Topic: Experience with Milab VM-44 Link?

[ArchivalAudio]

Hey
so I saw that ToddR fluffed his Milab VM44 Link mics in a YS iso-KM140 posting...

wondering a bit more

I really like (for my ears) the Neumann sound of the SKM 140's, and the SKM184's as well

I can't really afford the 140's at the moment
but have been considering the 184s

how does the sound compare?

does anyone have any samples of the VM-44 links in action?


specs here
http://www.milabmic.com/showproduct.asp?id=1128&show=specs

they look sweet...
Are they available as matched pairs?

apparently Full Compass is a dealer but the VM 44 classic or the VM 44 links are not listed on their site...

they seem reasonably priced

anyone have more info?

thanx
-- Ian

[flipp]

stirinthesauce runs the links and I know he has posted samples of some of his recordings before. You can do a search and probably find some of them. I believe he is on vacation at the moment but when he returns he should be able to answer most questions you may have.

[kgreener]

http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=milab%20AND%20collection%3Aetree

[ArchivalAudio]

stirinthesauce runs the links and I know he has posted samples of some of his recordings before. You can do a search and probably find some of them. I believe he is on vacation at the moment but when he returns he should be able to answer most questions you may have.

cool
&
thanx

[ArchivalAudio]

http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=milab%20AND%20collection%3Aetree

oh...
thanx
I guess I could have don that search... I didn't think of it

this is great tons of different venues and bands


how bout some personal opinions about the sound of these mics?

-- Ian

[Todd R]

I just posted some more in the YS post.

I ran small diameter Neumanns for about 3 1/2 years, and do really like their sound, and am very familiar with it.  To me, the milabs if they were to be compared, sound most like SD neumanns, much moreso than they do schoeps (not really at all), AKGs (ran those for a couple years as well), or DPAs.  Somewhat like the AKGs and DPAs, but not really.

The Milabs sound a lot like the neumanns in the mids and highs -- very smooth enjoyable mids, silky highs with no distortion, but with high end emphasis.  On the lows, I find the milabs to be both fuller and much tauter than the neumanns.  I find the neumanns to be just a tad loose in the lows.  The milabs are the opposite -- very taut, perhaps verging on too taut depending on your tastes.

I've got a few things up on the Archive you could listen to, including a STS9 show at the Boulder theater (small theater) where they brought in their own, very nice PA system, so that show is a good one for taking a listen.  Matt H has a bunch of milab shows up on the Archive.  Scott schneider has a TLG show up there that we both taped (same stand, fob) where he had problems the first few minutes, and patched with my source.  Do a search on "schneider milab" on the Archive and you'll find it.  It's only a couple minutes of my milab source, but it might be good for a milab>grace vs DPA>grace comparison.

With the midi-classic.com site Matt H posted in the retail section, I'd guess you might be able to pick up a pair of Milab VM44-links for under $1500, which is a steal IMO.

Oh BTW, they are available in matched pairs, but the matching charge is about $300-400 so I skipped it. My pair is very well matched even without official matching.

[grider]

there is a recording from an outdoor show at Rothbury using these mics on bt.etree.org, that should give a very good representation of their sound, not sure which set though you might have to look around for it for a bit, do a search for Rothbury and you will find it

[grider]

only card and omni caps, unfortunately no hypers listed on the website (which leaves a little to be desired)

[ArchivalAudio]

I just posted some more in the YS post.

The Milabs sound a lot like the neumanns in the mids and highs -- very smooth enjoyable mids, silky highs with no distortion, but with high end emphasis.  On the lows, I find the milabs to be both fuller and much tauter than the neumanns.  I find the neumanns to be just a tad loose in the lows.  The milabs are the opposite -- very taut, perhaps verging on too taut depending on your tastes.


With the midi-classic.com site Matt H posted in the retail section, I'd guess you might be able to pick up a pair of Milab VM44-links for under $1500, which is a steal IMO.

Oh BTW, they are available in matched pairs, but the matching charge is about $300-400 so I skipped it. My pair is very well matched even without official matching.

ToddR
thanx so much!
that is what I needed
Tone Def also mentioned a comp he did I hope he does a sendspace comp posting

what I see on the midi classics site is

List: 1,029.00
Sale: $810.27

MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) in force. CALL!

here:   http://www.midi-classics.com/u/u29181.htm

 you mention:

The milabs are the opposite -- very taut, perhaps verging on too taut depending on your tastes.

sounds like what I need to hear


one might guess that a pair could be had for under $1600

from reading their info
it might seem like the caps are closely matched any way

the "system " seems cool too
mostly I'd want cards, and omnis
though some sub cards or figure *'s would be cool
I am not nor never have been a big fan of the hyper sound
that's just me
gonna give some of the VM-44link recordings a listen

thanx so much
I was thinking about picking up a pair of SKM 184's  new for about $1700
but really only because sweetwater now has a 1 year no payments no interest deal with their card....
maybe (even know they are not one of the 3 US dealers) Sweetwater could come up with a pair   

[TNJazz]

I was thinking about picking up a pair of SKM 184's  new for about $1700

Don't do that.  There are WAY better options in that price range than 184's.  lus the minute you have them their value on the used market plummets (to about $1000 or less for the pair).

[ArchivalAudio]

I was thinking about picking up a pair of SKM 184's  new for about $1700

Don't do that.  There are WAY better options in that price range than 184's.  lus the minute you have them their value on the used market plummets (to about $1000 or less for the pair).

what would you suggest
besides the Milab VM-44 links?

[stirinthesauce]

I was thinking about picking up a pair of SKM 184's  new for about $1700

Don't do that.  There are WAY better options in that price range than 184's.  lus the minute you have them their value on the used market plummets (to about $1000 or less for the pair).

what would you suggest
besides the Milab VM-44 links?

the beyer mc930's or the milabs.  Of course with the beyers, you save 1k over that 1700 you posted.

The milabs are fabolous mics, very detailed.  A more "refined" sound (if that makes sense) to my ears than the km184's.  They have been really growing on me in recent.  Just don't get enough time as of late to tape.  The milabs are "brighter" and the beyers are "darker."  I like both, but both have a completely different sonic signature.

[TNJazz]

I was thinking about picking up a pair of SKM 184's  new for about $1700

Don't do that.  There are WAY better options in that price range than 184's.  lus the minute you have them their value on the used market plummets (to about $1000 or less for the pair).

what would you suggest
besides the Milab VM-44 links?

It's not clear what you're looking for.  You just mentioned Milabs and KM184s both.  The Milabs are "active" (actually remote capsule, to be accurate) and the KM184's are full body.

Are you considering full body/non-active mics as well?  If so...



EDIT:  of course as Jon has mentioned above, the MC930 is a mic you really can't go wrong with and lets face it - it kicks the KM184's ass.

[stirinthesauce]

^^

I agree on the nevaton for full body.  I also agree the beyer smokes the 184's.

Actives, the milabs.

[ArchivalAudio]

ok
so I like the shortness of the 184's
IF I could afford them I'd go for the SKM 140's (used to be my dream mic until the MKH 8040's came out)
I like the option of the actives
the 184's sound very similar to the 140's
I really like the Neumann Sound

the 184's are only 107mm in length and the MC930's are 128mm
I occasionally run stealth FOB so size matters
so Actives are a big plus
Lo Pro is the way to go

Ive been listening to some of the VM-44 links posts on Archive
and am liking what I'm hearing

I also really like the Sennheiser MKH 8040'STs
but at a $2400 street price for the pair is out for now

My RODE NT5's are  118mm and their pushing it as far as length

I know the MC930's matched pair is under $1G
which is awesome!

I like cards
sometimes like omnis so the VM44 links sound like they could be a great option


thanx for the suggestions
I hope the more detailed info help with more ideas
peace
-- Ian