Compare microphones

alan kelly

Alright guys.. Anyone out there got any ideas on SE Electronics Gemini MK11 Dual Valve Condenser or the neumann tlm 103.. An opinion on which might be better or maybe a comparison on the two... Cheers

fitz

I have the 103.
It's a very clean sounding mic, perhaps a little cold or harsh in certain scenarios.
I use it with a valve pre, and get a really nice open sound on acoustic guitars, and nice results for vocals. For vocals though, it really depends on the voice and range of the performance, sometimes it's just not right.
No experience with the Gemini, but believe it's a cracker.
What's it for?

Seziertisch

If I have 700-800 Euro to spend on a mic I would be looking elsewhere. There is an Audio Technica 4040 on sale on adverts at the moment. I haven't used one myself but I have never heard a bad word said about it. Otherwise, you should also consider ribbon mics; AEA and Coles are both excellent and fall into the same price category as the Neumann and the SE. From my own personal (somewhat limited) recording experience I could happily record a whole band using ribbons and dynamics, and not having a LDC wouldn't bother me, although many are of the opinion that a good multi-pattern LDC is the way to go for a first good mic.

alan kelly

Interesting reading. Hoping to use it for vocals and acoustic guitars...

fitz

What prices are you getting them for?

alan kelly

Not sure yet.. But am planning on having a budget of about 1000euro max.. Once i choose the mic i will then see where i can get the best price..

Seziertisch

alan kelly wrote: »

Interesting reading. Hoping to use it for vocals and acoustic guitars...

Something like the AEA R84 would be excellent for both, particularly in an acoustic music context (which I presume is what you are going to be using it in). It would require that you record in a decent sounding room, as it really does a good job of capturing the space you are working in.

fitz

Maybe Studiorat can chime in here, which Thomann ribbon did he recommend as a very nice mic punching above its price point? Could be worth getting one of them, or a pair, as a cheap option along with a really nice dynamic or condensor?

The R84 looks like a tasty piece of kit mind you.

alan kelly

Dont know why but am a not mad about ribbon mics. Am hoping to purchase a pro mic which will last and in 2 years time i wont be thinking i should have bought a different type or need an upgrade.. Maybe thats also why neumann is on my potential list.. At least u know what your gonna get...

PaulBrewer

Despite the 103 having a mixed reputation I always liked them.

I can give you a Gemini to try if you like ?
All the vocals on Lisa Hannigan's last album were done in Cauldron studio with one.

PM me if you're interested.

alan kelly

Cheers for the offer paul.. I would like that.. Will pop in within the next few weeks. I wanna pick up the bfd2 software..

Seziertisch

alan kelly wrote: »

Dont know why but am a not mad about ribbon mics. Am hoping to purchase a pro mic which will last and in 2 years time i wont be thinking i should have bought a different type or need an upgrade.. Maybe thats also why neumann is on my potential list.. At least u know what your gonna get...

Have you ever actually used any ribbon mics?

Bluebirdstudios

Hi Alan,
Not sure if your the same Alan Kelly who lives literally mins from my studio . I do have tlm 103 and gemini MK 1 if you want give me a shout and you can audition both. As I said it's the Gemini 1 so you might want to take Paul's offer up and compare Mk 2 against TLM 103.
My own view they're very different sounding mics so it's a case of finding the sound your after. I think the Tlm 103 might be a bit more of a all rounder. The gemini being a bit fatter and not as bright also it's quiet large so might be a bit tricky to spot tight percussion spots for example! A great mic all the same.
Anyway drop me a line if I have the RIGHT Alan !!
- Declan

alan kelly

Cheers for that offer.. Much appreciated but think i will take up pauls offer. Unfortunately im not the 'real' alan kelly. Im just an imposter;).

The main reason im gonna head to him is not because he is closer to me but i wanna try the mic with my own pre amp. I use the focusrite isa one and a friend of mine already owns a tlm 103 and swears by it. Have heard that different preamps alter with different mics. So will hopefully audition both pauls and my mates and will compare both.

Maybe its just my naivity but once you start hitting a certain level of mics is it just a matter of opinion which are better?

trackmixstudio

I have a 103 and very rarely use it. Doesn't float my boat at all.
It gets buried in the mix very easily, especially with most of the bands I record.
I would suggest an AKG 414 or 214. The 214 should do fine if you don't need omni of fig 8 settings.
I almost always use an audix i5 for vocals and it never lets me down.
Matched with a good pre, a dynamic mic can give more presence in a mix IME.

thegrove54

alan kelly wrote: »

Interesting reading. Hoping to use it for vocals and acoustic guitars...

Akg C414 never had any problems with it cheap enough but ****ing great quality use it for everything vocals overheads and ambience mics such a nice sound from it.

progsound

Akg c414 would be worth a look also maybe check out the new tlm 102 which is rather affordable and has gotten some decent reviews.

Id also check out some dynamics for vocals. I have sm7b and i think its great it may sound flat compared to ldc in a a/b situation but it really shines in the mix it takes compression soooo well imo its also a killer mic on hats/kick/bass cab/guitar cab really versatile tool