Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

[Little Pigbacon]

So I'm hung up on vintage-style gear. I like stuff that looks old-school but is well made and fully functional and is good at what it does. There are some cool-looking mics on the market right now, and I can't help wondering if any of them would be a good addition to a beginning mic locker.

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[2ndhandband]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

I took my daughter to see Sonata Arctica last year... the keyboard player was using what I'm pretty sure was a Shure Super 55. He did a lot of the call and response things with the lead vocalist so I was able to hear him by himself and I thought it sounded fine. It would be cumbersome for a lead singer, but as a stand-mounted option for a backing vocalist why the hell not?

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

Hetfield uses the Super 55's live. I would get the Super 55 over the 55sh which I've used at school and was not a fan of.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

Can anyone tell what mic Reba has here?

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[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

Can anyone tell what mic Reba has here?

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Probably the Super 55.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

It's not very plugged in, is it?

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

It's not very plugged in, is it?

No. The xlr cable goes in behind the stand. It could very well be a 55 sh, in this photo, considering it's likely only getting used for a promotional image and those mics are much cheaper.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

I had an very old Super 55. It wasn't a great sounding mic, so I replaced the cartridge with a more modern one. But I think the newer ones are updated.


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[ginormous]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

Can anyone tell what mic Reba has here?

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Who cares? Hello, nurse!

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

I get it but hung up vintage looks for mics....no. If you're looking for a mic for a specific reason give us a shout. But educating yourself about what types do what best and then making your own choices will be the way to go. There are so many good 400-1000 dollar mics these days and what you actually do with them is soooooo much more important than the actual mic. In other words the source is more important than the mic.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

AEA Ribbon mics are the real deal. The AEA A440 is modern spec 20hz - 20khz. The AEA R44CE is made to vintage specs as much as possible, 30hz-16khz. The R84 is a more general purpose ribbon mic in a vintage-looking package.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

Darn it, I was gonna say that.

Ooooh you almost had. You gotta be quicker than that.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

the bottom pic is a shure 520 green bullet. commonly used by harmonica players but can be used as a lo fi vocal mic. not something youd want to sing into all night though unless you are going for am radio type sounds

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

^ If I ever do any demo/review vids for YouTube, I'm using one of those for my voice track.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

Can anyone tell what mic Reba has here?

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I think that's an actual vintage Shure- you can just see the tip of an on/off switch on the bottom panel facing her. AFAIK the newer ones like the Super55 don't have the switch anymore. I still have an old one sitting around somewhere but it doesn't sound great and I wouldn't record with it. Great photo prop though.

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

AEA Ribbon mics are the real deal. The AEA A440 is modern spec 20hz - 20khz. The AEA R44CE is made to vintage specs as much as possible, 30hz-16khz. The R84 is a more general purpose ribbon mic in a vintage-looking package.

MMMmm! Ribbon Mics, great stuff but you need a good bank balance for these.
- https://www.sweetwater.com/c403--AEA--Ribbon_Microphones -

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

Those things run into serious money. I'm not ashamed to say that they're way out of my league. If I get really serious about recording, I might consider a once-in-a-blue-moon purchase up to $1,000. But mostly I'll be under $500.

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

I wanted a ribbon mic but the cost was prohibitive. I found and purchased a kit that comes from Latvia. It was relatively easy to assemble and works well although I haven't used it much yet.
It is in a far more accessible price range.
- http://www.bumblebeepro.com/shop/rm...ull-diy-kit/?gclid=CP_o-e-mh9QCFZJ_vQod3UgNCw - Not a retro appearance though.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

I wanted a ribbon mic but the cost was prohibitive. I found and purchased a kit that comes from Latvia. It was relatively easy to assemble and works well although I haven't used it much yet.
It is in a far more accessible price range.
- http://www.bumblebeepro.com/shop/rm...ull-diy-kit/?gclid=CP_o-e-mh9QCFZJ_vQod3UgNCw - Not a retro appearance though.

Looks like a Royer 121.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

I think that's an actual vintage Shure- you can just see the tip of an on/off switch on the bottom panel facing her. AFAIK the newer ones like the Super55 don't have the switch anymore. I still have an old one sitting around somewhere but it doesn't sound great and I wouldn't record with it. Great photo prop though.

The 55sh still does. Wasn't a fan of it in the studio though.