Advanced audio microphones

[Wiz]

Has anyone bought from here?

http://www.aamicrophones.com/tube_mics/cm_47.htm



My main vocal mic is a mojave ma200 which i like.


I am looking for something with varying patterns and a slightly softer sound than the ma200.

Budget up to about a grand... I like tube mics.....but it doesnt have to be ....

Not going to replace the ma200 just thinking outloud about it

Cheers

Wiz

[The Tasmanian]

Ive got 2 of them - swapped the valves over to NOS ones to give them an even sweeter sound and they are suprizingly good. I have never used them on vocals though ( I have many good mics for this duty)
I use them as a pair and they do the job real well - no horrible bump in the topend like most of the Rhodes and cheaper Beeznees like the James.
Even stock they sounded really good - and I thought I may as well attempt to improve them with a NOS valve replacement which made them even better value.
Made in China - but the capsules are tweeked in Canada, and all tested before they are sent out.
For the money its pretty damn good - I think I paid $1400 for a pair

[Wiz]

thanks for the replies....

Hmmmm... might be worth a try.

thanks again

Wiz

[mylesgm]

The AA mics come from the shuayin factory in china and are modified by Dave Thomas. I've had dealings with Dave Thomas over the years and suffice it to say I would not purchase from him. The unmodded mics themselves can be purchased under the brand apex, stellar and a few others. A while back I bought a shipment of mics direct from the factory and have great success with a few of the models modifying them myself. Stock they are not a bad mic but a new valve and new transformer, a few easy modifications to the circuit and, if you are feeling adventurous, a new capsule (so pretty much a new mic) they can be excellent. I've used my c12 style mic for many projects pre modification and whilst it didn't replace my um70, 414 or tlm170 it has been brilliant on things as varied as trumpet through to drum rooms, piano and voice. Since modification it has occasionally won out over the 170 and 414 though.

If you are daunted by the mods, dont be! they are simple and quite cheap. valve $50, transformer $50-75, capsule $200. check this website:

http://www.morphproductions.com/apex460 ... mermod.htm
http://www.morphproductions.com/apexcapsulemod.htm

[The Tasmanian]

Myles - I've had great dealings with him.

[mylesgm]

Thats good to know Chris. And to each his own...

[Wiz]

The AA mics come from the shuayin factory in china and are modified by Dave Thomas. I've had dealings with Dave Thomas over the years and suffice it to say I would not purchase from him. The unmodded mics themselves can be purchased under the brand apex, stellar and a few others. A while back I bought a shipment of mics direct from the factory and have great success with a few of the models modifying them myself. Stock they are not a bad mic but a new valve and new transformer, a few easy modifications to the circuit and, if you are feeling adventurous, a new capsule (so pretty much a new mic) they can be excellent. I've used my c12 style mic for many projects pre modification and whilst it didn't replace my um70, 414 or tlm170 it has been brilliant on things as varied as trumpet through to drum rooms, piano and voice. Since modification it has occasionally won out over the 170 and 414 though.

If you are daunted by the mods, dont be! they are simple and quite cheap. valve $50, transformer $50-75, capsule $200. check this website:

http://www.morphproductions.com/apex460 ... mermod.htm
http://www.morphproductions.com/apexcapsulemod.htm

Funny, I was just about to post asking about DIY stuff for microphones.....as I am not averse to cracking out the soldering iron..8)... I just finished building a JLM LA500, and have built other stuff before...though, my 47 year old eyes are making it tough to work on these little electronic components...8)

Will follow up those links, thanks Myles.

Does anyone else have any information on DIY mic kits....? In fact I was gonna shoot Joe Malone an email and ask him....

cheers

Wiz

[Wiz]

I just spoke to Dave on the phone (advanced audio microphones) he seemed nice and had time for me.

(thank goodness for skype's phone rates...8).....)

We talked for a while, about what microphones I use, and what he thought would be best given
what I was looking for in a new microphone.


I am going to order one of his CM47's. It will be 700USD shipped to Oz. ( went with the standard capsule)

Wont be built until after Xmas, and I expect it to arrive halfway through Jan.

The deal is you pay a deposit of half. Then balance when the mic is ready.

So, we will see how it goes.

will keep you updated.

cheers

Wiz

[The Tasmanian]

I'm sure youll be happy -
I dont want to stuff around modding gear- I just want to use it (or go fishing)
They are suprizingly good sounding mics - and I can't think of any other mic in that price range that touches it.
Everything I have used them on so far has been great (and I'm a fussy bastard)
But a valve changeover is a good idea if you want it to be a touch more smoother and special for vocals.
Please let us know what you end up using it on and the results you get.

David was very good to me as well.
I'm not sure what Myles is talking about as he wont elaborate on why he does not like the man.

[mylesgm]

The reason I dont want to elaborate is simply that I dont like telling only one side of the story in a place where the other side has no right of reply. I have known Dave for about 8 years and have had on and off dealings with him in that time and unless he had something that I absolutely could not get from somewhere else I would not purchase from him again. Just my recommendation from personal experience and I appreciate that others may have had a different experience... And in the case of these particular microphones, the modification is simple, well documented and cheap so I would rather save my money and do the mod myself or pay someone local to do it like Rob, Barney or Jim.

Oh and if you want info on mic kits and diy head over to groupdiy.com where you will find people building excellent u47 clones, C12 clones, mics with the valve royer circuit and many more. There are people building them from scratch all the way to very well documented kits.

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=21266.0
http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=35667.0

[Wiz]

Thnks for the info myles....will look into it.


thanks again
cheers

Wiz

[jkhuri44]

sweet thread, i guess i've just found where im buying my next mic

[Wiz]

Geeze...I am changing my mind more than my wife at a boxing day sale....!!!

I actually went a completely different direction.....


I ordered a Bees Neez arabella..they have a sale on atm.

hows that for a turn around...8)....!!

I used to be indecisive, but now I am just not sure.....

8)


Time will tell....I guess.

Ben has a money back guarantee , which is nice.

Spoke to him on the phone, about what microphones I have used in the past....what I did and didn't like about them...he suggested Arabella.

Sooooo

come on Santa!!


cheers

Wiz

(now, where did I leave that big wad of cash..8).. anyone wanna buy a kidney...?)

[Manning]

As a proud owner of both a Tribute and an Arabella I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.

The Arabella is just gorgeous. It is different to the Tribute in ways I am unable to explain sensibly in text, unless you'll accept words like "airy".

I'm also watching that sale with a view to a pair of matched valve Lulus.

For anyone not aware of the Bees Neez sale, they are currently doing 20% off everything until Dec 31. They have also dropped the regular retail price of the Tribute from $5000 to $4600, thus making it only $3680. As I missed both the price drop and the 20% off sale for the Tribute, I'll admit this stings a little.

[danander11]

As much as I like my Arabella, I like the shelise more. Just creamier to my ears, (and there's. nothing wrong with the Arabella).

I have a set of Lulus and was actually surprised at how good they sound. I expected good but they were better. The Judas ribbons are nice as well.

Ben is a great guy and will talk with and help you decide might best suit your needs so I can't say enough good about him.