Microphones microphones again

Has anyone tried any microphones from this company?
http://www.sontronics.com

I had an interesting email exchange with the founder and I am wondering if it could be worth for me trying their more expensive models.

 

I am more confused than usual. I was tempted of adding a small diaphragm to my existing gear. PT recommends Oktava, sontronic does a slightly cheaper version of it.
Then the usual "ribbon GAS" started.
I am wondering what the entry level ribbon microphone is. More ROC microphones than saxophones, at the moment.

 

And consistency issues. Hence Sontronics. Interchangeable heads too and the owner answered directly to my email.
I am in a phase of political acknowledgement of people's work rather than choosing the cheapest option on the internet.

I must say that I had good replies from
Recording microphone

http://advancedaudio.ca
and
http://funky-junk.com/ (that are going to repair my MD441)

 

Eventually I will have a go on a cheap ribbon and joined the waiting list for a small condenser.
I contacted this company because I love the name they chose, and the quality of advice in the email exchange with the owner is absolutely impressive. I will keep you updated (ribbon mic will join me in two weeks)

http://nohypeaudio.com/nhaproducts.htm

 

Thanks for posting!
An old thread of yours have been very helpful. It occurred after I've been sitting with your husband on a big band gig and he used a RE20 (my initial thought). Then you mentioned the possibility of using a ribbon live. I was hoping you could have experimented with something cheaper than Coles.
My current turnover does not justify such an expensive microphone; AEA would probably be my dream, but in that price range few tube mics are good contestants. It is still cheaper for me to go to a professional studio, if I have to provide that kind of recording.

Do you have any experience using small diaphragms condensers on bari/soprano?

 

I have my MD441 currently being fixed there. They have some very cute Royers ... well above my possibilities.

 

Its shape it's not cool enough for my stylish lifestyle.
Have you tried the fethead an a good dynamic (like the MD441 or RE20)?

 

I must say they often have nice and helpful staff, at least here, but their logo is uncool too.
Joking, of course.

 

Golden Age was high on the list. They seem quite competent.
There are few Americans that modify microphones, but as usual import taxes stopped me from contacting them.
A Canadian company was equally interesting (not on ribbons though) but had the same limit.

 

I received the nohype ribbon microphone:
Wonderful stuff! Despite the ultra-low price tag, the definition in the mid high range is amazing.
I am starting to understand it. The figure 8 is not as bad as I was expecting. Playing with positioning can give a clean signal with no room.
Finally I can use my software EQ to enhance qualities, rather than to get rid of unpleasant microphone frequencies. A bass cut cleans up the sound a lot. I usually cut everything under the lowest note of the instrument (ie 200Hz on a soprano, 100Hz on a tenor).

Mr. Nohype has been very, very helpful and patient, even commenting a screenshot of my equalizer.

I also acquired a Fethead. It allows my Focusrite Scarlett to work at a more comfortable gain. It feels like it sounds better, but I have not done any serious comparison.

Comments and questions are welcome.


Here's a clip experimenting with few different instruments. Of course saxophones are Sequoia and mouthpieces Pillinger. If you change .mp3 with .aif, you get CD quality
http://www.aldevis.com/sequoia/nohype3.mp3


edit: the drum machine is provocative.