Lexicon PCM96 A Reverb Masterclass? - Audio Media
Lexicon PCM96 A Reverb Masterclass? - Audio Media
Lexicon PCM96 A Reverb Masterclass? - Audio Media
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
12kHz, all dependant on polar pattern and any<br />
proximity effect going on. In practice this means<br />
a low noise, full sound, with lots of punch to both<br />
ends of the spectrum.<br />
In use, the mic gave all of the quality expected,<br />
with that lovely air and clarity from a well<br />
engineered and precision instrument. One singer<br />
who tried the mic said that it really inspired him<br />
to sing even better, as he hadn’t heard his voice<br />
so clearly before. I also asked other engineers to<br />
give it a whirl, and all came back with a glowing<br />
impression of a mic of incredible quality. The UM<br />
930, whilst having a lovely top end sizzle, seems<br />
to have a natural response even through off-axis<br />
where I’d normally expect some colouration.<br />
Conclusion<br />
In summary, if it wasn’t for the recent<br />
flood of cheap, good quality alternatives,<br />
the price of this mic wouldn’t seem that high.<br />
However, Gefell have brought to us a well thought<br />
out and manufactured top end microphone,<br />
from one of the original homes of the condenser<br />
microphone. Given the budget, the UM 930 is<br />
about as good as it gets. ∫<br />
....................................<br />
INFORMATION<br />
£ UM 930, with MH 80 single axis swivel<br />
mount version GB£2,535.00.<br />
UM 930 SCT +GB£158.00.<br />
UM 930 Twin, with MH 80 single axis swivel<br />
mount version GB£3,316.00.<br />
A Microtech Gefell, George-Neumann Platz<br />
D-07926, Gefell, Germany<br />
T +49 366 49 882 0<br />
F +49 366 49 882 11<br />
W www.microtechgefell.com<br />
E info@microtechgefell.de<br />
A Sound-Link Marketing, 3 Kings Grove, Barton,<br />
Cambridge, CB23 7AZ<br />
T +44 1223 264765<br />
W www.sound-link.co.uk<br />
E gefell@sound-link.co.uk<br />
Orpheusrock122x173.qxd 28/05/2008 10:15 AM Page 1<br />
both signals of cardioids front and rear means<br />
you will also be able to change patterns in post<br />
production, simply by differing gain levels on the<br />
mixing console. As an example: both outputs set to<br />
0dB will sound omni, phase reverse one side will be<br />
figure-of-eight, reducing one side by 10dB will<br />
sound wide cardioid, etc.<br />
Another version of the mic includes a Sound<br />
Check Tool (UM 930 SCT). This is a 1kHz level check<br />
74dB tone, generated by the mic when the polar<br />
switch is left in between patterns for more than<br />
four seconds – very handy when checking a studio<br />
setup on your own. If that’s not enough for you<br />
there is even an option of changing the black<br />
rubber selection rings to different coloured rings<br />
(green, red, or blue), a great idea for identifying<br />
large multi-mic setups.<br />
Reading these options I was already impressed<br />
before I’d even plugged it in – but then it should<br />
be impressive for this price. As the saying goes ‘you<br />
get what you pay for’ (but unfortunately, often we<br />
don’t). Once plugged in and powered up, the<br />
green LED shone through the grille at the base<br />
of the mic, an even better reminder for people<br />
to get the mic around the right way. The UM 930<br />
is a universal application mic, suitable for almost<br />
anything: guitars, percussion, strings, vocals being<br />
the most common. Looking at the polar patterns<br />
in the manual shows no real low end roll off, and<br />
a consistent lift between 2-11kHz with a peak at<br />
WHO ARE GEFELL<br />
Gefell, a town in the former East Germany, was the<br />
location for Georg Neumann's factory in 1943. After the<br />
war he returned to Berlin to set up a small workshop<br />
for repairs, later to become known as Neumann Berlin.<br />
But in 1961, when the Berlin wall went up, the company<br />
was divided since Gefell remained in the East Zone, and<br />
communication between the split company was halted<br />
until 27 years later. Georg Neumann's original company<br />
had been nationalised and renamed, but development<br />
of microphones had continued.<br />
Still building each mic by hand, it's now known as<br />
Microtech Gefell, and is now run by Jochem Kühnast,<br />
the son of Georg Neumann's original manager Erich<br />
Kühnas<br />
prismsoundrecording<br />
With unbeatable sound quality, state-of-the-art<br />
clock technology, low-latency, flexible monitoring<br />
for control room or foldback...<br />
...Orpheus by Prism Sound is the<br />
professional’s choice.<br />
Orpheus - the ultimate professional<br />
FireWire audio interface by Prism Sound<br />
THE ULTIMATE PERFORMER<br />
+44 1223 424988<br />
+1 973 983 9577<br />
Contact us now to arrange your demo<br />
www.prismsound.com/orpheus<br />
Email: sales@prismsound.com<br />
AUDIO MEDIA OCTOBER 2008 23
Change language