Mr. Gerst, as the self-avowed lord of the bottom-feeders, I was wondering if you've had any opportunity to investigate the current crop of cheap import tube mics like the Nady 1100, 1050 and the MXL V77 and V69(?). Maybe Studio Projects sells one as well, I don't recall. I know you're a studio owner not a staff writer, but you seem to be in-the-know about these imports and I would welcome your opinion and insight.
Comments
Studio Projects' T3 isn't as inexpensive as the others you have listed as far as I know. Retail list is $999 (just lowered from $1099).
It has gotten great reviews. While not a tube mic, the C1 is an unbelievable value for around $200 ($299 retail) - believe me, the studio projects mics are very nice. May not be what you are looking for, but worth looking at anyway.
Regards,
Dedric
I just had a few of these mics in my small home studio to compare. Marshall V67G, 77 tube, 2001, 2003 CAD E-300, GT Electronics AM11, and Rode NTK.
We used each on a sax and female vocalist (my wife, Streisand-type voice) and I can say the 77 sounded very nice. Warm without tubbiness, present, not harsh. We ended up using it on the sax tracks we recorded. At the $289 price that another poster here saw it at 8th Street Music, it's a steal.
It sounded similar to the RODE NTK, which I already owned, but the NTK was a bit brighter and also a tad fuller in the low end. I would say it sounded like the lows were a bit more extended on the NTK. I ended up using the V77 on the sax track because the NTK took up too much sonic real estate on a moderately busy arrangement.
V67G was very nice also, as was the 2003. I thought the 2001 a bit bland in comparison, but for the price, it too was a good value.
Hope this helps.
Steve Cruz
Cruzified Music
Florida
The V77's currently being offered at $289 at 8thstreet.com. Seems like a pretty amazing deal. The only thing that's holding me back is, I keep hearing so many complimentary things in the reviews about how balanced and neutral the V77 is--I worry that maybe it's too neutral. I already have a KSM32, which is neutral to a fault. I'm looking for something that's got a little more brilliance in the upper mids and a little more oomph down low. Something not overhyped, but a bit more tangy than the KSM32. Harvey, or others with experience, does it sound like the V77 would make me happy? (I know, I should just try it...)