tube swap in rode k2 or ntk

[lesmac]

For $300, you could throw it out and buy this: http://www.frontendaudio.com/Roswell-Mi ... p/1836.htm

Thanks Mojo, I've bookmarked that. Michael Jolly still hasn't got back to me.

[Len911]

For $300, you could throw it out and buy this: http://www.frontendaudio.com/Roswell-Mi ... p/1836.htm

No modifications required.

Roswell Pro Audio is an offshoot of Microphone-Parts, and the Mini K47 is essentially a fully modded import mic. It's just one that you can get without breaking out a soldering iron or hunting for the right parts!
https://www.recordingmag.com/productrev ... 9/104.html

Here's the thing, are you talking $300 mic as a replacement for the Gauge mic or the Rode K2?

Stay with me,lol, the Rode NT2-A uses the same capsule as the Rode K2. The Joly mod is for a new capsule, Neumann K47 style.
http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/Rode/NT2-A

The Rode NT2-A capsule replacement is the $119 RK-47 capsule.
http://microphone-parts.com/pages/rode-nt2a-mods

*Note: Roswell Audio, Microphone-Parts and recordinghacks are connected to the same individual.

For $399, you can buy the Rode NT2-A. So for another $119, or $518, you would have the $300 mic with all the polar patterns, hi-pass filters and pads. Or for $119 you can modify the K2 and have the NT2-A with a tube,lol!
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/NT2AStuBun

And for $248, you can upgrade the Gauge that you already have,lol!
http://microphone-parts.com/pages/gauge-ecm87-mods

[mojobone]

I was aware of the connection between RecordingHacks and Roswell, but not the one between the former two and Microphone Parts. Much depends on what you need/want from your transducer; if I've learned anything about mics, it's that similar design and construction produces similar results-the devil's in the details, but there's no 'magic' involved. Almost all the mic parts that can be sourced are copies of something that works, at least to some extent, so there's no reason to overpay or re-invent the wheel. If you don't mind a little soldering, there are options for nearly any situation, as long as you have a specific goal, firmly fixed in your mind's ear.

When heard in isolation, most folks tend to prefer brighter mics with higher output, but when it comes time to compress, EQ or mix, spiky resonances can become exaggerated, (and not just in the top end) which can lead to...troubles. Sizzle is great, if you're a steak on the griddle, but when you start using quality mic preamps with really high slew rates/transient response, those resonances become harder to tame, particularly on acoustic instruments that feature lots of quick transients, like drums and piano.

[lesmac]

Thanks all for the great replies and research, links etc.

With the Aussie dollar buying just 70 US cents, with shipping, it would cost me maybe up to $600 to do the Michael Joly MJE-K47 capsule and Premium Electronics suite .

Part of his reply:

"I have modified many K2 mics with my MJE-K47 capsule and Premium Electronics suite. The results are a smoother midrange and far less sibilant / edgy top end that are a joy to hear on vocals and acoustic guitar. I don’t have a dedicated page for the K2 at my shop but you could use my TCM-1050 page to audition the results which are quite similar and to order:"

I will cut my losses and move it on. I'll make a decision on the Gauge after the sale.

Thanks again for the info

Lester

[Len911]

Lester, just for the heck of it I found a couple youtubes with the K2 and some comparisons.
To me the mic sounds warm and compressed in comparison to the other mics.
Are you using a preamp and compressor or eq before the daw? Also the mic will sound different in omni
or figure 8 polar pattern than cardioid. The omni pattern might give the mic a more open and less compressed sound.

https://youtu.be/xS18hqLV_NQ

This video has the venerable Neumann u87, I prefer the u89, for most vocals I want a mic that sounds like the person is there in the room with you, less like a "recording". The blue doesn't sound too bad until it reaches into the higher freq. The ADK is also a tube mic with a touch of that compression. The AT's are warm and very sibilant. The shure sounds like a super hyper cardioid, narrow and sibilant.

https://youtu.be/QP37fZmj-XY

The shure works here with the music filling in the sides. The K2 sounds pretty good here, more open
and very warm. AKG 414, my favorite here, open and bright and balanced. shure sm-58, really brings out the nasal qualities of her voice.

A characteristic of tubes is compression, so maybe a tube change out with one that sounds less compressed, if there is such, and a change of polar patterns, and no compression on the input, might be a better option than dumping the mic. Maybe try compressing the music more to fit the mic??

[Len911]

I found this:
https://www.tubedepot.com/tube-comparison-tool

The JJ $11.95 one, has less headroom, and "delicate compression".

Maybe you don't really want the most powerful, more headroom before distortion tube,lol!

Notice the newer mfg. tubes have a brighter, more power out, seemingly better looking specs, but is that what you really want in a microphone?

[lesmac]

Len, I'm getting confused!!

I've got a few mics but this is the only tube mic I have. I want a magic mic that makes my voice 'not suck'.
Less hard and nasally.

In the mic locker is an AKG 414 standard, EV Re 20, At 2020, Guage Ecm U87, Shure 57 and 58 and an AT 4051b SDC

I run through an Avalon 737 with just 'safety compression'. Sometimes I EQ on the way in.

Usually I run the acoustic through the Avalon and an Art Pro Mpai ii.

The interface is an RME UFX.

I should try going int the UFX's preamp with the K2 to lose one tube stage. [might make a difference].

Maybe I'll try a Brimar in the K2, they are supposed to be a good sub for Mullard.

I told a lie in my first post... the tubes I have in the Art Pro pre are RCA blackplates.

I can't afford to buy more gear, I can't afford to waste my time, I've got to stay in the studio and make music.

[Len911]

Well, then, yeah, you don't need anything!

I want a magic mic that makes my voice 'not suck'.
Less hard and nasally.

AKG 414 and singing lessons!
I meant the Avalon.

I had an Art tube hybrid preamp ages ago, really sucky, maybe they've changed??

[mojobone]

Hard to know what's gonna flatter a voice I haven't heard, but I'll take a shot in the dark and suggest using the EV RE20. Like the Shure SM7B, it can be magic on 'problem' voices.

[lesmac]

Hard to know what's gonna flatter a voice I haven't heard, but I'll take a shot in the dark and suggest using the EV RE20. Like the Shure SM7B, it can be magic on 'problem' voices.

Spot on Mojo!!!

I'm using it now. I'd sort of forgotten about it and I bought it looking for the answer to my vox about a year ago.

A friend recorded me with it about 20 sumthin years ago with good results.

I'll try using it on the young female vocalist with the high thin voice too.

There is an amazing list of artists who have used the Shure SM7B including Michael Jackson and Diana Krall.