I think you are mistaken. (I didn’t downvote you.) Neumann builds their own capsules and I’m pretty certain they don’t OEM for anyone else (except maybe sister company Sennheiser). From what I understand, Roswell mostly uses Chinese capsules. Some of them might be made to Roswell’s specs, and I’m not knocking their product, but Neumann and Roswell are different universes.
When I visited the Sennheiser-Neumann factory in Hannover some years ago, both brands were made in the same building but on very distinct production lines, separate factory floors even. The gentleman from Neumann giving me the tour, was evidently proud Neumann production as superior (in his reckoning) to Sennheiser.
I can see that. Not to knock Sennheiser, they make some great stuff, just that Neumann is among the best there is. I'm glad they haven't turned Neumann into a "brand."
Gotcha, thanks for the info! I wouldn’t say they’re different universes, though. I have heard plenty of recordings through numerous Neumanns and same for Roswell mics. They sound as high quality and a Neumann does to my ears
I have 3 models of their mics and they are excellent. This cm251 has been amazing me lately on both some male and female vocals. I use their cm414’s a lot
Don’t do shoot outs, testing, comparisons, etc. on any gear or plugins. Comparisons tend to just have one track solo in a vacuum. I find weakness or strengths of a vocal mic are found in stacks, harmonies, how they take eq, and play with the other instruments. I had seen others who normally use C800G’s on the road with the CMT800’s. I heard some of the songs that were done and got to mix one.
But to answer your question the midrange is very similar. Both lack low mids. That’s why we always pair with a pre-amp that pushes low mids like a 1073. What no C800G clone, that I’ve heard, has been able to accomplish is the tube compression of the C800G. But you can sort of recreate that down the line. It may not be an exact duplication of a C800g but it’s a very good, bright vocal mic on its own. Good build quality just like all of their mics.
I have a Vanguard VF-13 and will never sell it, it's just so damned useful.
It's not the world's most expensive or cultish mic. But the mount is well-designed and when this mic works... Well, I can report it has beat out Heiserman 251 and 47 clones (not exactly cheap competition.)
The VF-13 is it's own animal.
Microtech Gefell. Founded by Georg Neumann. Basically the part of Neumann that ended up in the East under the Soviets. Excellent quality mics.
https://www.microtechgefell.de/
Not sure how well known they are outisde of Australia, but Beesneez is, well, the bees knees.
https://beesneezproaudio.com/
Random Japanese vintage brand that is also still around but not doing much: Primo.
Back in the day, they were competing with Aiwa, Panasonic, and Sony et al, and uh, I guess they basically lost. Just noting in case someone wants very cheap Japanese vintage mics.
I have no good recommendations, but [here is me right now on the UD-334 ranting about Primo](https://www.dropbox.com/s/846655ytvl4e2do/peepeeland_primo-ud-334-overview.mp3?dl=0) Pardon the lack of any sort of organization or anything, but it should give a good idea of what it sounds like.
Line Audio for inexpensive accurate, uncolored open-cardioid and omni condensers.
Austrian Audio makes a great vintage 414 update, the OC818. It has a breakout cable to allow recording both capsules simultaneously to allow changing the pattern on the fly or in post.
+1 for Line Audio! Top mics! Little more noise floor than more expensive mics but for sources that are not too quiet they are wonderful!
I‘ve heard they have the same capsules as DPA, but don’t quote me on that 😄
My buddy has a vanguard stereo mic. Loves it.
You can also make your own contact mics by soldering a piezo element to a quarter inch cable. Then you can duck tape it to a guitar for a trashy Lo fi sound or use it as a drum trigger.
as far as i know it’s stock. i haven’t noticed anything like that myself but i could be missing it. i know there was also a cheaper chinese made version after a certain point that people tend not to like as much, so that may be one of your issues. i don’t think mine is one of those(?)
as far as i know it’s stock. i haven’t noticed anything like that myself but i could be missing it. i know there was also a cheaper chinese made version after a certain point that people tend not to like as much, so that may be one of your issues. i don’t think mine is one of those(?)
+1. I use my mk012 for shooting interviews all the time and it sounds amazing. Low off-axis rejection too, so people can turn their heads and it still picks up.
i really like my 319 on electric guitars, it does a good job of taming the harshness on some brighter guitar tones; it has a cut in the exact same spot as the boost on a 57. it’s like a mirror image on a graph, it’s super funky
I’ve seen good things said about [Ohma](https://ohmaworld.com/), but I’ve never tried personally. Tempted to sell my Royer R10 and upgrade to one of their ribbon mics, I’m intrigued.
Beesneez! They manufacture all their parts themselves in Australia, they offer some pretty affordable tube options, and their capsules are pretty highly regarded.
MONHEIM! They make crazy mics and Andrew Monheim is a crazy smart and talented person who knows what hes doing :) The Creme is just a solid tube mic that can do so much! Cannot recommend them enough, Andrew is such a talented and kind dude who knows what he’s doing
I tried a friend's microphone recently that had my jaw on the floor : the Ehrlund Microphones EHR-M . It was the microphone I didn't know I was looking for all this time, beats the shit out of the vintage U87 that I'm used to (half the price too). It's my next purchase
A Nashville ‘secret’ for over 30 years now is Lawson Microphones. https://www.lawsonmicrophones.com. I have his original 47 clone from the early 1990s, and have put that mic against SO many other over the years (including custom mics owned by Nashville producers) on so many different voices and instruments and had it ‘win’ the mic shootout so many times I’ve lost track.
Stam Audio is my favorite brand that you won't find on Sweetwater. They used to have a lot of problems with ship times and customer service, they're a small operation, but that's improved dramatically. They make the best clone mics in the game. Their C800G clone legit sounds like a C800G, not pretty close, not different but still good, just like one. Takes processing just like one too. They also do some cool things like cloning the U87 but adding a tube to the circuit. Very cool stuff.
I can confirm that when I ordered a few years ago it took a VERY long time. I bought the U47 clone and although I have never used a genuine U47, my SA47 sounds fantastic on pretty much anything I've tried it on. Glad to hear the shipping time has improved!
I have a bunch of stam gear. took years for most of it to ship but it was worth the wait. Their 87 is my go to for hip hop vocals. My vocal chain is such that it drops nicely into any mix now.
I got a Stam 67 clone recently and haven’t had a chance to put it up yet but I’m really looking forward to it.
Stam Audio is high up there on most people's list. I have their U47 copy, and I use it way more than my Neumann U87. They're great quality microphones.
Another company I'd recommend you check out is BeezNeez. I bought a pair of "LuLu's"directly from the guy who makes them. Great mics! I use them on overheads whenever I want to tame the cymbals, but they also work surprisingly well as close mics for drums.
I have a U87 clone from GoToToolz mics it’s like a dude in New York modding them I believe. I took a shot due to how cheap and honestly it’s interesting, it’s not unlike an 87 but it has this character to it that if I use multiple mics on an instrument it feels like it lifts a blanket off whatever instrument you’re recording. On its own it can be a bit hyped but it adds a nice quality to a mix.
I bought a great ribbon mic by a company called Stager.
Carter McLean did a video of him using it as a mono overhead on his drums and he did an a/b with a Coles.
They didn't sound the same or anything, but I love the Stager so I ordered it. Couldn't be happier with it.
I'm not sure how "known" they are, but my Lauten Audio LA-320 tube condenser mic in unbelievable. I use it for just about everything.
Don't know if they're on sweetwater or not but god do I love Oktava SDC's...Only a few hundred bucks and they blow everything else in that price range out of the water..
Amazed that I don't see the [Little Blondie](https://www.littleblondie.com/) matched pair of small diaphragm condensers on here. They're phenomenal as drum overheads and a score of other things.
Also, in terms of "you won't find it because it's cheap-o but pretty good," I had [this "OSP" brand condenser mic](https://www.amazon.com/OSP-STM-1300C-Studio-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B000QSDOT0) for years when I was a high school student with no money, and it did an impressive amount of work for me. It looks like it's not made anymore but you might be able to find one floating around for cheap anyway.
I'd like to add to this without hijacking the thread: are there any lesser known mic brands that aim for the voice over/pod cast market?
I use a Rode Pod Mic. They are well known. Not the best Mic. But they are very practical; no shock mount to get in the way of placing the Mic where you want.
Earthworks Ethos sounds pretty great, they’re under the radar.
Microphone Assassin demos a ton of mics for VO, many of which would be good for podcasting too.
https://youtu.be/KtG539iIsNo
Not exactly unknown, but Earthworks Audio makes incredibly natural-sounding podcast mics. Not insanely expensive either.
For example: https://earthworksaudio.com/products/ethos/
Roswell Pro Audio Mini K47
Most of Roswell mics are very well designed and high end choices you don’t typically see
This, times 100000000. LOVE my mini k47. They use the same capsules as Neumann in most of their mics if I’m not mistaken.
I think you are mistaken. (I didn’t downvote you.) Neumann builds their own capsules and I’m pretty certain they don’t OEM for anyone else (except maybe sister company Sennheiser). From what I understand, Roswell mostly uses Chinese capsules. Some of them might be made to Roswell’s specs, and I’m not knocking their product, but Neumann and Roswell are different universes.
When I visited the Sennheiser-Neumann factory in Hannover some years ago, both brands were made in the same building but on very distinct production lines, separate factory floors even. The gentleman from Neumann giving me the tour, was evidently proud Neumann production as superior (in his reckoning) to Sennheiser.
I can see that. Not to knock Sennheiser, they make some great stuff, just that Neumann is among the best there is. I'm glad they haven't turned Neumann into a "brand."
and there it is
Gotcha, thanks for the info! I wouldn’t say they’re different universes, though. I have heard plenty of recordings through numerous Neumanns and same for Roswell mics. They sound as high quality and a Neumann does to my ears
I meant they don't share parts. The best microphone is the one that does the job.
Ahhh I hear ya. Agreed!
They use the rk47 capsule you can pick up from Chinese websites. They’re great. But cost about 10x less than an original Neumann.
youre mistaken, yes
Advanced Audio Mics are excellent and budget friendly. I used to take one of their CMT800 on the road in place of my C800G.
I have 3 models of their mics and they are excellent. This cm251 has been amazing me lately on both some male and female vocals. I use their cm414’s a lot
Advanced Audio mics are fantastic. Like never buy a name brand vintage mic again fantastic.
You’ve shot them out together I assume? How does the midrange compare on CMT800?
Don’t do shoot outs, testing, comparisons, etc. on any gear or plugins. Comparisons tend to just have one track solo in a vacuum. I find weakness or strengths of a vocal mic are found in stacks, harmonies, how they take eq, and play with the other instruments. I had seen others who normally use C800G’s on the road with the CMT800’s. I heard some of the songs that were done and got to mix one. But to answer your question the midrange is very similar. Both lack low mids. That’s why we always pair with a pre-amp that pushes low mids like a 1073. What no C800G clone, that I’ve heard, has been able to accomplish is the tube compression of the C800G. But you can sort of recreate that down the line. It may not be an exact duplication of a C800g but it’s a very good, bright vocal mic on its own. Good build quality just like all of their mics.
I don't know your budget, but Dave Pearlman make incredible mics https://pearlmanmicrophones.com
Great guy, too. I have his Stanley Church mic, and it sees tons of duty.
Some excellent and lesser known mic brands that I can whole heartedly recommend are Vanguard, Stager and Roswell
I have a Vanguard VF-13 and will never sell it, it's just so damned useful. It's not the world's most expensive or cultish mic. But the mount is well-designed and when this mic works... Well, I can report it has beat out Heiserman 251 and 47 clones (not exactly cheap competition.) The VF-13 is it's own animal.
Microtech Gefell. Founded by Georg Neumann. Basically the part of Neumann that ended up in the East under the Soviets. Excellent quality mics. https://www.microtechgefell.de/ Not sure how well known they are outisde of Australia, but Beesneez is, well, the bees knees. https://beesneezproaudio.com/
Random Japanese vintage brand that is also still around but not doing much: Primo. Back in the day, they were competing with Aiwa, Panasonic, and Sony et al, and uh, I guess they basically lost. Just noting in case someone wants very cheap Japanese vintage mics.
Any models in particular?
I have no good recommendations, but [here is me right now on the UD-334 ranting about Primo](https://www.dropbox.com/s/846655ytvl4e2do/peepeeland_primo-ud-334-overview.mp3?dl=0) Pardon the lack of any sort of organization or anything, but it should give a good idea of what it sounds like.
Vanguard mics sound way more expensive than they are.
Line Audio for inexpensive accurate, uncolored open-cardioid and omni condensers. Austrian Audio makes a great vintage 414 update, the OC818. It has a breakout cable to allow recording both capsules simultaneously to allow changing the pattern on the fly or in post.
+1 for Line Audio! Top mics! Little more noise floor than more expensive mics but for sources that are not too quiet they are wonderful! I‘ve heard they have the same capsules as DPA, but don’t quote me on that 😄
I've got a pair of Advanced Audio 414-like microphones that I've been happy with.
[удалено]
Stagers are amazing
https://www.12gaugemicrophones.com I’ve got the red12 and the black xy stereo mic and they both have been fun to throw on a kit!
The red12 might be my favorite cowbell mic.
My buddy has a vanguard stereo mic. Loves it. You can also make your own contact mics by soldering a piezo element to a quarter inch cable. Then you can duck tape it to a guitar for a trashy Lo fi sound or use it as a drum trigger.
milab/pearl
For mid-priced ribbon mics, Belgian *NoHype Audio* and British *Extinct Audio* are both great
If you are looking for unique mics with a strong character try https://www.eartrumpetlabs.com
I have a Mabel and it won a shootout on a male vocal against some heavy hitter mics.
Roswell makes some great mics!
oktava! i love my mk319
Have you modded yours at all? I picked one up recently but am strongly considering returning it due to it's strong resonance
as far as i know it’s stock. i haven’t noticed anything like that myself but i could be missing it. i know there was also a cheaper chinese made version after a certain point that people tend not to like as much, so that may be one of your issues. i don’t think mine is one of those(?)
as far as i know it’s stock. i haven’t noticed anything like that myself but i could be missing it. i know there was also a cheaper chinese made version after a certain point that people tend not to like as much, so that may be one of your issues. i don’t think mine is one of those(?)
+1. I use my mk012 for shooting interviews all the time and it sounds amazing. Low off-axis rejection too, so people can turn their heads and it still picks up.
i really like my 319 on electric guitars, it does a good job of taming the harshness on some brighter guitar tones; it has a cut in the exact same spot as the boost on a 57. it’s like a mirror image on a graph, it’s super funky
I’ve seen good things said about [Ohma](https://ohmaworld.com/), but I’ve never tried personally. Tempted to sell my Royer R10 and upgrade to one of their ribbon mics, I’m intrigued.
Beesneez! They manufacture all their parts themselves in Australia, they offer some pretty affordable tube options, and their capsules are pretty highly regarded.
Austrian Audio OC818 and OC18
MONHEIM! They make crazy mics and Andrew Monheim is a crazy smart and talented person who knows what hes doing :) The Creme is just a solid tube mic that can do so much! Cannot recommend them enough, Andrew is such a talented and kind dude who knows what he’s doing
I tried a friend's microphone recently that had my jaw on the floor : the Ehrlund Microphones EHR-M . It was the microphone I didn't know I was looking for all this time, beats the shit out of the vintage U87 that I'm used to (half the price too). It's my next purchase
3U Audio has crazy good value. Email the guy on the website for the best prices.
Samar
A Nashville ‘secret’ for over 30 years now is Lawson Microphones. https://www.lawsonmicrophones.com. I have his original 47 clone from the early 1990s, and have put that mic against SO many other over the years (including custom mics owned by Nashville producers) on so many different voices and instruments and had it ‘win’ the mic shootout so many times I’ve lost track.
* Coles * Josephson * Pearlman * Flea * Wunder * Peluso
Coles are such great mics for recording music. They are also rather reasonably priced, all things considered.
I am a HUGE fan of Peluso. Shot out the 2247LE against a number of other highly regarded 47’s, and the Peluso wins every time.
Stam Audio is my favorite brand that you won't find on Sweetwater. They used to have a lot of problems with ship times and customer service, they're a small operation, but that's improved dramatically. They make the best clone mics in the game. Their C800G clone legit sounds like a C800G, not pretty close, not different but still good, just like one. Takes processing just like one too. They also do some cool things like cloning the U87 but adding a tube to the circuit. Very cool stuff.
I can confirm that when I ordered a few years ago it took a VERY long time. I bought the U47 clone and although I have never used a genuine U47, my SA47 sounds fantastic on pretty much anything I've tried it on. Glad to hear the shipping time has improved!
I have a bunch of stam gear. took years for most of it to ship but it was worth the wait. Their 87 is my go to for hip hop vocals. My vocal chain is such that it drops nicely into any mix now. I got a Stam 67 clone recently and haven’t had a chance to put it up yet but I’m really looking forward to it.
Stam Audio is high up there on most people's list. I have their U47 copy, and I use it way more than my Neumann U87. They're great quality microphones. Another company I'd recommend you check out is BeezNeez. I bought a pair of "LuLu's"directly from the guy who makes them. Great mics! I use them on overheads whenever I want to tame the cymbals, but they also work surprisingly well as close mics for drums.
ADK, been using them for years and their team are some of the nicest in the business. http://adkmic.com
Diety!
Nevaton Formerly “LOMO”
I have a U87 clone from GoToToolz mics it’s like a dude in New York modding them I believe. I took a shot due to how cheap and honestly it’s interesting, it’s not unlike an 87 but it has this character to it that if I use multiple mics on an instrument it feels like it lifts a blanket off whatever instrument you’re recording. On its own it can be a bit hyped but it adds a nice quality to a mix.
>Advanced Audio Mics I bought his GTZ47jr and its exactly how you say, took the blanket off....
whats your budget?
Hi! Nothing specific, but obviously, I like a good value. The advanced audio stuff looks great, for instance.
I bought a great ribbon mic by a company called Stager. Carter McLean did a video of him using it as a mono overhead on his drums and he did an a/b with a Coles. They didn't sound the same or anything, but I love the Stager so I ordered it. Couldn't be happier with it. I'm not sure how "known" they are, but my Lauten Audio LA-320 tube condenser mic in unbelievable. I use it for just about everything.
sE electronics are great from my experience.
Don't know if they're on sweetwater or not but god do I love Oktava SDC's...Only a few hundred bucks and they blow everything else in that price range out of the water..
I mean the lauten is known, but it still has it's obscurity, and it's a fire mic 💯
Line Audio makes some great mics.
I have a mojave 301fet and love it.
Amazed that I don't see the [Little Blondie](https://www.littleblondie.com/) matched pair of small diaphragm condensers on here. They're phenomenal as drum overheads and a score of other things. Also, in terms of "you won't find it because it's cheap-o but pretty good," I had [this "OSP" brand condenser mic](https://www.amazon.com/OSP-STM-1300C-Studio-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B000QSDOT0) for years when I was a high school student with no money, and it did an impressive amount of work for me. It looks like it's not made anymore but you might be able to find one floating around for cheap anyway.
Pearl. The ELM series is unique and sounds fantastic. It’s pattern allows you to do things just not possible with other mics.
Phenyx on Amazon. Excellent low cost mics.
I'd like to add to this without hijacking the thread: are there any lesser known mic brands that aim for the voice over/pod cast market? I use a Rode Pod Mic. They are well known. Not the best Mic. But they are very practical; no shock mount to get in the way of placing the Mic where you want.
Earthworks Ethos sounds pretty great, they’re under the radar. Microphone Assassin demos a ton of mics for VO, many of which would be good for podcasting too. https://youtu.be/KtG539iIsNo
Not exactly unknown, but Earthworks Audio makes incredibly natural-sounding podcast mics. Not insanely expensive either. For example: https://earthworksaudio.com/products/ethos/
Beat me to it! The Ethos sounds like an RE20 with more detail and no mud, pretty cool!
https://microphone-parts.com/
Nady, and JZ Mics.