Tube Mic Voiceover Test

Hear Mark Keller test the sE Gemini II and MXL Revelation tube mics against his personal Telefunken U 47. Find the original audio WAVs and more info here: http://recordinghacks.com/2010/04/16/tube-mic-voiceover-test/

Category:

Music

Tags:

• mxl
• revelation
• se
• gemini
• ii
• tube
• mic
• telefunken
• u47
• microphone
• voiceover
• vo
• mark
• keller
• recordinghacks

[recordinghacks]

@Bonis62, you can download the original 16-bit, 44.1k WAV audio files for each mic from the URL in the description (immediately below the video window).

[Zebonka]

They're all nice.

Give them to me.

[ultrakink31]

fuck the u47 >>>> MXL revelation<<<< real warmth of a tube with no mid hump... end of debate.

[ibanezman04]

i love the warmth and smooth low end of that MXL i was suprised and thought id like the gemini more but no, i dont think the telefunken is all that

[SABONDSOUNDS]

1. Gemini II

2. Revelation

3. U47

[Fos3tex]

That "clarity" is often referred to as "hyped high end" by those who have used really good microphones. It can be OK on instruments or the right singer, but it can really stand out as a flaw on sibilant singers or layered vocals and instruments. The reason the U47 is one of the most coveted microphones in the world is because of its midrange, which is where the music happens. Not in the extreme high and low registers.

[CaptainThrice]

Update: the WAVs confirmed the opinion I formed from the vid: Gemini first and U47 last. On the WAV the U47 was brighter and more open than before, and the the others no longer had nasty-sounding sibilants. I preferred the Gemini because the sound was more vivid, crisp and colourful. (I could discern no difference in expressiveness between the three mics - maybe a music recording would have helped in this respect).

[CaptainThrice]

PS sorry about the typos.

[CaptainThrice]

@Fos3tex Interesting. On the strength of the YouTube vid I'm afraid I'm one of those who thinks the MXL and Gemini have greater clarity. I can hear what you mean about the ringing sizzle, even though I can't hear anything above 14 kHz, but to my ears they are better despite sounded less refined. I'll download the WAVs, later, and see if I change my mind.

[Fos3tex]

The Gemini sounds scooped in the mids. Both the MXL and the Gemini have that bright high end ringing sizzle that all K67 capsule based mics have, which most people confuse for "clarity". The U47 has the nice soft but clear high and and that thick, warm, chewy midrange that is the classic sound we've all come to love. The Revelation and Gemini have tube warmth, but tone-wise they just don't come close.

[richbrutus]

The telefunken was natural, but there is some extra noise in there somewhere, I can't quiet describe it,but it's only noticable during speach.

The Se influences the way he talks, right off the bat it's like the mic forces the reader to act, unnaturally.

I'm suprised by the MXL,sounds very nice,good bottom and briliant too. Would be my choice of the three. On guitar I liked the U47 best.

[bsullivan7]

My vote is for the MXL Revelation. I thought it had the best overall clean, clear, crisp sound. Very natural reproduction and so smooth. Love it. Wish I had the $1200 to buy one.

[lujoguitar]

el telefunken es hermoso, pero algo opaco respecto a los otros dos, me quedo con el sE... y si pudiera con los tres...