Peluso Microphone Lab 22 47

I have been recording, producing and mixing for over 23 years now. I am a long time Pro Tools user (starting way back with Audiomdeia III and Pro Tools III) and am now using Pro Tools HD. I also have Neumanns, BLUEs, and RODE mics...UA, FOCUSRITE and Grace Pres.

I got a Peluso 2247 LE on loan this past weekend and auditioned it with several vocal sources. I found it to be every bit of what I have been reading about. I think the reviewer that gave it a 3 should have heard an LE or SE. After speaking directly to John Peluso, I got the impression that the real sound and buzz coming from these mics are for those 2 models and not the base 2247. In fact, the SE is John's favorite mic in his own words. The LE I had had a very cool, vintage sound nice highs, nice tube harmonic thing with a special intimacy that I just don't get from my U87 or Blue mics. I bought an SE model which is on the way.

Been writing music for 20 years, recording for approximately 15.

I'm afraid I have to disagree with the previous reviewer. It's true, the 2247 is one of those 47-ish mics, and that means the emphasis is going to be on the midrange, which can be a bit of an acquired taste when listened to in solo. On the other hand, once I drop it into a busy rock mix, I'm glad as hell that it sits where it does.

I have quite a few mics, though this currently is the priciest, and *none* of them comes *close* to the 2247 in terms of detail. If you have a poorly-treated room, this mic will be merciless in revealing the fact. But compare it to most of your tracks recorded with other mics and you'll find it also gives you a clarity and realism that's a very useful tool to have in the toolkit.

Is it like a 47? No, I think you'll need about five thousand dollars worth of cream in the upper frequencies to give you that, but I do think the mic has a lovely Neumannesque depth and power in the midrange, particularly the lower midrange. Pair it with a great pre and you've got yourself a great chain.

I have been recording and producing now for about 18 years. I have a personal studio that I mainly do production work for various labels. I use Digital performer and have an assortment of vintage and new gear as it becomes necessary for my work. This includes approx 20 keyboards, guitars basses, electric drum kit, Vintech, UA, Lexicon, Blue, Neumann, ETC. I also am involved in the occasional session projects.

The Peluso 22 47 is supposed to be a Neumann U47 type clone. It is a tupe mic with variable modes. From Cardoid to omni, etc. When I purchased this mic, I was looking for something with the Neumann U47 sound, so that it would completment the other microphones that I currently have. I choose the Peluso based on reading various reviews. I intended to mainly use it for vocals when requested. When I got it I was extremely hopeful that it would live up to the hype. I was sadly disappointed. I really wanted to like this microphone. It does look impressive and comes with a case, shockmount and power supply. But, people listen to your music, and that's the most important concept to remember. They dont care what you recorded it with, or how it looks. First off, let me say that the Peluso 22 47 does sound similar to a Neumann 47. But it sounds like a bad Neumann U47. It has a similar sonic stamp, but does not flatter the sound in the same way. The Peluso sounds like an old microphone, very dark, very bassy, pretty dreary sounding with a wierd upper midrange thing going on. Not open, transparent, clear or breathy. I tried all the different setting variations and it sounded pretty much the same. The proximately effect was just awful, worst than most every mic I have ever tried. I was thinking that maybe I just recieved a bad one, but I sent it back to exchange it for a Neumann TLM49. I did not want to waste time testing another one. I fell for the reviews that had been written about it. Sometimes I feel that many of those things are written by employees or personal friends. You have to be careful.

This microphone's sound quality in my opinion is fair. Is it worth the $1250 I paid for it? Absolutely not!! You can get a better sounding Chinese Tube microphone for $300. I was looking for a microphone that had a classic, exellent conditon, new Neumann U47 type sound. But, if you are in search for a modern microphone sound, then that may not be exactly what you are looking for. One should listen to a lot of older Beatles, Nat King Cole, or Frank Sinatra recordings and listen to how the vocals sound. They do not really sound like modern microphones, thay have a sound that's closer to ribbon mics. Listen to some of the Beatles early stuff, and ask yourself, "Do I want my vocals to sound like that?". Many folks will say no. I say this to make a point, be careful of what you seek. Dont just jump on a bandwagon and think that if it's old, it must be good, really listen to recordings. Most modern recordings of vocals are much clearer and more realistic, as in accurate. Try different makes and models, and that includes the cheap ones, you may be in for a shock.

I would not recomment the Peluso 22 47 to anyone at the price that they are selling them! If you are able to demo them first, you will see what I am saying. My advise, try other Tube mics, the high end ones and the cheap ones and compare the sound, not the propaganda.