|
Post by Martin John Butler on Mar 13, 2016 9:09:35 GMT -6
Just got the very first Blackspade UM-17R MK II, and it's a champ. I've only had a few minutes with it, so I expect even further improvement when it's had a couple hundred hours use. I've had two of their mics with the Thiersch M7 Blueline capsule, and switched to the Redline because I wasn't completely satisfied with the tone I was getting. Mike from Blackspade was incredibly helpful and intuitively suggested I try the Redline capsule because I'd expressed a preference for the tone of the Neumann U-67 and Soyuz 0-17 and a couple of other mics, and they all didn't have PVC skins on the capsule.
They're releasing the Redline Mk II UM-17 R in a few weeks, so I have the first production model, handmade at Blackspade Acoustics in Switzerland. After much back and forth, I received the mic two days ago. I thought we'd settled on the Blueline anyway, and tried a test vocal on a track where I had used both the Soyuz 0-17 and the UM-17B (blueline). So I did a cranky vocal early in the morning, just to be sure it was working, and then compared it to the other two. So, I actually thought I had the Blueline capsule in my new mic when I did the test, so I had no bias toward the Redline. To me, the new build is more like 75% U-47, 25% M49. The previous version was more like 85% M-49, 15% U-47, and I definitely like the sound of the new version better. I did quite well with the original, so this was a pleasant surprise.
I noticed that the new vocal felt bigger than the previous Blackspade vocal, more open, less sibilant, cleaner, smoother overall, more gain, (not to say the original was overly sibilant), and the high end was so smooth and airy, it almost reminded me of a C-12 in that regard. I compared the new track to the Soyuz track. I should be clear about that, the Soyuz in my experience is a monster. It's in the direction of a Neumann style, but is seriously not a clone, it's in the world class of vintage U-67's, C-12's, and U-47's, but has it's own unique character.
I honestly can't say for sure yet if I would choose the Soyuz over the new mic, as I haven't used it enough yet, but, for it to be that close in quality at $1500 less in price is amazing in the first place. They've obviously gone for the quality build and not the hype, as there are some mics being sold with nearly identical parts to the UM-17 B and R for $6,000.
I'm very happy to feel I'm finally not settling for a compromised vocal sound. Will I eventually find another main vocal mic I prefer, who nows, give me a U-67, or a C-12, and I might find I prefer them, but I may not, and that's really saying something.
Oh, and the ten year warranty, not too shabby.
|
|
|
Post by Randge on Mar 13, 2016 10:48:46 GMT -6
Dan Deurloo built LA-2a and a pair of Empress 519's here. Great new tools!
|
|
|
Post by drbill on Mar 13, 2016 11:36:09 GMT -6
Most recent :
The behringer cable tester I told Dan about...changed my life. Don't know why I didn't have a cable tester 2 decades ago.... Major blind spot for me. Saved me days in my new install....
I suppose the REAL gear is a band spanking new Jeff Hedback designed control room. If it doesn't sink me financially, it's going to be the most awesome tool I've had in a loooooooong time. Jeff is da MAN!!!!
Other new stuff : An Orchestral Scoring engineer buddy of mine is selling out his ENTIRE mic collection (including 11 M50's) and I bought a some things I'd been looking for for years... : (couldn't afford the M50's though....)
(2) KM86's (3) LCR KM53's (2) KM140's (2) KM150's (1) TLM170 AAAAaaaaand... an SM7 LOL Original version.
Also ANXIOUSLY awaiting a new Dual LA2a from dandeurloo with a bunch of custom stuff built into it.... Come on Dan!! That cable tester must have saved you hours by now. LOL
Fairly recent :
(2) Moog 500 filters (2) additional Silver Bullets (1) Manley VariMu
I gotta lay off the gear for awhile..... Hahahaaaaa!!!
|
|
|
Post by mrholmes on Mar 13, 2016 11:47:30 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by sean on Mar 13, 2016 12:21:24 GMT -6
Pretty sweet score drbill!
Looks like I'll be buying a 16" x 16" floor tom to finish out my Ludwig gold sparkle drum kit. I was really hoping to grab a 14" that's on eBay right now but it's already more than I'd want to spend and it's not as nice and this one is half the price. Excited!
|
|
ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 15,939
|
Post by ericn on Mar 16, 2016 18:25:23 GMT -6
Most recent : The behringer cable tester I told Dan about...changed my life. Don't know why I didn't have a cable tester 2 decades ago.... Major blind spot for me. Saved me days in my new install.... I suppose the REAL gear is a band spanking new Jeff Hedback designed control room. If it doesn't sink me financially, it's going to be the most awesome tool I've had in a loooooooong time. Jeff is da MAN!!!! Other new stuff : An Orchestral Scoring engineer buddy of mine is selling out his ENTIRE mic collection (including 11 M50's) and I bought a some things I'd been looking for for years... : (couldn't afford the M50's though....) (2) KM86's (3) LCR KM53's (2) KM140's (2) KM150's (1) TLM170 AAAAaaaaand... an SM7 LOL Original version. Also ANXIOUSLY awaiting a new Dual LA2a from dandeurloo with a bunch of custom stuff built into it.... Come on Dan!! That cable tester must have saved you hours by now. LOL Fairly recent : (2) Moog 500 filters (2) additional Silver Bullets (1) Manley VariMu I gotta lay off the gear for awhile..... Hahahaaaaa!!! The behringer is a great copy of I can't remember who's BUT trust me buy a back up !! Love the test tones and the TT jack!
|
|
ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 15,939
|
Post by ericn on Mar 16, 2016 18:28:40 GMT -6
My latest purchase, well with feeling only in the pinky of the left hand but when you see a 51 Gibson LG -1 that needs a bit of work ( bridge and a crack in a pawnshop for $382 you fucking have to buy it !!!
|
|
|
Post by rowmat on Mar 16, 2016 19:59:53 GMT -6
Just picked up a very clean Urei 546 Dual Parametric with no front panel scratches or broken knobs.
Going to swap out the quad opamps with LME49740's, new caps and fit some discrete op amps to drive the output transformers. May even fit Jensen, Sowter or Lundahl transformers and/or fit a transformer bypass switch.
Can't afford a GML 8200 so a hot rodded Urei 546 will have to do for know.
|
|
|
Post by svart on Mar 16, 2016 21:35:11 GMT -6
Lewitt 540, SM7A, Proel active DI, EP3 tape echo..
|
|
|
Post by sean on Mar 31, 2016 10:34:47 GMT -6
Just bought a Mercury M72s stereo preamp...got a matched pair of Distressors on the chopping block to pay for it. I also picked up a 1966 16" gold sparkle Ludwig floor but it doesn't quite match with my transition badge drums, so I'll probably sell it and keep hunting! Snagged a Slingerland student snare for $50, 1965, made in Shelbyville, TN with OAK re-rings...the wrapped was so dried up and cracked that when I tried to remove a sticker that the owner put on it years ago it took the wrap right with it. So, I stripped it off (took hours, it came off in hundreds of pieces) and took it over to get re-wrapped in silver sparkle by Rob Kampa. It's a fun little project; the seller had the briefcase that holds the stand and some accessories, he even had the drum sticks his brother got with the snare in middle school. I also traded a pair of VP28's for an AML ez1073 because, well, I can't build those, and then Jeff sold out of kits the day I went to order replacements. But the day the shop is back open I'll be ordering another pair.
|
|
|
Post by mikec on Mar 31, 2016 11:41:48 GMT -6
Kind of went crazy over the past few weeks and upgraded my Apollo 8 Quad to the Apollo 16, Dangerous D-Box, Dangerous 2 Bus+, and a stereo pair of Retro Powerstrips. Now I just need to find more hours in the day to use all of it.
|
|
|
Post by Randge on Mar 31, 2016 17:09:24 GMT -6
Just picked up a very clean Urei 546 Dual Parametric with no front panel scratches or broken knobs. Going to swap out the quad opamps with LME49740's, new caps and fit some discrete op amps to drive the output transformers. May even fit Jensen, Sowter or Lundahl transformers and/or fit a transformer bypass switch. Can't afford a GML 8200 so a hot rodded Urei 546 will have to do for know. I love my 546! Mine could probably use a going over. It's pretty dirty sounding but I need that from time to time.
|
|
|
Post by rowmat on Mar 31, 2016 17:53:09 GMT -6
Just picked up a very clean Urei 546 Dual Parametric with no front panel scratches or broken knobs. Going to swap out the quad opamps with LME49740's, new caps and fit some discrete op amps to drive the output transformers. May even fit Jensen, Sowter or Lundahl transformers and/or fit a transformer bypass switch. Can't afford a GML 8200 so a hot rodded Urei 546 will have to do for know. I love my 546! Mine could probably use a going over. It's pretty dirty sounding but I need that from time to time. I discovered mine had TL084 quad Opamps instead of the original ancient and slow 4741's. I'm sure the 4741's contribute to the dirt somewhat especially if boosting the high end much.
|
|
|
Post by Randge on Mar 31, 2016 18:25:24 GMT -6
I went on a buying spree today! I picked up another RTZ PEQ 1549, so now I have 2 matched pairs, an Elysia X-filter and my first Chandler gear, an RS-124. Come on with it shipping guys!
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 31, 2016 18:31:01 GMT -6
COMP-3A and Deluxe Reverb head. Not very active these days.
|
|
|
Post by warrenfirehouse on Mar 31, 2016 18:49:02 GMT -6
Just got a pair of crane song insigna eqs, a tk bc501, and and another 500 rack
...And 2 countryman di's on the way!
|
|
|
Post by rowmat on Mar 31, 2016 22:48:48 GMT -6
A pair of CAPI 553F EQ's arrived yesterday. A second CAPI VPR 11 space 500 Series rack should arrive today.
|
|
|
Post by subspace on Mar 31, 2016 23:59:56 GMT -6
This month I added a used CAPI FC526 FET Compressor, a second FC526 in kit form, five used Countryman Type 85 DIs to be delivered tomorrow, and tonight I picked up IK's Stealth Limiter plug-in on the last day of their 20th anniversary sale. I love a bargain.
|
|
|
Post by stratboy on Apr 1, 2016 5:45:28 GMT -6
A Vox AC30 CCH. the heaviest head I have ever owned, even weightier than my Ampeg V-4 from back in the day. It has trannies the size of footballs and a sound to match. Love it!
|
|
|
Post by Randge on Apr 1, 2016 9:14:25 GMT -6
Just got a pair of crane song insigna eqs, a tk bc501, and and another 500 rack ...And 2 countryman di's on the way! I have been eyeing those Insignas. I bet they are great!
|
|
|
Post by popmann on Apr 1, 2016 9:24:54 GMT -6
Since I've been selling down the studio for the next phase, I haven't been able to participate, but one of the decisions that got made in the "back to just Pop's stuff"--is that the 5 string precision was traded in for an old Stingray the other day. So, that's new gear I acquired, right? Neck is like buttah. I really want to find a neck that feels like this to bolt onto the 62RI P. www.electromusic.co.uk/images/D/72415_l.jpgGoing "Back 2 4". Ha. I still have the fretless Carvin 5 I doubt I'll ever get rid of....what a lovely and flexible instrument that is....
|
|
|
Post by jin167 on Apr 1, 2016 9:26:23 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by wiz on Apr 1, 2016 16:01:34 GMT -6
A Vox AC30 CCH. the heaviest head I have ever owned, even weightier than my Ampeg V-4 from back in the day. It has trannies the size of footballs and a sound to match. Love it! that f*#$ing head.. literally put me in hospital... 8) I picked it up... ping... nee naw nee naw nee naw... 8) Wiz
|
|
|
Post by warrenfirehouse on Apr 1, 2016 20:19:05 GMT -6
Just got a pair of crane song insigna eqs, a tk bc501, and and another 500 rack ...And 2 countryman di's on the way! I have been eyeing those Insignas. I bet they are great! Haven't had a ton of time with them yet, but so far im very impressed. They sound open and sweet when used subtly, and rich and colored when pushed further. Very different and complimentary to my electras. They will be living on my 2bus for sure.
|
|
|
Post by stratboy on Apr 1, 2016 20:26:40 GMT -6
A Vox AC30 CCH. the heaviest head I have ever owned, even weightier than my Ampeg V-4 from back in the day. It has trannies the size of footballs and a sound to match. Love it! that f*#$ing head.. literally put me in hospital... 8) I picked it up... ping... nee naw nee naw nee naw... 8) Wiz [/ quote] Lol. I won't gig with it... Ever. Strictly for the studio. I'm thinking of getting a pallet jack to move it from the shelf to the amp stand. The miracle of hydraulics! :-) So, Wiz, what do you call a pallet jack on your side of the planet?
|
|