My B-ULS sounds dark

Frequency · 13th January 2006

Hey guys!

I have a 414 B-ULS that I bought as an all-rounder and as a vocal mic.

On some things it works like magic, but often it sounds too dark, for my taste. I always find myself having to boost at around 10K and above to make a vocal cut through. I use a Summit MPC-100A preamp/compressor when tracking.

Is there something wrong with my B-ULS?
Does anyone else have the same experience with it?

GearGeek · 13th January 2006

The B-ULS isn't so much dark as it is flat. I own one and use it for acoustic instruments with great results. It really isn't a vocal mic though. For vocals, the 414 TL-II or the new XL-II is better suited. However, I have recorded vocals with the B-ULS in the past. Just make sure you use a low cut filter and add some top end on your pre and it should work out ok. Good luck!

doorknocker · 13th January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by GearGeek

The B-ULS isn't so much dark as it is flat. I own one and use it for acoustic instruments with great results. It really isn't a vocal mic though.

IMO, the 414 B/ULS is neither flat nor dark. Never had luck with it on acoustic instruments but more often than not it's my fave vocal mic. Never 'killing' on its own but always sitting beautifully in a mix. Kinda the SM57 of condensers. It also works great as my 'nuke' FOK drum mic.

absrec · 13th January 2006

I had the same problem. I bought a pair of 414B-ULS last year for $1000. I remember thinking that they were so dark, I almost couldn't use them on a lot of things. A couple months ago, I had a problem with one of them cutting out. I sent it back to AKG. The tech called me and said "I've fixed the cutting out problem, but you need a new capsule". At first, I thought the guy was just trying to sell product. Reluctantly, I agreed to the $300 part/job. When I got it back, my mind was blown. I was like "O.K., this is more like it." A/Bing it with my other one was no comparison. I ended up sending the other one back to get a new capsule as well.

The funny thing is everytime I used a B-ULS @ another studio it always sounded about like mine. I think these things were made at a certain time in the 80s and over the years dirt and debris have naturally found their way onto the capsules of a lot of these mics. If you are careful, you can take yours apart and look at the capsule. Don't touch it! Just look to see if there are any smudges on it. Also, on the mylar capsules, you are supposed to see these little holes all around it. On one of mine, you could barely even tell they were there. But it sounds to me like this is definitely the problem. Unfortunately, these particular capsules can not be cleaned like a U87 capsule. Entirely different animal, which is the way I like it.

Send it back and be prepared to spend about $300-$350. It's well worth it. You'll think you just bought a new mic. The tech I dealt with was Richard. He seemed to know what he was talking about. Did a wonderful job on both of my mics.

Agli · 13th January 2006

When my B-ULS sound dark I squeese 'em

13th January 2006	#1
Frequency Gear maniac Joined: May 2005 Posts: 159 Thread Starter	My B-ULS sounds dark Hey guys! I have a 414 B-ULS that I bought as an all-rounder and as a vocal mic. On some things it works like magic, but often it sounds too dark, for my taste. I always find myself having to boost at around 10K and above to make a vocal cut through. I use a Summit MPC-100A preamp/compressor when tracking. Is there something wrong with my B-ULS? Does anyone else have the same experience with it?

13th January 2006	#4
absrec Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,138	I had the same problem. I bought a pair of 414B-ULS last year for $1000. I remember thinking that they were so dark, I almost couldn't use them on a lot of things. A couple months ago, I had a problem with one of them cutting out. I sent it back to AKG. The tech called me and said "I've fixed the cutting out problem, but you need a new capsule". At first, I thought the guy was just trying to sell product. Reluctantly, I agreed to the $300 part/job. When I got it back, my mind was blown. I was like "O.K., this is more like it." A/Bing it with my other one was no comparison. I ended up sending the other one back to get a new capsule as well. The funny thing is everytime I used a B-ULS @ another studio it always sounded about like mine. I think these things were made at a certain time in the 80s and over the years dirt and debris have naturally found their way onto the capsules of a lot of these mics. If you are careful, you can take yours apart and look at the capsule. Don't touch it! Just look to see if there are any smudges on it. Also, on the mylar capsules, you are supposed to see these little holes all around it. On one of mine, you could barely even tell they were there. But it sounds to me like this is definitely the problem. Unfortunately, these particular capsules can not be cleaned like a U87 capsule. Entirely different animal, which is the way I like it. Send it back and be prepared to spend about $300-$350. It's well worth it. You'll think you just bought a new mic. The tech I dealt with was Richard. He seemed to know what he was talking about. Did a wonderful job on both of my mics. __________________ If you don't spank it, you can't crank it!

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13th January 2006	#2
GearGeek Gear maniac Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 185	The B-ULS isn't so much dark as it is flat. I own one and use it for acoustic instruments with great results. It really isn't a vocal mic though. For vocals, the 414 TL-II or the new XL-II is better suited. However, I have recorded vocals with the B-ULS in the past. Just make sure you use a low cut filter and add some top end on your pre and it should work out ok. Good luck!

13th January 2006	#5
Agli Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 259	When my B-ULS sound dark I squeese 'em