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Swamp Industries :: PRO AUDIO :: Microphones :: iSK TM-78 Multi-function Recording Tube Microphone Mic
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iSK TM-78 Multi-function Recording Tube Microphone Mic |
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Customer Reviews |
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Author: michael whiticker
The ISK TM 78 valve microphone - a short comparative review, dec 09
Tom from swamp industries (a mail order music retailer in Canberra) was confident I would like the ISK TM 78 – a large diapraghm valve mic, so much so that he offered to pay the return postage if I didn’t want to keep it. He also asked me to send him a short comparative review after I had tested the mic as he actually hadn’t yet heard it himself!
The package includes an aluminium case, a bag for the mic, a power supply, a long 5 pin cable joining mic to power supply, a mic holder and a wind shield. If you add to that the mic offers 9 patterns (including cardiod, omni and figure of 8), so at $400 (Aust), the deal starts to look very impressive.
I was in a good position to compare similarly priced large diaphragm mics with the CAD M37, a Behringer B2 Pro, Ottava M219, JLM U87 Clone and the Rode NT3 (not actually a large diaphgram, but similarly priced) all on hand.
For this test I set all the mics up with their cardioid pattern, and put them all into the M-audio Profire 2626 preamp. I spoke into each, and then sang the same passage into each.
The ISK TM 78 came clearly out on top. It has the warm sound that one associates with valve mics - the so-called “classic” valve mic sound, In terms of richness of tone the CAD M37 came closest to the ISK, but lacked the warmth. The JLM U87 clone was similarly toned, but dirtier and overall seemed to lack character.
The Behringer B2 pro was useable, but a bit too bright in comparison to the ISK. The Ottava M219 was very bright, perhaps harshly so in this field, and just a bit too sybillant, but in the right situation it is still a useable mic. The Rode NT3 surprised in this test by having an overall well balanced sound, just a bit harder than the ISK. That said, for live work the Rode NT3 would probably come out on top.
For the purpose of this exercise I didn’t test the mics with instruments, there will be enough opportunity for that over the coming months. I was after a vocal mic for recording and the ISK does the job well, much better than the above collection. It is certainly not going back to Tom. In fact at $400 the ISK TM 78 is a great deal – very useable as your main vocal mic. Going up in dollars I have a Rode NTK – also a valve mic, in my other studio, which is 1400 km away, so I couldn’t line it up for this comparison, but it has a similar sound, possibly better - hard to say without an A/B, but as it is a $1000 mic, so I would expect it to sound better.
I couldn’t find much info on ISK on the web – their website is about the best you can do, so I hope this little intro is of some use to others in the market for a very well priced vocal mic.
Dr Michael Whiticker
The Sound Space
Townsville and Sunshine Coast
www.soundspace.com.au
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Author: Bill White
I have a Tascam 2488 neo 24 track digi recorder that I haven't used yet, and an old Korg D8 that I bought new in the late 90's. I'm also setting up good computer software but not quite ready yet.
Short story: plugged the iSK TM-78 mic into my Allen & Heath ZED 24 and on into the Korg for a quick record then held my breath and listened. It's great! Can recommend.
A mate of mine has a Rode NTK and this compares. Yes, the Rode has a lower specced noise floor and a slightly higher SPL (while measured differently) but to my very well trained ears this mic is as good or better. Lovely and rich and a great, clear high end.
I also have a Rode NT1A which is nice and clean but somewhat characterless. Yes, I know a 2nd harmonic (tube "warmth") distortion is not the epitome of "clean" but the TM-78 sounds real and live and great.
I will try the NT1A thru an SPL Gold Mike Mark II valve preamp I have coming but I don't think it will be any better than this mic, or as good, for vocals. The iSK TM-78 mic absolutely rocks for live vocal recording in the unidirectional mode. I now sound as good as I always knew I was!
Tom gave me the offer of free postage if I returned it. Very nice of you Tom, but you're not getting it back.
Regards,
Bill White.
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