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At left, the E251C, and at right, the famed ELUX 251. Both mics are based on some of the most sought-after 1950s era German mics. One producer/engineer recently told us that the singer he was recording almost became violent when he tried to substitute a different vocal mic for one session. Beware of scary singers!
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Left: the U195, Soundelux' only model that doesn't attempt to recreate a specific classic mic but instead offers a superb character of its own for a wide variety of miking applications. At right, the E49, a tube model that is frightening in its exact similarity to another mic that has a 49 in its name. Really, it's scary.
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On the left, the Soundelux U99. It's like a 67 mic from the Sixties, without the high frequency bump, or the hallucinogenic environment. On the right is the E47C, which is like getting into an anomaly in the space-time continuum and going back 50 years and recording Frank Sinatra with a brand spanking new 47 tube mic. At least we assume that's what it's like. We don't claim to have actual time-travel capabilities. As far as you know.
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One of the perks of working at GC Pro is the access to the company time machine. What, we haven't mentioned the time machine before? Well, we keep it parked out back, and we occasionally get the opportunity to go into the past and bring some of the sweetest vintage gear back to the present, in immaculate, brand new condition. Just the other day, in fact, we made a run through Europe of the 1950's and '60s, and came back with armloads of classic German and Austrian mics.
(beep! beep! beep! sound of alarm going off...)
What? It was all a dream? There is no GC Pro time machine? This could really be a depressing moment, if we weren't already aware of the amazing mics created by Soundelux, now available in GC Pro's Los Angeles and New York territories.
The Best Sound of History's Best Mics
So, what is Soundelux all about? Simple: David Bock, an engineer and studio tech who cut his teeth in world-renowned facilities like Hit Factory and Oceanway, became fascinated by what makes history's great mics so great. Using the best examples of the world's most renowned microphones, he meticulously analyzed each component so that the essence and sonic signature of these amazing transducers could be recreated. Thus, Soundelux was born.
All Soundelux mics are hand-built in the USA with an uncompromising commitment to quality and workmanship. Since their introduction, many of the Soundelux mics have become favorites of top engineers and producers on their own merit, offering all the sonic beauty of the vintage tools they emulate, along with modern advances and reliability needed in today's recording environments.
That's Nice. Now Tell Us About The Mics!
Okay, okay... let's get to the mics. We noticed that Soundelux doesn't always name the specific manufacturers of the vintage mics they've recreated; several of those original companies are still very much in the business of making and selling great mics today, so we assume this is out of respect, and we'll do the same here.
Let's start with the E49, a spectacular reproduction of a '50s-era German tube "49" model. It's a variable pattern, internally shock mounted, outboard power supply tube microphone designed for vocal or critical distant applications. Compared to most large diaphragm condensers, the E49 offers a relatively flat frequency response, mimicing the original 1950s curve very well. Of note on the E49 is the midrange response that makes it exceptionally smooth for both male and female vocals, as well as distance miking sources like pianos and horns (which is probably why the original 49 was used as the only mic for Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue").
Next up is the E47C. We don't really have to tell you the history of the original "47" model, right? Since the original was used almost exclusively in cardioid mode, the E47C is indeed a cardioid-only fixed pattern mic. Lovers of the original mic will be happy to see -- er, hear -- that the Soundelux E47C peovides the same beloved proximity effect as the 50's era 47 that helped define BIG vocals. With up to + 12dB of boost at 100Hz when used at 1-inch working distance, the 47 signature was "the sound" of artists like Frank Sinatra. The first Zeppelin album used a 47 on nearly all of Plant's vocal tracks, and you're certainly familiar with the vocal sound of Sheryl Crow's breathrough record (also a 47). The E47C provides this classic transducer at abot half the cost of a '50s original in good working condition.
One of the most incredible recreations Soundelux has brought out to date is the ELUX 251, an amazingly faithful homage to the AKG-built Telefunken ELA M251. At all frequency zones, from the well-focused midrange to the strong, powerful bottom to its airy, unabrasive top-end, this mic is miles ahead of others for capturing nearly any vocal. One big difference: while the original ELA M251 was made of polystyrene (thereby doomed to a short life span), the ELUX 251 is constructed of solid machined brass, steel and stainless steel screws. A slightly scaled-back, cardioid-only version of the mic (the E251C) is available for slightly more budget-minded studios. It also offers a bright/normal switch for great versatility.
Another great Soundelux mic is the ifet7, a phantom powered FET condenser mic designed to capture both the high SPL handling and sound of the classic FET 47. While age and unit variation has made finding a good vintage FET 47 difficult, the ifet7 recreates the essential sounds of two different important vintage FET mic electronics: the FET 47 and 87 FET as well. By marrying the classic 87 circuit with the k47 capsule, a unique variant of the FET 47 is born.
If the U99 looks and sounds familiar, it should: it's based on the classic tube "67" from the 1960's. The Soundelux version actually offers an extended detail version of that mic, created by removing the original's frequency shaping components to provide a more open version of the classic tube 67. The U99 avoids the 5K rise common to second-hand vintage 67's for less peaky upper mid response.
Finally, we bring you a Soundelux that's not based on any specific vintage mic with the U195, a cardioid patterned, phantom powered, large diaphram FET mic. The U195 is Soundelux' answer to studios who need a single mic that's able to satisfy a wide range of demands in critical music recording, broadcasting, and post applications. It delivers superb results on lead vocal tracks as well as in VO/ADR use, providing remarkable fullness and presence with exceptionally low background noise.
GC Pro: We Love Great Mics
It's true. We're all passionate about great sound, and as the saying goes, great sound starts with great mics. Our Account Managers can tell you detailed information on which world-class mic is going to be best for your studio application. If you're in the New York or Los Angeles area and want to hear more about Soundelux' amazing offerings (or get a demo of one of their terrific mics), contact us today!
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