ProAudio Review - January 2009 - (Page 19)

Test Equipment prising and hugely informative, providing comparative info that is very hard to find under average (i.e., rushed) studio conditions. Large-Diaphragm Condensers in a PAR Session Trial MIC PRE AMPLIFIER S: Neve 4081, Manley TNT, Earthworks 1024, Sytek MPX and True Precision 8 BA SIC RIG: Soundcraft Ghost analog mixing console Neumann TLM 67 with Digital Performer 5.12 DAW clocked by Lucid Gen The TLM 67 ($3,858 list) X6-96 and monitoring via JBL LSR4328 with LSR4312 offers the K67 capsule, subwoofer three patterns, -10 dB pad, an EA 87 suspension highs that needed no EQ (highly recommount, and case. Its big, warm sound mended for overheads or room mics). screamed U 67, even without a tube Electric guitar was very nice and present. Ty Ford’s original review [PAR October 08] proved to be extremely smooth, but that low-mid bump often accurate, as we both found the 67 to needed subtractive EQ; it is good for jazz have an unhyped bottom end, smooth or clean tones, not so good for heavy mids and a classic, comparatively distortion or “carved out mids” type understated top end. This top end was tracks. extended, but never strident or brittle. This mid bump was interesting on There was a bump in the low mid bass guitar, but only for bass lines that response that proved to define the charrequired lots of mid definition. Vocals were similarly hit or miss. For these sesacter of this mic; somewhere around sions, that low-mid bump made nasal 300 Hz, this bump was sometimes vocal qualities unbearable, but provided essential and other times detrimental. some thickness and body to our female The 67 excelled in drum-kit reproducvocals — a highly recommended app. tion with a punch in the lows, without tubbiness and with a smoothness of JZ Black Hole BH-1 The BH-1 multi-pattern condenser ($2,295 list) has some very interesting design qualities, with the rectangular hole in its center being the most obvious. The provided shockmount is attractive, but not as effective as hoped. PAR reviewer Russ Long had success with it [PAR July 08], but its use perplexed me. I never could get the mic to sit still, as minor movement jarred it out of position and the windscreen made the ensemble top-heavy and unstable. In our sessions, the Black Hole BH-1 offered a lean bottom end and aggressive top. This frequency response was too crisp for drums, with sizzling highs and insufficient bottom. This tonality worked better for electric guitar amp and was very nice on detailed acoustic guitar work. We were most surprised with the BH-1 on bass guitar amp; its lean bottom allowed the perfect definiNeumann tion of low notes without muddiness or T L M 67 boom with great high string detail — a JZ Black Hole BH-1 very modern, aggressive bass sound. Vocals with the BH-1 proved to be a matter of taste. Here, its aggressive top was simply overbearing to me (on either men or women), although if you like sibilance and pronounced definition for stylistically engineered vocal sounds, you may justifiably feel otherwise. In omni, the BH-1’s qualities all became positive on a group backup vocal track with its great detail and room air. Violet Flamingo ME The Flamingo ME ($6,990 list) is eyecatching, yes, but it was the ear-shaped diaphragm and its “vented” gold sputtering that intrigued us. Cardioid only (its sole drawback), the ME has an inviting sound with a full and accurate bottom, smooth velvety top and a touch of lowmid emphasis. This response emphasized snare and toms, while taming cymbals and rounding out transients: It was beautiful. The ME performed predictably on guitar amp, although you’ll probably need some EQ to add top and carve those low mids a www.proaudioreview.com January 2009 | ProAudioReview 19 http://www.proaudioreview.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ProAudio Review - January 2009

ProAudio Review - January 2009 Contnets Technically Speaking New At NAMM: Studio Opinion: Studio Sense Feature: PAR Session Trials: Large-Diaphragm Microphones Review and Second Opinion: McDSP TDM Emerald Pack III featuring FutzBox PAR Contributor Of The Month Review: Audio-Technica AT2050 Multi-pattern Condenser Microphone Review: LaChapell Model 583s Microphone Preamp & Model 583e Microphone Preamp/EQ Review: RNDigital D4 Plug-In Mini Review: MXL Microphones V88 Large-Diaphragm Microphone Mini Review: Solid State Logic Mynx New at NAMM: Live New Live Products Opinion: Worship Audio PAR Recommends: Portable PA Options for 2009 Mini Review: Fishman SoloAmp Review: AKG D 40 Instrument Microphone Installation Profile: 9:30 Club, Washington, DC Single Slice

ProAudio Review - January 2009

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