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ADK S-7 Microphone
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March 25, 2008
In Use
Hello Friends-
I recently had the time to do some head to head mic tests at Certain Sparks, my own 24-track digital recording studio located in Lompoc, CA.
I put some of the usual suspects, head to head with several mics from the new line from ADK Microphones. I even threw in some oddball mics just to see what the "wrong" mic would sound like on a source. (no great results there)
I recommend conducting tests like this as regularly as possible using your own mics, cables and signal chains. You should do this on your own time to become more familiar with the unique characteristics of different mics in your collection instead of lusting after gear that you don't currently have. (Nobody wants to be your lab rat while the clock is running, and being a good engineer means using what you have on hand.)
Among my tests were different mics on snare, kick and toms.
Not surprisingly, the SM57 beat out the SM58 and some other Audix mics on loud rock snare. All the ears in the room chose the 57 in the blind test with all mics at the same position on the snare. We all know the 57 is such an impressive mic on so many sources, no big revelation there.
The 57 also shined in its role as tom mic, a great option when you can't afford to put up a nicer condenser in front of a inexperienced / flailing drummer. I've had different drummers take down two 57s in 2 days. And it's a lot easier to be out $200 bucks then be out two or three times that for one mic, especially when running an affordable recording studio.
The real star of my tests ended up being a brand new ADK S-7. I was fortunate enough to have received several mics from the brand new ADK "Audiophile Series" from a friend in the business.
ADK describes the S-7 as: "a high-SPL, reliable and robust microphone with a "linear" response. It means that when you use the S-7 you will get a life-like, detailed, transient rich sound. The dynamic range was set to allow for relatively heavy sound pressure levels, and the two-way pad enables this microphone to be used with sources up to 150 dB SPL."
On drums the mic is recommended on: Toms, Floor tom, overhead and spot mic'ing, including kick drum.
For the reasons mentions above I decided to try the S-7 safely away from damage on the kick drum. I'd been searching for an alternative to my AKG D-112, which just wasn't providing what I really loved about a kick drum sound. (Don't get me wrong it does its thing, but I was looking for something different.)
The ADK S-7 proved to be just that mic. It needed very little in the way of EQ, just optional sweetening to taste. The fullness and "round-punch" was more what I'd been after in a kick sound. And it didn't have the exaggerated "slappy" hi-end. I used one of the pads on the mic though I don't recall if I went with the -8 or -18.
The ADK S-7 produced a much more natural and nuanced sound, as opposed to the D-112's tight attack.
This mic is also recommended on loud vocal and other sources which certainly beats out the limited common uses for the AKG mic, though I am yet to try it on voice. I go with what works, and in my opinion the ADK S-7 is an outstanding microphone with a subtle and complimentary character.
Add one to your mic collection today at street price of about $300, or just come on down to Certain Sparks, and hear for yourself!
Randall Sena
Hello Friends-
I recently had the time to do some head to head mic tests at Certain Sparks, my own 24-track digital recording studio located in Lompoc, CA.
I put some of the usual suspects, head to head with several mics from the new line from ADK Microphones. I even threw in some oddball mics just to see what the "wrong" mic would sound like on a source. (no great results there)
I recommend conducting tests like this as regularly as possible using your own mics, cables and signal chains. You should do this on your own time to become more familiar with the unique characteristics of different mics in your collection instead of lusting after gear that you don't currently have. (Nobody wants to be your lab rat while the clock is running, and being a good engineer means using what you have on hand.)
Among my tests were different mics on snare, kick and toms.
Not surprisingly, the SM57 beat out the SM58 and some other Audix mics on loud rock snare. All the ears in the room chose the 57 in the blind test with all mics at the same position on the snare. We all know the 57 is such an impressive mic on so many sources, no big revelation there.
The 57 also shined in its role as tom mic, a great option when you can't afford to put up a nicer condenser in front of a inexperienced / flailing drummer. I've had different drummers take down two 57s in 2 days. And it's a lot easier to be out $200 bucks then be out two or three times that for one mic, especially when running an affordable recording studio.
The real star of my tests ended up being a brand new ADK S-7. I was fortunate enough to have received several mics from the brand new ADK "Audiophile Series" from a friend in the business.
ADK describes the S-7 as: "a high-SPL, reliable and robust microphone with a "linear" response. It means that when you use the S-7 you will get a life-like, detailed, transient rich sound. The dynamic range was set to allow for relatively heavy sound pressure levels, and the two-way pad enables this microphone to be used with sources up to 150 dB SPL."
On drums the mic is recommended on: Toms, Floor tom, overhead and spot mic'ing, including kick drum.
For the reasons mentions above I decided to try the S-7 safely away from damage on the kick drum. I'd been searching for an alternative to my AKG D-112, which just wasn't providing what I really loved about a kick drum sound. (Don't get me wrong it does its thing, but I was looking for something different.)
The ADK S-7 proved to be just that mic. It needed very little in the way of EQ, just optional sweetening to taste. The fullness and "round-punch" was more what I'd been after in a kick sound. And it didn't have the exaggerated "slappy" hi-end. I used one of the pads on the mic though I don't recall if I went with the -8 or -18.
The ADK S-7 produced a much more natural and nuanced sound, as opposed to the D-112's tight attack.
This mic is also recommended on loud vocal and other sources which certainly beats out the limited common uses for the AKG mic, though I am yet to try it on voice. I go with what works, and in my opinion the ADK S-7 is an outstanding microphone with a subtle and complimentary character.
Add one to your mic collection today at street price of about $300, or just come on down to Certain Sparks, and hear for yourself!
Randall Sena
Certain Sparks
'We're Recording!'
www.certainsparks.com
