.
I believe in the years to come that they will become 'classics'.
Here is a sneak preview of the Bees Neez Tribute 1

[Patric Noonan]

I recieved my James and the Arabella last friday and right as i type this my drummer is playing through them and a Shure 57 on the snare (we track the bass drum through a TD6 midi kick into Steven Slate Drums 3 ). The wonders of wireless technology hey! For only 3 mics it is quite amazing, It is a very nice sound I am getting on this end. Wide and Valvey but no unpleasant artefacts whatsoever. All the nuances of the kit are expressed very nicely.

Tracking my voice through the Arabella was a very nice experience too, but the James suits my voice better, and the Arabella suits my drummers voice better so again horses for courses but either mic are great and i would highly recommend them and Ben is a wonderful man to deal with. I got the mics a week earlier than the eta delivery he originally gave me.

Guitars are really thick and detailed through the james, and gnarly to say the least.

Worth every cent!

[withintheflux]

Originally Posted by anguswoodhead

I believe in the man and his mics.
I believe in the years to come that they will become 'classics'.
Here is a sneak preview of the Bees Neez Tribute 1

Wow, that's very pretty. What is the "Tribute"? That mic looks just about how Ben described the new James to me. Is that the James?

sweet.

blake

[withintheflux]

Originally Posted by angryman

I recieved my James and the Arabella last friday and right as i type this my drummer is playing through them and a Shure 57 on the snare (we track the bass drum through a TD6 midi kick into Steven Slate Drums 3 ). The wonders of wireless technology hey! For only 3 mics it is quite amazing, It is a very nice sound I am getting on this end. Wide and Valvey but no unpleasant artefacts whatsoever. All the nuances of the kit are expressed very nicely.

Tracking my voice through the Arabella was a very nice experience too, but the James suits my voice better, and the Arabella suits my drummers voice better so again horses for courses but either mic are great and i would highly recommend them and Ben is a wonderful man to deal with. I got the mics a week earlier than the eta delivery he originally gave me.

Guitars are really thick and detailed through the james, and gnarly to say the least.

Worth every cent!

Thanks for the report.

I am hoping that I find the James to compliment my voice perfectly. But I am braced for that not being the case. It sounds like the mic is lovely enough to serve some, if not many, other purposes very well.

blake

[anguswoodhead]

Originally Posted by withintheflux

Wow, that's very pretty. What is the "Tribute"? That mic looks just about how Ben described the new James to me. Is that the James?

sweet.

blake

Hi Blake
The Tribute 1 is Ben's U47 Clone.
He is only making 100 of them so first in first served - I have ordered no 47.
About 3 times the price of a James.
But the James is an awesome mic - you will be very happy.

[MadGuitrst]

Originally Posted by anguswoodhead

But the James is an awesome mic - you will be very happy.

Yes, VERY happy.