sE Electronics z5600a

Been in the music business recording, touring, writing, etc for 20+ years. Had both major and Indie record deals. Currently a studio owner, producer, engineer. Gear: Pro Tools HD, Neve's, Summits, Manley, SPL, Distressors, Neumanns, AKGs, etc.

I had read several reviews on SE Electronics Microphones in publications such as TapeOp and contacted them about their loaner program for mics. Pacific Pro Audio here in Seattle has them for loan as well but they was a waiting list and their sales guy gave the mics favorable praise. The mics I ordered up to borrow were the 2200a, and the z5600a. I was also sent an ICIS to check out at their recommendation.
In all honesty I was a bit skeptical of how these mics would fair as I am a user of vintage Neumann?s and AKG?s and the lot of usual suspects you would see in a studio.
The z5600a (condenser w/ selectable 9 polar patterns) was of interest to me because it was viewed by some reviewers and studio owners as a decent replacement for a U67. It?s one of my favs and so for the price they are asking I had to check it out even if it was close. And?it?s pretty damn good. I used the 5600 on vocals ranging from hip hop to rock, background vocals in omni, piano, as a room mic, on shakers, congas and other percussion, and on acoustic guitar. This mic is warm with nice top, and made the cut on virtually every use. When recording vocals I did prefer to have this mic running through the Avalon or Summit instead of the Neve. It tended to bring out more on the mics natural top end and pop through. Good all around and can be used in situations you may fear using your classics for fear of potential SPL or physical damage. I plan on getting another so I have a pair for drum overs.
The ICIS (fixed card. Condenser) was also used in a variety of settings and I found this mic great for natural sounding percussion especially the bright stuff like shakers, tambourine, etc. Good on female vocals, and the harsh tenor male vocalist. Definitely a darker mic, odd because it shares the same capsule as the z5600a, but great for those situations where your source has an unwanted bite. I tend to shy away from a lot of EQ so the ICIS was perfect recording it they way I want to hear it in the mix.
The 2200a has gotten less use around the studio only because we tend to go for the other SE mics before we grab the 2200a. It however is great for toms and other potentially ?high impact? situations where you may not trust the drummer?s technique and aim. Toms sound great recorded with this mic. At the end of the day the 2200a is a great fallback mic for me. I now go to it over my Shure ksm32?s when needed.
Needless to say I purchased all of the mics sent to me on loan and have more coming my way. On more than one occasion singers felt they were singing into an ?important? microphone which certainly has been know to enhance performances. The mics sound great, look great, and come with shock mounts, wooden boxes, and flight cases. Oh and did I mention they were very reasonably priced? Are they vintage Neumann?s? No. Do they kick performance for the price ass? Indeed.