DeeringAmps
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Does anyone actually own a Sphere Microphone?
Title says it all. Damn, this GAS is killin' me... T
Tom Deering Tascam FW-1884 User Resources Page Firewire "Legacy" Tutorial, Service Manual, Schematic, and Service Bulletins Win10x64 StudioCat Pro Studio Coffee Lake 8086k 32gb RAM RME UFX (Audio) Tascam FW-1884 (Control) in Win 10x64 Pro
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wst3
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Re: Does anyone actually own a Sphere Microphone?
2018/11/25 17:26:29
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Yes, and it is, without a doubt, one of the best purchases I've made for the studio. First off, it is a remarkable microphone, even without the software. It just sounds great on vocals, guitars, and even hand percussion. It is a little too honest on my mandolin, but that thing will rip your scalp off without a microphone<G>!
Second - the ability to do post processing can be a life saver if you are not working in a top notch space, probably even if you are. You can craft the exact sound you are looking for 4 times out of 5 - this doesn't mean you can ignore proper microphone placement, but it will solve a lot of problems. And last - some of these emulations are frighteningly cool. I can't swear to the accuracy of the ELA 251 M, or the tube type U47, or others for that matter, but I can tell you that they add a touch of class, for lack of a better phrase. There are a couple that are very similar to microphones I own or have used often enough, and I mean really close. The Coles 4038 is especially impressive - how did they get a condenser element to sound like a moving ribbon???
The only place if falls short, to my ears, are the small capsule emulations, and I think that is a matter of geometry, and even though they don't sound "right" they still can sound quite nice.
It ain't cheap, but it is a very useful tool if you do a lot of recording. I am seriously thinking about getting a second one. I'll probably still be thinking about it this time next year, but I am thinking<G>!
-- Bill Audio Enterprise KB3KJF
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DeeringAmps
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Re: Does anyone actually own a Sphere Microphone?
2018/11/25 17:32:02
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Bill, Thanks for your input! I have some pretty decent mics and pres, but gas is gas. I'm teetering, couldn't get Sweetwater to budge on the price. But I can respect that; so much of what we buy isn't "worth" the retail price because its on sale all the time. UPDATE; I bit on this one, couldn't help myself! I'm blaming it on you Bill, usually I tell my wife its all Ed's fault! That and I had a colonoscopy this morning and was told I couldn't drive and shouldn't make "important" decisions. I'm totally "covered" on this................... T
post edited by DeeringAmps - 2018/11/26 19:35:08
Tom Deering Tascam FW-1884 User Resources Page Firewire "Legacy" Tutorial, Service Manual, Schematic, and Service Bulletins Win10x64 StudioCat Pro Studio Coffee Lake 8086k 32gb RAM RME UFX (Audio) Tascam FW-1884 (Control) in Win 10x64 Pro
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wst3
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Re: Does anyone actually own a Sphere Microphone?
2018/12/14 02:44:24
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-- Bill Audio Enterprise KB3KJF
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DeeringAmps
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Re: Does anyone actually own a Sphere Microphone?
2018/12/14 05:39:21
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So far so good. I don’t get the 180 “stereo” though. Or maybe I’m missing something. It is on its own a fine microphone. T
Tom Deering Tascam FW-1884 User Resources Page Firewire "Legacy" Tutorial, Service Manual, Schematic, and Service Bulletins Win10x64 StudioCat Pro Studio Coffee Lake 8086k 32gb RAM RME UFX (Audio) Tascam FW-1884 (Control) in Win 10x64 Pro
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wst3
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Re: Does anyone actually own a Sphere Microphone?
2018/12/21 02:12:38
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DeeringAmpsSo far so good. I don’t get the 180 “stereo” though. Or maybe I’m missing something. Not sure what you mean, if you want to pick my brain feel free. DeeringAmpsIt is on its own a fine microphone. I think that's what sold me - without the software it is a really nice microphone. I have toyed with the idea of getting a second one.
-- Bill Audio Enterprise KB3KJF
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DeeringAmps
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Re: Does anyone actually own a Sphere Microphone?
2018/12/21 15:07:42
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I need to work with the "180" plugin some more. I think one of the youtube videos I watched described it as "quasi" stereo. I had high hopes that I would get an almost "Blumlien Pair" effect with the mic offaxis and the 180 plugin. Not really so much. IIRC, the resulting recording (with the mic off axis) still yielded a lot more level in the left channel. The track for the 180 demo they provide is pretty balanced, not at all left heavy. Am I disappointed? No! And for a true "stereo" recording I can use the Sphere and any one of my ribbons or LDC's in a Blumlien setup. I don't have two of anything, well 57's! :-) Thanks for chiming in and keeping an eye on me, I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions. I'll keep you posted. T
Tom Deering Tascam FW-1884 User Resources Page Firewire "Legacy" Tutorial, Service Manual, Schematic, and Service Bulletins Win10x64 StudioCat Pro Studio Coffee Lake 8086k 32gb RAM RME UFX (Audio) Tascam FW-1884 (Control) in Win 10x64 Pro
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wst3
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Re: Does anyone actually own a Sphere Microphone?
2018/12/23 01:43:32
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hmmm... are you using a preamplifier with variable gain? Have you tried the calibration procedure? There is a video, which if course I can't find at the moment, and a pretty well written one-pager HERE. I'll send the link when I find it. As far as Blumlein - or any stereo configuration for that matter, matched microphones are pretty much the way to go, except sometimes using different microphones works well. I've used a TLM-193 as the cardiod microphone in an M/S pair with a bi-directional ribbon and with figure-8 patterns on LDCs. Sometimes it sounds awesome... sometimes, well, not so awesome. The L22 works really well with a C414 in Blumlein, or with a TLM-193 in M/S. Have fun!
-- Bill Audio Enterprise KB3KJF
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DeeringAmps
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Re: Does anyone actually own a Sphere Microphone?
2018/12/23 13:53:59
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Actually I'm bringing the 22 into my UFX Mic pres so they are matched as per Townsend instructions. I get the impression that for "stereo" the mic is rotated so the diaphragms are sideways not back and front. I'll do some research and play with it. Maybe I have to add some gain to the right channel. Typically for the Blumlein pair I use a Royer 121 and AEA 84; that has always yielded pretty good results. I'll give the 22 and one of the ribbons, or as you suggested the C414, a try. I was hoping for a "quick and easy" stereo track for acoustic guitar. That's why I fell into using the Blum pair, easier than copying a track, flipping polarity; I'm lazy! The good news, the 22 is very clean and accurate; thanks for steering me in that direction! Take care Bill. T
Tom Deering Tascam FW-1884 User Resources Page Firewire "Legacy" Tutorial, Service Manual, Schematic, and Service Bulletins Win10x64 StudioCat Pro Studio Coffee Lake 8086k 32gb RAM RME UFX (Audio) Tascam FW-1884 (Control) in Win 10x64 Pro
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