Economy tube condenser mics

[mingusb1]

Hello, just wondering if anyone is using one of the MXL tube mics (v76t, v69), a Nady mic (1150?), or some other brand.

How do they sound and compare to non-tube mics (even better quality ones like AT's and AKG's)?

Application would be for for stage singing/guitar/mado/fiddle. Single/double mic bluegrass/oldtime country performances.

Thanks in advance.
Z

[WJF]

... Haven't used the tube MXL's but I do own several of their other small and large diaphragm condensors and have found them to be a very good value ... great sound and performance at an affordable price.

That said, I'm not sure that any tube mic will prove to be "roadworthy" over the long haul. Most engineers I know would shudder at the very thought of using a tube mic outside the safe environment of the studio ... are you certain you want to go that route?

[mingusb1]

I think I could take care of them long enough to get my $$'s worth out of them.

But I have found that some other MXL mics (I have a 2001) haven't held their value that well (just looking at ebay prices).

Z

[TonyP]

I'm with WJF, large condenser's are scary fragile enough without the tubes. If you wanted that warm sound of tubes,a cheaper, more roadworthy route might be get one of those little tube pre amps and put it behind a AT2020 or 3035. MHO, YMMV.

[mingusb1]

Hi Tony, thanks for the note. What preamps are you talking about?

Thanks,
Z

[MDW]

Something like the Presonus TubePre $99 at Musiciansfriend.com


Mark

[TonyP]

yeah, you'll find there's a reason for the cheap resale for mxl and nady.
The pre I was thinking about was the presonus "blue tube". I've had experience with them for recording. The good thing about them is that they use the good 'ol 12AX7 tube that you can find almost anywhere and they are cheap on e***. The only downside is the wall wart power supply. I hate them things...

[mingusb1]

Thanks for the info everyone.

What about this Bellari tube preamp?

http://www.rolls.com/new/mp105f.html

Inexpensive but only 1 channel.

Z

[wah]

I've got a great economy package. I recently bought a Rode NT1A and put it through my Presonus Blue Tube. We played an art gallery and I plugged it into my Fender Acoustasonic Jr. There were five of us around the mic - bass, banjo, mando, 2 guitars - and we didn't have to crowd around the mic. We were amazed at the sound we got - the audience was too. I got several comments about the sound.

Wayne

[Gaelen]

More votes for the Rode Mics here !

I would agree that the NT1 series are great for almost anything and we have a K2 with the variable pattern fig 8 etc for recording purposes.

Another friend of mine in a rock band (Field Music) has used his K2 for most of their last two albums and reckon its as good as anything else they have used.

The condenser NT5 matched pair is a bargain also and brilliant for individual mic'ing of instruments for live or recording.