Hell yeah...I finally scraped up the dough and picked one up for myself...that dude running away with those little old ladies' purses just looked like me...
I love the VX2. I had one in for review and CAD needed it back for the NAMM show since I had the only one in America at that time (they were on backorder, these things are handmade including the capsules in Ohio). It was the one piece of gear that when it left to go back I was really bummed.
Not that the gear that comes through here isn't great...but the VX2 was the "whoooah" piece. And I've only used it on vocals, but it's worth it alone for that application in my opinion.
Anyhow, I'm just one happy camper right now. Got some more things coming from my freakin' spending spree but this one came in first!
War
Full Version: CAD VX2...welcome home...
Is that the one with the swappable capsules? Have you tried both?
Bear
Bear
I want to try some CAD mics.
I think the past couple years of Chinese mic hype fogged things in more than a few ways but temporarily. It's cool that we're talking about CAD, Shure, EV, Audio-Technica, Blue. We're being fashionably eclectic.
I think the past couple years of Chinese mic hype fogged things in more than a few ways but temporarily. It's cool that we're talking about CAD, Shure, EV, Audio-Technica, Blue. We're being fashionably eclectic.
how are those more affordable CAD tube mics warren?
i am looking for an alternative to my only LDC, a CAD e300... and i am a bit afraid to get another CAD mic cause i want another flava.
do they have that CAD sound (which i would define as having a really strong, thick bottom and a hypey top)? or a cool variation on it?
i am looking for an alternative to my only LDC, a CAD e300... and i am a bit afraid to get another CAD mic cause i want another flava.
do they have that CAD sound (which i would define as having a really strong, thick bottom and a hypey top)? or a cool variation on it?
QUOTE(Steve @ Mar 17 2004, 11:28 AM)
I want to try some CAD mics.
I think the past couple years of Chinese mic hype fogged things in more than a few ways but temporarily. It's cool that we're talking about CAD, Shure, EV, Audio-Technica, Blue. We're being fashionably eclectic.
I think the past couple years of Chinese mic hype fogged things in more than a few ways but temporarily. It's cool that we're talking about CAD, Shure, EV, Audio-Technica, Blue. We're being fashionably eclectic.
Agreed.
War, your giving me bad GAS, man. I looked looong and hard at the VX2 before buying my U195. Anyone work with both? Just wondering how they'd compliment each other.
Is that the one with the swappable capsules? Have you tried both? - BEAR
Yup, it's got a 1.25" and a 1.10" capsule, both handmade in the USA.
I have tried both. They have a similar sound but the smaller capsule is brighter and better suited to acoustic guitar etc. I gotta admit Bear, I've only really used it on vocals as it arrived a couple of days ago. The one I had in before just started getting used when CAD called and had me frantically overnight it for the NAMM show.
I want to try some CAD mics.
I think the past couple years of Chinese mic hype fogged things in more than a few ways but temporarily. It's cool that we're talking about CAD, Shure, EV, Audio-Technica, Blue. We're being fashionably eclectic. - STEVE
The closest thing CAD has to a Chinese mic (that we sell) is the M179 which is a brighter mic and a Chinese made capsule to keep down costs. The M9, VSM and VX2 are all in a totally different league. Don't get me wrong, the M179 is a great overhead mic and works as a good all purpose mic on many sources. In my opinion, any newbie should be one of those before any other condensor anyhow for its versatility. It ain't too bright, but it's bright-er.
how are those more affordable CAD tube mics warren?
i am looking for an alternative to my only LDC, a CAD e300... and i am a bit afraid to get another CAD mic cause i want another flava.
do they have that CAD sound (which i would define as having a really strong, thick bottom and a hypey top)? or a cool variation on it? - EEL
No hypey top, strong thick bottom yes. In fact the VX2 extends to 10hz in response?
The M9 is the "warmest" sounding out of them all, as the high end is less pronounced than the others. Very tube-y sounding mic but it does take eq well. I'm looking at the freq response chart on their website right now and I disagree with the high end hump they're showing. I just didn't consider it to be bright but that graph would have you believe it is?
The VSM is where it's at for less bucks man. For the money you get cardioid only, but a very natural sounding tube mic that is awesome on vocals, guitar cabs, etc. Not a bright top end, just natural. No sibilance issues on vocals with the VSM either, and I've used it on half a dozen singers or so lately.
The VX2 is such a smooth vocal mic it's ridiculous. It's pretty much transparent but between the dual tube stage and dual humbucking transformers there's this "traction" going on in the sound. It's slightly old school and just shimmering. Not a real obvious effect...again I keep coming back to this word "traction" because it's the best word I can find to describe that tube / transformer sound. The frequency graphs of both VX2's I've used both showed a gentle dip in the roughly 5-8khz range which might explain why there aren't any real sibilance issues with this mic. I have recorded singers with a pop filter .75" off the grill with their mouth making contact with the filter and it's wonderful. Throw her in OMNI and roll off the low end and you've got the most workable close in vocal mic I think you could ever want!
Again, I need to throw it on more sources but this thing is clear but has vibe for days. I just got mine in so no rush with it now, I will report back when I get a session cooking soon.
War, your giving me bad GAS, man. I looked looong and hard at the VX2 before buying my U195. Anyone work with both? Just wondering how they'd compliment each other. - TAS
Hey, maybe I should ship you the VX2 and you should ship me the U195? I've been wanting to check out one of those as well. OK...I'm kind of kidding...but kind of not...who knows...
Hope that answers all the q's.
War
Yup, it's got a 1.25" and a 1.10" capsule, both handmade in the USA.
I have tried both. They have a similar sound but the smaller capsule is brighter and better suited to acoustic guitar etc. I gotta admit Bear, I've only really used it on vocals as it arrived a couple of days ago. The one I had in before just started getting used when CAD called and had me frantically overnight it for the NAMM show.
I want to try some CAD mics.
I think the past couple years of Chinese mic hype fogged things in more than a few ways but temporarily. It's cool that we're talking about CAD, Shure, EV, Audio-Technica, Blue. We're being fashionably eclectic. - STEVE
The closest thing CAD has to a Chinese mic (that we sell) is the M179 which is a brighter mic and a Chinese made capsule to keep down costs. The M9, VSM and VX2 are all in a totally different league. Don't get me wrong, the M179 is a great overhead mic and works as a good all purpose mic on many sources. In my opinion, any newbie should be one of those before any other condensor anyhow for its versatility. It ain't too bright, but it's bright-er.
how are those more affordable CAD tube mics warren?
i am looking for an alternative to my only LDC, a CAD e300... and i am a bit afraid to get another CAD mic cause i want another flava.
do they have that CAD sound (which i would define as having a really strong, thick bottom and a hypey top)? or a cool variation on it? - EEL
No hypey top, strong thick bottom yes. In fact the VX2 extends to 10hz in response?
The M9 is the "warmest" sounding out of them all, as the high end is less pronounced than the others. Very tube-y sounding mic but it does take eq well. I'm looking at the freq response chart on their website right now and I disagree with the high end hump they're showing. I just didn't consider it to be bright but that graph would have you believe it is?
The VSM is where it's at for less bucks man. For the money you get cardioid only, but a very natural sounding tube mic that is awesome on vocals, guitar cabs, etc. Not a bright top end, just natural. No sibilance issues on vocals with the VSM either, and I've used it on half a dozen singers or so lately.
The VX2 is such a smooth vocal mic it's ridiculous. It's pretty much transparent but between the dual tube stage and dual humbucking transformers there's this "traction" going on in the sound. It's slightly old school and just shimmering. Not a real obvious effect...again I keep coming back to this word "traction" because it's the best word I can find to describe that tube / transformer sound. The frequency graphs of both VX2's I've used both showed a gentle dip in the roughly 5-8khz range which might explain why there aren't any real sibilance issues with this mic. I have recorded singers with a pop filter .75" off the grill with their mouth making contact with the filter and it's wonderful. Throw her in OMNI and roll off the low end and you've got the most workable close in vocal mic I think you could ever want!
Again, I need to throw it on more sources but this thing is clear but has vibe for days. I just got mine in so no rush with it now, I will report back when I get a session cooking soon.
War, your giving me bad GAS, man. I looked looong and hard at the VX2 before buying my U195. Anyone work with both? Just wondering how they'd compliment each other. - TAS
Hey, maybe I should ship you the VX2 and you should ship me the U195? I've been wanting to check out one of those as well. OK...I'm kind of kidding...but kind of not...who knows...
Hope that answers all the q's.
War
ahh. very intersesting. the e300 i have is actually one of my least useful vocal mics, cause it has that little bump at 6k then a whopping rise at 10k. can you say "ssssss". however, it makes it awesome for drums and acoustic guitar... and so on (if you are goin for that sound)...
anyway... mmm. VSM is lookin' my speed.
CAD definately appeals to my slight jingoist "buy american" side. plus, i went to school in ohio, so i like the "buy ohio" side.
can we talk about free plug ins again?
anyway... mmm. VSM is lookin' my speed.
CAD definately appeals to my slight jingoist "buy american" side. plus, i went to school in ohio, so i like the "buy ohio" side.
can we talk about free plug ins again?
I've tried the VSM, M9, 179, and 177.
Of those I probably liked the VSM the best. It's built better than the rest and sounds VERY neutral like Warren said. My biggest problem is that in my case, I wanted a LD to have a little more magic. Not hyped but a little mojo if you get me. The VSM had exactly zero of that. Very solid, very unhyped, very nice, but very wrong for what I wanted. It was a poster child for auditioning mics yourself.
The M9 was nice for the money but I found the high end to be a bit plastic sounding and there was an unnatural zing to it. Sort of like comparing a condensor to a ribbon. There is a zing in the condensor that is not in the ribbon but it normally doesn't hit you over the head. In the one I tested, it did.
The M179 was a tremendous deal for the money. I thought it was a much better multipattern than the C3 and way less money. It's not going to compete at the next level but again, great bang for the buck.
The M177 was a waste. Not that it sounded bad just spend a few more bucks and get the M179.
Sorry to hijack the thread for my review of CAD mics other than the one we are actually talking about.
Jason A.
Of those I probably liked the VSM the best. It's built better than the rest and sounds VERY neutral like Warren said. My biggest problem is that in my case, I wanted a LD to have a little more magic. Not hyped but a little mojo if you get me. The VSM had exactly zero of that. Very solid, very unhyped, very nice, but very wrong for what I wanted. It was a poster child for auditioning mics yourself.
The M9 was nice for the money but I found the high end to be a bit plastic sounding and there was an unnatural zing to it. Sort of like comparing a condensor to a ribbon. There is a zing in the condensor that is not in the ribbon but it normally doesn't hit you over the head. In the one I tested, it did.
The M179 was a tremendous deal for the money. I thought it was a much better multipattern than the C3 and way less money. It's not going to compete at the next level but again, great bang for the buck.
The M177 was a waste. Not that it sounded bad just spend a few more bucks and get the M179.
Sorry to hijack the thread for my review of CAD mics other than the one we are actually talking about.
Jason A.
Jason, I don't know if you ever got to mix a song with the VSM used on vocals or guitar cabs, but it sits real well. The low end responds quite nicely to vocals as well, not boomy in this application. The midrange is strong and defined, again nothing you'd say was crazy colored.
You're right about the M177, I don't know why they even make it for as little price difference there is. We don't even mess with the M177.
War
You're right about the M177, I don't know why they even make it for as little price difference there is. We don't even mess with the M177.
War
QUOTE(Warhead @ Mar 18 2004, 02:49 PM)
Jason, I don't know if you ever got to mix a song with the VSM used on vocals or guitar cabs, but it sits real well. The low end responds quite nicely to vocals as well, not boomy in this application. The midrange is strong and defined, again nothing you'd say was crazy colored.
War
War
I never mixed anything but vocals and acoustic guitar with it. It was a loaner for a week. It had good tone, not harsh or muddy, I just found it boring. Sometimes that's good. It just wasn't what I was looking for in my quest for a front-line LD for my studio.
I haven't heard the VX2. The guy I borrowed the VSM from (and all the other CAD mics) has one and really likes it. I just never got around to trying it.
Jason A.
Anyone have the 3D Mic CD? (I know Jason has. ) The VSM is on there. I agree with Jason- it’s pretty flat and un-hyped, with no mojo.
I tried them all at Summer NAMM. I thought they sounded good, but it's really hard to tell through headphones in a place like that. I need to track with them using sources I'm familiar with.
) The VSM is on there. I agree with Jason- it’s pretty flat and un-hyped, with no mojo. I tried them all at Summer NAMM. I thought they sounded good, but it's really hard to tell through headphones in a place like that. I need to track with them using sources I'm familiar with.
I've never heard any of the 3D CDs. What do you all think about them?
Steve,
Lynn sent me the 3d mic cd's and the ADCD. He really has done a fine job. The ADCD in particular was a real eye (ear) opener ! Any one who is planning on dumping bucks into AD's would do well to get this cd. I have not given the mic cd a good listen yet, but the little I did hear was well done. Lynn is also starting a mic pre cd/dvd recorded at 2496. It is quite cool the way they are going to allow you to load different files in various combinations so you can hear how pres sound on there own or how well they play with each other. It is called the Preamp in Paradise Project or P-3. It will also include a dvd roundtable discussion with John Hall, Oliver Archut, Doug Fearn, Dan Kennedy, Greg Gualtieri, Geoff Daking, Grant Carpenter, Dave Hill and George Massenburg. It should be ready mid summer.
Paul Robison
TFPro USA
Lynn sent me the 3d mic cd's and the ADCD. He really has done a fine job. The ADCD in particular was a real eye (ear) opener ! Any one who is planning on dumping bucks into AD's would do well to get this cd. I have not given the mic cd a good listen yet, but the little I did hear was well done. Lynn is also starting a mic pre cd/dvd recorded at 2496. It is quite cool the way they are going to allow you to load different files in various combinations so you can hear how pres sound on there own or how well they play with each other. It is called the Preamp in Paradise Project or P-3. It will also include a dvd roundtable discussion with John Hall, Oliver Archut, Doug Fearn, Dan Kennedy, Greg Gualtieri, Geoff Daking, Grant Carpenter, Dave Hill and George Massenburg. It should be ready mid summer.
Paul Robison
TFPro USA
Of any mic I've ever tried on my voice, I like the VX2 the best.
It was the smoothest, least harsh, natural and just flat out nice sounding.
I sounded just like I hear myself when I sing.
Now, if I could only find one for a bargain......
Mad
It was the smoothest, least harsh, natural and just flat out nice sounding.
I sounded just like I hear myself when I sing.
Now, if I could only find one for a bargain......
Mad
Mad, the CAD VSM shares the same capsule (1.1") as one of the VX2's and certainly carries a similar sound (I have both in the studio). Might be an option, or eBay if you don't mind buying used mics.
Bump from the past for sure!!
War
Bump from the past for sure!!
War
I just got my CAD VX2 back from CAD. I had sent it in under warranty for a small noise coming from the power supply. Fixed it quick. Moreover, Duane at CAD also ran the mic through all their tests and provided new frequency response printouts of each of the two capsules. Nice touch.
Wonderful mic. True sleeper.
Wonderful mic. True sleeper.
I've owned the 3D mic CD for a while and i just received the ADCD. I've learned a lot just from listening to those CDs. If nothing else it really trains your ears to hear the subtle differences in the music/equipment.
The differences on the ADCD took a lot more listening to to identify vs. those on the mic CD for me.
The overall message this stuff confirmed to me is that you can make a professional sounding record with a pretty wide variety of equipment. Its dangerous too though. I was very impressed with the IZ Radar.
I highly recommend the CDs.
Slightly off topic, IZ was suppose to be working on stand alone converters based on Radar. I wonder if they still are.
The differences on the ADCD took a lot more listening to to identify vs. those on the mic CD for me.
The overall message this stuff confirmed to me is that you can make a professional sounding record with a pretty wide variety of equipment. Its dangerous too though. I was very impressed with the IZ Radar.
I highly recommend the CDs.
Slightly off topic, IZ was suppose to be working on stand alone converters based on Radar. I wonder if they still are.
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