A hole in the market?

[bpark@prorec.co]

tom,

Well, maybe a ribbon is the answer, maybe not. I've got a pair of Coles, and they sound great. But my favorite micing of acoustic right now is an old Neumann 84 with an old AKG C-28. Very rich.


Bill

[tom_c]

Well, the money's gone. In the end. I bought........

a 4050 and a Distressor!



Im picking up the 4050 this week, and I just got the distressor. I think its the best thing ive ever bought! Talk about instant gratification. That thing is so flexible! From really nice clean compression, to some real extreemes. Love it to bits already.

I tried both the Royer 121 and SF-1 side by side, but unfortunately my pres arent really up to the task with acoutic insrtuments. I really loved the SF-1 though. If anyone is considering either of these, then you really need to hear them together. They really are very different mics. Completely different characters. The SF-1 sounds much flatter and the 121 more aggressive and 'middley'. Which you prefer will definitly depend on what you will spend most of the time recording. I dont really think they 'overlap' too much, asside from the ribbon 'darkness'.

I tried both on acoustic, and generally prefered the SF-1, which though sounding slightly duller, was much smoother. I would pick my AKG 480/CK61s 80% of the time over either though for what I do most (pop and singing guitarists,) with the room and pres I have. I found due to the 'lack' of top with the ribbons, it meant that the bass lift due to the proximity effect was much more noticable. If I could have EQd the top end a little to bring it out a bit more, it would have been spot on, however, the noise from my pres was far to prominent for my liking and any EQ made it intolerably high. If I had a better front end, I think Id have kept the SF-1.

I think you're right Bill, I dont think a ribbon suits what I need at the moment. For now, the 4050 seems a good middle gound on its own for the 'singing guitarist' fig8 without taking up too much cash.

The reason why I went with the distressor, was that the idea behind the ribbon purchase was to find something with some character. I have a relatively clean chain and I often wish for something a little warmer. I like what the distressor does in non-compression mode, so now Im finding i can get a little something back into things. I think though a C12 will be next on my list now... I was using one at work yesterday, fantastic! ...then a Vipre, then an SF1...

Sorry I couldnt get some MP3s together too, but the people I normally work with at home have been out over the weekend, and I havent touched my guitar in about 5 months, so it was a little emabrrasing....

Thanks for all the input guys, most helpfull, emphasising what a valuable forum this is. Thanks Jules!

hope this is of some interest,
Best wishes,
Tom

[madrigal]

That's a true gearslut - go looking for a mic and end up with a compressor!

[Richie Monroe]

Sorry, I don't know so much about the exchange rate and prices on your side of the pond. Have you considered Shure KSM44?- Richie