Meet The Microphones. Pics Of Mics From My Collection...

This forum is for talking about all kinds of Peavey microphones
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Reno400
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Meet The Microphones. Pics Of Mics From My Collection...

Post by Reno400 » Sun Nov 13, 2011 9:22 pm

Microphones are among the many things I collect. Here are pics of some of my microphones. I will be adding more as time allows.

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Shure 588SA: Circa 1970 — 80 to 13,000 Hz — 150 ohms — 12 ounces

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Realistic 33-983 (made by Shure): Circa 1971-1972 — 50 to 15,000 Hz — 150 ohms

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Realistic 33-983 (second version): 1976-1980 — 80 to 13,000 Hz — 150 ohms

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Peavey Celebrity Series CD-30: Circa 1983-1986 — 80 to 19,000 Hz — 300 ohms — 8 ounces

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Shure SM57 with A2WS windscreen: 40 to 15,000 Hz — 150 ohms — 10 ounces

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Peavey PV: Circa 1991-92 — 50 to 14,000 Hz — 500 ohms — 10 ounces

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Sennheiser e 815-S: 80 to 12,000 Hz — 350 ohms — 11.6 ounces
Sennheiser e 835: 40 to 16,000 Hz — 350 ohms — 11.6 ounces

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Radio Shack PRO-3010 (made by Shure in Mexico): Circa 1995-98 — 50 to 20,000 Hz — 150 ohms

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Peavey PVM 22: 50 to 16,000 Hz — 400 ohms — 9.5 ounces
Last edited by Reno400 on Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:00 am, edited 1 time in total.

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studiodtk5
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Re: Meet The Microphones. Pics Of Mics From My Collection..

Post by studiodtk5 » Sun Nov 13, 2011 9:44 pm

Very nice collection. Any comments on the characteristics of each of your microphones? Which do you favor for certain activities?
Darren
ITOC: 08-00190

Peavey stuff I have: Masterpiece 50, Custom Shop 212, Stereo Chorus 212, T-60, T-40, Signature Select, Odyssey II Prototype, Generation Custom EXP, Firenza P90-ACM, VB-2, Stomp Boxes, Radial Pro 1000, lots of mics, etc...

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Reno400
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Re: Meet The Microphones. Pics Of Mics From My Collection..

Post by Reno400 » Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:46 pm

Thanks, Darren. Also, thanks for your review of the Heil PR 22. I've considered the 20 or 22 (UT versions). I'm going to order a PVM 46 within the next couple of months, so the Heil thing might not happen. It's too bad GC doesn't stock them (PVM 22 & 46) at the stores. Same for the Heil. Obviously, not having the instant gratification of leaving the store with one is hurting sales. The choice is limited to Audix, Blue, Shure, and Sennheiser around this price range. I noticed the print design had changed on the two PVM's, so I looked for a good image. I found one of the new ones in a box, and was relieved to see they are still American-made.

I do plan on writing small reviews for most of the mics I'll be posting. As you probably know (because I think you own a large amount of mics), it's much easier to remember the one's you come across that are horrible. They're typically lower-priced, of course. For example, I think the Behringer XM1800S is junk. I have one around here that I've taken the foam out of to put in an older SM58. I was just using it to stretch mic clips, before I started buying the oversized "shockproof" variety. The Radio Shack 33-3043 is nothing to write home about, either. Not for $40.00, when you can get a far superior Peavey Pvi 100 for $15.00 less. Problem is, there are clowns writing reviews like the one below (this one about the Pvi 100, which he gave one star)...

"Did not like it, June 28, 2011"

"I'm no expert when it comes to mics, but this mic was not worth the $25! I guess the chord and the mic holder are about the only things this mic has for it. It looks like the Shure lower ends would have been a better investment. I'd reconsider if you're thinking about this one."

The "chord"? Sigh. Perhaps you'd like to tell us WHY it's "not worth" the $25? Perhaps not. My other pet peeve, is when these "reviewers" slam mics (typically more expensive ones) for not having an on/off switch. Another pet peeve, is when they complain about a mic not coming with a cord (which many of them don't figure out until they've returned home).

How much can I write, without answering Darren's question? Relax. Just kidding. I have my favorites, as far as how I sound singing with them (and what kind of technique I may or may not have to employ). Some provide a true representation of what I sound like, while others seem to enhance the sound. If my voice is not quite up to par, I might go for the SM57 (pretty much a 58 with that windscreen on it). I could be wrong, but certain imperfections (like if my voice is a little raspy) seem less pronounced with an alnico element mic.

One method I may use for evaluation (because my voice can only go so far), is miking a music source in an adjoining room, and comparing the reproduction over the large system. I've done this before, with surprisingly good results. At any rate, I'll try a few and take notes this time. There have been too many mics to get around to. I haven't used the PVM 22 in almost 2 years. The one above it has never been connected to a cord. I've yet to try the CD-30. The two old Shure's sound like 58's to me. I'd say the Realistic 33-983/Shure 568SB is nearly indistinguishable from a 58. Mainly I'll be commenting on mics which are currently in production. Note: I listed the wrong impedance for the Shure 588SA. The SA came wired for high impedance. In order to use it, I used a line matching transformer in reverse.

I'll be back with my opinions, though I may not get all the terminology right. Collecting them is a recently acquired "hobby", although I did sound work in the 1980's. That just consisted of PA work. School plays, neighborhood meetings, country fairs, chili cook-offs, grand openings, parties, etc.

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Reno400
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Re: Meet The Microphones. Pics Of Mics From My Collection..

Post by Reno400 » Mon Feb 20, 2012 2:41 pm

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Realistic 33-1070A: Circa 1980's — (made in Taiwan) — omnidirectional — 40 to 17,000 Hz — 500 ohms — 7.6 ounces
Radio Shack 33-1070D: (made by Shure in Mexico) — omnidirectional — 50 to 15,000 Hz — 500 ohms — 10.5 ounces

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Peavey PBH: Circa 1976 — 40 to 15,000 Hz — 50,000 ohms — 9.3 ounces

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Radio Shack 33-3007 (Shure Prologue 16L): Sold by Radio Shack 1994-1996 — made in Japan — 40 to 18,000 Hz — 5.2 ounces

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Pyle PDMIC78: 50 to 15,000 Hz — 600 ohms — 6.5 ounces

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Pyle PDMIC78 With Shure A2WS Windscreen

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Peavey PVi 2W: 50 to 16,000 Hz — 500 ohms — 11.28 ounces

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Radio Shack 33-984D: (made by Shure in Mexico) — Circa 2001 — 80 to 15,000 Hz — 600 ohms — 11.2 ounces
Realistic 33-984A: (made in Japan) — Circa 1981 — 80 to 15,000 Hz — 600 ohms — 9 ounces

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MXL 990: 30 to 20,000 Hz — 200 ohms — 19.2 ounces
M-Audio Nova: 20 to 18,000 Hz — 200 ohms — 23 ounces

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Shure SM48: (assembled in Mexico) — 55 to 14,000 Hz — 150 ohms — 13.1 ounces

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Nady SP-5: 50 to 12,000 Hz — neodymium element — 250 ohms — 8.8 ounces

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MXL 991: 30 to 18,000 Hz — 110 ohms — 5.6 ounces

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Peavey PVi 100: 50 to 50,000 Hz — neodymium element — 500 ohms — 7.6 ounces

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Realistic 33-1080: Circa 1981-1983 — made in Japan — 20 to 20,000 Hz

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Audio Technica ST95 MKII: (made in the Philippines) — 100 to 12,000 Hz — 500 ohms — 11 ounces

glenndench
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Re: Meet The Microphones. Pics Of Mics From My Collection..

Post by glenndench » Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:49 pm

Last edited by glenndench on Thu Mar 01, 2012 5:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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studiodtk5
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Re: Meet The Microphones. Pics Of Mics From My Collection..

Post by studiodtk5 » Fri Feb 24, 2012 6:22 am

Very nice. You have a large collection.
Darren
ITOC: 08-00190

Peavey stuff I have: Masterpiece 50, Custom Shop 212, Stereo Chorus 212, T-60, T-40, Signature Select, Odyssey II Prototype, Generation Custom EXP, Firenza P90-ACM, VB-2, Stomp Boxes, Radial Pro 1000, lots of mics, etc...

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Reno400
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Re: Meet The Microphones. Pics Of Mics From My Collection..

Post by Reno400 » Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:51 pm

I've been interested in them since I started doing sound jobs as a teenager. I wouldn't mind owning a Neumann KMS 104... But dropping $700 on one mic wouldn't be as interesting as trying a multitude of others. I have too many hobbies and interests to spend a ton of money on any one of them. I'm working on a Peavey CD-20 right now, and I have four PBH's (or maybe they're PBL's) arriving tomorrow. Auction said two of them don't work, so that'll give me something to do in my spare time. Still looking around for a good deal on a Shure 565. Also, one or two of the late '80's Peavey's (PVM 535N and/or 580TN). Other than that, I'm not planning on buying too many more. As time allows, I will be adding notes on the performance characteristics of the various ones I've shown here.

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Re: Meet The Microphones. Pics Of Mics From My Collection..

Post by Reno400 » Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:03 am

Image

Peavey Celebrity Series CD-20 (with grill from PBH): 50-16,000 Hz — 250 ohms — 9 ounces

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Re: Meet The Microphones. Pics Of Mics From My Collection..

Post by studiodtk5 » Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:08 pm

The Peavey CD microphones look straight out of a 1970's sci-fi movie.

I totally understand your collection philosophy. Since I am using them for recording in my studio, I have started to add the expensive microphones. It is amazing how much different character there is in a microphone with very similar paper specifications. Some things the tests do not or can not show.
Darren
ITOC: 08-00190

Peavey stuff I have: Masterpiece 50, Custom Shop 212, Stereo Chorus 212, T-60, T-40, Signature Select, Odyssey II Prototype, Generation Custom EXP, Firenza P90-ACM, VB-2, Stomp Boxes, Radial Pro 1000, lots of mics, etc...

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studiodtk5
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Re: Meet The Microphones. Pics Of Mics From My Collection..

Post by studiodtk5 » Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:10 pm

Let me know when your collection gets as big as this guy's collection:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MzBQqiHUX0
Darren
ITOC: 08-00190

Peavey stuff I have: Masterpiece 50, Custom Shop 212, Stereo Chorus 212, T-60, T-40, Signature Select, Odyssey II Prototype, Generation Custom EXP, Firenza P90-ACM, VB-2, Stomp Boxes, Radial Pro 1000, lots of mics, etc...

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SemperFiSound
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Re: Meet The Microphones. Pics Of Mics From My Collection..

Post by SemperFiSound » Tue Feb 28, 2012 8:12 am

Reno,
Very impressive. Have you figured out how to "restore" or "salvage" that 'rubbery' finish on the PVM-22 & -46 mics? I picked up a used one that was a cosmetic mess, but sounded fine. I tried cleaning the rubber part and it started peeling off. So, now I have a PVM-22 in its "unfinished metal" state.

Any suggestions will be welcome.

I can send you a Realistic mic that I found buried in a bunch of old computer parts. My kids used to use it for the "talking parrot" application in the SoundBlaster 16 demo software. It's in great shape and probably would like hanging around its brothers & sisters.

Cheers,
Steve
SemperFi Sound; the website
SemperFi Sound On FaceBook
"The Art of War teaches us to rely, not upon the calculated likelihood of
the enemy's coming or not, but on our own readiness to receive him... no
matter what he does." Sun Tzu

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Reno400
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Re: Meet The Microphones. Pics Of Mics From My Collection..

Post by Reno400 » Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:53 pm

Steve,
Here's something I bought with that in mind. It's around 7 or 8 dollars at Home Depot. I haven't had a chance to test it yet. If it looks and works as described, it should be a close approximation. Thanks for offering the Realistic to me. Feel free to send me an email on that. I'd at least want to reimburse you for shipping.

Image

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Re: Meet The Microphones. Pics Of Mics From My Collection..

Post by studiodtk5 » Tue Feb 28, 2012 5:09 pm

I have used that paint before. It is pretty good, but it can be trickey to apply correctly. It takes a few coats. Watch the over spray, because that will get grainy and powdery.
Darren
ITOC: 08-00190

Peavey stuff I have: Masterpiece 50, Custom Shop 212, Stereo Chorus 212, T-60, T-40, Signature Select, Odyssey II Prototype, Generation Custom EXP, Firenza P90-ACM, VB-2, Stomp Boxes, Radial Pro 1000, lots of mics, etc...

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Reno400
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Re: Meet The Microphones. Pics Of Mics From My Collection..

Post by Reno400 » Wed Feb 29, 2012 12:59 am

Darren,

Suppose he might trade me the mic museum for these exquisite and highly desirable PBH's? Perhaps not. Yeah, the CD's are very retro. Looks like something straight out of "Logan's Run" or "Space: 1999". I'd associate the look more with the early seventies, than with 1983-1986.

Thanks for the advice on the paint. I'm going to try it on the 1980's PV in the picture (in which case, it will then resemble an HD-40). I've got two more of these PBL/PBH's on the way. Not sure what I was thinking. Bid on an earlier auction, then found a good deal on the four. The auction described two of the four as not working. Sure enough, those two are the (high impedance) PBH's. The antique shop tested them without a line matching transformer.

The PBH in the background is one I bought earlier, and already worked on. Someone had already switched the wires for low impedance use. I used it's grill for the CD-20, and will replace it with another one I repair, clean, and paint. Of the six new ones, I'll probably just restore two or three, and put the rest in storage.

Image

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Re: Meet The Microphones. Pics Of Mics From My Collection..

Post by Reno400 » Wed Feb 29, 2012 6:41 pm

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This is a tedious process that I really have no desire to be subjected to. Perhaps I'm losing interest. This is why it pays to find them in pristine condition. It's worth paying the small premium, but not so easy to find them in like new condition. Anyway, I'll do some work here and there (so I don't realize how much time it's taking). Maybe it's time to go back to the large combo amps and speakers. Combo amps I've run out of room for, or so many mics, I'd never get around to using all of them (even if there were 10 of me). So I'll fix up two or three of these, and store the rest.

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