Help on choosing a Dark sounding mic

[walding]

Hi Ya All

I'm slowing building up a mic collection but it seems the case in this day and age most new mics out there are very hyped in the top end so i'm looking for a dark sounding mic to have that option available as well.

Thoughts please

Thanks in advance

[michael]

ribbon mics jump out as the obvious answer...

what's that newish cheap weird death star shaped CAD ribbon mic? that is meant to be (subjectively) quite dark

[walding]

Yep Ribbons are one answer and i'd like to get one but i'm looking more at a Dark sounding condenser which means nothing from rode :)

[Chris H]

Neumann KM84 / 85 are a good choice for an open sounding mic without the top end being hyped

[Kris]

I'm looking at a Crowley & Tripp ribbon at the moment.... the Mercenary edition can be used on Kick drums. Sweeet.

[Thirteen]

I have a Neumann M147 and I would call it dark compared to most of my condensers.

[jkhuri44]

the royer labs sf-12 speiden is quite a dark mic...makes cymbals sound "heavier"..than a typical top end hyped mic...used them as for the drum front end for a session my band did at electric avenue....nice mic to give some girth to other bright and open mics :)

[Martin]

darkest mic i use on a regular occasion is an old AKG d30, its dynamic, but stands up surprisingly well next to some more hyped and expensive condensers

[walding]

Hey thanks a bunch to all.

the Neumann KM84 / 85 and the AKG d30 has sparked my interest so i will research those.

I suppose what I'm looking 4 is a U47 sounding mic thats thick in the low mids. A very thick sounding dark mic.

I wonder if anyone makes something like this that won't break my already broken piggy bank.

[rick]

some of those octavia large condensers that look like a darlec or a volvo depending on your view on things
would suit fine,
beware however because some ( factory faulty) mics ring sympathetically
like a tom tom drum !

[Aearth]

Maybe try the Telefunken AK 47.

nIC

[Text_Edifice]

AT 4047? What's the intended source material (not that it matters dramatically)?

[walding]

AT 4047? What's the intended source material (not that it matters dramatically)?

Good Question glad somebody asked it

Vocals and possibly kick or floor tom but mainly vocals

Cheers

[peat]

AKG C4000B


vocals are great
not bad on horns too

no hyped high end

[timix]

The AEA R84 ribbon is my new favourite mic, I've been trying them on some live shows I did recently & as with recording they excell on brass, for double bass it's king, on guitar amps ( but only up to 160dB) it rocks so much i wish i could re do every gig I've ever done, & I even used it as the sole mic to pick up two vocal's , acoustic bass & guitar, I didn't need to use EQ in any circumstance. They would be good on piano & overheads too, & if you like the vocal sounds on 40's & 50's records, this is your mic, & it's a bargain when you consider they make you sound like a legend.
Mr T.