I think a blind A/B comparison might have been better. There’s are always those gear snobs who think more expensive is always better. My recording class recently did a blind A/B shootout between an Advanced Audio CM87 versus the Neumann U87. Same tube mic preamp. The Advanced Audio was unanimously preferred over the Neumann. There were Subtleties but not $2600 worth. Our instructor (who BTW was an engineer on Tesla’s first two albums) told us to use our ears when comparing gear. Thanks Kirt!
If you’re recording both mics at the same time, then what is the reason for prerecording/reamping the guitar track? Given that you did this, however, it would have been better to record separately: this would allow recording from the exact same position, which is not the case in the test, introducing an unwanted variable (may be the source of the low mid bump).
My first impression is that the low end trouble with the Fathead here sounds more like a proximity effect issue, I suspect backing it off the amp a little bit would bring these two mics much closer in sound.
Yep the Royer is obviously a few inches back. That much distance can change the sound dramatically. I have a cheap mxl r144 and I gotta keep off it a few feet at least for recording my acoustic guitar.
The Royer had much less bass and more upper mids to my ears. More usable sound for a mix out of the box. The upgraded Lundahl transformer in the Fathead is worth it to add more clarity and definition... I’d be interested to hear that against the Royer.
Before finding this vid, I ordered a Fat Head. I'm buying a few important things at the moment, so I'm having to budget. I concur that there is a little low mid bump, so I'd might high pass a little on the way in, if needed, but otherwise, I'll be happy for now with the performance of the cheaper ribbon, whicn has plenty of smoothed, natural top end without the hyping. Different sources will produce different desirable properties in the Cascade, and proximity and placement, as with all, mics can be the key, to avoiding too much EQ in post. In conclusion, cheers gentlemen
Thanks guys, I just purchased the R-10 (on top of already having a Fat Head II) The Royer has an overall tighter sound. In an ensemble mix, that fat head would drive me crazy.
Great shootout guys thanks. To my ears the Royer will mix a lot easier as the low mids are rolled off very naturally. The Fat Head guitar would require some tweaking to help it not muddy a mix. Still at the price you can't argue with the tone of the fat Head it's just that with the Royer you can almost set it and forget it for ready to mix guitar tracks.
That's always been my impression between Royer's and FatHead's. I went with a few FatHeads some years ago because of price / value. You an always eq out the woofy low end, but I like having that extra thick warmth and body if needed. I'd love to have some Royer's though...
Hmm, I liked the R-10, better than the Fathead, which would need bass, and low-mids EQing out. But, if looking for something cheaper than a Royer R-121, the right answer might be ... a Beyerdynamic M160 :)
I went into this thinking this video was going to legitimize the Fat Head, but the Royer just sounds way better in terms of fidelity... I get the application of a ribbon on an amp for fattening up purposes, but I still think the clarity of the R-10 justifies its cost over the Fat Head.
It's a bright sounding source, but with that said, I thought that the Royer sounded thin and the fat head sounded .... well ... fat. I prefer to EQ out what I don't need rather than to try to add what's not there when mixing, but I see a solution here. Clearly, we need to buy them both.
Great comparison, video guys! They both sounded good but different… if it was a crowded mix, Royer might be better , but for an intro or something like i think the fat had a nice full sound to it
Thank you both!
It feels like these guys did this review at gun point
I loved the review, but you 'aint wrong
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I think a blind A/B comparison might have been better. There’s are always those gear snobs who think more expensive is always better. My recording class recently did a blind A/B shootout between an Advanced Audio CM87 versus the Neumann U87. Same tube mic preamp. The Advanced Audio was unanimously preferred over the Neumann. There were Subtleties but not $2600 worth. Our instructor (who BTW was an engineer on Tesla’s first two albums) told us to use our ears when comparing gear. Thanks Kirt!
Pro, no-hype video - well done!! Nice to see it with some guys of advanced age/experience for a change!
If you’re recording both mics at the same time, then what is the reason for prerecording/reamping the guitar track? Given that you did this, however, it would have been better to record separately: this would allow recording from the exact same position, which is not the case in the test, introducing an unwanted variable (may be the source of the low mid bump).
doing gods work out here... Thank you!
My first impression is that the low end trouble with the Fathead here sounds more like a proximity effect issue, I suspect backing it off the amp a little bit would bring these two mics much closer in sound.
Yep the Royer is obviously a few inches back. That much distance can change the sound dramatically. I have a cheap mxl r144 and I gotta keep off it a few feet at least for recording my acoustic guitar.
The Royer had much less bass and more upper mids to my ears. More usable sound for a mix out of the box. The upgraded Lundahl transformer in the Fathead is worth it to add more clarity and definition... I’d be interested to hear that against the Royer.
Before finding this vid, I ordered a Fat Head. I'm buying a few important things at the moment, so I'm having to budget. I concur that there is a little low mid bump, so I'd might high pass a little on the way in, if needed, but otherwise, I'll be happy for now with the performance of the cheaper ribbon, whicn has plenty of smoothed, natural top end without the hyping. Different sources will produce different desirable properties in the Cascade, and proximity and placement, as with all, mics can be the key, to avoiding too much EQ in post. In conclusion, cheers gentlemen
The Royer sounds like it would sit better in a mix.........
Mid bump on FAT is a bit much. I love how you guys mention what hard drive you are recording to. Made me laugh.
The Fat Head sounded tubby to me. I would be removing a lot of low end using that mic.
Thanks guys, I just purchased the R-10 (on top of already having a Fat Head II) The Royer has an overall tighter sound. In an ensemble mix, that fat head would drive me crazy.
thank You!
i would like to hear youre opinion on which was closer to the actual room tone of the amp?
Very nice video. Very helpfull. Nice vibes.
Tod has a bit of a higher voice than Larry, but I like Larry's bass response more.
Nicely done video. Thanks for posting. The Royer is easily the superior sounding mic in this video by a MILE.
surprisingly i prefer the fathead, smoother to me
Great shootout guys thanks. To my ears the Royer will mix a lot easier as the low mids are rolled off very naturally. The Fat Head guitar would require some tweaking to help it not muddy a mix. Still at the price you can't argue with the tone of the fat Head it's just that with the Royer you can almost set it and forget it for ready to mix guitar tracks.
The Fathead sounds like it would work well on a raunchy live rock sound.
The attack is far clearer on the Royer
This explains what I didn't like hearing in the Fathead. Once I listened again with this keyword "attack" in mind, it made sense.
Great job! what type of mic stands are used in this video?
The stands look like the Musician's Gear Tripod Desk Mic www.guitarcenter.com/Musicians-Gear/Tripod-Desk-Mic-Stand-with-Clip.gc
Little ones!
Small
Royer sounds more open and is worth that little more detail.
I think the R-10 has better transient response, while the fat had has more body....hmmmmm tough pick.
That's always been my impression between Royer's and FatHead's. I went with a few FatHeads some years ago because of price / value. You an always eq out the woofy low end, but I like having that extra thick warmth and body if needed. I'd love to have some Royer's though...
That was very helpful, thank you!
Hmm, I liked the R-10, better than the Fathead, which would need bass, and low-mids EQing out. But, if looking for something cheaper than a Royer R-121, the right answer might be ... a Beyerdynamic M160 :)
hi, the fathead needs a preamp?
I found that some ribbon microphones can use a pre amp, like the cloud lifter.
I went into this thinking this video was going to legitimize the Fat Head, but the Royer just sounds way better in terms of fidelity... I get the application of a ribbon on an amp for fattening up purposes, but I still think the clarity of the R-10 justifies its cost over the Fat Head.
It's a bright sounding source, but with that said, I thought that the Royer sounded thin and the fat head sounded .... well ... fat. I prefer to EQ out what I don't need rather than to try to add what's not there when mixing, but I see a solution here. Clearly, we need to buy them both.
I could use the R-10 track straight away. That would be my reason to use a ribbon...to get the sound I want without EQ.
fat head was more scooped- loose bass and more top end. the royer was much more mid foward- tighter bass but darker.
i own a fathead and like it farther away than this, far enough to get the bass in a pleasing level pre eq.
Thanks for this video guys!
Ribbon is not that cheap, but sounds way better for me)
Thank you, Maxim, for checking out the video. There are some good quality affordable ribbon mics available these days. Happy recording and mixing.
Roger is definitely more neutral while the fathead has its own character that you might be after if you're buying a ribbon
Great comparison, video guys! They both sounded good but different… if it was a crowded mix, Royer might be better , but for an intro or something like i think the fat had a nice full sound to it
both are usable
royer is more fidelity
Very helpful. I do prefer fat head)
To my ears the Royer is way better. The Fat Head added a lot of bass. Too much.
yea, the fathead likes to be farther away, i like mine about 1foot from the speaker, put it too close and it get boomy real quick.