Roswell Mini K87 (smooth and rich)

[@andrewwehrlen5606]

This pushed me over the buy line. Overnighted it. Tried today briefly and was BLOWN away. It’s butter on my voice. I do mostly audiobooks and damn! Thanks for this review.

[@TheRecordist]

It’s wicked awesome, eh? What a mic!

[@TartanKiwi]

absolutely amazing review as always. Had I not nabbed an Atlantis this would be deff on my radar!!

[@TheRecordist]

Thanks so much! And of course! The Atlantis is one hell of a mic!

[@Fl4ppers]

I sooooo want that Atlantis. That's one of my dream mics now!

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

That really flatters that part of your voice you can really hear in the "eight" of "eighty". That whole mic fondling part of the video should come with a warning for kids and old ladies.

[@TheRecordist]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@hackinghifi4247]

Great video sir! This is on my list towards the top of big boy mics I’d like to get someday.

[@TheRecordist]

Woo hoo! I think you’ll love it!

[@RichardKasika]

'Ian Malcolm off the coast of Costa Rica in 93' Jurassic Park ago 🤘

[@TheRecordist]

You know it! Hahaha

[@cesarcamilocipagauta4936]

Thanks man for another wonderful review! I love your work. Sounds really fantastic, this Roswell has impressed me a lot, I didn’t expect that. For classical recordings, how do you compare this microphone to the sE4400 in transients? I am between these two microphones right now.

[@TheRecordist]

Hi there. Thank you very much! Well, both mics smooth transients very well. The 4400 might smooth them a touch more. The k87 has more low end. In the end, for me, it comes down to the functionality. What would I need it to do. The 4400 has 4 polar patterns, some roll-offs, and a pad switch, while the K87 has no switches at all. So that would be up to you to decide.

[@cesarcamilocipagauta4936]

@@TheRecordist Thanks for your reply. I actually only need the cardioid pattern, so an sE4100 would be fine too. I'm interested in transients, since I'm looking for a mic that, in addition to having a flat frequency, also has fast transients, which is important.

[@TheRecordist]

@@cesarcamilocipagauta4936 well then, I’d recommend the sE T2 or the T1. Super fast transient response and relatively flat. You can watch my T2 video here: sE Electronics T2 (the Lord of the Rings mic) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZa2hHulj7lgntU And the T1 video is coming in a few weeks!

[@jenslempke7883]

My woman said the same thing to me after our first date! (The invite to tea part) 😂

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. Well there you go! Hahaha

[@offplanetfilms]

Great mic! Very hard to find a pre-amp sound & setting that it doesn't like. We bought the high-output mod version for cartoon voice acting & it's in our top three faves!

[@TheRecordist]

I agree! It’s been fabulous on everything. So incredibly smooth. I’ve tried it with a Grace, a few API flavors, and I just got a Hairball Lola in, but I have yet to test that out. What are your other two top mics?

[@offplanetfilms]

@@TheRecordist My other 2 faves are the Dachman DA87i and the Neumann TLM103. The TLM103 can be a bit harsh at times, but on some character voices, it's #1. If a voice won't work with the TLM103, the Roswell K87 will gladly step in! I really liked the Roswell K87 through a UA Solo 610 preamp... creates a wide range of different VO eq's by flipping various impedance & low cut swicthes. Has plenty of sweet spot settings with the 610, where most mics only have one with it.

[@TheRecordist]

@@offplanetfilms excellent choices! A UA Solo 610, you say? I can totally see that. Wonderful!

[@offplanetfilms]

@@TheRecordist Yes, the US 610 is fantastic for adding a bit of vintage warmth to things. I've recently bought a Focusrite ISA One for a more pristine sound for some mics that sound muffed though the 610. Those two preamps cover a lot of sonic territory!

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Mate your content is sooo good, I still love my Shure SM7B

[@TheRecordist]

Thanks! And of course. I love mine as well!

[@garyduganmusic]

Great review, Nathan. I own a pair of these Mini k87s and they are as good as you say!

[@TheRecordist]

Woo hoo! You know what I’m saying, then! You really see what these can do when miking up instruments. So smooth. Really great.

[@CaptainMoto]

Mr.Parker, Great review on a wonderful mic. I like naked little mics with no switches or knobs. As always loved the song. PS; I cheated😮 bought a used, prebuilt DIYRE 73p , now waiting for them to send me the 2 slot chassis so I can try it with my Mini K67x🎉

[@TheRecordist]

Oh wow! I don’t even have one yet! Very good! You absolutely MUST tell me what you think!

[@Fl4ppers]

I love that mic, havent yet got one but saving up after hearing all the demos (check out their own Roswell company YT where they do covers and band recordings). I've so far got the 67x and love that. Super shocked at how heavy it is. I think Roswell should look at custom body designs and a multi pattern k87, take this to the next level.

[@TheRecordist]

Oh yes. I’ve been to their YT channel. Great stuff! The K67x has a massive transformer in there. It creates that creamy saturated sound. Also a great mic. That’s a great idea about a bells and whistles version of the k87!

[@Fl4ppers]

@@TheRecordist I was looking at their Delphos2 mic too, but didnt like the way the transients came across in the demos. Could have been the demos online were janky but was unsure enough to go for the 67x instead. I think the k87 would work amazingly on spot mics for orchestral and choral work. I dont know how realistic it is to tone-match more than 2 mics but it might be an option for bigger studios who work with that sort of thing.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

What processing are you applying to your audio to make it sound so good?

[@TheRecordist]

Hi Simon. This video has nothing applied except for a limiter. I do have a process for other videos though. I did a video about it last week.

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

@@TheRecordist I think that I need more room treatment

[@TheRecordist]

@@simonsayshomeassistant yes. That’s a common problem. Removing reverbs and echos and all that goes miles to vastly improve your sound.

[@intouch8789]

I was about to pull the trigger on the Se 4400 T2 and now I don't know what to do lol. I'll buy anything for a grand or less. Help! Are the other Roswell mics at a more expensive price better than this one? Im still kind of leaning towars the T2 for a bright natural sound. I returned the KSM42 because it felt to closeted, I'm looking for somethings nice and open that goes good with rap vocals.

[@TheRecordist]

Hey there. The K87 is not bright. It’s quite soft and a bit dark. Tye T2 is much more open with faster transients. Between the T2 or the 4400, the T2 seems more what you’re after. Cheers!

[@intouch8789]

@@TheRecordist Thank you! 😁

[@TheRecordist]

@@intouch8789 no worries!

[@JonathanDano]

You seemed to like this one more than the mini k67x. Would you agree with that?

[@TheRecordist]

Hey there. No. I like them both for completely different reasons. I was just surprised with this mic. I didn’t expect it to have such a smoothness. The K67x has a ton of character and saturation. This one is very transparent. Totally different mics.

[@DaveSS-xi4pn]

😂😂😂love the song!!!!

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. Thanks very much!

[@rounderone8437]

"it's really small... Why is that phrase so familiar?" Ahh yes, I would expect nothing less from you! Anyway, after I saw your review of the 67x, I went to Roswell's site and settled on the K87 for its neutral sound supposedly. I am developing a podcast (humor) where I will be doing some voice characterizations which require clarity above all and thought that the 67x might bring a slight bit too much saturation (or coloring, perhaps?) from the transformer. Still waiting on delivery in October of the Stam SA87i. I'd be interested in your review of the Se T2 to see how it compares with the 4400 - 4100. I really hope that the differences are negligible so I don't have to buy it. I have a real problem, so I am joining Mics Anonymous, where they encourage you to spend no more that 50% of your yearly income or a divorce, whichever comes first.

[@TheRecordist]

Hahahahaha. You know it! A humor podcast, you say? I’m intrigued. But I think you made the right call on the K87. The T2 review is coming in a few weeks! I wish I could go faster but each episode takes me so long to put together. The T2 has slightly more attack than the smoother 4400/4100. If you already have the 4400/4100, I think you’re set! No need to spend 51% of your yearly income! Hahaha.

[@rounderone8437]

@@TheRecordist I also have a Lauten LS-208, Austrian Audio OC-18, Lewitt 440 Pure, Earthworks Ethos & Icon Pro, Shure KSM 32, Rode NT-1, Shure SM-57, Shure MV-7 and I'll probably buy the K87. More later on my podcast...

[@rounderone8437]

And I do have the 4100.

[@TheRecordist]

@@rounderone8437 wow. You’ve got a great locker started… “started”. Let me know when you get to 40+. Hahaha. Just kidding. You’ve got some great mics in your collection! Where is your podcast?

[@rounderone8437]

@@TheRecordist In development. Will be out some time next year. I'll email you with more details in the near future. It would be great to speak with you at some point!

[@mikebauer6917]

Okay, I’ve mostly resisted your GAS inducing gear reviews so far, okay except for some lovely LOM gear, but this one is a likely purchase for me.

[@TheRecordist]

Hahahaha. I know what you mean! This is a fantastic purchase. As long as you don’t need different polar patterns or any filtering, this is a great mic. Totally moldable into anything you want. You can’t go wrong!

[@richardsisk1770]

I am considering the Stam 87i or this Roswell. What do you think…?

[@TheRecordist]

Hey Richard. They’re both two completely different mics. The Stam is full of saturation and character and very mid-forward. The Mini K87 is clear and articulate and smooth and transparent. They sound absolutely nothing alike. So, it would depend on what you’re trying to do with it.

[@richardsisk1770]

@@TheRecordist voiceover would be my application.! Thanks 😊

[@dj2big]

What cable are you using?

[@TheRecordist]

Hey. For the regular talking head portion, I’m using a Vermöuth 2nd Born (V2 Green) cable. For the booth part, I’m using a WBC Pro quad.

[@dj2big]

@@TheRecordist nice!

[@hendricksam]

Tried ordering the Vermouth cables, seems like they’re not responding. Any clue why?

[@TheRecordist]

Yes. I have no idea what happened to them. They just dropped off the face of the earth. I know the owner had some family matters to attend to, but no idea what happened. So sorry about that.

[@Knowherelse]

I wanted a smaller U87 sounding mic.. Maybe this is as close as it gets?

[@TheRecordist]

I don’t think the Mini K87 sounds like a U87. The Stam Audio SA87i of the Dachman DA 87i sounds much closer. Actually, the Dachman DA FET 47 sounds strangely like an 87 to me.

[@Knowherelse]

@ Thanks for the response. Lots of people tend to always make that claim. What traditional mic do you think the K87 most resembles? Or do you believe it is something new and original sounding?

[@RoswellProAudio]

Nathan, how did you fit so many nice words into such a small mic?!?! ;-)

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. Without difficulty! Great mic! Great company! Hats off to you, sir!

[@DailyRiot]

Stam 87 or this?

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. Two totally different mics. This is smooth and transparent. The SA87i is incredibly colored. Tons of saturation and character. It would really depend on what I was trying to accomplish.

[@DailyRiot]

@@TheRecordist thanks that's all I needed to know, I am looking for some clarity with a smoother top end but with some midrange grit. Sounds like this mic.

[@windpeoples]

Hopefully you were not pursued by a pack of hungry raptors when you bought the measuring tape!

[@TheRecordist]

You know… I was. What a pain! Hahahaha

[@badmiddens]

knowing that roswell is the same folks as mic-parts, i always wonder how these roswell mics compare to the corelating mic-parts kits. Their S-87 kit is about 400 bucks. Might they have the same parts? Who knows. I'd like to know. Don't ask them, they get mad!

[@TheRecordist]

That’s a great question. I have no idea. I’d think not, since this Mini K87 is not meant to sound like a U87. It’s its own thing. Also, I don’t think they’d get mad when asked about this. Why would they? It’s a good question. I’ll try to find out for you.

[@TheRecordist]

@@badmiddens here’s your answer: “The S-87 and Mini K87 use the same recipe but differ in many ways: size, weight, features, accessories, cost. The two mics use many different components. The DC circuit in the Roswell mics is 100% different than what the S-87 uses. The S-87 has higher sensitivity (closer to the “high output” version of the Mini K87), and an internal switch that can be configured either as a pad or C/O pattern switch.”

[@badmiddens]

@@TheRecordist Did you just look into all this?? You're a gem, ya know that? I did add the dig about them getting mad, because years ago I asked them (him) a question that I thought was pretty simple, and the response was a wee bit touchy. The guy knows his stuff but yeah, left a bad taste for me.

[@TheRecordist]

@@badmiddens huh. That’s strange. Matt has not only always been super cool, but he also has a great sense of humor. Maybe it was an off day. Anyway, I emailed him and asked him and he got back to me right away. He’s been really great to work with. Sorry you had some problems. Maybe try again?

[@badmiddens]

@@TheRecordist it was quite a while ago. I suspect you're right, or I was having one myself and he misinterpreted my question as too probing and I misinterpreted his answer as too aggressive. I'll save the whole story for when I write my autobiography called, "How KZbinrs Made Me Buy Way Too Much Gear." Yes, I shall also blame you...

[@theCAMgamers]

Se T2 or mini k87 if they are the same price where I am? 🙏

[@TheRecordist]

@@theCAMgamers hi there. Well, I’d have to know what you’re going to be doing with it. VO, music, field recording, foley, etc.

[@theCAMgamers]

Bit of VO and a bit of recording strings - violin / cello!

[@TheRecordist]

@@theCAMgamers the T2 is a wonderful VO mic. Andy Serkis read the entirety of the Lord of the Rings books on a T2. It’s got snappy transient response. It’s got a lot more options than the Mini K87, but the Mini K87 is a bit smoother. If it was the same price, I would go for the T2.

[@theCAMgamers]

@@TheRecordistThank you so much for the reply. You are such a gem in the KZbin space!

[@TheRecordist]

@@theCAMgamers oh haha. Thanks very much!