Stop Listening In SOLO

[@jimbergson]

Ah, very cool video ! It's amazing how much I preferred the Soyuz and it's sweetness instantly to be honest :) The Manley is very sharp and bright, which can be great. But it definitely seems way less forgiving for most vocalists I think. Context is always the key !

[@RecordingStudioLoser]

Yes it’s not a bad mic. It’s awesome. But for what I do and how I work (now) it’s time for something else. Not everyone will or should come to same conclusion

[@JuanNungaray]

🤦🏻‍♂️😂🤣😂 making assumptions I’ve bet you’ve never even used this mic, its literally a very forgiven mic, the key is to put in a telefunken black diamond tube.

[@ogopogo1397]

Great video. The Soyuz sounds like a person vs recording in every demo I've heard

[@cabinfever1386]

All things considered (settings, gain, plugins etc...) it was the Manley for me on every take, both solo as well as in the mix. That being said I am going to try this Soyuz. There is truth to what you say about having something so long that other options are not even considered, the other side of that coin though is "if it aint broke, don't fix it". I have the Manley Ref C and a VOXBOX and no matter who I'm recording female, male, rapper, singer,,,the Manley sits in the mix quickly with little to no processing and gives me a very solid starting point, from the video its impossible for me to say that the Manley is just better , as with all things its personal preference and too many factors to weigh in. Glad you found something that gives you inspiration, that's alway a good thing !

[@jamesb44]

Such a simple concept, but the best advice! Thanks for the awesome eye-opener!

[@pip5528]

This is also true of guitar tones and not just microphones on vocals. How it sits in the mix is more important than how it sounds by itself.

[@jordangunit3078]

This is really cool and I think Soyuz is an amazing company, but my results were the opposite. I had the 017 and a pair of 013s. While I did think they were killer mics, I actually got a more desirable character from the Manley Ref mic. Truthfully, they are pretty dang close. I do feel like your results speak for themselves and whatever you are doing, it works for you! Also, I thought the 013s were really responsive and had such a big sound for an SDC, in practice they just didn't work for the string instruments I was often doing. However, it seems like they just killed as drum overheads and had interesting results on piano. I opted to go for Telefunken ELAM 260 set instead and I just got more of what I need for string ensembles. They did not have as fat of low end, but I found the 013 were a bit too boomy and harsh in the high end. The T Funk 260 was just sweet and pre mixed sounding. The woody details of string instruments came through without harshness. The detail and quickness of response was killer though. I feel like the 017 has a bit of that quickness. Because of that, certain frequencies might come dynamically quicker/easier while having gentler high end. This is the opposite of what the 013 does. IDK, I wish I could own all of them in the collection, but as you stated, we have to financially decide what makes the cut sometimes! Great video! Fun tests man.

[@cncbmusic151]

I really think that what you showed is cool that being said I think this has a lot to do with your general mix application, I find that I very often use my manley with a pulteq style eq on the 100hz with attenuation and the maag eq air band at 40khz and I cant ever find a problem (I also did try the soyuz) but in my application (alot of indie music) i ended up liking the manlry more:) cheers

[@RecordingStudioLoser]

Oh dude for sure. Like I said it’s about knowing your own approach. But that definitely hits home at the judging which is better without context. It’s all about our own context. There’s a 1000 ways to get to the finish line. No one is correct

[@fantaztikbeatz]

@@RecordingStudioLoser absolutely 💯

[@bradzillarocks]

Both sound great but the Soyuz really fits so much better in that production.

[@elektriceye]

Both mics slay. The tone of the Soyuz is pleasing, better smoother mids. Even thought its slightly darker, it's more mouth clikcy for some reason, and that's really annoying.

[@hakonmoen3438]

I find these videos very helpful. So thank you so much for that! It helps rectify the fact that some of the classic mics might not be what you actually, in the end, would like to use. In this shootout I choose the Soyuz mic over the love-brand one, soloed or not. And I think I might have wanted a 57 over that Manely on her voice. It is so so brittle and shrill. Like most condenser mics.. And that is why the 017 is something truly special! More of these viedeos! Do a comparison of the KSM32, Soyuz, Manely, AEA. :D

[@mastershake9374]

Great video! From my experience RMS matching works much better for comparing stuff. because one pesky peak could lower the whole tracks level.. also, why would you add the same amount of high frequency boost to the brighter mic? just some thoughts, not a rant! ;)

[@RecordingStudioLoser]

Fair. Because it came off brittle. Not bright. And Often we want those frequencies up there so I wanted to show what is there and available for both mics.

[@caspermaster-com]

Wow. Kinda outclassed the manley. I did like it better even in solo. But yeah, listening in solo is crazy, in context, topend get smoothen alot, and mid/lowmid gets dissolved to a high degree in my experience

[@adriaperez6446]

Small thing you could improve: when you play the recorded takes, the noise from the video recording gets thru and does not let to a precise listening. Great video besides!!!

[@NessLeeAtl]

I've been recording for 24 years and I'll be honest...I dont hear a difference lol. I'll gladly take either

[@warsocki]

Your channel is awesome. You keep that nonsense flowing as it's so informative.

[@confectionarysound]

I’ve tried to find anything about the Soyuz I don’t like in a dozen videos; I got nothing. It’s stunning. Just picked one up.

[@Wergiftfresch]

I wonder if they include essentially a micro-launcher equivalent in their mics with their "proprietary toroidal transformer imparts color depth" tagline. In other words, would adding a launcher to the manley or other similarly "clinical" mics achieve a similar result? Just in case you happen to have a launcher sitting there ...

[@RecordingStudioLoser]

The only issue there is that these are already a very high output mics. And adding that extra 25db of gain would definitely start saturating the input of my vocal chain. Even with a 20db pad.

[@Wergiftfresch]

@@RecordingStudioLoser ah, what a pity, would have loved to get your take on it. As an Instrumentalist (didgeridoo) preferring dynamics (Md421, 441) with limited budget (not a pro) I am constantly wondering whether to go for a launcher myself to thicken it all up slightly on the way in … although frankly the md‘s already impart a bit of „dirt“ 😆

[@mastershake9374]

@@Wergiftfresch Honestly, cloudlifter and the others are really only necessary if your cable runs are really long. something like 10 meters and above. In all other cases you can just add gain on your Pre and in your DAW.

[@Wergiftfresch]

@@mastershake9374 I wasn't referring to the cloud lifter for its amplification, but for its distortion, something that I assume the soyuz mic builds in (hence my quoting their tagline). I'm wondering whether it's the same distortion-inducing circuit in the cloud lifter as in the mic.

[@musicgalaxy8832]

The Manley is just better, in the mix as well. The headroom of the Manley equipment is just 🤯

[@braxal6983]

I am about to buy a mic. Should I get the Soyuz 017 FET or get the Lauten Atlantis. I am having a hard time deciding. Please advise.

[@RecordingStudioLoser]

I have not tried the Atlantis. BUT you should just buy extra 017 tube. Instead…. Jk. I love the 017. I have 3 tubes and a fet. Great mics. I may be getting my hands on an Atlantis soon though.

[@braxal6983]

@@RecordingStudioLoser you think the tube version is superior to the FET version of the Soyuz? The tube version is so darn expensive.

[@dre3809]

Wouldn’t adding a boost to the mids in the Manley compensate a bit to get a closer effect sound as the Soyuz?

[@craigr777]

This video is pure gold, and he's recording through the Burl B80 Mothership so the A/D is as good as it gets. Totally natural analog sound. You can see that badboy up on the high rack, to the left of the board. Were you going through those BAE 1073's? Just wondering if the pre's were transparent or Transformered.

[@RecordingStudioLoser]

They were neves. The session was for a client so I tried to match the chain the client wanted in the moment

[@RecordingStudioLoser]

Good eye btw. 👍💪

[@kniferideaudio]

The Manley almost sounded a little farther away, like it has a less pronounced proximity maybe. Does it have a wider pickup pattern my chance? Try doing a test where you talk into the back of each mic. Which ever one has more rejection will usually have a more pronounced proximity effect.

[@PaulNichollsMusic]

You're right that in your mix the manley didn't sit in, but you placed them in the same mix...... I add high cut on my manley as I hate the out of control 10k+ and it controls it but maintains the tubey air than any other mic i've tried yet. I'm tempted to buy a C800g though next and watch my dollar disappear instantly.

[@RecordingStudioLoser]

Yeah it's not a bad mic by any means. yeah Ive wanted a c800g but my wife would cut me.

[@TheMixClub]

Hay you might find this interesting!! I checked out the video last night before bed on a small 32in tv.. The speaker is so small.. I was shocked i could tell the difference. The Soyuz sounds so thick. Just checked out the vid in the studio.. Man they both sound amazing!!! But I still like the Soyuz..

[@RecordingStudioLoser]

That is interesting. You never know how these things will translate to other viewed in other environments. Yes both mics are awesome. But the Soyuz my new fav.

[@FreeD00M]

Any experience with the 017 FET? Comparison with the Manley?

[@jasonbermingham]

I use the 017 FET for voiceover work. It's incredible. Very close to the Neumann TLM 67.

[@RecordingStudioLoser]

I now have two 017 tubes and one fet. It’s incredible. Very different use cases

[@Slipsch]

The Soyuz is a handmade capsule Made in Russia, the manley uses capsule of chinese origin just like Rode and Lauten Audio. Tbh, idk why certain mic are priced so high even though they are not made with the same amount of care.

[@reneegillman4744]

Have you tried the Chandler Redd mic compared to the 017?

[@RecordingStudioLoser]

I haven’t tried any Chandler mics. Your not the first to mention tho

[@sickmessiah]

I’ve been working on Mc matching cheap mics by flipping the phase of one on the same take and aiming for a -24db cancellation . Never will get a complete cancellation because of the high end wave lengths being so small that stacked mics are still too far apart on position from the live sound source

[@LuisHernandez-dy1rq]

I really like my Mojave MA 201 FET

[@ckaras100]

Aside from the obvious, why not keep both? Surely there will be a use for the Manley in future sessions, no?

[@RecordingStudioLoser]

I’ve amassed such a collection of mics I’m actively trying to thin the herd. I’d hate it knowing it was just collecting dust. A mic that nice needs to be used.

[@mrcoatsworth429]

@@RecordingStudioLoser If it's bothering you that much, I'll take it from you, free of charge;)

[@manuellujan5625]

Are they that far apart in quality? or is the Manley quite up there. Barely noticeable difference.

[@famousarmystudio]

quick PT comparison tip... create a group of the 2 tracks you want to solo back and forth, then select one of the clips on the Manley, hit play and shift+S while playing and PT will keep swapping the solo between the 2 tracks so you can audition the mics without having to stop or hit solo and mute and all that. Super helpful to audition different mics.

[@JuanNungaray]

Quit lying to yourself and people, Manley Ref C is an smazing mic. Not saying the soyuz is bad because it’s a great mic too, you were just hyped to get the new mic and we humans tend to get very excited when we get something new.

[@RecordingStudioLoser]

Yeah the ref c is DOPE. I say that in the video @ 13:10 . Sure I was probably excited. But there are notable differences in the mics and i kept the one that I personally liked, and to show those differences. I'm not implying the ref C was bad. Everything is subjective thats why I tried to back up my own thoughts with examples so you could make up your own mind. No shade to Manley at all.

[@LuisHernandez-dy1rq]

Song sounds like an old james Bond song from the 70's

[@jimorgain63]

I cannot tell the difference on Boss headphones

[@matt_nyc_audioengineer]

The Manely almost sounds like it's cutting out..... I know it's not it's just not as consistent if that makes sense lol.

[@simondalstrom]

NO

[@RecordingStudioLoser]

Go on

[@f.nf.n7689]

@@RecordingStudioLoser its sad that the russia-ukraine war will effect a good brand/company/ gear/mic as soyus. Germans has done alot of bad in the past but nobody would boycott their world famous microphones or cars!

[@RecordingStudioLoser]

I would have had no way to know at the time of this video what would currently be happening. It's terrrible. I will point you to Soyuz own statements on the subject if that is your issue. I however do not speak for them.