Mercury M72

[C/G]

I am literally about to buy a 2ch Mecury M72. It is one of the first versions, with the exposed tubes and engraved faceplate and it is not the newer slightly cheaper one offered by Mercury. I did a search and read every post twice regarding this pre over the last short while, including the V672. So, before I pull the trigger I figure I would try to get a few more user comments on it.

[borau]

Bought one of the expensive ones, summer of 2004.

We absolutely adore it. And it is frequently preffered over our original V72s, V76s and 1073s, Chandler TG2s etc. etc.

The tubes are accesible in the back, but covered in 5 of 6 possible directions.

[Doublehelix]

Tough decision Colin...

I have a pair of Telefunken v672s racked by Oliver at Tab-Funkenwerks...they are really nice! Great for vocals and drum OHs especially. Clean and clear at the top end without being harsh or sibilant, great full mids, but they might be a bit understated in the low end compared with some of my other stuff. But there is a use for that sound too, right?

Good luck with your decision.

[C/G]

I know. Now I am thinking of a 1ch M76.

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by Colin Gaucher

I know. Now I am thinking of a 1ch M76.

It depends on what you are going for. If you are looking for more 'air' then go with the M76, if you are looking for more roundness in the lows/top frequencies go for the M72. They both have a lot of color and smoothness. We've got mono versions of the entire line in the racks at the studio, tracks have been sounding quite nice lately.

[Beauarts]

FWIW, I have original Telefunken v76 and 2 v72 pres. I always go with the v76 first.

[C/G]

I have been told the M72 is darker than the M76. Are we talking UA 2-610 kind of dark? I used to have one of those so I can relate to a comparasin of it.

[DaveH]

Don’t want to confuse issue:

But Oliver has started making V72s again.
(Last time I checked no dealers yet, just direct).

I am on list to get my hands on one.

[borau]

Originally Posted by Colin Gaucher

I have been told the M72 is darker than the M76. Are we talking UA 2-610 kind of dark? I used to have one of those so I can relate to a comparasin of it.

No it's not as dark as the 2-610, and it is not as "tubby".

And it's got much more headroom.

If you want it to distort, it'll gradually go into distortion over the range of 10dBs on the dial with a distortion that is much much more pleasant than the UA-2.610.

They are definately in different leagues

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by Colin Gaucher

I have been told the M72 is darker than the M76. Are we talking UA 2-610 kind of dark? I used to have one of those so I can relate to a comparasin of it.

Haven't compared them directly, I'll have to go on memory (had a 2-610 for a long time)....the M72 is definitely a larger sound, and the Mercury stuff has a lot more headroom too than the 2-610. It can handle screamers without a sweat.

[C/G]

Still looking for some more comments. Apparently the M72 is useable on ribbon mics, which I have a few of. Would like to hear some more M72 vs. M76 comments from people who have compared or heard both. The deal will go down this week so I have to get this figured out soon. 2ch M72 vs a mono M76. I have lots of pres so a 2 vs 1 ch debate is pointless. This is all about adding another flavour. thumbsup

[borau]

Originally Posted by Colin Gaucher

Apparently the M72 is useable on ribbon mics, which I have a few of.

I wouldn't really say that it is no.

Not with Coles, and not with M160's which is what we have at the moment.
Too Noisy.

V76's work with ribbons, though, so maybe the M76 is the one for you.

[C/G]

I am starting to think you are right. I like using ribbons and will be getting more. When I buy a pre I don't just buy it for one purpose, I lika an all-purpose solution. It's not like I have $2500 laying around to spend on a pre to use with just my condensers. Borau, how is the M72 with dynamics like 421's or a gain-hungry SM7?

[borau]

I haven't used the M72 with an SM7, but the dynamics I have used it with (MD421, RE 20, SM 57, MD 441) sounds very good with it. The 441 especially are great, extremely good sounding combo.

I also have to add tough, that on stronger sources, the M72 works with ribbons (guit cabs, horns, drums) but for vocals and acoustic guitars, strings, etc. it's too noisy.

[C/G]

Cool. Got ya. Most of my ribbons are used for electric guitars or percussion like tambos or shakers. Does the M72 have enough jam to use ribbons as overheads? Thanks for the comments Borau, you have been helpful. Still have some thinking to do since I am the most indecisive person on the planet sometimes.

[NathanEldred]

Colin,

Out of curiosity, how hot do you try and run your signals into your A/D converters with ribbons (i.e. how much headroom are you leaving under full scale digital)?

[C/G]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

Colin,

Out of curiosity, how hot do you try and run your signals into your A/D converters with ribbons (i.e. how much headroom are you leaving under full scale digital)?

I tend to run things just on the verge. Not ultra hot but up there for sure.

[borau]

Originally Posted by Colin Gaucher

Cool. Got ya. Most of my ribbons are used for electric guitars or percussion like tambos or shakers. Does the M72 have enough jam to use ribbons as overheads?

Not a problem with tambourines, but just a tad too noisy for coles as OHs. IMO.

Royers etc. might be less of a problem.

V76/Coles are beautiful for OH. Haven't tried the M76, though.
But as I said, if the M76 is as comparable to a V76 as the M72 is to the V72, then it's pretty amazingly good.

The M72 sounds like a very good V72. With gain.

Ofcourse to complicate things, there has also been some talking about Oliver @TAB having started building V72's again. So you should check that out.
And also their cheaper V78, perhaps?

[C/G]

I have a pair of Tab V78's already and they are a very nice pre. I am going to stick with the Mercury stuff, because I have been a customer of Marquette in the past and I like dealing with them. Ribbons on hand are Fostex M88's and an old Oktava ML 16.

[neve1073]

I know Dave's and Oliver's work and I have every confidence that their mic amps are fantastic--but what I don't understand is why you wouldn't just get an original and have one of those guys rack and refurbish it for $800-900? What am I missing in this equation?

[C/G]

The new ones have features the older ones do not. Like on the M72 for instance, there is a 2-way pad, 48v, DI, ect. plus a warranty. A rack of a pair ov V72's with all the features would be around the same cost (slightly under), then I don't have to worry about a finicky 30 year old module going on the fritz. I appreciate the suggestion and have thought about it.

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by Colin Gaucher

Movin' on up.

How'd it go Colin? Which preamp did you decide on and how do you like it?

[C/G]

I just got the M72s pair today. Man, that sucker is HEAVY!!! 35lbs. Too bad we are not tracking anything right now, but it will get tried out with some keys and synths in about a week or so. I can report back on the DI in it and we will hopefully be using a Rhodes through a nice tube amp if I get it fixed in time, it has a broken tine.

I will give it a Neve 8816 summing box type review and say that it does LOOK awesome and the build quality seems even better than first rate. It looks bloody indestructible. Can't wait to put it through it's paces. I should note I bought one of the remaining few first run units with engraved front panel, but I really doubt they differ sonically from the current model, which has a slightly different case.

[brendondp]

Sorry, know this is a little old now, but just wondering if you've got any more updates worth posting, Colin. (And if you've posted on another thread about this, then again, sorry.)

Especially if you've had a chance to do a ribbon/M72 thing on OH's.

Cheers to you - hope you're loving them.

bdp

[C/G]

I have not tried them on overheads yet but maybe I should. Since getting the M72 I have been using Tab Funkenwerk V-78 as overhead pres and the M72 for bass or room mics and the DI for keyboards. The Di on these things really add a soft touch to synths ect and seem to take some harshness out of them. I used to use Telefunken V676a for overheads but I sold those to buy the Mercury, but don't get me wrong, the V676a were very cool and I would not say no to another pair, but I got a good price on the M72 pair so I went for it.

I am not doing anything at the moment and won't be until the beginning of July when I go in to finish my band's album. I don't have a real space right now so we are renting a friends room for a couple days and bringing in all my pres and mics to track.

I will be using the M72 for room mic, bass amp mic, DI for keys and maybe I'll put a ribbon into it and try it on electric guitars or something with a Fostex M88. I usually like the M88 into a UA 2108 but maybe I'll give the M72 a whirl because I have used the Tab V78 with success in that application before.

It is a very impressive box and weighs a ton so you know there is good stuff inside. I just wish I could afford one of the Mercury comps.

[Gabriel Sousa]

THANKS borau and C/G

[scrootable labs]

Originally Posted by borau

I wouldn't really say that it is no.

Not with Coles, and not with M160's which is what we have at the moment.
Too Noisy.

V76's work with ribbons, though, so maybe the M76 is the one for you.

fwiw, 4038 -> M72 works well for us here. It's a very beautiful tone, even if it's not the absolute quietest.

[C.Judd Karn]

I should mention that I was asked to speak at the Mercury party at AES last year in SF....but that does not influence my feeling on the pre. First, if it was not a good product I would not have gone out of pocket to go all the way up to SF and sleep on a couch to get only some free studio time for a friend, an AES badge and a meal or 2 in return for my time.

The reason I took the weekend off from studio work here is that I would stake my everything on the M72, I love tracking artists thru it and I love recording myself thru the box.

I've gone all thru overdubs on the recent record I'm doing with an artist only
using the M72 and trading out mics.

This is my desert island pre right now and I have vintage 1073's, API 312's and Tele V72's in my studio. It is just "doing it" for me right now.

The thing that sets the M72 apart is the way it actually takes level, almost like compression but still wide open and warm hi-fi. Because of the tube compression I prefer it for overdubs that I think need a very very gentle hand on the dynamics - as opposed to putting an LA-2A or one of my Urei's on the Overdub.

The M72 is a Great box......that, a Royer and an SM7 and You could make a killer record for sure.

PS - the M72 with the Bock 251 is amazing!!!!!!!!! Try it!

Chris

[Gabriel Sousa]

Originally Posted by C.Judd Karn

...
This is my desert island pre right now and I have vintage 1073's, API 312's and Tele V72's in my studio. It is just "doing it" for me right now.

The thing that sets the M72 apart is the way it actually takes level, almost like compression but still wide open and warm hi-fi. Because of the tube compression I prefer it for overdubs that I think need a very very gentle hand on the dynamics - as opposed to putting an LA-2A or one of my Urei's on the Overdub.

...

Chris

M72 sounds the same that Tele v72 ?

can you post a vocals recorded with M72 and V72 ?

thanks

[C.Judd Karn]

Sorry, just saw this....yes, may take a few days but I will post something with both the V72 and the M72.

I'll try and get an isolated splitter so it's from the same take as different vocal/instrument
takes feel different on their own, never mind a change in gear.

Give me a few days and I'll set it up.

Chris