Paul White tries out a Joemeek product that, for once, isn't entirely green -- but finds there's still a lot for the competition to envy.
It sometimes appears as though Joemeek just think up names, then design products to fit them, but I'm assured that's not the case. Take the JM47 Meekrophone for example: a silly name, sure enough, but Ted Fletcher has been experimenting with microphone design for around 30 years, so it was always on the cards that he'd put one into production. The JM47 Meekrophone comes in a custom aluminium camera case with a mic cable and a serious metal shockmount. It's also available as part of the TrakPak, a bundle combining the mic and accessories with a Joemeek VC3 Pro Channel voice channel and a mains power supply for the VC3. The VC3 is a 1U, half-rack-width preamp, built around a mic/line input stage with a separate Mix input allowing a further line-level input to be combined with the main signal source. The signal then feeds a Joemeek optical compressor, followed by a flexible enhancer. As we reviewed this latest version of the VC3 in the June issue of Sound On Sound, I'll concentrate on the JM47 microphone.
As with a number of low cost capacitor microphones, the Meekrophone is manufactured in China, but, in this instance, to Ted Fletcher's specifications. This particular model features a large, true-capacitor cardioid capsule with a sputtered gold mylar diaphragm and combines an FET preamp with a transformer output stage. The
capsule uses traditional centre-electrode construction -- Ted Fletcher explains that the policy of technology-sharing within the former communist bloc enabled the Chinese to make use of technology originally developed in Germany by certain well-known mic companies. A novel feature of the electronic circuitry used in this microphone is the use of dynamic feedback at the capsule element to reduce distortion.
JOEMEEK JM47 £289
pros
Attractively priced.
The JM47 mic is sturdily engineered and sounds much classier than its price might suggest it should.
TrakPak includes a great-sounding, very low-cost mic/line preamp.
Shockmount and cables included, along with a good case.
cons
I don't think any real criticisms can be levelled at this package given the very attractive price, though I still hate wall-wart power supplies!
summary
The Meekrophone is a good-sounding capacitor mic that represents excellent value, while the optional TrakPak provides a one-box-solution mic and mic preamp kit suitable for almost all hard disk and traditional recording applications.
Mechanically, the mic is tough and neatly assembled, with the electronics mounted on two glass-fibre PCBs bolted to the chassis. The components are good-quality without being esoteric, and the output transformer is integral with the balanced XLR output connector. The housing is machined from brass, and the whole mic is finished in what looks like a black powder coating with the JM47 logo boldly printed in the familiar green. The shape of the mic is, let's just say 'classic', with smooth-operating slide switches which operate a 10dB pad and a low-cut filter (the shelving frequency of which is not specified).
Performance
I tested this mic side by side with a Rode NT1, as they're in the same price bracket and have very similar capsules. The sensitivity of the two mics is almost identical, and on first hearing they're also quite similar tonally, though prolonged testing shows up subtle differences, no doubt due mainly to the differences in the electronic design. Tested with both voice and electric guitar, the NT1 seemed to have a slightly 'bigger' sound, while the JM47 Meekrophone sounded just a hint crisper and more controlled. Both attributes are useful in different situations, so it's not really possible to say that one or other is the best, and in most 'normal' applications, both can produce excellent results. Either way, the JM47 has the essential smooth, open quality of a good capacitor microphone and I'd have no qualms using it for just about any
task other than close drum miking (I wouldn't trust the drummer not to hit it!). The shockmount is a snug fit, and the supplied lead is of good quality.
Specifications
Capsule: Cardioid Capacitor.
Preamp: FET with transformer output.
Frequency Response: Nominally flat
from 20Hz to 20kHz.
Sensitivity: -36dB nominal.
Output impedance: 200(omega) balanced.
Signal-to-noise ratio: 74dB.
Dynamic range: 126dB.
Meek Market
At the asking price, both the mic itself and the TrakPak are excellent value. The latter is particularly impressive, including as it does a good capacitor mic, a very flattering-sounding preamp/compressor and a secure shockmount. Everything fits snugly into the supplied foam-lined camera case, and even though the VC3 uses a wall-wart power supply and doesn't fit into a standard full-width rack, it's actually a really nice mic channel with a great-sounding compressor. The mic is generally comparable with the Rode NT1 as regards build quality and sound quality, though as pointed out in the review, there are subtle tonal differences. It's certainly an excellent mic at the price and it's one you won't grow out of.
information
JM47 Meekrophone £289; TrakPak £449. Prices include VAT.
Joemeek +44 (0)1626 333948.
+44 (0)1626 333157.
Click here to email
www.joemeek-uk.com
Multi-pattern Condenser Microphone
Audio-Technica have added multiple polar patterns to one of their already successful designs, bringing increased versatility in the studio.
Audio-Technica AT4047 MP | Media
Multi-pattern Condenser Microphone
Audio files to accompany the article.
Stereo Condenser Microphone
There's more to this variation on Audio-Technica's flagship microphone than the simple addition of a second capsule...
Condenser Microphone
Paul White explores the capabilities of the understated-yet-powerful Studio Pro M2.
Microphone Preamp
Schoeps make some of the most revered mics on the planet, so when they release a commercial version of the mic preamp they use for testing, you have to take it seriously...
Test Measurements
The following charts, made using an Audio Precision Analyser, accompany our review of the Schoeps VSR5 microphone preamplifier.
Handheld Condenser Microphone
Designed as a hand-held live vocal mic, this mic has a cardioid pickup pattern, and seems very robustly engineered.
Mono Valve Equaliser
British 'boutique' outboard manufacturers seem to be rather thin on the ground these days, but if this Pultec clone is anything to go by, newcomers Cartec look set to make a big impression.
Dynamic Microphone
Prodipe say they wanted to offer a high-quality, live-sound, cardioid-pattern dynamic mic at a very affordable price.
Multi-pattern Condenser Microphone
Sontronics mics usually sound as distinctive as they look - and this one looks more distinctive than most!
Multi-pattern Valve Microphone
Hot on the heels of the impressive Genesis cardioid valve mic, MXL have unveiled their flagship multi-pattern model, the Revelation. Does it live up to its name?
MXL Revelation | Audio Examples
Multi-pattern Valve Microphone
These audio files accompany the SOS September 2010 review of the MXL Revelation microphone.
USB Microphone
USB mics are nothing new, but the Samson Go Mic is probably the smallest and cutest I've seen to date. This metal-bodied mic,...
Valve Microphone
Does AKGs Chinese-made Perception 820 maintain the Austrian companys impressive reputation?
Audio Examples
Hear for yourself how this mic performed during the SOS tests.
Audio-Technica AT4080 & AT4081
Ribbon Microphones
A-Ts brand-new transducer technology has produced a robust design intended to deliver high signal levels as well as that prized ribbon character...
Snare & Tom Condenser Microphones
Despite the ubiquity of the SM57 for use on snare, there are other options — and Earthworks aim to help you capture a more natural sound.
Cardioid Valve Microphone
We put MXLs Genesis through its paces alongside a much pricier model, to find out just how good a tube mic can be at this price.
Hear For Yourself
To accompany our July 2010 Genesis review, we recorded a series of standard tests with the review mic alongside a more established mic (in this case, the AKG C12 VR).