Willie -
To Keep it Fair in reference testing, All the Mics should be going thru the SAME PRE-AMPS.
You don't mind if I cry Foul when listening to the Vocal Test of the Hamburg II-Au. It sounds pinched and nasal! Was the mic out of phase ?? It sounds AWFUL (not typical H-2 Sound at all!!!)
Not just as the founder of ADK, but as a Microphone End-User going on 50 years, I am saying the H-2Au sounds WRONG. OFF BY A MILE from the Characteristic Tone.
1) How far were you from the mic?
2) Why the Manley?
Mic Placement is more important than Mic Selection.Pre-Amp / Mic INTERMIX is the Other Key to Great Audio. MARRY THE MIC TO THE RIGHT PRE IS THE KEY TO GREAT TONE.
So please - you're doing a great disservice to your fellow Engineers and V/O Artists.
You have a Defective Mic or a really wanky gainstaging issue on the H-2Au recording at your site. I would respectfully take the blame if it is because it's a defective (or wired out of phase unit).
Most of All - the Vienna is the Dream Mic for Voice-Talent. And the Cremona-251. The Hamburg is best left to Reeds and Guitar Cabs. Too Dark for Radio or MP3.
FOR V/O You want to Emphasize the Frequencies and first and second overtones the "Speech-Intelligibility" range of the spectrum. The Vienna-Au and Cremona-251 AND NOT THE Hamburg II-Au - would be our First-Call Voice-Talent Mics !!!But what do I know? My V/O Days were Live Radio in the 70's. (Eat the Mic for Chest-Tones . . . ) So I do have a background in broadcast.
The Berlin and Hamburg would be Dead Last in my Choices - in our Custom FET's - For Voice Talent - except in rare cases. The A6 / Both Vienna's and the Cremona get the Highest Marks from the V/O Field-Tests.
In case Voice-Over was the Top Priority in your Website, we'd like to get you the RIGHT Paintbrushes. All I'm asking is - Give us an opportunity for a Level-Field Test w. the Grace Pre and also making best use of microphone technique (finding the Sweet Spot).
Thx.
IOW..Voice of Disney / NBA / CSI - Frank Montenegro Swears by ADK for Voice-Overs.
So can we at least give our small company another shot at some representative sound-files????
Respectfully,
Larry J. Villella, Founder
P.S. Nothing Against Manley or Avalon or any of the cosmetically profound audio co's. . . A Design is the Best Value, Great River Simply among the Best Ever Built. (IMHO).
ADK Microphones - ADK Custom Shop - 3 Zigma Audio
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Larry,
Thanks for your very important note. First of all--what can I say--I agree with you 100%--on all counts.
In a perfect world...yes, all mics should be tested in exactly the same conditions every time for truly fair comparison. The mics we personally test are recorded in as similar conditions as possible. Our goal was to try and achieve a common denominator sound, not try to make each mic sound the best that money can allow. (Maybe this is a disservice, but that is what most of the everyday VO artists asked for when we started.)
You are absolutely right about matching the best preamp with the correct mic if you want to obtain the highest and best use of the tools as a professional. Your comments about preamps are most appreciated.
Thankfully, some of our VO buds have helped out by sending us their tests of new gear when they find or have a potential winner. All I asked is to send a sound-file that is as "un-flavored" as possible. I prefer neutral preamps for testing, but I have not turned down submitted tests for being "too high-end."
John Weeks submitted the Hamburg II AU test and to be candidly honest, we both were very disappointed at the results. We are BIG fans of you and ADK and hoped that this test would point us in a great direction. (Hey, I used my trusty A-51 V for a regional radio ad this morning.) I agree that there most likely may have been a defect in that particular Hamburg. That test needs to be rectified.
We also realize that ADK is one of the most dedicated companies in the world, especially to the music industry. Like I said--We are big fans--we are just still looking for the right ADK product choices for VO.
Yes, we will take you up on your offer to test the ADK models you suggest would be best for various Voiceover Artists.
Now we are excited. To know that a company the calibre of you and ADK are willing to look at the needs of the everyday, work-a-day VO means a great deal.We look forward to the next steps in finding out more about the exciting ADK line.
Thanks again,
Willie
