Topic: Experience with Milab VM-44 Link?

[Todd R]

yes
not sure on serial numbers, will have to check
yes

Ditto.  Got the plots, they match very well though not matched, not sure about the serial #s.

[Todd R]

I'll try to dig around to see if I downloaded any of Phil R's stuff to compare to mine.  He runs km140>V3 and I run Milab VM44-link>V3, so if I kept any of his recordings, it should make for a good comp.

Awesome-- I'll keep my fingers crossed

OK, I dug up some files I had from Phil and put together a comp file.  My internet at home has been screwed up, so I did the comp as mp3's (highest VBR rate in foobar/LAME) so I wouldn't use up too much bandwidth at work. 

I've tried for the first time to make this as a .zip (filzip) file and have uploaded it to megaupload.  Hopefully this will work.

Here's the info on the songs:
1)  Emmitt Nershi Band 2007.11.03, Bluebird, Denver.  Midnight Blues.
2)  Emmitt Nershi Band 2007.11.03, Bluebird, Denver.  If You're Ever in Oklahoma.
3)  moe.  2007.01.26, Gothic, Denver.  Not Coming Down.
4)  Yonder Mountain String Band 2006.12.29, Fillmore, Denver.  Death Trip.

All sources are Neumann km140 > Lunatec V3 > recorder and Milab VM44-link > Lunatec V3 > recorder.  The ENB and YMSB shows had both mic pairs on the same stand, the moe. song didn't (so it might not be the best comp material).

Megaupload allows free memberships, and I'm pretty sure you can download as a guest without getting a membership.  The megaupload link for the comp is:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UVPW40XT

[Todd R]

Well, that didn't take long until I figured out I screwed up.   (Actually, Sunbear Markham did, but anyway.)

Rushed around too much to get this done and didn't quality check.  It looks like what is labeled on the Archive for the km140 ENB source as Midnight Blues is actually Whiskey River.  I didn't catch that until now, so the file archive I put together has Whiskey River, not Midnight Blues.

If you want to compare this song, you can get the FLAC or VBR mp3 of Midnight Blues here:

http://www.archive.org/details/emmittnershi2007-11-03..flac

You'll find Midnight Blues listed as Down in the Hollow.

[Todd R]

Wow, comps are fun.   I hadn't listened myself to the km140 sources, so I was just doing it now.  Once I got the right Midnight Blues from the Archive, I did a little comparison listening.  It seems like the channels are reversed on the Milab source vs the Neumann source.  Who knows which source is screwed up, but if I had to guess, I'd wager the km140 source has L and R reversed.  This prediction based on the fact that when I ran a MT, it often would reverse L and R, so my guess is that is what happened here.

Perhaps with all this to just skip this comparison, but it might be worth it to use a sound editor and reverse L and R channels for the two ENB km140 songs.

[ArchivalAudio]

^^^^^^^ 
ToddR
thanx
for the work that you did
I d'ld the comp and need to listen to the one on archive,
but I'll be very interested in the comp
(even if L& R are different)
thanx
-- Ian

[ArchivalAudio]

hey Todd R
well
I finally listen to the comps...

Like you mention in the text file about the moe comp

The Gothic usually has good sound, this night -- it sucked.  All tapers were fob on a riser behind the main floor.  The Milabs were on the far left of the taperssection, I don't know about the Neumanns, but I don't remember them being nearby.  Probably not the best comp material.  Sorry, I don't have the original text files handy, and I've forgotten the recorders used.

but in the YMSB

Yonder Mountain String Band 2006.12.29, Fillmore, Denver.  Death Trip.
Both mic pairs were on the same stand, fob inside the soundboard cage.  Ditto, don't have the original text files handy, and have forgotten the recorders used.

I am familiar with Death Trip from Danny Barnes
but listening to both moe and YMSB  = this is a great comp as the mics were on the same stand
However the patterns or arrays are not noted and could account fo rthe difference in sound
for example ORTF vs Xy or DIN or NOS

what my ears hear
is:
that I find the VM-44's generally fuller overall
more defined mids = resulting in clearer vocals
crisper highs  = meaning more sizzle on the cymbals

both are quite the same or alike, but
I do find that the VM 44's are overeall clearer throughout the full spectrum of lows-mids - highs
as compared to the KM-140's
the DPA comp was a mix of  = [DPA 4027(ORTF/DFC/OTS)->V2->Mytek 192->HD-P2(24/96)] + [DPA 4022(XY/DFC/OTS)->V3->MT2496(24/96)]
so I am not sure I can compare the single caps to 2 mixed sources
thought the VM-44's sound closer and less distant


very nice comp!
I really like the VM-44's
now if they only had Figure8 caps to run  blumlein
but spaced omnis would be very sweet!



thanx for putting that together!
peace
-- Ian

[Todd R]

Thanks for your feedback Ian.  You might want to also listen to the songs from the Emmitt Nershi Band show.  If you go to the Archive and download the flacs, you can use foobar/LAME encoding to encode to MP3 on the highest VBR mp3 setting and then the tracks should be the same from an mp3 encoding standpoint.  Of course, somehow you'll have to swap the channels on the km140 source.  The km140s and milabs on ENB were both on the same stand and both used the DIN pattern.

I can try to find out from Phil R what pattern he ran for YMSB at the Fillmore that night, but he generally uses DIN so I'd guess that is probably it.  I used DIN on the Milab source.

[philR]

I can try to find out from Phil R what pattern he ran for YMSB at the Fillmore that night, but he generally uses DIN so I'd guess that is probably it.  I used DIN on the Milab source.

yeah for yonder that night i did run DIN.  Not sure about the others.  and in regards tot he channel swap on that one recording, i have a feeling that would be sunbear error.

[notsofast]

Thanks for this thread and comparision. I am looking to upgrade my Peluso's and was looking into the KM-140's, then rowjimmytour turned me on to this thread and open my ears to new options and possible $ savings.

All the best and thanks for putting this together,

Tim

[ArchivalAudio]

I can try to find out from Phil R what pattern he ran for YMSB at the Fillmore that night, but he generally uses DIN so I'd guess that is probably it.  I used DIN on the Milab source.

yeah for yonder that night i did run DIN.  Not sure about the others.  and in regards tot he channel swap on that one recording, i have a feeling that would be sunbear error.

cool! thanx to both of you...
so they were the same pattern!
ToddR
thanx for preping the comp
I have also listened to the ENB
I'll listen more later on again

I sent an email to midi-classics  but have yet to hear any response on actual pricing
I'll have to make some calls when I have time during the day (not at work)

I am glad to have others be able to get all this info on some cool mics.

peace
-- Ian

[ArchivalAudio]

hey
I spoke with midi classics
and
they said for a pair (not mached) just 2 the pricing
for  2 VM-44 Links would be $750 each or $1500 for the pair
a 1 week turn around time to get them from Milab in Sweeden

when I inquired about pringin I was aksed for how many
so it got me thinking about a possible group buy?

I don't know if it could happen or if we could  get some special privcing for a mass group buy
I may inquire if there is any interest

happy T-Day

back to T
- Ian

[ArchivalAudio]

hey so they are now
on the Full Compass site
listed as:

List Price: $810.27
Our Price: $681.14
You save 16%!
Usually ships in 2-3 weeks
Need it sooner? Call us!
This item is eligible for FREE Shipping!

with their Pro Pass they offer
no interest / no payments for 6months

damn!
I'm thinkin' I should go for them!

[Jamos]

Damn!
Full Compass is awesome sometimes.

[ArchivalAudio]

Damn!
Full Compass is awesome sometimes.

Totally!
I got my Fostwex D-5 Dat from them in like 1997, and my AT 853's in like 98(?) from them
they were always great to deal with!

I applied for their Pro Pass - got it!
and now need to wait for it in the mail before I place my web order!

kinda crazy
but
I'm sure I'll be happy!


-- Ian

[Jamos]

So you are gonna go for it, eh?
They seem like great mics.