The list of “go to” microphones for vocals, especially when it’s a “money and availability no object” kind of list is striking in its predictability. Maybe it’s because reputation plays such a role in these choices that people, when faced with the contents of a really world class mic cabinet so often go with the usual suspects. If it’s not a Neumann it will probably be a C12. In the same way as if you had the choice between a modern custom shop Fender or a Pre CBS vintage guitar for your studio take, it would be a hard-headed person who wouldn’t even try the old one…
There is a notable exception to this rule but I suspect the motivation behind it is similar but referring to a slightly alternate back catalogue. The Sony 800G is the vocal mic of choice for many recording Rap and modern R&B vocals and when selecting mics to model for the Sphere L22 modelling system Townsend Labs were wise enough to include two alternative models of the C800G.
We looked at these models in some detail in our article which looked at the accuracy of mic modelling using data from Audio Test Kitchen. In this piece, we pointed out that unlike vintage, out of production microphones, which because of the passage of time all vary significantly, the C800G is a relatively modern design, first in produced in 1992, and is still in production so a modelled C800G doesn’t enjoy the advantage of actually being available, unlike for example a vintage C12. If you want a real C800G you just need money, but in the case of this mic, quite a lot of it. The C800G is designed as a no-compromise ultimate vocal mic and as a result, is not a cheap mic, you can buy two U87s for the price of a single C800G and have enough left over to buy a preamp!
Why is the C800G so popular? Firstly because it is a really high-quality tube condenser mic, secondly because it has a pedigree of being the mic of choice for significant artists like Dr Dre, Eminem and Maria Carey. In the same way, as thousands have chosen a U47 because of pictures of Frank Sinatra or the Beatles stood behind them, many have chosen the C800G because Mariah used one. Thirdly it has a pronounced bump around 10KHz which on the right voice definitely adds some modern, expensive-sounding polish.
Something which definitely stands out (literally) is the enormous and very distinctive thermoelectric cooler which sticks out of the back. Cooling is, of course, important, it is inescapable that noise rises with temperature and this mysterious finned addition removes some of the heat of the 6AU6 tube and brings down the noise floor and lowers distortion. The benefits this cooling system, based on the Peltier effect, the same effect as used in the 12v fridges used in vehicles and particularly useful in this application as it is more efficient than passive cooling but unlike fans or liquid cooling contains no moving parts, is questioned by some but what is undeniable is the celebrity status this big, finned attachment brings to an otherwise unremarkable-looking microphone.
The recent article we featured which considered the significance of Townsend Labs winning a TEC award for the best microphone, not the best-modelled microphone, illustrated the fact that modelled microphones are no longer viewed by many as a useful alternative to a “real microphone” and to illustrate this point further Townsend Labs have recently shared the story of Rich The Kid’s recently released third album ‘BOSS MAN’ The majority of the vocals, including those featured on the singles ‘Money Talk’ and 'Red', were tracked with the Townsend Labs Sphere L22 microphone and the LD-800 model based on the iconic Sony C800G tube condenser microphone.
Jason ‘Cheese’ Goldberg, the engineer on these sessions brought his record anywhere philosophy to this record, with recording in actual studios being an exception rather than the rule. His streamlined recording rig gives him the consistency, speed, and quality that his clients demand. As a result, Goldberg is able to cut professional records with the utmost flexibility. All he needs to get going is a Mac Mini, a Universal Audio Apollo Twin MkII interface, and the Townsend Labs Sphere L22 modeling microphone. Committing to the vocal sound shaped by the Sphere microphone modeling and UA’s Neve 88RS Unison plug/in, Goldberg tracked with an elaborate Pro Tools template that still allowed low-latency monitoring natively.
This exact setup was instrumental in capturing the vocals for Rich The Kid's latest album BOSS MAN’. For the past five months, Goldberg traveled around the United States, following Rich The Kid’s busy schedule.
This is a nice example if one were needed that engineers who could use a real C800G if they wanted are choosing to use the models available with the Sphere L22 system as a more convenient, production-ready alternative.