I don't know Kidvybes personally at all. I've read his posts and exchanged a few pm's over the years. I'm 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.

The guy always post sound files, so unless your saying he's lying about the mics used to capture the sound, I definitely don't see any harm in him sharing the info on mics that impress him in terms of $ value. And when you compare the value of his post to the average shite that's posted on GS daily it's really not even a comparison in terms of value to the reader.

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

I was referred to this thread by Kidvybes about a fortnight ago through a thread of my own. I did approach the situation with caution for said reason (nothing personal Kidvybes, it's the internet afterall, and I'm new to this forum). So, I sat quietly on the flanks for a few weeks, read all the posts, listened to all the clips (up to about a week ago) and researched 3U Audio products through other users feedback, Ebay feedback from the two accounts 3U Audio products have been sold on and I have personally been in contact with Guosheng via email. I'm satisfied with the information I have gathered, and I would be happy to give these mics a go. Besides, from what I have read there aren't too many entry level mics that are long run keepers at this price point anyway (I'm in Australia, nothing is cheap).

On another note, does anyone who has purchased one of these mics live in Adelaide? If so, would it be possible to arrange a short trial session? I can come to you.

I've never used the facepalm thing. Not once. I find it to be so melodramatic and overused.

That said, sometimes it just fits. So without further adieu, I give you...MY INAUGURAL FACEPALM

What a joke. Mics aren't magic. They're physics. You can open them up and look at them. Also, more importantly, you can listen to them. KidVybes is a guy who knows a lot about mics and is really helpful. That's about the end of the story. KV has recommended Stellar, Kel, 3U Audio (of late) mics to people BECAUSE THEY'RE GOOD MICS.



Go find someone else to troll.

I second this post! I remember when I first joined Gearslutz about 5 years ago. I used to argue with KidV about his posts because i was cocky and I thought I knew more than him. But the truth is, I've grown up a little with regards to the recording process (and as a person) and most of my mic collection has come from mic recommendations from KidV (Dennis). He's a person that knows his stuff. I pretty much follow all of his posts now. When Dennis likes a mic, I pay attention.

...first, I'd like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for all the kind words of support...as far as the trolling intrusion, unfortunately, such is the nature of the forum landscape...no harm done...

...no worries bro, it's what I do...not yet diagnosed, but sometimes I think it's a compulsive disorder...I'm obsessed with microphones, what can I say...


...yes Max, you're correct, it's a Rode K2 edge-terminated capsule I was comparing with the 3U Audio proprietary C12-style capsule...clearly the 3U Audio capsule is visually unlike the more common edge-terminated capsules originating from China, so based on the design-engineer's own history of a decade of working in Beijing, only to later relocate to Sidney, Australia, where 3U Audio is now based (and co-incidentally the home of Rode Microphones) I simply followed that lead and took notice of the similarity...

Just curious, has Rode ever come out and stated that the capsule in the K2 is a C12 style capsule? I know it's edge terminated (like the C12), but I have no idea if it has the same backplate design as a C12, a K67, or something that is unique to Rode.

...I cannot speak to that, as I was only commenting on the similarity in outside physical appearance (screwheads, spacing of retainer ring screw-holes, etc)...as far as I'm aware of, none of the Chinese manufactured edge-terminated capsules are historically-accurate to the original AKG backplate/chambered design, yet are more often than not, are referred to as "C12-style" capsules...it should be noted that even AKG had several different chambered-backplate designs for their CK-12 capsule, including a modified variant used in the ELAM 251...

...Stephen Paul wrote a very interesting article as part of his "Vintage Microphones" series:
Vintage Microphones, Part 3: AKG C-12, C-24 and Telefunken 250/251 | Mixonline

...what I have heard from knowledgeable sources is that while the C12-style capsule is possibly the most difficult to re-construct properly, the edge-terminated design allows for a much greater variation in the sonic tuning of the diaphragm than traditional center-terminated capsules, much like a drum-head...ADK claims it's C12-style Custom Shop capsules as employed by their Z-Mod line of mics, while not accurate recreations of the AKG design, are fine-tuned to replicate the response of the particular historic variants (they offer both a C12 version as well as an ELAM version)...

...Guosheng Zhuang has similarly implemented three distinct and diverse tunings of his proprietary edge-terminated C12-style capsule for his Warbler MK III, IV and V...

So I'm curious. Are the GZ variants suppose to be the same as the Warblers only with multiple patterns?

...good question...from the looks of the interior build pics, they have entirely different circuits, dual-diaphragm proprietary capsules (allowing for multiple patterns) and upgraded premium transformers from AMI, Lundahl or Oxford...

...I'd love to test one of the GZ251 at some point...

I really want to pull the trigger on one of these mics. I just for the life of me can't decide. I want...all of them. This is bad...

By the way, all you guys are awesome. Thanks for posting all these samples. Hearing them has got me interested in replacing a few mics in my locker.

...Chris, if you're in Miami, you're welcome to come check them out first-hand (I'm in WPB)...just a thought...PM me for details...

Oh man. I may have to take you up on this offer. I PM'd you a question earlier but it doesn't matter anymore. Meeting up will answer it. Thanks for the invite. You sir are a gentleman.

I think you all are trusting a person posting on a gear website over and over hyping the same mics
what could the motivation be


just trying to help
he has been at this for a while and I called him out before over his constant hyping of the stellar mic 2 years ago

its a pattern

Man that is truly a pickle we've got ourselves in.

If only there was some way to verify things people say about mics! All these claims about Fairchild FET's, non OEM capsules, high quality Dale and WIMA components, quality sound, etc. We're just at the whim of this sinister anonymous web character here, plying us with specific circuit descriptions and playing us like a fiddle! All for some unknown motive. I throw my hands up!

WAIT WAIT

What if some of us other, non-KidVybes people bought, inspected and maybe even USED these mics???!!! Potentially even some of us who have a lot of independent experience with mics of various pedigree and price point???

Would we then be able to make up our own minds like free men, disregarding KidVybes and his ubiquitous manipulative schemes!?? Is it too good to be true??!!! Could we finally put a stop to this Rampantly Helpful Mic Guy???

...so, you actually believe that Stellar microphones (Shanghai ShyuaiYin), Kel Audio (Ningbo TongXin) and 3U Audio (Lianyungang Xiangtong) are all the same mics?...really?

...sharing information about affordable, exceptional gear on a forum named "Gearslutz"...crazy right?


...misguided good-Samaritan tendencies, Kris?...you "called me out" 2 years ago, yet Stellar and Kel sold hundreds of microphones, with nary a negative word spoken or posted on these same forum threads in all that time?...

...funny thing is, the only people who attempt to belittle these products (and those of us who post recommending them), are people like yourself who have never used these very same products...

...ever hear the phrase "cry wolf"?...

He is in a sense hyping these mics but there's a difference when its someone pushing gear (like a sales guy or manufacturer) and when its out of passion. In this case it started out as hyping these unfamiliar mics but if you've been following this thread you'll see that a few other people have jumped on some of these mics too and everyone has been posting sample AND comparison files.

Mics being compared to C414's!!! and not just any C414's, we're talking the more sought after models like the ULS and EB's. Yeah the EB one isn't with the brass capsule but who cares. The C414's used to compare are much better than the XLS and XLII.

At this point it's no longer kid hyping up these mics. This thread has long gone past that when everyone else started posting files. Now we're having civilized conversations about what we're hearing and what it means. Besides, when you discover a hidden gem why wouldn't you want to share it with others that share your passion? You got other guys in here claiming they've sold off some well known mics from their locker to pick up a few more. It really isn't hype anymore. Not when anyone can come here and listen to the samples for themselves (including you). And not from one source but several others posting from different parts of the world.

I think you came a little late to the party on this one. Besides, Kid has built himself a reputation of doing very in depth research on mics and knowing what he's talking about (not to mention his mic addiction, which is what fuels his passion). He also has a solid track record about his findings and he doesn't have loyalty to any particular brand. So he has become a trusted source on these matters.

I appreciate guys like you that try to sniff out people that intentionally deceive others to making purchases because they stand to benefit financially. God knows there's plenty of sketchy folk like that on GS. But I don't believe Kid is one of them. Besides, even if it was the manufacturer I wouldn't mind as long as the claims are backed up and verified from independent sources.

Dude, I think you should move along now. You're not helping and I'm highly skeptical that "helping" is your prime motivation.

...on another note, some new sound-files would be refreshing, no?...

...so getting back to listening to some sound-files...I plan on posting some comparisons of the Warbler-series FET mics with some of my costlier tube microphones, not so much to highlight similarities, but more to get a reference for the resolution, or quality of the sonic character of these 3U Audio mics when compared to some respected mid-to-higher priced options...

...so this time I'm comparing the Advanced Audio CM67se ($965), a tube-condenser microphone with a K67-style center-terminated capsule, a CCDA (constant current draw amplifier) circuit employing a 6072A tube with transformer-coupled output...these mics have a 2-stage circuit (with secondary cathode-follower circuit) so they actually employ both triodes of the 6072 tube...it will be paired up to the Warbler I, which also employs a K67-style capsule and transformer-coupled output, but with a FET based circuit rather than a vacuum tube...

...now, again, this is not so much to emphasize the similarities, of which there is some, but rather to compare the overall character, and smoothness/resolution of the sonic image...volume matching may not be ideal, so if you'd like, feel free to download the WAV file and volume match accordingly in your DAW...Tube vs FET:

https://app.box.com/s/yetjtteo29ojxi0mjr08kksjl476q2do

Does anyone have vintage mics to compares these to for reference? Like a vintage C12 or vintage 47. Another good mic for comparison would be the AT4050.

...I have a nice selection of high-quality clones (I already compared the Warbler MK II to the Ioaudio MK-47, a very viable U47 styled clone)...I will be offering comparisons with some of the other mics I own (M269, M49, and C12 clones), but I no longer own any of the AT mics...keep in mind that comparing brand-new FET LDC mics to vintage tube mics is like oranges to apples, but it can offer some perspective as to the quality of the 3U Audio mic's sonic image...

...someone maybe passing thru my studio with an AT 4033 for comparison, so we could offer that...I also posted a comparison with the Lewitt LCT540, which I frankly like better than the 4050 (a bit too sterile, IMHO)...

...with the kind assistance of the others that have acquired 3U Audio mics, hopefully we will get additional reference files for comparison...

I think it's fair to question the motivation for posters hyping certain gear, surely full disclosure would be appropriate if it were a case of some possible financial incentive. At the same time, I'd like to believe kidvybes is simply sharing honest enthusiasm.

BTW, my sister lives in WPB, nice town though a bit strange for me.

...my first exposure to these products was seeing them on eBay, and finding it odd that some products shipped from China, while others from Australia...then I saw this thread in the "New Products" forum:

https://gearspace.com/board/new-prod...light=3u+audio

...the fact that the manufacturer offered up detail pics of the mic's circuit-builds, capsules and transformers (who does that?), along with the extensive use of high-quality components (WIMA, Dale, Fairchild, Toshiba, etc) was enough to motivate me to try a few mics...

...and there is absolutely no financial incentive involved...never has been with any of the products I've "hyped", as you say, on GS (Karma, Stellar GAP, KEL, WARM, etc)...


...BTW, I used the term "WPB" loosely to refer to a large area of northern Palm Beach County, which covers a lot of territory...I don't live in the town of West Palm Beach, proper...strange for me too...

kidvybes is a top dog. I've used stuff he's recommended. It's all good. He embodies the name of this forum perfectly.

Incidentally, I'm going to China for a year soon. I wonder how many of these factories don't make mics exclusively for export. I've indefinitely hung up my gear collecting until I'm more settled , but I'm still gonna look around while I'm there.

Cool, just to be clear, I wasn't saying that I had noticed the same thing about you in particular, just that in general I think it's fair to question peoples motivation for posting on audio forums, because there is financial incentive for some people.

Yeah, I think my sister is a little outside of the town too now. I usually stay at the Marriott by City Place when I visit. Cheers.

For the record, I think that ego investment is as powerful as and much more common than monetary incentive, not that I think this is the main motivator for Kidvybes. Even more relevant is the desire for some product to be "the one", so we can relax, confident in our choice, and go make music. Maybe we can do that anyway...

...OK Tim, how'bout:

Quality Components + Efficient Design + Build Integrity + Sonic Performance + Affordability = "The One"

I'm not arguing with you in the slightest. Just trying to define what's really going on, instead of getting caught up in the money incentive illusion. I'm the same as everyone else, always trying to get the most definitively best product for the best value. For myself, though, I'm more interested in the very best and accept that it's gonna cost me. Even so, there are still better values to be had even at that level. And it is gratifying to know that one can get something pretty darn satisfying, if not top notch, for a lot less.

I think you're correct about the ego gratification as a broader point. There are definitely people shilling product here for SW financial benefit (I've been offered a discount in exchange for posts here once) but I think it's a relatively small percentage (total guess of course). On the other hand, GS is crammed full of people recommending/defending various pieces of gear because it's the one they bought.

KidVybes has never once displayed that (and I know you weren't remotely saying that he has). He likes mics, knows a lot about them and is constantly hunting for new/interesting offerings.

Also, again, we don't have to take anyone's word for anything! Mics aren't a mystery, they're electrical circuits. KidVybes "hyping" of them consists of "hey, this is a really high quality circuit made of X,Y and Z components. Here are some pictures of the build and here are some clips of how it sounds". For someone to come in hot with all this ad hominem BS is just a lot of nonsense.

...no Tim, I did not take your remarks at all being argumentative...I was just simplifying the equation for what I believe makes a product worthy of promotion...

...as far as the cost for "the very best", I'm actually past that mindset myself...I elevated my gear-game over the past few years and set out to buy the best mics I could find, short of investing in vintage originals, which is another process entirely...I linked up some of the best builders, capsule makers, modders, DIY designers and I paid the price of admission...

...I spent thousands on clones employing the best capsules, transformers, tubes, components, etc...I sent mics out to some of the most highly-regarded technicians to further tweak and refine some of these mics...and as good as these mics sound (and they do), I've come to the personal realization that for me, it's not worth the investment, both financially and emotionally...finding little gems like these Warbler-series mics is much more gratifying for me...I can make just as good recordings with these as I can with the high-ticket ones...because I've taken the time to learn my craft...

...when I was a much younger man, I invested in restoring old vintage four-banger Porsches...I had a few beauties back then...but today I get much more enjoyment cruising around in my second-hand Mini...so I guess the same principals apply...once you achieve what many perceive as perfection, it becomes much easier to settle back and appreciate the little "bargains" often overlooked in your quest for "the best"...at this time I'm appreciative of the "pretty damn good" stuff in life...for now, I'll leave "the best" for the rest...