Hi,

That's my first post in RO :D

I've used SE2200a and Z3300a on a sax. The chain was :
SE2200 - SE3300 => Mindprint DTC pre => Protools hd1 (96i/o).
They work well. The new version of all the models is more robust, more solid, more definite.
I think that the Z5600a, the Icis, and the Gemini are the top of SE Elec. They deserve that we test them.

I Have a preference for Z5600a which work well on vocals. The tubes don't color too much...

Regards

Sorry my english is so bad :shock:

I worked with the Gemini a bit. I liked it for vox (male) and on flute.
It was a bit like the Neumann 149 in that it's a tube mic, but not very "tubey" sounding. Get my drift? It has a bit of a bump in the 10k range like the M149 in wide-cardioid.

I'm not sure of the value vs price. Seems a bit stiff for an unproven commodity, but hey, being on the bleeding edge has it's price.

I'm going to have it in my posession in a few weeks and if I get to use it on other sources, I'll give you my .02.

Chris

i have a SE2200a. and i've tried it though a couple different preamps, and this mic really shines through a tube pre. right now i have it through a 386 vacuum tube, and it sounds amazing on vocals.
however, i seem to have a hard time matching it with a pencil style condenser mic when im doing stereo recordings (on an acoustic guitar)
with that said, this mic is a great mic to have in your studio. it easily replaces the Studio Projects C1 or an Audio Technica 3035.

We had the SE2200 a and the Gemini at my old place of work (SAE college) & I loved the Gemini. Wether thru the 002 pre's the TL pre's or the Focusrite pres'. It didn't seem to matter, it always sounded good, on VOX, guitar, ambient mic, placed a few feet away from a drum kit (wierd but worked).

The 2200 was great too, particularly on male vox from memory.

We also had the two pencil condensers...can't remember the name. They were good. Not nuts, but good from memory. I didn't use them much. I wish I had looking back.

Overall, I don't think they are cheap chinese crap. No way. Also, I'm surprised they didn't/don't get as much publicity as the other 797mics. I think the 2200 was in the same league as the c1, but I never AB'ed them. Just going by my memory of each sound.