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Link555 24 May 2007

http://www.rpelectronics.com/

Has anyone tried these? Dave Thomas Specials.

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anonymous Thu, 05/24/2007 - 17:57

Davedog wrote: Looks like rebadged Chinese stuff.

lol i laugh cause as i read your post the page turns and i felt like that is a cheap looking mic at just a glance but thats just me. You never know that mic just might sound pretty good depending on what type of recording you use it for. I wouldn't trust it with vocals but you can take your chances. In Audio You buy Cheap You Buy Twice. Not to just be about name brands. its just that there are a lot of good manufactures that you can trust with a common name in the mic world. I stick to what i know and learn from others experiences but thats just me.

Davedog Fri, 05/25/2007 - 09:50

I am NOT one to poohpooh inexpensive anything. I came to the realization years ago that given certain gifts skillwise, that I could make damn good sounding recordings with stuff under $100......

I worry when the ads say they're modeled after the Neumann mics. I own an older U87 and I'll be damned if anything comes very close to its sound. I have a real Russian MK319 that is the closest of any mic I've heard to the tone.....not the sensitivity I'm afraid, but that can be a good thing for a vocalist.

But a tool is a tool is a tool is a.....etc etc...

So if they sound great and have a build quality then its certainly a mic to be considered.

At that price point, they would have to be exceptional as there are several REALLY GOOD mics of the same genre to consider as well as being able to purchase tried and true dynamics with that kinda cash.

Who doesnt want a couple of MD421's or an RE20 in their locker? And whos to say that these cant get the job done as well or even a bit better than a condenser of any sort.

Its all about choice.

Link555 Fri, 05/25/2007 - 10:20

Thanks for the input Davedog.

My biggest problem with some of these knock off mics is the quality control. In some cases substandard parts are used, but mainly it comes down to tolerances being out.

The apex 460 is a perfect example. It has below average quality control, but it’s easy to upgrade, so I look at it like a kit ready to tweak.

Why I was curious about the sound of these mics, is because I have read that Dave Thomas is handling the quality control on these mics that might push them into a different category. I was hoping maybe someone had a chance to try it out.

moonbaby Wed, 07/18/2007 - 17:08

DD hit the nail on the friggin' head (AGAIN!) Ya know, I've read these posts and checked out the ABOMINIMAL posts on other sites regarding these fly-by-night 'mod' experts. For the $1300 one of the guys put up for a couple of Chinese mics and their mods, they could've bought:
1) A pair of AT4047's and a 421, or,
2) A pair of ADK Vienna's and a pair of 421's, or,
3) A pair of SM81's, a Vienna, and a 421,
and the list goes on. No hype, no BS, no waiting for that 'magic pill'. Too many engineers these days don't learn to work with the tools that they have at their disposal, and mics are a prime example. Bring it on, baby!

Link555 Wed, 07/25/2007 - 11:04

I somewhat agree with you moonbaby, but still my gut tells me to at least try the mic before I write them off. However that said, bad service is bad service, I guess thats my limit.

On another note: I am pretty happy with my modded APEX 460's, they cost me about $550 in total but of course I did the redesign and rebuild myself. That is not for everyone I know, but its just plain fun for me.

Anyways thanks very much for the insight.

Tom Fodor Sun, 02/08/2009 - 18:07

Cheap Mics can rock too

I had a $49.00 AU Cpk piece of crap dynamic stage mic for about 15 years and I never found anything at any price that even came close on my voice for live work! I have an MT88 TG that I use now but it's still not the same. My Crappy Cpk was stolen by an engineer who was touring with us. If the mic fits, wear it!

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