Vintage Tube Mics (251, c12, U47) vs. Clones

Anyone want to see my experience recently comparing some "clone" mics with the big-boys (ELA M 251 (non-export), AKG c12, and Telefunken U47)? 

This was a recent comparison I wanted to purchase some good clone mics, but not wanting to break the bank. However, I really wanted to see just how well these new clones stand up to the big-boys in the industry. But it was so much fun, I wanted to share my experience with you.

Here's my report:
http://www.soundporter.co...ne-vs-Old-MicShoot.pdf

Disclaimer: I'm not professionally in the industry as a Grammy winning producer, I'm not an Electrical Engineer, not an Audiologist, nor an acoustics expert. But I feel my ears are in good shape, and I can discern very minute differences in audio quality, etc. 

So, take it at face-value, but I promise, that after you read this, you'll likely feel more enlightened and shopping!

Enjoy!! Let me know what you think! Please, constructive discussion only. Thanks!

Very well written article.  I think it's useful sometimes to have a well-informed opinion about things without resorting to charts, graphs and statistics to prove a point.  Sometimes we just want to know "how does it sound to your ears?"  I thought it was an enjoyable read.
 
I think your point about staying within your means as it applies to mics, and just about any other gear, was well made.  It's too often that we jones for that "perfect" mic or "perfect" preamp without realizing just how little it may actually buy us over a more reasonably-priced alternative.

Very nice article! I enjoyed reading it, Thanks.

i own a ADK Hamburg, and really like it. cheap.

it's a U87 clone.

it is a bit darker, and of course does not have the polish of a real U87, sounds more like a u67.

that said, since i bought my Shure KSM44, i'm using it for almost everything!

I've never tried a Manley, but hear great things about them. All I do is record bands, mix and master. I'm sort of the opposite on the digital music realm. 

For drums, I've been using a 57 thru an API on the top of the snare, a Sennheiser e609 on the bottom, 421-U5's on toms, Beta 52 and AT4047S/V on the kick, AT-3031 on Hi-Hat, AKG c451B's for Overheads, Royer R101 for room (Sometimes a couple of Fat-Heads). Drums are difficult, but what I'm doing now, I really like! Lots of tone and pop!

I worked in a mid level studio back in the late 70's in St. Louis that was definately old school with the reverb room, etc.  It was even kinda out of date back then.  We had one C12 and a Nueman KM184 (?),  AKG 451 with a couple capsules, some of the old EV666 mics and some other goofy stuff.... MD 421 and a pile of 57s.  One LA2A and a one inch 8 track.  Custom built board with no pan and about 20 channels. 
We had one other weird mic...look like a skinny lava lamp in black... don't remember but it had its own power supply too like the C12.  We obviously were clueless about what we had, except we knew the 451 and the Nueman, because we paid $350 for them back then...or more.  The C12 was ALWAYS the first mic put on whatever and the guy that built the studio and board came up with this mic somewhere.  We just thought it was expensive (maybe $750 back then?) because the power supply had these monster cables on it and it was just for the mic!  Basically the only vocal mic we ever used as well. ..and always thru the LA2A.  We knew they were "pro" stuff because the "big boy" studios used the too...but we weren't hearing the big difference....cause we were just in another league from the guys in the million dollar studios.
However...I listen to some of the old Revox 1/2 track mixes we did, and they are quite different from my computer home studio.  Thicker...punchier...but the quality is much worse too.


That said, I bought a desk before then, that came out of Atlanta and had a history...Glen Cambell's first hits, etc...  Langevin EQ, built in Fairchild comps and complete with the mono McIntosh amps for the mains.   HUGE patchbay...couple of fridgerators in size...  I did make some money off that stuff, but nothing like I would today.

One last thing... I remember the first Eventide Harmonizer that came out and we had one in the studio.  By far over ANY piece of gear...that was the top dawg.   It was used as much as the C12, if that tells you what all our recordings then sounded like!