VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

EDIT: These clips were recorded with the -10db switch engaged on one of the mics, which in retrospect comprised the sound quality of it, as I later learned.

Look later in the thread for new audio postings which will give a more true representation of the mic(s) in question.

http://www.mediafire.com/?nnmjwoxj0ee

OR

http://www.mediafire.com/?ynfi0bihz2n

Mic 1 has two reads; the first directly facing the mic, the second at a 45 degree angle.

Mic 2 has one read, at a 45 degree angle.

I am renting one of these mics to see how it sounds. The other is one I already own. Which do you like better?
Any guesses as to what the two mics are?
Answers to come soon!

Thanks for your participation!

todd ellis · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 4:17 pm Post subject:

no clue ... but #2 is ballsy as all get out.
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SkinnyJohnny · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 4:51 pm Post subject:

I hear a little noise (highs) in #1.
So with that in mind, #2 sounds better to me.
No idea about what mics these are.
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ricevoice · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 4:51 pm Post subject:

I think #1 suits you better, really cuts through. No idea what the mics are though.
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bobsouer · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 5:19 pm Post subject:

Rob,

Mic #1 seems to have more self-noise. You voice sounds very nice on both. #2 seems a little smoother, #1 a little brighter. Just guessing, using my tin ears, #1 is a 416 and #2 is a U87.
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

One of them is a U 87, I will give you that!

georgethetech · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:08 pm Post subject:

I hope #1 isn't a 416, if it is take it in for service because it shouldn't be that noisy. #2 does sound better, must be a large diaphragm condenser of some sort. Has a nice fullness to the bottom but isn't woofy, wooly, _____
It also helps reading off the mic a bit to reduce negative effects of too much proximity.
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

My guess is that #1 is the U87 with all its self-noise and honk *ducks for cover*.
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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

I like #2 slightly better. Not a fan of either of them, though.

Both are too bassy sounding with unclear mids and highs. IMHO.
(it's always subjective)
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Okay, Here are the answers:

Mic#1-U 87 (vintage, not an ai)

The -10db switch was engaged (is that bass roll-off? without that, the mic sounded way too thin, almost like through a phone line to my ear)

High pass filter not engaged

In cardioid pattern

Mic#2-TLM 103

This looks like a fairly old U 87 with some wear and tear, so not sure it is a fair comparison.

brianforrester · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:08 am Post subject:

What the heck are you running these mics through? I never would have guessed that #2 was a 103. In fact if you had asked me to put 103 or 87 next to 1 or 2, I would have said 1 = TLM103 and 2 = U87

Very interesting, that's s pretty balsey sound for the TLM103, so to my very untrained ears I'd say you were either sucking on the grill, or you're running it through a very colorful preamp. But hey, what do I know, I'm just a guy who likes to look at all of the knobs and shiny lights!

Oh yeah, in terms of my preference... even before I knew which was which, #1 was my choice. #2 was just too heavy on the low end, not muddy, but not as detailed as I like.

Cheers,

Brian
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Hmm. I was going to say #2 was a 103, but I didn't want to come off like a Mr. Clever Trousers.

My v67g sounds like a woolier version of my 103...but it's the high self noise (18db) that keeps it relegated to back up status. I was surprised to find that most of the AT mics except for the 4047 have 18db self noise.

It seems like 18db is the pedestrian standard for mics...and then you have to poke around to find things under 12...then there are all the different measuring standards as well.

Time to start a self-noise thread!
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

Noooow, I understand. It's the Compander in AA that brought up all that
bass. I thought we were listening to it unprocessed.

Try rolling down the all frequencies at 80 and below about 6db in AA's
Graphic Equalizer...

Then, customize your compnder setting to:

Traditional View

"Compress" 2:1 at -10

"Expand" 2:1 -45

"Output Compensation" at 1

Should sound a little cleaner and more open.
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