Microphone simulators, preamps, or new microphones?

[bjsilva]

Does anyone use, recommend, or can comment on microphone simulators? I'd like to get a warmer sound out of my AT822 but maintain good portability.

Though I'm plenty open to other stereo microphones, but the only stereo microphone I could find that produces a warm sound was a ribbon at over $2000 and would require a preamp (of course).

[dex Otaku]

Typically the only real difference with a 'warm sounding' mic is in the response curve of the mic itself, unless you're experience proximity effect as with a condenser.

Fine-tuning with EQ in post is a much simpler and cheaper solution.

Otherwise you might consider trying out a tube pocket preamp.

I've never tried a mic sim, myself. It doesn't make much sense to me - unless you know the exact response curve of the mic you're recording with in the first place, there's absolutely no way to accurately model the sound as coming from something else. The concept seems rather gimmicky, IMO - aside from which, the same effect can be reproduced with EQ and possibly phase-delay in post.

[bjsilva]

Hi dex,

Thanks for the reply! What you say makes sense. I do recall trying out a PreSonus Blue Tube, but I was mainly hoping to get rid of some noise. It didn't help, later I discovered the noise was a quiet fan in the auditorium I had just become accustom to The PreSonus was supposed to make a warmer sound, but I wasn't really paying much attention to it (though I don't remember a difference).

Where can you get a pocket tube preamp?

[dex Otaku]

Many musical instrument stores carry them. In Canada, Long & McQuade would be an example of a place to find them. Not sure about where you are.