Hi,

I've recently purchased an ADK Vienna following reviews and an audition session, love it on the 2 singers who have tested it for me, however I'm a little unsettled by the idea of only having one LDC available when I face the prospect of finding a voice that it *isn't* suitable on.

My project studio is currently being built, and most of my kit is still commandeering my dining room, so I'm pretty much still in the early stages, I have currently:

1 x ADK Vienna
5 x SM58
4 x SM57
4 x DAP PL07 (SM57 clones)
2 x DAP SDC's (Model No. escapes me atm.)

I'll be using the mics with either my Aphex 207D Mic Pre, or the Roland VS units stock pre's.

Any suggestions for something in a comparable pricerange to the ADK, that will at the least allow me to cover some of (most of?) the occasions when the Vienna isn't suitable?

This is hard for me, as I'm only currently in the build and learn stage of my studio and as obviously I'm kinda working blind, as I don't actually know *yet* what kind of voice I'm going to find least suited to the ADK, Can any other ADK Vienna owners share their thoughts on the times the Vienna was unsuitable and *why*? - and also what they used in these instances.

Am I even right to be unsettled? or am I making a mountain out of a molehill?

Any help/advice gratefully appreciated.

Alan.

You might want to state the type of music and instrument you are wanting to cover, this will help in our suggestions.

Rode K2 awesome all around the studio use and still at a great price-!! Plugged into a ADK AP-1.

I am looking to buy a second to use as a piano pair and drum overhead.

Right now I use it for flute and sax, just an excellent mic.

Excellent for voice too, I am told.

Cheers

So, you're looking for an alternative vocal mic in the $300.00 range? Can that range go up at all? Are there other things you want that mic to do?

In that price range, I'd look at the mxl v69 (and retube it), a Groove tubes GT44 or a better dynamic mic, like a Shure sm7b or an EV RE20. The Vienna is a pretty bright mic. Why not try the dark side, just for contrast, uhm.......Luke.

Thanks for the responses.

I'll mostly be recording Indie/Rock/Pop and want it primarily for vocals, but possibly some acoustic instruments too (Guitars & Strings), but vocals are my main concern.
(I'm also tempted by the AP.1, love the idea of switchable internals, but this comes later, can't budget it in yet :P)

Budget-wise I'm UK based, and looking at £200 max really, taking the K2 a little over my budget (£350 in the UK)

I'd been considering the V69ME, will look into re-tube options too now, thanks. I hadn't considered either the SM7B or RE20, but will look into those also.

Yeah, spot on shortyprs, it's pretty bright but not so much as the SE220a and SP mics I tried in the similar pricebracket, so it is something a bit warmer/darker I'm looking for.

Again thanks.

Alan.

Sorry I missed the price.

Shorty, has made some good suggestions.

In that price range and for those instruments I have had really good results with the AT3035.
I understand it is good on vocals especially female-!!

Regards
http://www.kingcapitolpunishment.com/highrollermicrophones.html

quote:

I'd been considering the V69ME, will look into re-tube options too now, thanks.

Over in the UK, you've got Watford Valves for excellent NOS tubes. I've had very good dealings with them. I haven't met a soul that wasn't very happy with a retubed v69 (for the price +).

Thanks for that, very very useful.

I believe it's a 12AT7 I'd be looking for isn't it?

Any recommendations / pitfalls to watch for etc?

quote:

Originally posted by AlanD:
Thanks for that, very very useful.

I believe it's a 12AT7 I'd be looking for isn't it?

Any recommendations / pitfalls to watch for etc?

Yup, although the Mullard 4024 (a 12AT7 variant) is my favorite and not very expensive.

I'd also suggest the V69 or SM7B.

The reason any mic might not work for a given application is because it's not giving the right sound or texture. So, having mics that complement each other widens your sonic pallet.

The ADK Vienna has some color to it and it's also a bit bright - but it's not "hyped" - as in having a mid-high presence boost. The V69 is a mellower mic, very colored and dark with sort of a classic, vintage flavor. The SM7B is more neutral without a lot of boosted high-end, and - as with all Shure mics - has a very up-front sound. In fact, I'd recommend all three of those mics. So if you pick up a V69, then later on an SM7B would be something to grab. Or vice versa.

The SM7B is a must-have mic in any studio that does a lot of rock - especially heavy rock.

My 2¢.

Thanks all, I think I'll get a V69 and the Mullard tube (Seen other comments about this mic/tube combo), esp. as Thomann seem to be able to do it a price that is almost on-the-nail for my budget (£202, compared to £275-£325 for UK-based stores).

I'll add the SM7B to my future audition & purchase list. (
And yes, that's a mighty long list :P)

It was your review of the ADK which pushed me into trying it out BTW Dan, Many Thanks

Hi,

Where is a good place to purchase the Mullard?

The TubeStore.com has the Mullard 12AT7WA/CV4024 for 26.90 shipped. They are in Canada

Thanks, Carl

Wow, I'm spilling this list a lot lately. My favorite places that test their tubes, are very willing to talk tubes and have decent prices are:

kcanostubes.com
vacuumtubevalley.com
Lord Valve (in Denver)
Watford Valves (in UK)

Has anyone tried the NOS RCA 12AT7 Black Plates
1950s version in their v69?