I recently came across this new line of 3U Audio mics from a veteran audio engineer...worth a look and listen!
The first mic I saw was this multi-voiced FET mic:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111656639502
Well, I did some more research on these mics and found some interesting information...the gentleman behind these multi-voiced "Warbler" microphones is a veteran microphone design engineer that has worked for some of the better manufacturers in China since the 80's and later relocated in Australia to work for another prominent mic manufacturer there...he started his own company a few years ago, and he designs these mics entirely himself...the transformers are custom-wound, the capsules are manufactured to his specifications and the mics employ very high-quality capacitors and resistors (Dale and WIMA), Fairchild and Toshiba FETS...so they are designed in Australia and then hand-soldered/assembled in one of the better Chinese factories (and shipped from there to minimize shipping expense/duties)...
So these are not OEM/stock Chinese designs, like most of the typical Chinese LDC mics that fall into this price range...these are new designs based upon this engineer's many years of designing for other more costly brands...most importantly, the K67, K47 and C12 style capsules being employed are built to his specifications and are not sourced from other manufacturers in China...
Initially, this multi-voiced "Warbler" model was going to be offered in three different configurations...the standard "87-style" as I posted above, and "47-style" (Warbler MKII) which employs a 34mm K47-style capsule, and a third "C12-style" (Warbler MKIII) which employs an 34mm edge-terminated C12-type capsule with extended high and low-end response...you can clearly see from the interior pics, that not only is the capsule different in each of the Warbler models, but the circuit designs vary as well as the transformers employed, as you would find in much more expensive product lines...
Here is the link to the 3U website:
http://www.3uaudio.com/index.asp
...you can see that there are pictures of the build interior quality of all the mics (how many manufacturers offer pictures of their circuits and the type of components employed?)...WIMA capacitors are used even in the least expensive models, while the higher-priced models boast Fairchild FETs, Dale resistors and even Lundahl and AMI transformers...the prices on the website are "MSRP"...actual selling prices are at least 40% lower...here are the current auctions:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/handicraft2014/m.html?item=111658465641&hash=item19ff5cf969&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562
...I recently acquired samples of 2 of the Warbler-series and 2 of the basic CM-1 FET condensers...I plan on recording samples and posting once I have vocalists available for tracking...I just tested the Warbler I with K67-style capsule and U87-type 9.5:1 tranny...smooth on the top-end and nice low-mid response...no harsh, edgy top-end, common to so many Chinese LDC mics at this price point...
...the big surprise are the cheap (2 for $199 shipped) CM-1 FET condenser mics...these things sound surprisingly good (very reminiscent of KEL Audio mics)...the black-bodied mic has the same K67 capsule as the Warbler I, and the teal-bodied has a very nice edge-terminated C12-style capsule...both have nice quality components on the audio output segment of the circuit (WIMAs)...and shock-absorbing Capsule mounting supports...I don't understand how they can sell these so cheap...the one with the K67 capsule is exceptionally close in sound to my Lewitt LCT540 ($599)...
...a big, smooth sounding C12 style FET condenser mic for $99? (if you buy the pair)...seriously, how'd they do that?
Anybody looking for a nice pair of cheap FET condenser mics (not bright or hashy at all!) check these out:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111656974782
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3U-Audio-BLACK-CM1-Matched-Pair-Condenser-Microphones-Vocal-Instrument-Pro-Mic-/111656636189
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3U-Audio-BLACK-Teal-CM1-Large-Diaphragm-Condenser-Microphones-/111658465641
Interesting update from the designer of these mics...this "Warbler" series will be expanded to 5 models:
Warbler I (U87 with K67 and 9.5:1 dual-bobbin tranny)
Warbler II (FET 47 with K47 capsule and 6.5:1 dual-bobbin tranny)
Warbler III, IV, & V (C12 variants from C12 thru 251 tonal range, with edge-terminated C12 capsules and 12:1 dual bobbin tranny)
All of the "Warbler" series mics offer 3 voicing settings, that essentially attenuate top-end frequencies...all feature Dale capacitors, WIMA resistors, Fairchild FETs and custom-wound transformers...capsules are produced in-house, no OEM...
...this AE is looking to make waves in the low-end ranks of the mic marketplace...judging how good his $99 CM-1 with C12 capsule sounds, I'm anxious to hear his 3 upgraded Warbler variants...
Clearly this new line of mics are not your daddy's Chinese LDC microphones...
I did some quick recordings to demo 2 of the mics I received that I believe are exceptional values...first is my own VO test...the first mic is the 3U Warbler I (K67 capsule), all three voice positions, and then the Teal CM-1 (C12 capsule):
https://app.box.com/s/udyh8dvcnkiz0891j39nlqyxlyxkhh2i
Then I had a reggae artist pass thru the studio, so I had him do two quick passes on the same two mics for comparison...first, the Warbler I (K67 capsule), voice position 1:
https://app.box.com/s/96c5nq6by1e48wn081ewrpcwbt8jflee
Next is the Teal CM-1 (C12 capsule):
https://app.box.com/s/0k4be0uy65z1sbnnsezrd16gvf25p2hb
He is also making his transformers available for the DIY community:
www.ebay.com/itm/3U-Audio-GZT...-/111540902642
www.ebay.com/itm/3U-Audio-GZT...-/111541241397
www.ebay.com/itm/3U-Audio-GZT...-/111540701945
This pic is of his U87-influenced Warbler I...
