Author Topic: ADk Tls or Akg 481s (Read 7752 times)

bagtagsell · « **on:** October 19, 2004, 12:52:59 PM »

Well i got a decision in front of me...
Tls or Akg. The akg is $100 more, but comes with some extras (like a special case). Hmmm what to do? Any advice?

pfife · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2004, 12:54:57 PM »

my TL's came with a case too...

I have no experience with AKG's, but I know a lot of people like them, but I think you have to buy new caps to change patterns, where as the TL's have switchable patterns.

TL's are huge too.

johnw · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2004, 01:05:56 PM »

Quote from: bagtagsell on October 19, 2004, 12:52:59 PM

Well i got a decision in front of me...
Tls or Akg. The akg is $100 more, but comes with some extras (like a special case). Hmmm what to do? Any advice?

What special case? If it is the original plastic case, I don't think this would be helpful for taping - only storage at home. The AKGs would also be way more than $100 more to get all the patterns the TLs have. If you don't mind the weight and will use all the patterns on the TLs, they make great recordings. If you only want card mics with the option to add other patterns later and need a smaller microphone the AKGs rock! Although I'm not sure the mics sound exactly alike, they are both good choives. Good luck and +T

pfife · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2004, 01:45:34 PM »

Can't you get actives for the AKG's as well? (not sure...) maybe thats important in making the decision...

keepongoin · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2004, 01:52:31 PM »

The mics are not only different sizes, but they also sound very different. Another thing to consider is what you are going to run them through... The AKGs sound great with a variety of pre-amps, as do the TLs. IME, the AKGs will give a lot more detail than the TLs will, but the TLs will give you a full, very transparent sound.

To my knowlede, the 480s don't have active cables unless you are taking the J&K labs ECM-22 for the ck6X caps, which are a completely different mic.

bagtagsell · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2004, 02:17:17 PM »

Im going to send them into a Wmod UA-5.
I really like a crisp, clear, high...I am a little concerned about the loss of detail in a TL
(Sometimes I feel like I am trying to describe a cigar)

keepongoin · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2004, 02:39:25 PM »

The TLs sound great run through the w/ mod UA5, especially for acoustic stuff.
The T-mod may be better, though for those mics. I have yet to use a t-mod w/ my TLs, but I would like to.

timP · « **Reply #7 on:** October 19, 2004, 03:12:31 PM »

love the T mod for my UA5 and TLs.....

every time I set the mics up right and don't make a bad tape becuse I'm stupid
it sounds like I am at the show
plenty of detail IMO

Chris K · « **Reply #8 on:** October 19, 2004, 03:21:55 PM »

i have a bunch of TL > warm mod ua-5 shows, and i really think this is a great combo

and the cost for all the patterns is way in favor of the tl's

Todd R · « **Reply #9 on:** October 19, 2004, 03:32:12 PM »

The case he's referring to is a customized AT case for a pair of 480s and and extra pair of caps, nice size for a taping bag (though hardly worth $100

).

As folks have mentioned, the mics sound very different from one another. You might want to try getting some downloads of shows/songs with the different mics from archive.org. You might also want to put up a question in the team board section in both the ADK team thread and the Team AKG thread. You might get more input on what people like and dislike about their mics there.

Also, you should put some thought into what you're interested in running, as well as the sound you like best. The TLs are a great deal if you want to try running a variety of mic capsule patterns and as was mentioned, going this route with the AKGs will cost you a lot more. You should also think about the logistics of running LD mics like the TLs. Bigger mics, bigger taping bag, harder to set up, harder to arrange a clamp on someone else's stand, etc. It might not be a big deal depending on your own preferences, but to some it is. I never ran LDs for this reason, and I know several people who got out of LD mics (TLs, U89s) for reasons having more to do with the logistics of running LDs than for differences in the sound.

Bottom line, it all depends on your preferences. Both the TLs and the 480s are great mics, you really can't go wrong either way.

hoobash · « **Reply #10 on:** October 19, 2004, 04:17:04 PM »

The TL's come with the hard cases

keepongoin · « **Reply #11 on:** October 19, 2004, 04:34:13 PM »

I have been thinking about getting some MGs for taping when I think the TLs are not going to go over as well in terms of logistics.

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #12 on:** October 19, 2004, 07:06:15 PM »

like what has been said, tl's will give you afuller, rounder sound, w/ switchable patterns, and the 480's have amazing detail that the tls just dont have

bagtagsell · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2004, 07:57:23 AM »

i tried to find a good comparison on archive.org. I couldn't find one exactly right. But the bass response seemed greater in the TLs. When the word clarity is used, would that be like the snap on a mandolin? I really want to tape some bluegrass stuff.
Also the switchable patterns are influencing me to tdk
my only hang up is, how the crap am i going to carry these monsters?
Would there be any sense in running a 3 mic matrix, with a small dia mic?

pfife · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2004, 08:10:14 AM »

Quote from: bagtagsell on October 20, 2004, 07:57:23 AM

i tried to find a good comparison on archive.org. I couldn't find one exactly right. But the bass response seemed greater in the TLs. When the word clarity is used, would that be like the snap on a mandolin? I really want to tape some bluegrass stuff.
Also the switchable patterns are influencing me to tdk
my only hang up is, how the crap am i going to carry these monsters?
Would there be any sense in running a 3 mic matrix, with a small dia mic?

seems to me you'll have to carry shock mounts and mics and cables regardless of which mics you get- except the TL's are bigger, so their case will be bigger.

Bean's point is why I think a p-mod might be better with the TL's than a w-mod, but I've never heard the TL-pmod combo, so this is really nothing more than speculation based on wanna-be logic.

caymanreview · « **Reply #15 on:** October 20, 2004, 08:11:54 AM »

i always wondered if i could adjust from 480s to TL's and i think it was waaay easier than i thought before i got the TL's

i have a tape im getting ready to BT on the local tracker here (used to be taperssection tracker and is now tapetracker or something???) but it is fully unplugged acoustic old-school bluegrass,a dn it is fantastic!

i tape alot of local bluegrass that doesnt get spread around, by request of the performers

having 4 p[atterns is irreplaceable, i have found it to be the best thing about the move.

the bass responce on the TL's seems to be great to me, and to tell you the truth, 9 out of 10 tapes with TL's or 480s i would prefer the TL's myself, but that is personal preferance

you could compare mine and beans sources from alpine phish this year, but i had TL > wmod 410 and he had 480 v3. i have a few TL > v3 tapes now though that im running a v3 as well

caymanreview · « **Reply #16 on:** October 20, 2004, 08:13:09 AM »

the way i carry mine:

i have a lowepro commercial aw, think nova 5 on steroids

it has 2 really big pockets on the edges that fit the shocks perfectly, and i made 2 small compartments inside i carry the mics in, wrapped in crown royal bags, with the screens on them

edit: for spelling

nic · « **Reply #17 on:** October 20, 2004, 08:37:35 AM »

yeah, I used a Nova 5 and had no problems carrying TLs, V2, 2*6vSLA, SBM, M1, shocks, cables, etc...

get a camera bag that is made to hold the big lenses...the lens compartments are pretty much the exact same size as a TL w/ windscreen

caymanreview · « **Reply #18 on:** October 20, 2004, 08:59:47 AM »

i think the nova 5 would be big enough, but i dont want to have to cram my gear into a bag. i want to be able to carry extra stuff if need be, so i have the nova commercial

i ahve plenty of room for TL's and shocks/screens > clamps x2 > V3 > hosa odl312 > jb3 and all the cables except my zoalla's dont fit in my bag, they are Bulky!

Kindguy · « **Reply #19 on:** October 20, 2004, 03:39:04 PM »

I've owned TL's & the 480's.

480's are way more versatile. Size & sound. Don't get me wrong I like the way the TL's sound. But stuck in the section in a large venue & the 480's will pull a better tape every time.

I loved the TL's when I could tape up close with local bands.

The TL's have the polar pattern option which is nice. But you'll end up using the cards the most. I did.

480's are a much smaller package & easier to carry around.

That said you can see where I'd lean. With the 480's

But like Todd said you can't go wrong either way.

barrettphisher · « **Reply #20 on:** October 20, 2004, 04:28:03 PM »

carrying more stuff around your bag=bigger muscles, chicks dig guys with ld mics and big muscles....Besides TL's rock...great mic to have to tape anywhere...I run TL's>V3 and love the results...
Barrett

Gordon · « **Reply #21 on:** October 21, 2004, 01:18:00 AM »

joel has lots of 483 > ua5 > jb3 shows up on the archive if you want to hear how that combo is. oh and I'd go with the 480's

caymanreview · « **Reply #22 on:** October 21, 2004, 01:19:16 AM »

Quote from: barrettphisher on October 20, 2004, 04:28:03 PM

I run TL's>V3 and love the results...
Barrett

same here, ive only had it out to a few shows, but im liking the TL > v3 combo!

T.J. · « **Reply #23 on:** October 21, 2004, 01:19:35 PM »

Quote from: bagtagsell on October 19, 2004, 12:52:59 PM

Well i got a decision in front of me...
Tls or Akg. The akg is $100 more, but comes with some extras (like a special case). Hmmm what to do? Any advice?

i'm still window shopping and was wondering where you were looking online to purchase both the TL's and the 481's. I found a couple good prices, but I think I can find them a little bit cheaper.

thanks,
t.j.

Massive Dynamic · « **Reply #24 on:** October 21, 2004, 03:18:29 PM »

Quote from: pfife on October 20, 2004, 08:10:14 AM

Quote from: bagtagsell on October 20, 2004, 07:57:23 AM
i tried to find a good comparison on archive.org. I couldn't find one exactly right. But the bass response seemed greater in the TLs. When the word clarity is used, would that be like the snap on a mandolin? I really want to tape some bluegrass stuff.
Also the switchable patterns are influencing me to tdk
my only hang up is, how the crap am i going to carry these monsters?
Would there be any sense in running a 3 mic matrix, with a small dia mic?

seems to me you'll have to carry shock mounts and mics and cables regardless of which mics you get- except the TL's are bigger, so their case will be bigger.

Bean's point is why I think a p-mod might be better with the TL's than a w-mod, but I've never heard the TL-pmod combo, so this is really nothing more than speculation based on wanna-be logic.

I have a couple of comp discs (audio CDR) from Craig T using the TL > wmod UA-5 for one set and TL > pmod UA-5 for the other. Show is Will Bernard and Motherbug (jazz), but I don't have show date handy. I'll send copies to anyone who's interested.

I've also taped a few shows myself using the TL (XY 90°) > pmod UA-5 combo (all DFC, FOB on stand). No bluegrass, but I do have some folk (female singer-songwriter acoustic guitar), folk-pop (acoustic guitar, electric piano), folk-rock (full band), and full-tilt modern rock. pm me if you're interested in hearing any samples; can only do audio CDR or DAT.

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #25 on:** October 21, 2004, 07:11:28 PM »

Quote from: TenaciousJ on October 21, 2004, 01:19:35 PM

Quote from: bagtagsell on October 19, 2004, 12:52:59 PM
Well i got a decision in front of me...
Tls or Akg. The akg is $100 more, but comes with some extras (like a special case). Hmmm what to do? Any advice?

i'm still window shopping and was wondering where you were looking online to purchase both the TL's and the 481's. I found a couple good prices, but I think I can find them a little bit cheaper.

thanks,
t.j.

j, pm me, i know who has the best prices at the moment

Swampy · « **Reply #26 on:** October 21, 2004, 11:12:22 PM »

TLs, you get the flexablitliy of the patterns. But The AKGs you get the small size and IMO the better sound. I ran 391s before I got the TLs. I love having the switchable patterns, but I really thought the 391s sounded better, so Im sure that the 480s sound even better than them! ADKs are definitely more bright, as the AKGs were a fuller sound that I prefered... my .02...

timP · « **Reply #27 on:** October 22, 2004, 09:09:41 AM »

I missed alot of the bass I heard live in my recordings with 391s...

not at all the case with my TLs

Alex, can you describe in a little more detail what you prefered from yr 391s?

Swampy · « **Reply #28 on:** October 22, 2004, 02:02:34 PM »

See, for me it was the exact other way. I thought that my 391 tapes were a lot fuller with a more bass. My TLs just kind of sound ehhh. A lot of people might like the sound better, but I just really liked the coloration of the 391s better. YMMV...

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #29 on:** October 22, 2004, 09:21:27 PM »

yeah alex, thats cause akg's rule yer face

steve-o · « **Reply #30 on:** October 26, 2004, 07:06:54 AM »

Quote from: bagtagsell on October 20, 2004, 07:57:23 AM

i tried to find a good comparison on archive.org. I couldn't find one exactly right. But the bass response seemed greater in the TLs. When the word clarity is used, would that be like the snap on a mandolin? I really want to tape some bluegrass stuff.
Also the switchable patterns are influencing me to tdk
my only hang up is, how the crap am i going to carry these monsters?
Would there be any sense in running a 3 mic matrix, with a small dia mic?

Both mics are amazing IMO. I used to run the AKG393s and switched over to the TLs a few months back. Love them (TLs) without a doubt, but I did notice that they aren't as detailed as the 391/3 or 480s. There is the cost advantage with the TLs, as you've heard, but it all comes down to what you prefer soundwise and also what you can afford. I've got some recordings of both the 393 > w mod and TL > w mod if you want to take a ganter(?). PM me and I'll send you some tracks.

On a side note, eventually I will try out the T mod, but I'd like to hear some field tracks before I start rotating some gear around. If anyone has any.... Thanks and good luck.