Superlux PRA-628

Microphone used for recovery amplifier electric guitar.

OVERALL OPINION

This dynamic microphone complements my other two microphones of this type: The Shure 57 and T.Bone 75 (clone M57). I especially made for the possibility it offers to use without feet: it Just hang in front of the HP amp.
In use, I found a microphone that gives a rather warm sound which offers coupled with an M57, a convincing mix. I record with a Hot Rod Deluxe coupled with an external speaker (Celestion V30, Eminence Governor, Wizard and Man O War according to the desired sound) or lined with head and Blackstar H5R baffles already mentioned. I always dual microphones, most often a dynamic and a static broadband to every HP. The superlux fared surprisingly well in view of its cheap price (38 € at Thomann for a price "recommended" normal 71) especially if one is looking for a warm sound and loaded down medium. The entire spectrum is still (and fortunately) well rendered.

Micro dynamic grid platform and super cardioid directivity, adapted (by manufacturer) to the resumption of proximity amp (guitar, bass, etc.) in the same spirit as the models 509 / 609 / 606 Sennheiser.

- Cash a respectable 144dB SPL in order to maintain a less than 1% THD at 1kHz.
- Sensitivity 1.6mV/pa, or such as the Shure SM57 and a tad more than the Sennheiser E609.
- Impedance of 500 ohms
- Frequency Response: 80Hz - 16kHz
- Weight 210 gr
- Comes with a super flexible practice, we cons blame the lack of gear nut on the clamp microphone itself.

7 / 10, then, because on paper it was nothing too crazy over the competition, but still some good ideas (flexible and very compact even compared to a 609).

OVERALL OPINION

With my partner, we bought this Micral a bit on a whim, in a way "to 38 euros, frankly if it is bad it will be used as a hammer."

When unpacking, it was actually said we could! The build quality is exemplary, especially for a product at that price, and it emerges from this microphone a really good impression of solidity: all metal, the grid does not bend when you press hard on it, I smell a serious short.

It is therefore with great curiosity we did a comparison on miking electric guitar, under the following conditions:
- Shure SM57 on an SSL Alpha Channel
- Sennheiser BlackFire 509 (E609 venerable ancestor) on a Presonus DigiMax 96k
- Superlux PRA628 (the object of this test) on another channel Presonus DigiMax 96k

Well, against all odds, the Superlux clearly has its place alongside the double 'classic "what kind of applications.

It certainly did not shine and the punch of SM57 (my gut tells me that the difference also comes from the preamp), or heat in the BF509 serious, but PRA628 provides nice color in the lower medium, with a midrange quite right and "soft", in short something totally used alone or in addition to one of two pre-mentioned microphones. on the other hand, no miracle: the bandwidth in some planed down makes me smile when I read the manufacturer's website that the microphone is used for "close-miking" bass amp.
So, I'm curious to hear this mic on, or rather in a snare.

In short, it's not the beating, but it is very interesting and really not expensive at all (not even half the price of a SM57 or 609). To me the price / quality ratio is really good, what makes this product an excellent choice for your first purchase of micro amp guitar, and an outsider "atypical low-cost" for those like me who already have the standards of the genre. In both cases, for me it deserves 8 / 10.

In the same series (but not in the same budget), I think to complete my dynamic park suitable for miking electric guitar, I'll try in future to turn to other outsiders more luxurious ( ElectroVoice N/D-468, for example). But if you have the opportunity to throw an ear on this PRA628, or if you are missing some forty euros in your order to avoid having to pay postage, hack away, you'll be (pleasantly) surprised !