I just inquired about the ETA for all Warbler-series mics and I was informed that all the metal-works are now back in stock and the assembly of new inventory has commenced...so if anyone has any questions or would like to place an order, feel free to link Guosheng directly at [email protected] for the best pricing...

BTW, Warbler III (C12 inspired) and Warbler IV (251 inspired) are currently in production...

Here is the response chart for the Warbler III:

Guosheng emailed me the specs as well. Sounds like the Warblers will be ready soon! I'm really torn on whether to try a IV or V next.

...when you consider that each of the Warbler variants has 3-voicing options which offer more-attenuated top-end response, it would seem the MK IV will give you more "air" than the MK V but still give you the darker voicing settings as well...

...it's rare to see a good quality, FET LDC mic with an accurate C12-capsule and transformer-coupled output for under $300, but to have three of them to choose from is nuts!...one of these has got to be the money-shot!

...OK, gotta give props to China Post and USPS for some very prompt shipping on these last couple of mics...so today I tested the Warbler MK III and Warbler MK IV and compared the three C12-capsule based variants, so you can hear the voicing progression...all were tracked using the Great River ME-1NV on a very clean setting, dry/no treatment....

...and since these three C12-based variants each offer 3 individual voice options, I decided it would be most beneficial to record all 3 voice options for each of these, so you can hear the range within each individual mic's voicings...

...so first up is all three C12/T14 based Warbler FET mics in order (III, IV and V), all in voice position #1 :

https://app.box.com/s/4zdyu26y5mapi0i0fki3de27gh05vwum

...then, there's an individual sound-file for each of the three variants, comparing the three voice options for each model...

Warbler MK III:

https://app.box.com/s/q5hvx4nclta375yqchiqawci3aczbnl3

Warbler MK IV:

https://app.box.com/s/c3mksta8pa2f615ngq86nt6id621mir9

Warbler MK V:

https://app.box.com/s/w92s6yfiqhl7wiw7wtz7p7h5fh01eelj

Thanks for doing these, Dennis. Really appreciate it. I think I'm going to order a MK V tomorrow. The MK IV may be more versatile, but that MK V just has such a lush, smooth mid/lo mid thing going on and I've always struggled to record my bright/brash voice. I gotta try it. I'll then try it vs the MK I I've already got on drums and elec gtrs and whatnot and decide which I'd rather have a pair of (ordering either a second MK I or a second MK V).

Thanks for the clips, brother.

Great sounding clips! I want them all! Must resist....must resist....

...yeah, but I think my favorites so far are the MK I, MK IV and MK V...MK I and MK IV would seem to be the most versatile, and MK V is just a whole different animal (a real warm & smooth "character" LDC mic)...

...but they all bring something a bit different to the party, so depending on your needs and preferences, each could fulfill a particular application...and in my experience with FET mics, particularly those that employ transformer-coupled output, they tend to mellow slightly as all the components "burn-in" over time, so I suspect these Warbler-series mics will sound even better with use (considering all of my VO sample files were recorded with the mics freshly out of their packaging)...

Thanks for the clips! Great help, definitly.

I'm worried that he ships direct from the factory in China. Normally you'd expect that he'd at least personally test each mic and make sure it's up to spec.

I don't think he's personally testing each mic, but I could be wrong. Looks like my Warbler came directly from the factory in China. But for the price, I'm not complaining. My Warbler I has been great. No issues. He's obviously got some sort of quality control set up in place at the factory.

Maybe Kidv can chime in and clarify?

Sent him an email. UK shipping is free! Which is great. But you have to contact him directly as eBay wont allow him to ship to the UK.

...you made one small error in your wording:
"...he ships direct from his factory in China."

...see the difference? (lol)...he is a partner in the factory and the QC which he detemines is far beyond anything I've seen at these price-points from China...I've gotten 7 mics from him...each one is absolutely pristine in the assembly, finish and performance, the Warbler-series being much finer quality of course than the CM-1 series, which are also fine...and this small factory is building mics for some boutique-brands (discretion keeps me from mentioning names) which sell for multiple-times the cost of these mics...

...you're essentially buying a mic directly from the engineer who designed it (and the capsules and transformers employed) and it's being assembled in his factory to his standards, with no multi-middleman retail mark-ups...you couldn't do much better if you had a cousin in the business...and you're not paying for fancy shock-mounts and aluminum road-cases...these mics come packed in very simple but sturdy, cardboard boxes (with vacu-formed foam padding) including the ADK-style hardmount (see pics below)...what you're paying for is all in the build quality of the mic, where it should be...

...anyone who has already received one of the Warbler-series FET mics can attest to the fit and finish, the heft (weighty!) as well as the overall bang-for-the-buck performance...

...this is not Apex/MXL/Nady/CAD ($300 retail priced) quality product (no disrespect intended)...these Warbler mics are on par with much better FET mics that sell easily for 2-3 times the cost...sorry if I seem to be overselling, but I am seriously that impressed with the quality...

...I plan on shooting mine out with some serious (expensive!) boutique-quality tube-mic clones to further illustrate their sonic quality...

Hey Dennis, would you be kind enough to post a fresh clip of your Stellar CM-5 for comparison? I am keen to hear where the Stellar CM-5 sits in the Warbler Mk III (C12) to Warbler Mk IV (ELAM 251) range. If I could push the friendship and get you to do a fresh take with the CM-1 as well that would be awesome. I am thinking the CM-5 is going to be close in tone to the III and the CM-1 close to the IV. It would be great to find out !

+1

...things are kinda slow here in my studio, and I'm upgrading my control surface, so why not...here ya go...Stellar CM-5 wedged between the Warbler MK III and Warbler MK IV...hope this give you the perspective you were looking for...
(IMHO, the harmonic mojo that comes from the tube/tranny combo in the CM-5 is clearly evident, but the Warbler's have wonderful sonic resolution and clarity...pick your poison!):

https://app.box.com/s/4r9oyku13budzlento2x3ximnlouzmby

Interesting. Is the CM-5 portion considerably louder? It sounds that way to me.

I had a CM-5 for awhile and I found it to be a good mic. I demo'd the Shannon/Sinsay modded Miktek CV-4 and I thought it only sounded marginally better than the CM-5. I mean, it was a better, smoother, more refined sounding mic, but not nearly the difference the prices would suggest.

That said, I found it to crap out a little on louder vocals. Could have just been my engineering and singing though, as those are both suspect.

...I comped that together rather quickly and tried to get volumes relatively similar, but those CCDA-circuit based tube-mics (like the CM-5) have a dense harmonic vibe that gives the mic a pre-compressed sound...you can download the file from that link and slice it into sections if you'd like to get a better volume match for your purposes...

...the Warblers just sound a bit more refined...I suspect Guosheng's capsules are a notch or two up in sonic reproduction...the tube mics have more mojo, but that MK IV, particularly in voice positions 1 and 3 just sounds so damn good...

...BTW, I got an email today informing me that all 5 Warbler variants are back in stock, and the introductory offer still stands if you email direct to [email protected]...

I tried to download it before posting and it was just downloading an html file. But my computer skills are highly suspect....


As for the capsules, I totally agree. I think they're the secret sauce here. Almost as if they're the type of capsules that would be found in much more expensive mics....

...just click the "Download" box on the upper right hand side of the page when you open the link...

...is it me, or is there more than just a passing similarity between the 3U Audio C12-type capsule (right pic) and this other edge-terminated capsule? (left pic)...

Thanks very much for adding a vocal with the CM-5 Dennis !

I reckon you are spot on about the sound of the CCDA/Tube combo.

In tonal range, to my ears, the Stellar CM-5 sounds closest to the Warbler Mk III in voice position 2 but there is the obvious difference with the extra definition/clarity of the Warbler Mk III vs the mojo of the Stellar CM-5. Different flavours. Add even more colours with the Mk IV and V and it's a great time for the budget minded to buy a mic.

+1

I'm getting closer to purchasing my first condenser mic (or mics) to home record vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar and an upright piano. I've checked out a lot of the audio clips throughout the thread and I'm really digging the Warbler I. I'd like to get a second mic from the Warbler series in order to record in stereo. Is there another one which would go particularly well with the Warbler I? Sorry, rookie here. I was initially thinking about a matched pair of GZ74's, but I've been told that LDC's will do the same job, but are more beneficial in that they can be used for vocals too. I'm after bang for buck AND some long term keepers. None of this selling in order to upgrade in 6 to 12 months business....been saving my pennies to buy for the long run.

I've spoken with Guosheng, but I think I played to rookie card too much - he suggested I start with the CM-1 (teal) for a first timer, but I'm already in love with the Warbler sound after hearing a few shootouts. How would the V go with the I?

I've attached some files to give you an idea of what my stuff sounds like through SM57's and 58's. Excuse the poor mixes and singing, but this is all about learning for me at the moment. The passion is there though.

Piano was recorded in stereo (57 on the bass, 58 on the treble) and vocals were on the 58 (obviously).

Thanks in advance.

...my best advice would be to go with I and IV...IV has the best range of the edge-terminated C12-type capsule based Warblers, and depending on which of the 3 voice settings, you can get close to the MK III (in setting 1) and MK V (in setting 3)...the MK V, while unique, is a bit darker and not quite as versatile...

...with the Warbler I (U87 style) and the Warbler IV (C12/251 style) you will cover the most ground tonally, and you will have more options pairing them, using various voice position settings...both of those mics, IMHO, sound superb, particularly at such low price-points...

Thank you kidvybes, you guru.

Wow be careful what this KIDy has to say

First he was flogging the Stellar mics for years
if you look you can see it is the same mics rebranded
and no they do not sound like C 12 s
and yes they sound like all the rebranded mics
save you money get a real mic

Hey RASTA PASTA man give the mic flogging a break
I bet he is on the other end packing the orders.

BE careful who u read on GS
lots of shameless pumping,.

...if I was "flogging" mics for years, as you say, don't you think there would be negative responses to my recommendations by now?...Stellar's tube mics continue to be an excellent value, even at their current higher price-points...

...BTW, Stellar mics originate from the very same manufacturing facility and share much of their design and component/build with Advanced Audio microphones, which are equally well respected (at considerably higher pricing)...

...3U Audio microphones originate from an entirely different facility, and are all proprietary designs, not shared with any other brands...definitely not "re-branded" or OEM...there are more than enough photos documenting their exceptional build quality, as well as sound files for reference purposes...

...the only "flogging" going on are the non-constructive troll remarks...

Gosh, that capsule/mount configuration on the left looks suspiciously like it's from a Rode (K2? NT2a?). Do tell.

You are incorrect, sir. I can say that from personal experience with these 3U mics and corresponding with the owner and designer. And even if Kid-V were the person behind these mics, then I'd say he's giving us a hell of a good deal. wouldn't you say? The clips speak for themselves.

I don't know Kidvybes personally at all. I've read his posts and exchanged a few pm's over the years. I'm very critical of people that try to assassinate another's character online where you can do so anonymously while offering no proof, just throwing out accusations.

I'd venture to say Kidvybes knows more about mics then 99% of the people I hear yappin on GS proferring opinions. He's on a short list of people on this board whose opinions I actually listen to in regards to mics because he consistently gets behind the "marketing hype" and discusses manufacturing aspects as well as sound. I followed a few of his recommendations and his opinions have been accurate every time.

The guy posted sound files many times, so unless your saying he's lying about the mics used to capture the sound, I definitnely don't see any harm in him sharing the info on mics that impress him in terms of value.

I only wrote this because I hope your post doesn't discourage him from continuing to share valuabe information that's an alternative to often parroted "buy a vintage 47 with a 1176 and you'll be good."

Different designer, made in a different factory, different head basket, different capsule (C12 style though), different capsule amplification (FET vs Tube), different circuit, different transformer (T14 style though)

That is your opinion and you are welcome to hold it though keep in mind that there are plenty of vocal samples of C12s on the net that folk can hear for themselves.

Really?, have you even bothered to listen to the files on this thread?

Do you know what a 2nd hand C12 goes for? How about a 2nd hand ELAM 251? Do you realise you are posting in the Low End Theory?

The guy packing the orders is in China and the designer lives in Sydney.

I think everyone is aware the kid's mic addiction has led him to an extensive knowledge of microphones. A knowledge I have tapped on many occasions.

That does occur on this site from time to time. You could be forgiven for misinterpreting his enthusiasm for pimping.

Is this the time when someone presses a button and we hear a recording of audience laughter ?