Mark,

Could you elaborate on this mic? I'm not familiar with it. What would you compare it to? I know, that's like comparing apples and pears, but FWIW..

There seem to be a lot of relatively inexpensive mics on the market now that are being compared to much more expensive models, and seem to be holding their own, at least in the "this color for that instrument/voice/that day scenario".

Thanks,
Dedric

Hi Dedric

I can't really compare it to any tube mics as It's the first one I've used, but against the AKG 3000B it's definately a step up. I'm getting a much warmer and richer tone on everything I record. Mainly female vox, saxophone and nylon string guitar.

If you haven't checked out the link in my previous post, here's an extract from it.

"The name Männ may not be familiar to you, however you have probably heard, or even used, a Männ hand-assembled tube microphone many times before (although with a different name on the badge). We have been in the business of manufacturing and supplying the best tube microphones to numerous companies in Germany, UK and the USA for over fifty years – producing un-branded microphones that other companies sell with their names attached. This year sees the release of the Männ name as our brand."

If this is the case then they have to be a pretty good buy?
I've been happy with it so far anyway.

Mark

I realize that a comparison with the 3000B is not ideal, but it's the on other condenser mic I own. Sorry if it sounds like I'm saying that it's the best ever, I realize that at that price it's not going to be. It's just that I'm very pleased with the results I'm getting. But I'm definately no pro :)
The main purpose of this thread was to maybe hear from any pros who could let me know just how good it really is and where it fits in the scheme of things.
My apologies if it sounds like I'm pushing a product I don't really know a lot about.

Mark

FWIW
I emailed the company who imports Mann equipment into Australia and asked them what name brand mics they would compare it to and this was their response.....

"If you can find a web site called "Soundelux" in Germany, you will find
the same mic. (Very expensive in Europe). I suppose you would call it a specialist vacuum tube mic that has a characteristic sound you can only get with lots of capacitors, coils, transformers and a pre amp tube. (Bit like a Marshall really)
That does not mean that it has technically good distortion figures, low noise or other apparently desirable specs. The reason people like tube mics is the reproduction process tends to give favorable enhancement to even order harmonics and suppresses odd order harmonics. The result is a "warm" and crisp sound that suits certain vocal and instrumental recording situations."

.....Some of it's sales pitch obviously.

Hey Bear
No offense taken. I'm far from a pro and will "listen" to all comments. I'm just clarifying my earlier comments.
I knew I would get a "Sales Pitch" from the importer but I thought it might be interesting to hear what they had to say. Who knows..... some of it might not be total BS :D
Anyhow I'm very pleased with the results I'm getting with it, and if I can ever afford the "Real Macoy" it will still definately have its uses. I'm especially blown away by its reproduction of a nylon string guitar, and a friend says he's never heard his alto sax sound better in a recording, and he's one of those people who will tell you exactly what's on their mind. LOL
Our female vocalist too has been suitably impressed and she's quite fussy.
Anyway, hopefully I'll find someone in the know who has used it an can give me some concrete answers.
Thanks again for your comments.
Mark

Mann MT31

Hi Mark,
I see you used one of these mics for a while, and thought it was wonderful then somehow changed your mind. Well, I signed up for this site JUST to ask you this question so I really hope you check back. Ok, a friend of mine wants to sell his, and I had been using it and thought it sounded nice. However, I don't have much experience and wanted to know why you thought it was a crap mic. I searched all over the internet and this is the only site I found with a reference to the mic other than Mann's webpage itself.

So, I am told they are one of the better manufacturers, and that the mt31 has the same transducers and the like in the mic itself as the higher model it was replaced with (mt91), it's just not as flexible being only a three way switch as opposed to nine. Is this mic worth the $800 asking price in your opinion? Can you give me ANY info or advice on using this product? I wanted something nice to use to record female vocals (soprano) and acoustic guitar mainly... within this price range, any advice would be appreciated. :)