Hello, I read about the differences between Z5600 and Z5600 MKII, new tube etc (I can always change the tube blabla), but what's the sound differences?
I got an opportunity to buy SE Z5600 (the old version) for 250 Euro (around 300$), for now that's my money limit and I think it is better to buy this one than a new Rode NT2a (I don't like it, I have Rode NT2 (old one version), it was good but it went broken), also I can buy AKG C214 for similar money (but I always have a possibility to borrow one , so I think that SE is my goal).
I'm seriously thinking of buyin this SE.
What do you guys thinK?

Thanks

I think you should buy it, then sell it for $400

Make some money on a good deal, but don't count it on being your new go to mic. I've got one, it excels on front of kick duties, and pretty good for backing vocals, but I'd go for just about anything else when it comes to lead vocals, or even acoustics

Can you please send me a part of an unprocessed vocal track of that yours 5600?
Don't get me wrong, I worked with plenty of mics, both expensive and cheap, I knew to make the sound right even with Berhinger B1 and AKG C2000 (which I have in this time and it is very bad microphone in my opinion), I got a sound examples from this particular mic that I want to buy and for that money I like it.

Attachment as requested

Recorded in my old bedroom.. mmm gotta love those plaster walls

Besides that, it's OK

I really wonder how many other good mics get trashed here because people just do not even bother to treat the rooms they "test" them in properly? tutt

We have a 5600A Mk. II and like it a lot. Then, we have a proper vocal booth.

Andy

So, do you think is it worth buying for 300 $?

Personally, I think they are a very nice mic - period. At $300 I'd jump right on it.

Andy

Thanks, that's what I think too, and I think I can always make a mod on it.
The only thing that interests me is is the microphone breakable not in the send breaking glasses, but techincal break, sorry for my bad english

you know Andy, I never stated this was a test or anything
op simply asked for an unprocessed take done with that mic, that's what I had, and I stated the conditions it was recorded in

In three months if you're still really interested I'll then be able to do another in a treated room, how's that? fuuck

I bought it and I'm impressed, for that money I gave it is great.
@Lee Garden: It doesn't sound like your recording you sent me, it sounds very naturally, and have nice midrange.

And do anybody have some experience with mod of this microphone?
I'm about to buy some peluso capsule and tube to replace with this one that are in the mic

I would just stick to changing the tube. The 5600 mk II sounds pretty honest, if unflaterring as it comes stock. I switched out the tube for a NOS GE and it was just the thing. Now it's my go to for front of kick or bass cabinet mic.

I know this is an old thread, but trying to find some help.

I know there’s three so called versions, the silver Z5600, The Blue, or black?, 5600A, and the 5600A MkII.

I’m basically just trying to confirm for sure, does the 5600A not have a Transformer? There’s tonnes of pics showing the MkII, and it’s big transformer, but I couldn’t confirm on the 5600A. I only found one pic of the inside, but only of the board, not sure if there was a transformer lower in the body.

Thanks!

The Z5600 is from when sE didn't have their own factory yet. This is the "silver" one, introduced in 2003, and as I get it, replaced in 2004. You can basically still buy that one with a different brand in Europe as the t.Bone SCT-2000 (and a lot cheaper). You can do research: check for the Feilo Z5600 (how would they get that name :-) )

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews...ctronics-z5600

About the change in production:

https://www.soundonsound.com/people/...uring-far-east

The Z5600a (just like the Z3300a, and the sE2200a) were when they changed production to their own facilities. Quality was better, and even though there are similarities the A-versions are really "A" lot better. The Z5600a was powder coated in a greenish gray for better handling of "resonance".

I believe the only changes from the Z5600a to Z5600aII are the same as from the Gemini to the Gemini II, being a pad and HPF. It is still powder coated in the same colour. This happened around 2008 and is still the current incarnation.

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews...i-ii-z5600a-ii

I have a t.Bone version of the Z5600 and I do have the Z5600a II. Both can use a better tube than the stock one, but the (more expensive) Z5600a II stock tube was pretty decent.

To answer the question: I'm 99.99% certain that the 5600a has a transformer. To be honest, the sE Gemini is the only tube microphone that I know of that doesn't have one.

There is NO sE Z5600 model ever made in black AFAIK. There's the Gemini III (like the Gemini II but multipattern), and there's the t.Bone SC-1100 which is the Feilo Z3300, the original sE Z3300 but that 's a FET microphone, transformer based. There are other black sE microphones, but none are similar to the Z5600-models

I find the original Z5600 to be very rare (except for later iterations with other brand names), the Z5600a to be replaced with the Mk II only a few years later, with everything almost the same except for two minor updates. Not that it's my business, but I'm curious why you'd really want to know that?