Depending
on the situation, live sound engineers are called upon to use
a larger variety of microphones, including microphones previously
thought of in terms of pure recording mics. Many large diaphragm
microphones, such as the E47 or Elux251
can be seen in front of acoustic instruments or vocalists in
a live situation. Furthermore, Studio microphones provide the
best way to record the live event for archiving, or for future
live performance releases. It has therefore become important
for live sound engineers to add recording mics to their arsenal.
Listed below are some of the best microphones for this purpose.
You may
have seen Soundelux mics on stage before, in front of Union
Station or some other acoustic band. In Cardioid pattern, they
do a better job of picking up a fantastic natural sound, and
still have enough feedback rejection to work flawlessly.
David
Bock made a name for himself working as a tech in some of the
most famous studios in the US, like Hit Factory and Oceanway.
A big part of his job was repairing vintage mics over and over
again, and making "this U47" sound like "that
U47" when the client demanded it-tough job! He knows mics
inside and out, and users his ears. So who better to create
"New" vintage mics?
When we
met David he was building the ELUX 251, and
a slew of other mics like the U95S for Soundelux. Since then,
David has started Bock Audio Designs, and
David's only getting started. The real idea behind Bock
Audio
is to recreate the entire "ideal"
mic closet that was demanded at those famous studios. David
has a talent, designing "to a sound", rather than
building something and trying to convince you to like it. When
designing a new model, David always gets as close as he can
to memory, then rents the acknowledged best vintage mic he
can find for comparison. All Soundelux mics should beat 9
out of 10 of the best examples of the vintage original, and
cost about half the going vintage price. We are very proud
of David's work,
unique among manufacturers!
 151
2006 Tec Award Nominee!
The 251 has been the most used vocal mic for decades
and the E251C puts this sound in reach of a greater
number of engineers and artists.
Insiders Say: "You could say it's huge sounding."
I
NEED IT!
Download
the product sheet (pdf)
|
The higher end BOCK AUDIO 251 is treasured
by users for its extraordinary up close cardioid performance
on premier voices and its distance performance on piano,
ensembles and orchestras. Many of our customers have asked
for a vocal mic only version at reduced cost and this drove
development of the BOCK 151. The 151 is a microphone designed
to sound as close as possible to the flagship BOCK 251
up close but cost 30% less.
The BOCK 151 Microphone uses a proprietary BOCK
hand made German capsule, a proprietary BOCK
hand wound vintage style audio transformer, a
NOS tube in the mic amplifier and a BOCK hand
built custom outboard power supply. The BOCK
151 adds a unique "brite/normal" switch
which delivers two sounds in one mic. “Bright” allows
unfiltered extended high frequency response that
defines a modern high end condenser; “normal” offers
a less bright, more vintage style high frequency
response more forgiving to sibilant singers and
or voices that need a darker treatment.
The BOCK 151 offers enduring qualities impossible to fully describe in writing.
While Chinese condensers try to impress with lots of top and bottom end on first
listen, they lack midrange so critical in defining a great vocal. The BOCK 151
built-in midrange presence curve, so important in “cutting through” a
dense mix, is impossible to obtain through EQ. Time has proven this vocal sound
must come from the mic itself. The unique BOCK AUDIO "brite/normal" switch
adds long term versatility. The high frequency response is extended but never
gets harsh or gritty. The BOCK 151 Proximity Effect (bass gets stronger with
closeness) is naturally powerful without being too boomy or bottom heavy. Midrange
is smooth and does not require post EQ. Best of all, the BOCK 151 has a way of
lifting the singer’s vocal to a higher level when they hear themselves
for the first time on this great microphone. The BOCK 151 is perhaps the biggest
bargain in lead vocal microphones available on the market. |
251
"If I close my eyes I have to feel like that instrument
or that singer is in front of me in as pure form as possible
and I've discovered the ELUX 251 gives me just that." Oliver
Lieber
Modeled after the
best of the original ELAM251s, perhaps the most sought after
vintage mic ever, the Bock 251 offers
the same variable pattern and remote power supply as the
original. In the omni,
the mic has an incredibly "transparent" sound and
is ideal for distant micing. In cardioid you can get that famous
character that so many hit records have depended upon for
vocals. A little more high end than the original, we all feel
this is the perfect compromise between exact 251 sound and
what it could have sounded like if it were built today by the
original manufacturer.
Insider's say:
Don't buy the vintage versions, save your money for a selection
other mics and get the ELUX. Mark Knopfler, who is about as
hard core a 251 fan you'll ever find, bought two when he tried
them on his last record. Try this mic on upright bass-- it'll
blow your mind!
195
The
195 is one of David's most popular mics. As a FET
mic, it is
well suited to budget minded as an ideal
vocal mic and the more advanced as a very flexible
color mic. Hard to characterize,
some think it sounds like aFET47 in the
lower frequencies and the 87FET in the higher frequencies.
With an onboard FAT switch
and LOW cut switch, this mic can do a lot
things in your room very well.
Insider's
say:
You may own a lot of mics, but this is useful no matter what
you own!
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Soundfield
Microphones
Soundfield
microphones are the most unique in the world. Developed to be
the most versatile stereo mic you can buy, the technology is
now more commonly used for surround sound support for HDTV,
DVD or other surround sound formats. By using 4 capsules arrayed
in a tetrahedron, and four separate outputs (referred
to as "B-Format") you are able to have many mics in
one!
A)
a studio grade mono condenser microphone that can be an
omni, cardioid, hypercardioid, figure eight or anything in-between,
B)
a stereo condenser microphone with stereo omni, stereo cardioid,
stereo hyper cardioid, stereo figure eight patterns,
C)
a Mid/Side condenser, and
D)
a Multi-Channel microphone (in B Format). In more advanced
decoding of B Format, the SoundField Microphone can be a 5.1,
10.1, 16.1 or anything you like.
Furthermore,
because of the B Format technology*, you are able to
continuously control the image of your sound-width, focus, pattern,
and direction, as you are recording or in post production. In
addition, because of the tetrahedron design, you never run into
phasing problems associated with the use of multiple microphones.
It is therefore exceedingly quick and easy to set up and record
your mono, stereo, or surround sound!
*What
is "B-Format" anyway?
Click here to learn more.
FREE
Soundfield Demo DVD
Demo
Software
Price list
Available
packages include:
Soundfield SPS422B
B Format, Stereo, M/S, and Mono system.
Soundfield microphone, 1 Unit controller with mic preamps, Mic
Stand adaptor, and 20 meter mic to controller cable.
I
need it!
I
need it in 5.1!
I
need it with Surround Zone!
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Soundfield
ST250
Stereo, M/S, or Mono "Location" system.
Soundfield microphone, DC/AC powered mini controller with mic
preamps, Halliburton "Zero" carry case, Mic Stand
adaptor, Foam Windshield, 5 meter mic to controller cable. Rycote
accessories are available.
I
need it!
I
need it in 5.1!
I need it with Surround Zone!
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Soundfield
MKV
B Format, Stereo, M/S, and Mono Studio system.
Soundfield microphone, 2U controller with mic preamps and B
Format inputs for control in post production. Studio grade shockmount,
foam windshield, and 20 meter mic to controller cable are included.
I
need it!
I
need it with Surround Zone!
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Soundfield
SPS451
B format input to 5.1 decoder.
Use with MKV, SPS422B or older Soundfield B Format mics.
Shipped with one Cardioid surround mic pattern card, with 2
open slots for additional pattern cards.
I
need it!
Soundfield
Surround
Zone
B Format to surround multichannel Nuendo plug-in.
Use with MKV, SPS422B or older Soundfield B Format mics.
I
need it!
ACCESSORIES:
SoundField
Microphone Accessories
Sabra-Som
Microphone Accessories
Pauly
Microphone Accessories
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