Milab mics

[Tonio]

Anyone know about Milab mics?

Interesting rectangular diaphrams !! especially interested in the DC196, anyone?

http://www.milabmic.com/showproduct.asp?id=1133

T

[Frodo]

I've heard of these but haven't had the occasion to try them. I'm curious about how they hold their own.

Just yesterday, someone was raving about Rupert Neve's RNR1. This has peaked my interest-- but with a name like Neve also comes a price "like Neve".

http://rupertneve.com/products/rn-signature-series/

Will be keeping an eye out for Milab info....

[Tonio]

I've read they have a character of a ribbon on the high end, though it does not drop after 8khz or so - keeps going to the tip top.
Cleaner opposed to a colored mic-true to the source.

OTOH -RNR1 looks interesting indeed.

T

[timriley]

Yes I know a bit about these mics... They use them at a studio I used to work at. A few years ago now..

The ones I used and saw used the most were the VIP50's.. These are multi-pattern (figure 8, omni, cardioid i think) condenser mics.. Multi-purpose mic in a similar way that an akg 414 is.. Doesn't really sound much like a 414 though, less bright id say but not necessarily more warm either. Used to get used on vocals quite alot, both male and female and also acoustic guitar, violin, drum overheads.. People used to try them on almost anything...

Then there are the DC96's which are side address condensers.. I only ever really saw these used on drum kits for toms... I used to use them on high and mid toms, I was never particularly blown away with them on floor toms myself... Id prefer the sennheiser 421 for floor tom every time if it was available.. I guess this mic could be used on guitar or bass cabs too but I can't remember ever seeing them used for that...

The VM40's and VM41's are pencil cardioid mics... These were mostly used on hihats and as string and drum overheads.. Acoustic guitar sometimes too.. Similar applications as you might use an akg c451 for..

Almost forgot about the stereo mic.. XY82 i think it was called.... It had two heads, one on top of the other (hence the stereo ). The top head was twistable so you could adjust the stereo width easily.. Really good mic this one.. Used to be used as a room mic mostly or as overheads but I guess it could be used for all kinds!

There were the boundary mics.. Flat so you could stick them on walls and stuff.. I used to sometimes just lie one on the floor under a drumkit as a kind of under snare mic.. Would give the drums some crunch if needed..

There was also a handheld mic and a kick drum mic, can't even remember their names now...

They're all good, honest, solidly built mics...

Gosh.... You're taking me back now!

[Tonio]

Thanks for the information. Glad to take you back,

They seem to be very utilitarian mics on the clean side. Too bad they don't get much attention on this side of the pond like other EU makers.

I could only find a couple shops that carry them, with a special order. Though I did find quite a few samples of them in use, its hard to go by that.

T

[timriley]

Yes utilitarian!... That's the word I was looking for... That describes them perfectly!

No, they're not that widely available over here either.. I haven't come across them anywhere else.

[jayjo19]

the VIP-50 on a sax is the best thing I've heard. It can be used on a leslie also (works great for the rotating horn, not really for the 'bass' speaker)

Bummer is...it's costly, around 2 G's if I remember right. But their customer support is pretty good, and swedish !