tube swap in rode k2 or ntk

[lesmac]

Any members have either of these mics and swapped out the tube?

I've popped an Amperex in my k2 but its still too hard and harsh in the top end for my vocals and a female vocalist I've tried it on recently.

Ive read the posts on forums like gearslutz and tape op. etc. and I don't think I'll go the whole hog and swap out the capsule.

Ive used Mullard 12ax7s in my ART Pro MPA II and like the slightly 'darker warm' tone.

I also roll a few tubes in my Deluxe Reverb clone for a bit of variation.

Sooo.... I"m thinking of trying a Genelex Gold Lion before spending a bit on a Mullard. I don't think I can afford a Telefunken.

It seems a pity to have a $900 mic {what I paid} sitting idle while I sing into a Guage U87 clone that cost me a hundred bucks.

Any thoughts on tubes in general would be welcome too.

Thanks friends

[Len911]

http://www.telefunken-elektroakustik.co ... cts/tubes/

You must be speaking Telefunken Nos, though now Telefunken is marketing new tubes it contracts from Slovakia.

Tubes are primarily amplifiers with maybe perhaps a small eq effect, but old or used tubes deteriorate and leak gas with time and are subject to drift from their original specs.

The capsule and mic circuitry are an important part of the sound.

I googled and found this:
http://www.johnbonnellmicmods.com/index.html

It seems this person replaces the mic circuitry, not the capsule, not the tube...
It seems in-line with the perspective that even though most Chinese mics have a "Neumann" capsule, where they fail is the circuitry.

$500 seems a bit pricey imo for a circuit mod....

[lesmac]

Hi Len, I've been using tested NOS.

As you said there may be an eq difference with valve type. I thought I could notice a slight reduction in the sibilance area with the Amperex NOS 6922 in the mic but not much, maybe wishful thinking taking over to stave off buyers remorse.

It was a classic case of buying a mic without trying it out first on the source I want it for most- vocals and guitar.

I'd sooner try to cut the frequencies in the mic rather than at the channel. The Genelex Gold Lion is a modern tube, not NOS, about $45.

I'll give it a try then probably Mullard, Brimar or maybe the "holy grail" Telefunken if I can get a tested good one.

Thanks for your response.

PS: I called the violinist in from the cold.

[Len911]

It was a classic case of buying a mic without trying it out first on the source I want it for most- vocals and guitar.

I can't criticize you for that, because for me it would have been too impractical, I would had to travel
500 or a thousand or more miles,lol! And before the internet it was mainly relying on magazine reviews and reading between the lines.

I've only owned two different tube mics.
The Neumann M 149. I bought it at a substantial discount from the current price. Everyone anticipated it's arrival, but were disappointed that it didn't sound like they thought it was going to?? Then the price shot back up after they realized it was a great mic. I gave it to a very good friend, I regret that I don't have the mic today, not that I gave it away.

Currently I have the Telefunken M16 MkII. The original MkI?? got some bad press, so they changed the mic with circuitry from TAB funkerwerkin, though I think the name had been tarnished, so they eventually discontinued it. I'm gonna keep this one!

The darkest, or warmest mic I ever had, was also the flattest, Neumann TLM 193. It didn't have the presence bump a lot of vocal mics have. The worst thing about not having a slight presence bump, is that occasionally it's really difficult to hear your voice when singing. At the time I also had a C414 TLII, it had a presence bump, but sounded fake or plastic, but that may be because I had the TLM 193 to compare it to,lol!

The biggest negative for tube mics I believe is the scarcity and lack of variety in tubes. On the plus side, the Telefunken has a ton of gain, no preamp needed and if I do use the API preamp, I have to use -20db button. I don't remember the M149 as having the gain, and the other plus is all the polar pattern selections.

[mojobone]

You've got sunk costs, unless you just sell it; the tube alone probably won't make enough difference, so maybe talk to this guy: http://www.oktavamodshop.com/index.php?cPath=1

[andygabrys]

You've got sunk costs, unless you just sell it; the tube alone probably won't make enough difference, so maybe talk to this guy: http://www.oktavamodshop.com/index.php?cPath=1

I agree with Mojo. Flip the mic, or have Michael Joly mod it. He can put a different capsule in and whatever else he figures might be needed. Caveat - if he doesn't do the K2 or NTK mics (although he does the Nt1A) on a regular basis its a little more complicated for him to do. I asked him once about modding my M-audio Sputnik tube mic which also (being a low cost chinese made tube mic) exhibits a less than flattering top end.

Its really not worth the 1% difference in the sound to keep swapping tubes. I think a capsule mod is going to be more like a 20-40% difference. But it will likely also cost you $300+.

Good luck.

[Len911]

If it was me, I have to agree with Mojo and Andy, sell it.

You also have the option of modding the Gauge,
https://microphone-parts.com/pages/gauge-ecm87-mods

I'm not sure why, but tubes seem to be the thing everyone gravitates toward for warmth, and FET mics seem to be overlooked and don't get the proper respect, imo,lol

For versatility, price, warmth, polar patterns, I would consider these two:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/compare ... Clarion%29

[andygabrys]

If it was me, I have to agree with Mojo and Andy, sell it.

You also have the option of modding the Gauge,
https://microphone-parts.com/pages/gauge-ecm87-mods

I'm not sure why, but tubes seem to be the thing everyone gravitates toward for warmth, and FET mics seem to be overlooked and don't get the proper respect, imo,lol

For versatility, price, warmth, polar patterns, I would consider these two:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/compare ... Clarion%29

wow good find on the Gauge mods. nice.

[lesmac]

Thanks Len, Mojo and Andy, great advice from all.

Just sent an enquiry to Michael Jolly so will let you know when he gets back to me.

If he takes it on and the price isn't too great it would likely be the most cost effective solution. Not sure what I'd get for it if I tried to sell it on.

The variable polar patterns are desirable and with the percentage increase you hinted at Andy would make it a very decent mic.

I'm gonna try the capsule for the Guage too, thanks Len.

[mojobone]

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

No modifications required.