Brauner Phantom AE

I'm not a pro, but a serious musician recording me, myself and sometimes others in my time off job. I'm a musician (startet playing bass) for more than 15 years and am recording for about 3 years now. Since about a year now I have an HD system up running so I'm recording digital only and my monitors are KRK V8 plus Subwoofer and also NS10s plus selfmade subwoofer.

I never tried the original C version, but the AE is just exceptional. I bouhgt the mic first of all for rec. vocals but then I just had to buy a second AE to have a pair if I need it.

I also own a Blue Dragonfly and a Blue Bluebird but the Phantom is a different league obviously. The other reviewer here (Klaus) said it right: the singer has to have some skills, cause this mic captures everything! Every move, every breath. The high end is very crisp and the lows and mids are just as brllliant and still very sounding nice and warm.

I also tried the new Phanthera and the VMA (which you can switch into 2 modes that, so its the 2-in-1: VM-1 and VM-X). The Phanthera sounds a bit more vintage, its a bit more expensive, but might be the better choice if you're looking for a great vocal recording mic, the Phantom sounds a bit brighter, more crisp and to some ears more clinical, others might say they dont like the character of the Phanthera and the Phantom is more natural sounding). The VMA on the other hand is, and everyone will hear it, even better. It is possibly the best mic you can get on the planet. Amen. But comparing the prices it must be from another galaxy. So choice is yours. If you want a mic about 60%-70% as great sounding as the VMA but for 15% of the price the price for the Phantom is just peanuts.

Vovox cables (one comes with it) is btw the best cables you can possibly get, very expensive and top-notch and worth every penny.

- I've been making music for more than 20 years, 13 years member of a band, semi-pro vocalist

- recording experience: semi-pro

- recording to: Tascam DA38/DA88 (live), Nuendo 2 (home studio)

- primary listening equipment: Syrincs M-220 active monitor system, Sennheiser HD25 and HD560 headphones

The Phantom AE is a limited (1000 p.) jubilee issue of the famous Phantom C with an improved circuitry inside (Phantom C users can get their mics updated by Brauner for very little cash, I think it was about 40 EUR!). Similiar to the Phantom C the Phantom AE offers a cardiod pattern, nothing else. Since I own a lot of other mics (Octava MK012, Audio Technica AT4035 SV, AKG D5600, CAD Equitek E2b and E200) there was no urgent need to buy another mic, but excellent reviews led me to buy the Phantom AE for vocal recordings. I was convinced at once - the sound is very clear and the Phantom AE records every little aspect of the voice. I had the comparison with the Neumann U87 and the Rode Classic - and the Phantom came out best. In the meantime, I own a second one (to have a pair of them for AB-setups or so). Some days ago, I tested it while recording a guitar amp - it was fantastic! Even high-distortion sounds are very clear, there is no rumbling or any messy sound. In general, I consider the Phantom AE suitable for any application - except such where you need other patterns than just cardiod. Singers need some skills to make the most of the Brauner sound - but if they have, it will be great. Another added value: The Phantom AE comes with a 5-m-Vovox high end microphone cable. It really makes a difference!