What a wonderful demonstration. I particularly loved the vocal demonstrations because I’m looking to get a mic and wondered how the FleA clones compared to the vintage Neumanns. And man, what a great voice you have!!!

Thanks for much @@aarontenor. Its been a pretty long journey that lead me to the FleA 49. I had a Peluso 2247SE and a bunch of Advanced Audio mics. Once I dialed in the sound I really loved, the M49 style sound, I started looking for a great replica of it. I spoke with a lot of people, but all of the classical scoring guys and a bunch of other professional engineers told me to look at FleA's 49. My friend had already purchased a FleA 47 which is the FleA 47 featured in the video. He brought it over and I was amazed with how good it sounded and went out of my way to demo a few different versions of the FleA 49. These days I'm either using my FleA 49 for classical and jazz or my custom U67 for lighter Broadway and pop. Between the two I can pretty much record anything. I still have a U87ai around too, but it rarely gets used for anything except background vocals and acoustic guitar, or if a client requests it for a studio session vocal.

@@aarontenor, btw just listened to a couple of your videos. Beautiful singing!

Elegant & Vintage Entertainment that’s great! Glad you found the mic’s that suit your needs the best! Are there any particular preamps, interfaces, mixers, combos, limiters, etc you need for these mics or can you use the same equipment for all of them?

Elegant & Vintage Entertainment Wow! Man, thank you very much!! Like you, I sing a variety of styles and for the first time in my life I’m really wanting to start recording at home if I can be confident in my equipment and learn to mix and master (might have to just pay to have someone else do that! LOL). You actually remind me of David Phelps on your “rock vocal” example!!!! Awesome stuff!

Thanks so much!

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I'm glad you enjoyed it and I hope it helped.

Thank you so much. I'm glad you like them.

Thanks. This was a lot of fun to make.

Thanks so much!

Thanks so much!

That TubeTests sold the Flea to me too! Funny. I don't regret it one bit either, superb mic.

Thanks so much Richard!

Mark Eyden yeah. Every time I play around with the FleA 47 I want to buy one. Just invested in a very good modded MK U67 made with a U87ai and utilizing a few NOS components and a Neumann BV12 transformer. I feel another video coming on. Lol.

@@EandVEntertainment Ahh sounds exciting, look forward to that! I've been fantasising about a 67 for a while, I need mic therapy lol.

Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it and I hope the video helped. The FleA mics are really nice pieces. Well worth their price tages.

I know the body of the tone is rich and warm with very smooth transients and depth. What i was specifically looking for was the top sizzle. Some mics are smooth with it, others are sharper and piercing. What was your observation?

@@JCalibre I found the high end of both of them is pretty smooth, particularly the FleA 49. I used it on alto sax recently and it sounded great even when the player got aggressive. Sometimes it can make the vocals a little too big and I might reach for my U67, which is more neutral. Lol.

@@EandVEntertainment doubling back to listen again, I agree the 49 is a little more pronounced on the top end than the 47. Off topic: I wish Flea made a 51. I just can't justify 10k for the mic I truly want at this point. (ELAM 251)

@@JCalibre my understanding is the 251 is in development and should be out later this year.

Thanks. I’m glad the video helped.

@@EandVEntertainment A lot. Was looking for a mic that's a bit darker than an M149. Thought maybe the 47 would be the top choice, but now that I heard them compared the 49 is more what I'm looking for. So you basically nailed what I needed to figure out 100% Thanks!

@@davewestner I love my 49s.

@@EandVEntertainment I know you do because you've got 2, and I think you chose well. It really suits your voice. There's something about the top of the 49 that I prefer. It's airy but kinda dark. At least that's how I would explain it. Not quite as zingy as the 47, and the 47 is great too. I watched the whole thing, but was really zoning in on the singing and I prefered the 49 in each instance, although I have to admit, when you were talking 2' from the mic at the beginning and end of the video, I couldn't tell them apart at all.

Thanks for your thoughts. I really love them both for different reasons.

Thanks Chris. I agree. There are times, especially when crooning, that I do long for that little extra bit that the 47 gives you, but I love my 49s. I also turned my U87ai into a U67 using the Max Kircher MK67 Kit, which I modified with a Neumann transformer. Between the 49 and the MKU67 I can record nearly anything.

Thanks!

​@@EandVEntertainment I have the Beesneez equivalent of these mics (T1 and T4) and enjoy comparing their affordances for different vocal applications. When you look at the frequency chart of the 47 it is more boosted as you say, however it sounds so balanced in a mix. It has that 3D picture that just makes room for itself without audibly over emphasizing any frequency. The 49 is more forward sounding to my ears, it also captures transients in such a unique way. The vocal runs you did really popped out on the 49 like it has its own compression. Because of the beautiful intimate sound that the 49 gives it can feel lost in a mix because as a listener you are drawn into the elements of the vocal that the 49 emphasizes so well and want to hear more of. If that makes sense!

@@leighmarksmusic that makes a lot of sense. I have a BeesNeez B67-269 in here. They make wonderful sounding mics. Their T1 and T4 probably nail the sound. I think their T4 has an M7 style capsule stock and the T1 is a K47 style. So they would have the opposite capsules as I did here. Thanks for sharing your perspective.

I recently bought one :)

Thanks so much!

Thanks. Have you checked out any of Bluegrass Dan's videos. He had a FleA 47 for most of his vocals until recently when he finally picked up an original U47. My voice liked the M49 style mics. The 47 is a little heavy cause my voice is a bit rich. Anyway, the FleA mics are great. Best of luck finding what works for you.

@@EandVEntertainment I haven't checked him out but thanks will do. I am using ribbons (44 and 77) mostly. They really suit my vocals and genre-especially on slow tempo. BUT think if I can also have a top end tube like Flea... just more flexibility for more uptempo. Thanks will check him out..

@@acousticconservative822 Yeah it does. Dan goes by ProfessorDan around here. Check out this video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pc16qa-W0J2tfo0.html

I found the F7 capsule in the FleA 49 to be a little beefier than the F47, as though the presence peak of the frequency response started it's rise earlier and rolled off sooner than the F47. As for the tubes, the 6S6B is a little clinical when compared with the AC701K, which has a natural smiley face. I think the harmonic content is similar, even if the frequency is more neutral with the 6S6B. I didn't like the combination of the F7 and 6S6B on my voice. Although the F7 with the AC701K combo was very close sounding to an M49 I had used in the past. I have a friend of mine who just purchased the FleA 47 with the F47 instead of the F7. He kept trying the FleA 47s and wanting the harmonic quality of it, but finding it a touch dark for his tastes on his voice. He took a leap and bought one with the F47 instead and it was worth it. It seemed to tame some of the beef and give him more clarity. Yet, my friend Jim sounds amazing on his FleA 47 in the video with the F7. Still, I find the FleA 47 with the F7 very easy to EQ, even if I use a little more EQ than I expect sometimes. Then again, I've proven to myself on many occasions that I prefer the 49 to the 47 on my voice. Here is one of Jim's singles using the same microphone in the video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fL2oerWB3p7boWg.html

I did write that. It was on a demo I was shopping maybe 15 years ago. It turned quite a few heads, but the demo was never released. At some point I will release more of my originals. Thank you for the kind words.

Yeah. The FleA 47 is my favorite of the 47 clones available. It’s behind the Wagner U47W, but that’s not really a clone. That’s a new U47 built from almost all NOS parts; capsules, BV8 transformer, and VF14 tube, with some ransoms replica parts as needed, which were made by FleA. Lol. I think the Warm actually sounds decent and if you can grab it for $600 used, it’s a nice deal. I preferred it sonically to my old Peluso. Build quality is absolute crap though. Sent it back to the friend who lent it to me and the capsule mount broke in shipping. I can’t buy from Stam. I don’t like his business model. The Bock 251 is the last big microphone that I want. I have a pair of FleA 49s, a U87ai, and a custom U67. Once I have the Bock 251 I will really have all my bases covered. Maybe I’ll grab the FleA 47 at some point, but I prefer the 49 on my voice for what I usually do. I’m curious about the Heiserman H47T. I know a lot of pros with it who really love it. I’d have to try it before I pick it over the FleA though. I’ve always picked out the FleA 47 over the Telefunken reissue and the Wunder CM7s. Thanks for the comment.

The only difference between a FleA 49 and FleA 249 or an M49 and M249 for that matter is the connector one the mic and cable between the mic and power supply. The FleA 49/M49 use an old Tuchel style connector. The FleA 249/M249 using a binder clip style connector, which is cheaper to make. All other components are the same and they are as close sounding as any 2 microphones with the same model number can be. Hope that helps.

@@EandVEntertainment thank you for all that information! I really appreciate it!

Ted, the FleA 47 in the video had FleA’s F7 (M7) capsule. The FleA 49 had their F47 (K47/49). You can request which one you want when you order the mic.

@@EandVEntertainment Thank you!

I would have to check. They are probably compressed. If I used any EQ, which I don't think I did, it would be a very light high pass. I'll try and check and get back to you.

@@EandVEntertainment thank you very much. Tough call deciding which one I liked best. When you open your tone, I have the impression the upper mids on the 49 are a bit more aggressive than the lush of the 47. But overall the subtle high end of the 49 with its bottom is quite pleasant!

@@EnricoDePaoli There was no EQ, but the signal was run through UAD's SSL Channel strip and compressed. There was also a stock gate plugin on the microphones to silence them during periods of absolute silence. I hope that helps.

@@EnricoDePaoli I really like the 49 on my voice, but for some of the pop or crooner style singing the 47 really shines. I had hoped to pick up my own FleA 47 at some point, but ended up with a totally tricked out Pearlman TM-1 falling into my lap at a great price; Neumann K47 capsule, Telefunken EF-14 tube, etc. It's a nice mic, if a bit more modern sounding than the FleA 47. I've debated swapping the transformer out for something a bit more traditional, but I'm leaving it alone for now. It's nice to have both options.

@@EandVEntertainment Thanks so much for your reply, Vincent! Very helpful. Best to you!

I haven't used the FleA Next line. I will say that the FleA 47 Next is supposed to use the same transformer, components, and a cardioid only version of the capsule. They use a slightly less expensive body kit to help keep costs down. In theory, they should sound pretty close.

Hi! I got both Next & Vintage, used both a lot the past years and I can’t tell the difference, they’re really identical. BTW capsule-type makes a difference , F7 and F47 both sound great, my preference is the more open and pop-sounding F47 capsule.

Also, I tried out the Superfet today. It was practically indistinguishable from the tube versions.

Phillip Phillip it just depends on a bunch of factors. The U87ai is very modern and the FleA 47 very vintage sounding. The U67 is somewhere in the middle, especially if you change out the tube for an NOS vintage EF86. It also depends on the music you make and the sound you’re going for. The U67 is the most versatile of the bunch.

@@EandVEntertainment Thank you! Have you used a new u67 Reissue? if yes, what are your impressions ? I heard that some people complain about the lack of low frequencies in the new u67 Reissue.

@@phillipphillip367 I actually haven't used the reissue. I purchased an MK67 kit to go inside my U87ai and modified the kit with Neumann parts. So it's basically a real U67. I can swap the electronics back and forth giving me a U87ai and a U67. It's pretty awesome, but you need a tech to do the work. Hoping to have a video featuring my custom U67 at some point. Probably a comparison between the U67 and the FleA 49.

Hey Aaron, I’m glad the P-49 worked out well for you. I haven’t personally used a quality C12 style mic. Emily has. The C12 has an open and detailed sound, but will sound more focused than the bigger sound of something like the 49. I’ve only ever had the Advanced Audio CM12. It was fine for what it was, but none of the more affordable clones use a proper CK12 capsule. The CEK12 capsule used by Peluso, AA, and Warm is a modified K67 capsule which is side terminated and while it has a similar frequency response it has a harsher mid range. If I were looking for a C12 I’d be looking at a FleA12, Manley Reference Gold, maybe BeesNeez, or even getting something custom built by Barbaric Amplification. I’ve liked what I’ve heard from the C12VR, but I haven’t used one and purest think it’s not as good as the original. I can’t comment as I haven’t used either.

@@EandVEntertainment Thank you for your reply, Vincent! Btw, love your recording of Spanish Eyes! My goodness! You remind me a lot of David Phelps although you have your own unique sound which is great. One last question. I have seen quite a few of your mic shootouts and I discovered that years ago your go-to was the 67 (modeled after the Sergio Franchi choice). Since then it seems you discovered the awesomeness of the 47 and 49 (which is seems you decided you prefer the 49). But did you also choose the 49 over the 67? Thanks again!!

@@aarontenor Ha ha! I love David Phelps, but only really discovered him, because other people pointed out that we sounded a bit a like. lol. I actually cut a Christian pop tune last year where I was hired specifically cause I could do that pop-tenor David Phelps thing. I eventually picked up a really good 67 kit which goes into my U87ai. I modified that kit with NOS capacitors and a real Neumann transformer. So its as good a clone as it gets. I've also used BeesNeez' BU67 which I'm hoping to do a video on, cause it is fantastic at it's price point. The 67 and 49 are different. The 67 is more natural sounding, but the 49 is a bit bigger sounding and has that old school crooner sound. It puts me more in the ball park of some older Bjorling recordings or listen to the Goulet recordings from the original Camelot Broadway recording. I like that old school sound. The 67 however has become a go to on Emily's mezzo soprano. The 49 can really enhance the brightness in her voice, which she doesn't need. I also like it on my pop vocals. The 67 is the best all around, work on everything mic. I recorded some great saxophone work with it too. It can be a touch dull on my operatic vocals which are mid heavy already. Still I tend to like it on the more popular music I do. I also picked up a Pearlman TM-1 to satisfy my 47 craving. It's fully loaded with vintage parts. I really lucked into finding this. The 47 is the Sinatra mic and for a lot of older crooning style vocals it's just right. I also found that some male vocalist just sound better on it. Baritones particularly seem better suited for it. My goal for my studio is to have it be as well rounded as it can be, so I can record projects I really love and want to work on. So I have quite a few options here... and of course I want more. lol.

Here is that Christian track: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ZrCShcZm2qu3iGg.html