Do any of you guys have experience with the Roswell Aztec mic? (a 251 "clone")

The price is right for me ($2.999), but there is very scarce material on that mic on YouTube, and I don't want to buy it blindly. Also, I can't test it before I buy it as I'm currently living in Italy.

How does it compare to the original? The only other clone I was able to test was the Upton, but it's out of my budget for now.

Any help would be appreciated!

I've got an Aztec - not sure if you'd call it a 251 'clone' (I've never had a real one). So far it is sounding like an excellent mic. In my case, it hasn't had the opportunity to catch a great vocal yet. Mostly experimentation, some overdubs and harmonies - so the jury is still out but my sense is that it is going to work out fine.

It is funny the difference between fine and fantastic can be razor thin. So it is not until you accumulate a few tracks with je ne sais quoi that you can answer. As I said, I think this one is going to get there...

I also researched the Aztec and found very little info and media available. Based on Roswell's reputation I'd say it is probably an excellent microphone.

$3K is a lot of money for me to spend on a microphone so I would probably go with a microphone that has already proven its worth. There are many excellent choices at that price. If you can afford to gamble your money I'll bet the Aztec is a great mic.

I'm also interested in hearing from anyone using one of the microphone-parts.com tube microphones. Especially interested in the V-47 microphone. Anyone?

I believe their Colares Mic is their 251 type

Exactly that!

It’s crazy how they almost don’t have any audio examples of how this mic sounds on vocals. All I wanted was a simple, clean recording of a vocalist in a well-treated room, ideally with both male and female singers.

Like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIrrAb_mQIQ
or this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EMAq1gt3nM

It’s almost like they don’t want to sell the mic…
How can you buy it blindly at this price tag?

I think I’ll have to stretch my budget and get an Upton 251. It would be really nice to know how they compare, though.

I’m looking for more info on this mic too, but honestly, it’s starting to feel like a total red flag. A buddy of mine actually emailed them a few days ago asking for some vocal recordings, and apparently, they responded saying they don’t see the value in having vocal samples. Like, what? That’s literally the main reason anyone buys a mic like this

And it’s not like I can just go to my local Guitar Center to test it out. The only place that sells it is Vintage King, and they don’t even have it in stock. The bare minimum would be for the company to provide some high-quality samples.

So yeah… it’s all just feeling kinda off to me. Either the mic isn’t great, or they’re totally clueless about marketing.

Any update on the mic? Got any vocal recordings we could check out?

I have the MicParts V251 Platinum, which is the same mic as the Aztec, just with different branding. It’s a fantastic vocal mic, which is where I’ve mostly used it. I’m also curious why there hasn’t been much marketing on it from Roswell. The MicParts version was successful enough to switch the branding to Roswell. It’s a great mic in my opinion, so not sure why they’re not pushing it more other than maybe cost or part availability.

Hey, any chance you could share some recordings made with it? I'd specially love to hear how it handles vocals. I'd really appreciate it!

I’m working with a budget around $3k, so right now I’m between the Aztec, the Mojave MA-1000, and the Manley Ref C.

I'm leaning more towards the Ref C. I love how clean and modern it sounds. My only issue with this mic is the aggressive top end, but maybe a darker preamp could tame that.

Sure thing. Here’s a project I used it for vocals. I’m not a great singer, so you’ll have to overlook that part.
https://open.spotify.com/track/25YLP...MXQdYbeBmpgZAo

https://open.spotify.com/track/4Duok...TlCSwm6YoFwsMQ