Looking for the Perfect Match.

So you are really comfortable with a favorite mic. But you get the chance to try the Ultimate Mic. You feel fortunate and everyone else is envious. Boy, it does sound great.
But what a minute...it just doesn't "feel" as good as your old favorite. You know what I'm talking about. There are parts of the sound that just is not "you."
So what do you do? You call a trusted source that has experience with what you are looking for. Maybe there is a way to make "old faithful" truley the best mic.
Thus, our story:

Hey Willie,
I have decided to sell the U87. I'm putting it on Ebay. I'm also selling the Manley Voxbox as well. I'm getting a preamp to try that was recommended by Adam at Mercenary. It's the GML 2032. Adam said it would be a great match for the AK47.
I don't care for the way the U87 sounds on my voice. It has somewhat of a honky sound.
He first suggested that I try the InnerTUBE retrofit for it, but I was thinking that I really like the AK47 and maybe should just try to get the best possible sound out of it instead of turning the U87 into a $4500 mic.

(3 days
later)

I got the GML 2032 yesterday and here's a file to post if you'd like. Any comments would be appreciated.
Take care,
John
Weeks
johnweeksaudio@gmail.com
www.johnweeksaudio.com

Hear the Side-By-Side Test Here!!

Another U87ai EA-600 Test....Combo #1

Hey Willie,
I hope all is well over in NC!
I have a new mic combo for you.
This time its:Neumann U-87 Ai, Manley Voxbox, Enhanced Audio M-600 Mic Mount
(actually about $100 cheaper than the Neumann mount)
Keep in touch!
JohnJohn Weeks
www.johnweeksaudio.com

Hear it Here

A portable recorder setup test....(a good one, too.)

Malo Sal wrote:

Hey Willie,
Here is one of the sound tests I wanted to show your fans.
The first part is a rode nt1-a plugged into my Zoom H4, and the second part is the same reading using the Zoom H2 internal mics set to "90 degrees front" mode.
In my opinion, this shows how excellent the H2 is and how it is an excellent solution for portable recording, since no wires are needed for any external mic, and seeing that it fits on the palm of your hand.
The clips were originally recorded in 48 khz 16 bit and were converted in vegas video to 320 kbs mp3 of the highest quality setting I could find.
Thanks, and I welcome your professional input!

Rode NT-1 into Zoom H4/straight into Zoom H2

Thanks, Malo. Great job. Like everyone, I have been watching the rapid improvement in portable recorders with a keen eye. (I am actually shopping.)
Your test answers (or confuses) one of the main questions I have been wondering. "What difference does plugging in a high quality mic make in the final sound file?" You made an impressive demonstration. The XLR connected preamps in the Zoom H4 sound pretty good with the Rode. But the H2 on-board mics are very impressive.

If you put the files on a graph, you can see the difference. The Rode/H4 combo picks up a little more noise, but it is supposed to pick up more of everything.

The H2 sounds great. It's hard to believe you can get that clean sound from a self-contained, handheld recorder.

Anyone else using similar set-ups, let us know what works for you.
Would you believe that I have recorded many hour-long radio broadcasts with a Heil PR20 plugged into an Olympus W200 voice recorder? I'll tell you the secret to making it work if you ask me.....but hey, why bother when you can get the new recorders that sound so good out right.

Compare the Neumann TLM67 and the U89

Ty Ford does it again. There's been so much talk and speculation about the new tranformerless TLM67 and how it compares to the older version designs from Neumann, that we are glad Mr. Ford put a couple of them head-to-head.

My opinion is the TLM67 is the most versatile of the two. The dynamic range and level is much more consistant at varying distances than the U89.
The U89 is fuller and richer, but sounds best when you are in its "sweet spot."
What do you think?
Ty Ford's comparison page.

How are you doing on your Neumann Quiz?

The voice of music history - Part 3
NEUMANN Berlin celebrates its 80th anniversary

Every music generation has its very own character: Swing in the 50s, the colourful Love & Peace movement on the threshold of the 70s or today's increasingly bombastic stage shows. But they all have one thing in common - the NEUMANN microphone.

Since 1928, world famous stars and singers have been placing their trust in the high-end products from NEUMANN Berlin, not just in the studio, but now on stage as well. In a series of illustrations specially created for its 80th anniversary, NEUMANN revives the highlights of musical history.

From the Beatles through to Beyoncé, nearly all the big stars produce their hits with NEUMANN microphones. That's success that speaks for itself.

To test your knowledge on the history of music visit www.80yearsneumann.com and take part in our music quiz, and stand in line to be the winner of one of three brand new TLM 67 microphones.

Kind Regards
Georg Neumann
GmbH, Berlin
http://www.neumann.com

Should I go Chinese?

Meet new suppliers of Microphone units at the China Sourcing Fairs

Dear W.A. Edwards,

You are invited to attend the China Sourcing Fair: Electronics & Components, one of the world's largest and fastest-growing specialized trade shows for electronics.
Find new and innovative products from competitive suppliers from China & Asia. Meet these suppliers of Microphone units face-to-face and discuss your sourcing requirements with them at the fairs.

Hong Kong SAR • October 12-15, 2008 Exhibitor Name Booth Location
Dongguan Ruibo Electronic Co.Ltd Hall 11, 11L40
Register now for the China Sourcing Fairs. We will send you a free admission badge and other important information to help you prepare for the fairs.You'll also receive a free copy of the official Show Guide when you arrive at the fairs.

For more information visit www.chinasourcingfair.com
I look forward to seeing you at the China Sourcing Fairs!

Emily LeeVisitor Marketing Manager, Global Sources Exhibitions
Global Sources (NASDAQ: GSOL)
The source for quality Suppliers
www.chinasourcingfair.comwww.globalsources.com
Chinese Mic, Chinese Microphone, Chinese Mics, Chinese Microphones.

Update on Using the USB mic

Word up! Necessity is the motivating factor for possible change.
Is that too heavy? Let me explain what happened. I got a call from the production crew that we needed a VO for a charity event spot for TV. I did a final edit on the copy a week or so ago and just got busy with higher paying work. (I can’t believe I’m telling you this much.) Well dude, we need the spot NOW!
It was too late to have the lady doing the VO to come to my studio. All the cameras were tied up on other projects so we couldn’t just record straight into the camera and lift the track. I really didn’t want to use my old radio recording gear because I really wanted more editing control and I felt there had to be a better way to control quality.
Now I am desperate. I had to get it now!
Last week, I inherited my wife’s two year old laptop. I paid someone to clean all the crapware off and try to straighten up the files and system. It’s still loaded with lots of unnecessary stuff. But it’s mine. I had loaded Cool Edit Pro 2 on it long ago (just in case) and now was the time or special case to try it.
I didn’t want to unplug one of our digital interfaces and use the amps in the interface with perhaps the Sennheiser MKH416 all running into the laptop….unless I had too.
Wait a minute. I still have the MXL USB008. Theoretically, that’s all I should need. No time to worry about it—I’ve got to go.
OK. I have to appear to be the consummate professional acting like I do this every day.
Plug in the mic to the computer. Pull up the software and produce.
Right off the bat I realized that I forgot my sound-box. Her office is the quietest in the building. You will still hear some room noise and sound bounce.
The lady is on the board of directors of this charity and does her own spots on camera for her company. I knew if she felt comfortable, she would have no problem with the spot.
OK. Here is the unmixed file:

I am tickled. I will perfect my smoothness factor and this may be one of my main portable setups. And YES...I will be using my Sound Box from now on.