KEL mics

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Hello all...

I just came across a small manufacturer known as KEL, whose claim to fame is
the low-cost ($99) HM-1, a compact side-address mic that's "darker" than the
typical home-studio mics on the market. It's designed to complement these
and for use in situations that require taming an overly bright sound source.

The company is pretty candid about their product, saying it's not gonna
compete with the Royers and Neumanns of the world. They have a liberal
return policy on their mics, which is more than I can say for Guitar Center.

Has anyone had experience with the HM-1? I already own some of the studio
standards such as TLM170, AKG C414, and others. Would a pair of these KEL
mics be of any benefit? The price is tempting but there's no need to buy
something redundant.

Thanks...

Alan

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

"Al" <descriptor@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:ZY6dnellUesZfkPcRVn-rw@comcast.com...
> Hello all...
>
> I just came across a small manufacturer known as KEL, whose claim to fame
is
> the low-cost ($99) HM-1, a compact side-address mic that's "darker" than
the
> typical home-studio mics on the market. It's designed to complement these
> and for use in situations that require taming an overly bright sound
source.
>
> The company is pretty candid about their product, saying it's not gonna
> compete with the Royers and Neumanns of the world. They have a liberal
> return policy on their mics, which is more than I can say for Guitar
Center.
>
> Has anyone had experience with the HM-1? I already own some of the studio
> standards such as TLM170, AKG C414, and others. Would a pair of these KEL
> mics be of any benefit? The price is tempting but there's no need to buy
> something redundant.
>
> Thanks...
>
> Alan


I bought one about a month and a half ago when they were still being sold
for their introductory price of 69.00 USD. Thus far it's seen duty as an
alternative to certain situations where I'd normally use a '57, and I've
also used it to record some Native American flute of all things. It's
certainly true that it doesn't exhibit the high end "fizz" that one finds in
mics of that price range. On the flute, it tamed much of the shrillness I
was getting with other condensers. On guitar cabs it doesn't have the mid
rangey honk of a 57 (which isn't necessarily a bad thing at times). I've
tried it on a Fender Twin, Hot Rod Deluxe and a Carvin MTS3200 combo with
the mic running through a Great River MP-2NV. Slightly different results as
each amp has a different voice, but in all cases I was pleased with the
results. At first, I considered it a somewhat "dull" sounding mic, probably
because I'm used to listening to mics with slightly hyped high ends. After
getting used to the KEL, however, I'm finding more uses for it. I'll
probably give it a whirl on snare and toms next just to see what it'll do.
Might even try it on vocals just for kicks - who knows, it may turn out to
be a low cost sleeper mic. The mic comes in a cardboard box that's foam
fitted for the mic and the mount as well as a print out of its own
individual frequency plot - the latter not being a big deal to me, but
somewhat interesting as you don't normally see that in mics at this price
range (or at least I haven't seen it). The build quality seems very solid
and the screw on mount holds the mic very securely.

I won't be giving up my Brauner any time soon, but the KEL is certainly
another color to paint with and I'm probably going to get another. As is
always the case with all things audio, it's a mileage thing. But for 99.00
bucks, and a very reasonable return policy, it's certainly worth a try IMO.

Cheers,

Todd H.
West Wing Audio

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Darn, too bad I missed out on those $69 offers. Would've made it all the
easier to justify.

I want a pair, and will probably go ahead and place an order when the
product is back in stock.

Alan


"Arny Krueger" <arnyk@hotpop.com> wrote in message
news:EM-dnX122_7si0LcRVn-qA@comcast.com...
> "Al" <descriptor@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:ZY6dnellUesZfkPcRVn-rw@comcast.com
>> Hello all...
>>
>> I just came across a small manufacturer known as KEL, whose claim to
>> fame is the low-cost ($99) HM-1, a compact side-address mic that's
>> "darker" than the typical home-studio mics on the market. It's
>> designed to complement these and for use in situations that require
>> taming an overly bright sound source.
>
>> Has anyone had experience with the HM-1? I already own some of the
>> studio standards such as TLM170, AKG C414, and others. Would a pair
>> of these KEL mics be of any benefit? The price is tempting but
>> there's no need to buy something redundant.
>
> It looks like economic realities are turning me into a connoisseur of
> cheap mics. I already have two pairs of MXL 603, a half-dozen CAD 95s, and
> two pairs of Behringer ECM 8000. My new pair of KEL HM-1s just showed up
> yesterday, and I may be able to give them their first outing this Sunday.
> I was able to score them at the $69 price, but the web site says they are
> currently sold out, and will be selling at $99 when they have stock
> shortly.
>
> http://www.kelaudio.com/buy.htm
>
>

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

"Particle Salad" <mark@particlesalad.com> wrote in message
news:fxFDd.9080$5R.2321@newssvr21.news.prodigy.com
>> It looks like economic realities are turning me into a connoisseur of
> cheap
>> mics. I already have two pairs of MXL 603, a half-dozen CAD 95s, and
>> two pairs of Behringer ECM 8000. My new pair of KEL HM-1s just
>> showed up yesterday, and I may be able to give them their first
>> outing this Sunday.
> I
>> was able to score them at the $69 price, but the web site says they
>> are currently sold out, and will be selling at $99 when they have
>> stock shortly.
>
> Well, so I have a question for you then.... now that you're a
> connisseur of cheap, and I'm needing a few small diaphram condensers,
> maybe you can provide me some assistance?

> Unfortunately, I can't try any of these before I buy... so that's why
> I'm asking you...

> Of the cheap ($200/pair) small diaphram condensers out there, which
> would you recommend for the following applications (just your
> opinion, of course):

> - stereo pair on a choir for sound reinforcement (church)

That's what I bought the KELs for. I was a little unhappy with how the 603s
sound in that application. I'm still using ECM 8000s for that purpose, but
it no news to anybody that omnis are tricky to use for SR.

Broad cardioids like the 603 and KEL are tricky to use for SR, but I run
those rapids regularly and mostly stay dry. The *problem* with 603 and KEL
for SR seems to be their relatively heavy bass response as much as their
lack of directivity.

While I'm ranting about stability may I say that with the ECM 8000s you have
the worst of both - plenty of bass and vanishing directivity. However, the
distance law still rules. We recently dropped the ECM 8000s closer to the
choir and it helped.

> - stereo pair for drum overheads (recording)

I don't have any drums to record yet, so I don't know.

> - single mic for studio acoustic guitar (recording)

Some of the best guitar recordings I've done were done with a single 603.

> - stereo mic for hand percussion (recording)

see drums.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

> Broad cardioids like the 603 and KEL are tricky to use for SR, but I run
> those rapids regularly and mostly stay dry. The *problem* with 603 and KEL
> for SR seems to be their relatively heavy bass response as much as their
> lack of directivity.

Thanks much!!