Studio & Home Studio User-reviews
- Short-cuts : Studio & Home Studio
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Characteristics 
Samson's C03 is a large diaphram condensor microphone, offerring 3 distinct patterns; supercardoid, omnidirectional, and figure 8 all of which are available at the switch of a button. It features a switchable high-pass filter and 10dB pad, as well as a gold-plated XLR connector, thats nice to see in this low low price range.
Overall Opinion Because this mic boasts multuple patterns it is a versatile powerhouse of ambient recording options.
What I found was a brilliance of sound reflection, and an excellent transient response that is smooth throughout the whole range. It has a fairly detailed top end and warmth in the bass frequencies, but is rather neutral when I began comparing it with some other budget mics in my arsenal, so apparently this mic does not overtly "color" the sound of your signal. Impressive in this range.
I found this mic to be incredibly crisp and clean on acoustic stringed instruments such as guitar and mandolin, and retain an articulate bass response from an electric bass cab when paired with a dynamic mic off center by utilyzing the bass cut.
I found it to be more transparent and ultimately not as "warm" as my mxl v67, but it was more accurate by far. Again, this mic does not color the signal to a noticeable degree in my opinion.
This mic might not be my "go-to" for recording guitars, but it could certainly provide just the right frequncy response for tracking an accurate uncolored vocal, or piano. I would reccomend this to anyone who needs an affordable large diaphram condensor for live purposes, like a bluegrass band who needs a crisp figure-8 mic for jamming out.
So basically, don't let the 100 dollar price tag fool you, this mic is quite capable, accurate, and responsive while being incredibly versatile with its multi-pattern capability. This is a perfect choice for guys just starting out buying their first condensor, or for those who need quality go-to microphones and are on a budget.
What I found was a brilliance of sound reflection, and an excellent transient response that is smooth throughout the whole range. It has a fairly detailed top end and warmth in the bass frequencies, but is rather neutral when I began comparing it with some other budget mics in my arsenal, so apparently this mic does not overtly "color" the sound of your signal. Impressive in this range.
I found this mic to be incredibly crisp and clean on acoustic stringed instruments such as guitar and mandolin, and retain an articulate bass response from an electric bass cab when paired with a dynamic mic off center by utilyzing the bass cut.
I found it to be more transparent and ultimately not as "warm" as my mxl v67, but it was more accurate by far. Again, this mic does not color the signal to a noticeable degree in my opinion.
This mic might not be my "go-to" for recording guitars, but it could certainly provide just the right frequncy response for tracking an accurate uncolored vocal, or piano. I would reccomend this to anyone who needs an affordable large diaphram condensor for live purposes, like a bluegrass band who needs a crisp figure-8 mic for jamming out.
So basically, don't let the 100 dollar price tag fool you, this mic is quite capable, accurate, and responsive while being incredibly versatile with its multi-pattern capability. This is a perfect choice for guys just starting out buying their first condensor, or for those who need quality go-to microphones and are on a budget.
Audio-Technica ATH-M40FS
By RickD on 04/29/2008 at 00:10 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.
By RickD on 04/29/2008 at 00:10 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.
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Overall Opinion 
- For how long have you been using it?
I had these for about 8 or 9 years.
- What thing do you like most/least about it?
That i sold them.
- Did you try many other models before getting this one?
No, or i would have got the others.
- What is your opinion about the value for the price?
Ludicrous. Yes, the bad way.
- Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?...
Obviously not.
Why...i hear you say!
These are closed headphones, that's good, they don't leak tooo much.
But they are hot, extremely uncomfortable after a while...(painful).
And they are very bassy. There is strictly no point trying to make anything sound right with these on unless you are totally used to listening to everything on these...
They are neither clear nor detailed enough...quite frankly i went on using them because i had not others. But you can't really do anything with them. They're a reference? Oh yeah? Well so are the 7506's and they're nothing you can do with those either...
They were 750 Francs at the time (£75), ie 115 euros, would i pay that again? No way.
Overpriced and overrated. Money back, please.
I had these for about 8 or 9 years.
- What thing do you like most/least about it?
That i sold them.
- Did you try many other models before getting this one?
No, or i would have got the others.
- What is your opinion about the value for the price?
Ludicrous. Yes, the bad way.
- Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?...
Obviously not.
Why...i hear you say!
These are closed headphones, that's good, they don't leak tooo much.
But they are hot, extremely uncomfortable after a while...(painful).
And they are very bassy. There is strictly no point trying to make anything sound right with these on unless you are totally used to listening to everything on these...
They are neither clear nor detailed enough...quite frankly i went on using them because i had not others. But you can't really do anything with them. They're a reference? Oh yeah? Well so are the 7506's and they're nothing you can do with those either...
They were 750 Francs at the time (£75), ie 115 euros, would i pay that again? No way.
Overpriced and overrated. Money back, please.
Sennheiser BF 812
By RickD on 04/29/2008 at 00:02 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.
By RickD on 04/29/2008 at 00:02 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.
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Characteristics 
- What type of microphone? (live, recording, mixed...)
This is designed for live vocals. You could use it for other applications, of course. In fact you might want to cos from my experience this picks up feedback rather easily!
- What technology? (electret, condenser...)
Dynamic.
Has a very handy on-off switch, very good for stopping feedback... ;-)
Subjective bandwidth was not very extensive.
This is designed for live vocals. You could use it for other applications, of course. In fact you might want to cos from my experience this picks up feedback rather easily!
- What technology? (electret, condenser...)
Dynamic.
Has a very handy on-off switch, very good for stopping feedback... ;-)
Subjective bandwidth was not very extensive.
Overall Opinion - For how long have you been using it?
I had this for a year or two and sold it.
I had an SM58 too for a while, can't remember if it was after or before, though.
- What thing do you like most/least about it?
It looks & sounds better than an SM58, plus it has an on-off switch...plus it's not an SM58, and i don't like having the same stuff as other people, ha!
BUT one day i was doing the sound for a singer-pianist on a boat and when we swapped his SM58 for this, it was feedback heaven. So we quickly switched back to the 58.
- Did you try many other models before getting this one?
I own or (have) use(d): AKG C3000, XML 90, Rode NT3, M-Audio Sputnik, AKG D5, Shure SM58, Shure SM57, ATM33.
- What is your opinion about the value for the price?
The sound was fine for the price, but i didn't have good experience live (too much feedback...maybe i was doing something wrong, who knows...try it & see) and the sound was no good for studio work. In parallel i used a C3000 for that, so i wasn't going to find much satisfaction in this...
- Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?...
Well, i sold it...so, no.
Would i go for an SM58? Nope.
So what then? I bought an AKG D5 the other day. The feedback killer they call it...will try it out in a few days...we'll see.
I had this for a year or two and sold it.
I had an SM58 too for a while, can't remember if it was after or before, though.
- What thing do you like most/least about it?
It looks & sounds better than an SM58, plus it has an on-off switch...plus it's not an SM58, and i don't like having the same stuff as other people, ha!
BUT one day i was doing the sound for a singer-pianist on a boat and when we swapped his SM58 for this, it was feedback heaven. So we quickly switched back to the 58.
- Did you try many other models before getting this one?
I own or (have) use(d): AKG C3000, XML 90, Rode NT3, M-Audio Sputnik, AKG D5, Shure SM58, Shure SM57, ATM33.
- What is your opinion about the value for the price?
The sound was fine for the price, but i didn't have good experience live (too much feedback...maybe i was doing something wrong, who knows...try it & see) and the sound was no good for studio work. In parallel i used a C3000 for that, so i wasn't going to find much satisfaction in this...
- Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?...
Well, i sold it...so, no.
Would i go for an SM58? Nope.
So what then? I bought an AKG D5 the other day. The feedback killer they call it...will try it out in a few days...we'll see.
Audio-Technica ATM33
By RickD on 04/28/2008 at 23:51 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.
By RickD on 04/28/2008 at 23:51 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.
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Characteristics 
- What type of microphone? (live, recording, mixed...)
Probably too sensitive for live use unless you're using a clever sound system of some sort.
Also picks up stuff off axis...
Has a pretty good bandwidth too.
- What technology? (electret, condenser...)
Condenser, works off phantom or standard AA batteries...just unscrew the mic and stick em in. Can't remember if it's one or two batteries.
No switches or anything on this, but being able to use batteries is a definite plus...mind you, you will lose out a tad in sensitivity if you do this.
Probably too sensitive for live use unless you're using a clever sound system of some sort.
Also picks up stuff off axis...
Has a pretty good bandwidth too.
- What technology? (electret, condenser...)
Condenser, works off phantom or standard AA batteries...just unscrew the mic and stick em in. Can't remember if it's one or two batteries.
No switches or anything on this, but being able to use batteries is a definite plus...mind you, you will lose out a tad in sensitivity if you do this.
Overall Opinion 
- For how long have you been using it?
I've been lent two or three of these for several years.
- What thing do you like most/least about it?
I use this on acoustic guitar and cello.
This works WONDERS on strings! Stick 2 high up and you'll be amazed.
- Did you try many other models before getting this one?
I own or (have) use(d): AKG C3000, XML 90, Rode NT3, M-Audio Sputnik, AKG D5, Shure SM58, Shure SM57, Sennheiser BF812.
- What is your opinion about the value for the price?
I think this was around £100-150...and it was excellent value already. Find one second hand that has been treated right (no smoke) and you're laughing. You need a good room, though...
I've been lent two or three of these for several years.
- What thing do you like most/least about it?
I use this on acoustic guitar and cello.
This works WONDERS on strings! Stick 2 high up and you'll be amazed.
- Did you try many other models before getting this one?
I own or (have) use(d): AKG C3000, XML 90, Rode NT3, M-Audio Sputnik, AKG D5, Shure SM58, Shure SM57, Sennheiser BF812.
- What is your opinion about the value for the price?
I think this was around £100-150...and it was excellent value already. Find one second hand that has been treated right (no smoke) and you're laughing. You need a good room, though...
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Characteristics -What Technology? (analog, digital, tube...)
Analogue, tube.
- What available effects, or type of effects, are there?
No effects, just a preamp.
- What connection types are there?
Jack & XLR, in & out.
- Is it rackable, or in rack form?
Not rackable, not a pedal, just a little box.
Has +20dB switch, input gain, output gain, phantom power, phase inverse.
So no high-pass filter...
Analogue, tube.
- What available effects, or type of effects, are there?
No effects, just a preamp.
- What connection types are there?
Jack & XLR, in & out.
- Is it rackable, or in rack form?
Not rackable, not a pedal, just a little box.
Has +20dB switch, input gain, output gain, phantom power, phase inverse.
So no high-pass filter...
Utilisation - Is the general configuration/setup simple?
Couldn't really be much simpler.
- Is the sound or effects editing easy?
No editing, just in & out.
- Is the manual clear and sufficient?...
Can't remember ever needing it.
Problem: one led, that changes colour, no meters. It's green normally, then changes to orange or red when you get to or above 0dB. So, needless to say, using this to set levels is a bit like playing the lottery.
Couldn't really be much simpler.
- Is the sound or effects editing easy?
No editing, just in & out.
- Is the manual clear and sufficient?...
Can't remember ever needing it.
Problem: one led, that changes colour, no meters. It's green normally, then changes to orange or red when you get to or above 0dB. So, needless to say, using this to set levels is a bit like playing the lottery.
Sound Quality - Is the sound of your instruments or your microphones faithfully reproduced?
Is the pre-amp transparent or does it color the sound?
I haven't compared this side by side with other preamps on the same source so it's hard to tell. I doubt it's very transparent, then again i haven't noticed any major problems.
I've recorded bass through this, and vocals, amongst others and they were all quite ok to me.
Is the pre-amp transparent or does it color the sound?
I haven't compared this side by side with other preamps on the same source so it's hard to tell. I doubt it's very transparent, then again i haven't noticed any major problems.
I've recorded bass through this, and vocals, amongst others and they were all quite ok to me.
Overall Opinion - For how long have you been using it?
About 8 years.
- What thing do you like most/least about it?
Most: it's cheap now, and still better than most preamps on cheap little desks. Can be used as a DI...can provide phantom power...you can go in with a jack and go out on XLR...so you can have looong lengths of cable even with an instrument.
- Did you try many other models before getting this one?
None. There were none at the time.
- What is your opinion about the value for the price?
The price i paid was very high (950 Francs / £95 / 143 €) but now it's worth about 39 €. So would i buy it for £95 again? Hell no! Is it a bargain at 39€ ? Hell yes!
- Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?...
It has come in handy so i can't complain, sometimes i would have been stuck without it...and i will use it again for a gig...
But i will sell it sooner or later, i suppose. The question is...if you want to buy something like this, what else is there? Would you buy Behringer over ART? I wouldn't...
Final word:
If you're playing a gig and going through a cheap desk then using this will definitely improve matters considerably.
If you're recording at home, i'm not sure this will of much use on its own.
About 8 years.
- What thing do you like most/least about it?
Most: it's cheap now, and still better than most preamps on cheap little desks. Can be used as a DI...can provide phantom power...you can go in with a jack and go out on XLR...so you can have looong lengths of cable even with an instrument.
- Did you try many other models before getting this one?
None. There were none at the time.
- What is your opinion about the value for the price?
The price i paid was very high (950 Francs / £95 / 143 €) but now it's worth about 39 €. So would i buy it for £95 again? Hell no! Is it a bargain at 39€ ? Hell yes!
- Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?...
It has come in handy so i can't complain, sometimes i would have been stuck without it...and i will use it again for a gig...
But i will sell it sooner or later, i suppose. The question is...if you want to buy something like this, what else is there? Would you buy Behringer over ART? I wouldn't...
Final word:
If you're playing a gig and going through a cheap desk then using this will definitely improve matters considerably.
If you're recording at home, i'm not sure this will of much use on its own.
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Characteristics This is a tube microphone preamp. It comes with a 12ax7 tube. Because it has tube technology, I bought this to add some warmth to my live rig. It has 1/4 inch inputs and output as well as a balanced XLR input and output. This means you pretty much have a stereo input and output capability with this unit. You can also go direct with an XLR input into a mixing board with this unit. I would call it rackable, as it is definitely not a floor unit. It is very small, so it can go on top of your rack, but also on top of your amp,preamp, power amp, or speakers.
Utilisation The configuration is fairly simple. There is an input and output knob. There are also buttons for gain, p.power, phase reverse and OPL. Basically, you turn the input knob to adjust the volume of your input, and turn the input knob to adjust your output volume. The effect of both can be heard through your speakers. The manual is clear and sufficient. There is really nothing much to this unit to understand.
Sound Quality I bought this preamplifier to add more warmth to my rig, as my Fender Stage 185 tends to have a harsh treble. So I really did buy this unit to "color" my signal in that respect. Unfortunately, I have to realize that this is a microphone preamp, so running my guitar through my pedals, then through this unit before going to the board will not make my "house" tone sound good. As a matter of fact, it sounded very weak. So I broke down the next week and mic'd my amp then sent that signal through this unit, then to the mixing board, and I sounded much better through the house speakers. Don't know for sure if I sounded warmer than through my amp, but at least the sound through the house was decent. I think this unit will also make miking my acoustic guitar sound great.
Overall Opinion I have had this unit for about 2 months. I like the fact that you can go direct to the house. Unfortunately, you have to go direct with a microphone, so technically, you're not going direct anyway. I do like having an xlr and 1/4 output, so I really have a stereo capability there, so I can add yet another amp to my rig. (Forget bi-amping or even tri-amping, I want to quad-amp!) Also having "stereo" inputs allows me to put my electric through the 1/4 inch input, and a microphone for my acoustic guitar through the xlr input, without having to switch around instruments, inputs, cables, etc. It's great for microphones, but this is NOT a guitar preamp. (Obviously!) This is the only model I tried because it was the specific model I needed for my needs. For $39, I don't regret my choice at all, because it has its uses
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Characteristics 
Multi-effects pedal with 42 programmable / editable presets. I believe this is a digital device. The main effects categories this unit has includes compressor/limiter, wah, "drive", Equalizer, noise suppressor, pitch modulation, delay, and reverb. All effects can be used at the same time, which is great. Within the modulation category, you can set the unit for flange, chorus, phaser, tremolo, just to name a few. You can also choose between 4 different amp models as well as an additional 7 types of "drive." Connections are a standard input and output as well as a 9volt connector for power supply. The output also doubles as a headphone in, which is cool. Unfortunately, the presets/effects cannot be edited via a Mac/PC editor utility program. This is designed as a floor pedal, so it is not rackable.
Utilisation The actual face of the pedal is easy to understand and utilize. As far as actually navigating the presets in order to tweak them or modify them,the unit takes some playing around with. This is where the manual, though long, comes in. The manual is very self-explanatory and explains the operation simply and easily. The only reason the manual is so long and why it takes a long time to figure out the extent of this unit's capabilities is because there are so many options/sounds that can be coaxed out of this little unit.
Sound Quality For being digital, the effects on this little unit are very solid, and many of them are sufficiently realistic. For example, I feel it does the Fender Twin very well. Use that setting on any amp, close your eyes, and you'd swear there's a Fender Twin right beside you. If you want a Mesa or a Marshall, you can have something darn close to them. There is a Soldano lead setting, and a psychedelic Jimmy Hendrix sound. The standard wah sound is pretty spot on as well. If you want to sound like standard Eddie Van Halen, or if you want his "unchained" flanging sound, this unit can give you both, and is pretty much right on the money. There is a tweed preset with a cool tremolo effect that sounds great for country, western, or blues. If I had to name some cons, the acoustic modeler is not that great. There are also 2 entire "banks" or sets of 6 presets that are kind of cheesy sounding for the most part. But the great news is that these can be edited, so you have room to create your own unique presets. Overall, I've got so many sounds at my disposal with just this one unit. Much cheaper than buying several pedals, or even worse, several amps. I use this unit only with my Ibanez RG 120, and it is perfect.
Overall Opinion I have been using this since the beginning of the year. The more I get used to it, there is nothing I really don't like about it. I am actually more of a purist, plugging straight from the guitar to the amp. But this unit just makes me such a "tonal chameleon," I have so many options for changing my sound depending on the song, it's great. The distortion choices alone make me drool every time I think about it. I checked out a similar Korg unit as well as the Behringer V-AMP floor pedal, but this one was available at a great price. As soon as I plugged it in and played a couple of chords/solos at the guitar store, I was already sold. I ended up playing it for another entire hour before I left the store and brought it home, that's how much fun this unit is. This is probably the best $50 I've spent on equipment. I really don't see myself needing any other pedals, unless I upgrade and replace the ones I have currently. So many sounds and options all in one unit. I do not regret the choice I made and if I needed to, I would buy this again.
Mindprint En-Voice
By RickD on 04/23/2008 at 00:22 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.
By RickD on 04/23/2008 at 00:22 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.
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Characteristics Manual & large pictures: http://www.mindprint.de/cms.php?scr=products&mode=1&r=p&pr_kat=5&pr_id=10&aktiv=n#
-What Technology? (analog, digital, tube...)
Analogue, tube & transistors.
- What available effects, or type of effects, are there?
Preamp, semi-parametric 3 band EQ with parametric mids, compressor, tube saturation.
- What connection types are there?
Line in & out on jack + XLR.
Mic in on XLR with Phantom power switch on the back.
Instrument in on the front panel.
- Is it rackable, or in rack form?
Regular 19" unit.
-What Technology? (analog, digital, tube...)
Analogue, tube & transistors.
- What available effects, or type of effects, are there?
Preamp, semi-parametric 3 band EQ with parametric mids, compressor, tube saturation.
- What connection types are there?
Line in & out on jack + XLR.
Mic in on XLR with Phantom power switch on the back.
Instrument in on the front panel.
- Is it rackable, or in rack form?
Regular 19" unit.
Utilisation - Is the general configuration/setup simple?
Yes, straightforward, plenty of switches in case you ever need them...high-pass filter etc.
- Can you easily get a good sound?
Kind of, yes. ;-)
- Is the manual clear and sufficient?...
Never had it.
Yes, straightforward, plenty of switches in case you ever need them...high-pass filter etc.
- Can you easily get a good sound?
Kind of, yes. ;-)
- Is the manual clear and sufficient?...
Never had it.
Sound Quality - Is the sound of your instruments or your microphones faithfully reproduced?
Is the pre-amp transparent or does it color the sound?
This is not very transparent, but then again it's got a tube in the front window so do you really want it to be transparent?
This is no high-end piece of gear and i think it was kind of expensive given the sound, but is there much to complain about? I'm not sure. It's a very decent piece of kit. With the optional digital out it becomes quite interesting, but that is extra...and i think it should have been included for that money (almost £400 i think).
Don't expect this to make your mic sound fantastic, it won't. Sounds ok on a bass guitar, though.
Does the compressor work wonders? Not really, but it's quite powerful so one can't complain.
It does its job.
Is the pre-amp transparent or does it color the sound?
This is not very transparent, but then again it's got a tube in the front window so do you really want it to be transparent?
This is no high-end piece of gear and i think it was kind of expensive given the sound, but is there much to complain about? I'm not sure. It's a very decent piece of kit. With the optional digital out it becomes quite interesting, but that is extra...and i think it should have been included for that money (almost £400 i think).
Don't expect this to make your mic sound fantastic, it won't. Sounds ok on a bass guitar, though.
Does the compressor work wonders? Not really, but it's quite powerful so one can't complain.
It does its job.
Overall Opinion - For how long have you been using it?
Several years.
- What thing do you like most/least about it?
It was there.
Lent to me for free by a friend. Still is.
- Did you try many other models before getting this one?
I used to have a DBX286a, sold it. Would sell this too if it was mine!
The DBX at least was also a gate and deesser, plus it was much much cheaper.
Maybe it had more hiss though...
Also have an ART Tube MP but hardly comparable...
- What is your opinion about the value for the price?
Too expensive. Find something cheaper or something much more expensive and better.
Overall, i find that next to the very old DBX286a it doesn't do enough.
If you can afford it, check out the SPL Channel One...
Several years.
- What thing do you like most/least about it?
It was there.
Lent to me for free by a friend. Still is.
- Did you try many other models before getting this one?
I used to have a DBX286a, sold it. Would sell this too if it was mine!
The DBX at least was also a gate and deesser, plus it was much much cheaper.
Maybe it had more hiss though...
Also have an ART Tube MP but hardly comparable...
- What is your opinion about the value for the price?
Too expensive. Find something cheaper or something much more expensive and better.
Overall, i find that next to the very old DBX286a it doesn't do enough.
If you can afford it, check out the SPL Channel One...
