RYCOTE USM SHOCKMOUNT, UNIVERSAL SHOCK MOUNT

A SHOCK MOUNT FOR THE REST OF US

by Mark King for proworkshop.com

Rycote mounting Audio Technica AT-2035 LDC microphone

A lot of microphones come with shock mounts, we've seen some for as low as $10 each but in actual testing we've found these cheap models to not be so hot.

AKG 414 in Rycote mount

Our 414B-ULS microphones use a proprietary AKG shock mount which has been discontinued. The new one does not function with our older microphone models very well and they cost $120 each.

Enter Rycote USM. I first became aware of these from reading on microphone-parts.com, these are recommended as an alternative to the inexpensive chinese mounts that come with so many microphones.

Top view of T-12 microphone in Rycote USM 

When the Rycote models were first introduced they were double the current price. Currently they are $79 on Amazon Prime. We've added two of them so far and will probably get some more because they mount and isolate so many of the microphones we're using in the Proworkshop Recording studio.

In our testing the Rycote beat out every other shock mount in our inventory for getting rid of low frequency rumble.

NOT JUST FOR ROUND MICROPHONES
Our old AKG 414 microphones are not round but the Rycote mounts them without a problem. We adjust the tension carefully and the 414 mic's are very securely mounted.

Two very different shaped microphones using the same mount

The Rycote uses a unique suspension system, it's not rubber bands or anything that can rot after years of exposure to air.

We're totally impressed by these mounts and recommend them highly.

HERE IS A LINK TO THEM ON AMAZON

Good music to you!

CUSTOM PROWORKSHOP LDC VINTAGE FET MICROPHONE

VINTAGE FET LDC MICROPHONE

CUSTOM BUILT BY PROWORKSHOP

by Mark King for Proworkshop.com

T-12 Microphone Parts built by Proworkshop, mounted in a Rycote USM shock-mount

This is a totally unique and awesome sounding microphone. It uses an RK-12 edge terminated capsule from microphone-parts.com. It's capable of omni or cardioid pattern. The phantom-powered electronics require 48-volts. A single vintage FET was biased up specifically to match the components in this mic.

CUSTOM BUILT PROWORKSHOP MICROPHONE

THE BIG V-TWIN MICROPHONE

BUILT BY PROWORKSHOP

by Mark King for proworkshop.com

Big V-Twin tube condenser in Rycote USM shock-mount

This microphone is patterned after the classic C-12 by AKG. It is a large diaphragm tube condenser microphone capable of nine-different pickup patterns.

Unlike the original C-12 which used a single stage triode amplifier, ours uses both halves of the same model 6072 tube and delivers lower-noise performance.

The original components were purchased as the 12-251 kit from Micrphone-Parts.com. After assembling the mic we experimented with many subtle improvements to the design.

Edge terminated capsule designed to perform like AKG C-12

This mic uses an edge terminated capsule, the RK-12 by mic-parts. This capsule delivers brilliant high frequency performance without sounding peaky or over-the-top. The pickup pattern is determined by a nine-position rotary switch on the power supply.

The microphones you can build using mic-parts components deliver sound that rivals premium German and boutique microphones costing $3000 or more each. We love microphone-parts.com and recommend them to anyone who wants to do some serious DIY. Warning, you better know how to solder well before you undertake building your own microphone.

Microphone-Parts.com, highly recommended, check them out HERE!

AKG 414B-ULS, 23 YEARS OF KILLER SOUND

A FAVORITE AKG MODEL 414B-ULS

by Mark King for proworkshop.com

PROWORKSHOP AKG C414B-ULS MICROPHONES

We got the first pair of 414B-ULS in the early 1990's and that was a big expense but it was a huge leap in recorded sound quality. ULS stood for "Ultra Linear Sound" which translates to flat-frequency response. We've used these for live sound reinforcement and the uniform frequency response on and off axis meant no acoustic feedback even with dangerous gain boost for reach.

Large diaphragm, edge terminated capsule design features four pickup-patterns, mounted in Rycote USM shock-mount

In the studio they are good for just about anything from room mic's to drum overheads to acoustic guitar to female vocals, it's a favorite for all these applications.

We got the second pair in the late 1990's from a studio liquidation in Nashville, our pair of microphones were supposedly used on the first two Garth Brooks albums.

414B-ULS on left, Beesneez Oliver on right, Oliver has center-terminated capsule design

These were the last professional 414 models in my opinion. The ones that followed with electronic switching have a hyped high frequency sound quality that I find very fatiguing. We're very happy to have four 414B-ULS microphones in our collection.

SHURE SM-7 STUDIO CLASSIC DYNAMIC MICROPHONE

SHURE SM-7

by Mark King for proworkshop.com

Shure SM-7 with foam windscreen removed

The Shure SM-7 has been a notorious performer in recording studios all around the world for many years. Bruce Swedien could have chosen any microphone to record Michael Jackson but he went with the SM-7 and you can hear it all over the blockbuster album "Thriller".

Contour adjustments on rear of SM-7, slide switches with pictorials to show response change

It's a favorite at Proworkshop Recording for male vocals and some instrument amplifier duties. We've used it to mic guitar amps and kick drums with great success. It's an easy microphone to setup and use, switch adjustments on the rear allow you to contour the bass response (roll off the bass) or accentuate the upper midrange frequencies.

The SM-7 is nicely isolated internally so it does not require an external shock mount to minimize rumble. We have two of these in the Proworkshop mic collection, one is only 16 years old, the other has been with us since the early 1980's when it was purchased new at Antech Labs in St Louis, Missouri (the store is now long gone but our mic lives on).

This mic is a good choice for vocalists who have sibilance problems. It sounds wonderful by itself but it also takes EQ very well.

AUDIO TECHNICA 2035 CONDENSER MICROPHONE

AT-2035 WORKHORSE BARGAIN MICROPHONE

by Mark King for proworkshop.com

Audio Technica AT-2035 LDC condenser microphone in Rycote USM shockmount

We've been using Audio Technica microphones since the early 1970's when their low cost electret models offered high-quality sound reproduction at bargain prices.

Since then Audio Technica has grown but they've never resorted to squirrely marketing to gain market share. Their products, regardless of price, always exude natural sonic reproduction that can be counted on.

This microphone is the AT-2035 and it's one of the lowest priced professional models by AT. Its pickup pattern is cardioid-only but that is what you need in over 90% of actual usage.

It has a high pass filter and a -10 dB attenuator on mini switches on the back side. When people ask us what inexpensive microphone they should buy we quickly point at this model and if you need a slightly lower price then the AT-2020 offers similar excellent sound without the filter and attenuator options.

Audio Technica microphones are not a good choice for DIY and mods, their proprietary construction precludes most popular mods like swapping capsules and electronics. Fortunately you don't need mods since these microphones sound excellent stock out of the box.

BEESNEEZ OLIVER, CARDIOID TUBE CONDENSER MICROPHONE

OLIVER COMES FROM THE LAND DOWN UNDER

CRAFTED COMPLETELY IN THE BEESNEEZ FACTORY

by Mark King for proworkshop.com

Oliver cardioid-only vacuum tube microphone

The Oliver cardioid-only model is one of the lowest priced microphones offered by Beesneez but it's packed full of great stuff which makes it sound fantastic.

The build quality of the microphone is impeccable and it feels very solid in your hand. The entire body is milled from a single tube of brass. The bottom of the microphone is a beautifully plated and heavy machined part with the 7-pin XLR integral in the center.

Oliver power supply, connector side

Oliver power connection and control side of power supply

This is a tube microphone so it requires an external power supply to make the microphone function. These power supplies are by no means universal so each microphone has its own unique box to make it go.

Beesneez make their own premium large diaphragm capsules in their Australian factory

THIS MIC SOUNDS VERY NATURAL -What you hear is what you get
At first that may sound overly simple but more than any other mic in our kit the sound which this microphone delivers is the closest to real, un-hyped and extremely natural of any on hand.

If you listen to a sound in real life, and then listen to it mic'd up with the Oliver, they sound the same. Other microphones modify the sound in subtle ways which may be desirable or not so good, this is why we like having lots of microphone models to choose from so we can pick models that complement the source we're recording.

Loud sounds up close will overload Oliver but all you need to do is pull him back a bit and it's back to Mr Natural.

AKG 414B-ULS next to Oliver for size reference

We're using the Oliver Cardioid Tube Mic in a Rycote USM shockmount, we like this mount because it can accommodate a variety of microphones in our collection. This simplifies changing microphones because we don't have to unscrew the mount from the stand, we can leave several mounts on stands and know that we can accommodate a variety of mic sizes and shapes.

MXL REVELATION MICROPHONE #2

SECOND REVELATION

by Mark King for proworkshop.com

The MXL Revelation is a multi-pattern, large-diaphragm condenser microphone which uses an EF86 vacuum tube and a custom-wound transformer inside the heavy brass body. It all comes packaged in a nice briefcase as a system including a Mogami 7-pin power supply-to-mic cable and a nice Mogami XLR cable

We bought one of these on sale a while back and it quickly became a favorite for male vocals and acoustic guitar. When I saw the sale repeated, a kneejerk reaction caused me to quickly jump on the deal and buy second complete kit so I'd have a stereo pair.

This mic does not sound natural, it's got attitude in subtle and very desirable ways, sweet high frequency response but not too strong and a nice deep proximity effect when you work it up close.

Stacked pair of Revelation microphone power supplies

Unlike the majority of microphones which have a rotary switch for the pattern control the Revelation has a continuously-variable pattern control which lets you smoothly transition from Omni to Cardioid to Figure-8. If you make a fast change on the pattern knob the microphone mutes or makes a mild static as the voltages on the twin diaphragms are altered.

Rear of Revelation power supplies

Looking at the pattern control knob on the upper power supply shown above you can see my personal favorite pattern position for my voice. Leaning towards the figure-8 position slightly gives the sound even more proximity effect and sweeter high frequency sound.

We're very excited to have a second one of these top-of-the-line MXL microphones in our Mic Locker.

HIGH on TECHNOLOGY

HIGH on TECHNOLOGY is the online magazine from Proworkshop Recording. It features articles about helpful recording studio DIY projects as well as reviews of popular equipment. There is no advertising, it's completely free to read.

HERE IS THE LINK TO HIGH ON TECHNOLOGY.

PROWORKSHOP.COM

Proworkshop Recording in Melbourne Florida. Come record with us. Come visit us on the web.
HERE IS THE LINK TO PROWORKSHOP RECORDING WEB SITE.

SHURE RIBBON MIC, THE JOHNNY CARSON MODEL FOR YEARS

Vintage Shure Uniron Ribbon Microphone