Apex Electronics 460

The Apex 460 Microphone can be purchased for right around 200 dollars and its well worth the money spent. The 460 by Apex has 9 different polar patterns that can be selected with a switch that is on the front of the power supply. The mic was created for the musicians recording from home. The Apex 460 is a really high performance microphone and very afford large diaphragm condenser mic.


OVERALL OPINION

The Apex 460 is also designed to take a beating. Though I havent had any issues with mine when I had it, in my opinion no mic should be abused so I wouldn’t take it too hard on this mic and still expect it to give you a great sound. But this mic sounds great with a guitar amp. It just does something to the sound coming out of the amp that I love. It really surprised me because it was hard to find a mic that provided good quality that could record drums and guitars for an affordable price. I would record some basic guitar stuff at home with this just to get a feel for the type of song that I was trying to write. Take it to the main studio where some friends would add too it. I have too this mic to the studio several times just for guitar though and used it over mics that have cost 3 times more than it does just because I love the sound it gives to the guitar coming out of the amp.

You can even use this mic for vocals as well, as long as the talent is standing at a good distance from the mic and remains at that distance you will be surprise about what it can do for vocals. It really is an all purpose mic and for 200 dollars what do you have to lose?

*Microphones are very subjective. Some microphones that work for some brilliantly may be disastrous on others. It is therefore important to understand the context in which this review is written and take it with a grain of salt, like all reviews on microphones should be treated.*

The Apex 460 is a very entry level tube condenser microphone from Apex, a Chinese company. What's interesting about this microphone is that it has been rebranded under several different manufacturers, but it is quite a stable platform that includes a lot of interesting features for only $200.

What's nice about this microphone is that it comes with a flight case and all the included accessories. It includes the power supply and the proper connector for plugging the microphone into the power supply. And to round it all out, it come with a shockmount. You may think this is standard for tube microphones, as tube microphones generally come in nice packages anyway, but considering the fact that this microphone costs so little, it's a wonderful thing that Apex has included these accessories. (Of course, any manufacturer that doesn't include a power supply with their tube microphone is a bit silly.)

Before I forget to mention it, the 9-pattern switch on the supply does create some interesting possibilities, and I personally think it's a big plus.

OVERALL OPINION

You have to consider the price of the Apex 460. At $200, you can't really go wrong if you just want to add a tube microphone to your collection but don't really have the money to do it. It isn't that the Apex 460 is a great sounding microphone by a long shot; in fact, even as a tube, it does suffer the same bizarre harshness as other Chinese made microphones do, but when you take the price of the microphone and combine it with one, the fact that it's a tube, so you're getting a whole new dimension in your microphone sound, and two, the fact that the Apex 460 is a fantastic platform for modding, you have a very nice package for very little money.

I didn't get to run extensive tests on the microphone, but any trained ear should be able to pick up on different sounds in an instant. In my case, I found the Apex 460 to be a very interesting microphone that adds a nice tube warmth to an admittedly harsh stereotype of Chinese condensers.

The Apex 460 is a tube condenser microphone that is made for use recording studios. It comes with its own power supply as well as the proper connections to connect the microphone to the power supply. Mine also came with a shockmount and a heavy duty case. I've never brought this microphone outside of my studio and even though it is cheap enough to experiment with, I wouldn't recommend using it for a live show or anything else beyond the recording studio.



OVERALL OPINION

I've had my Apex 460 tube condenser mic for about three or four years and I've definitely been pretty pleased with the results I've gotten with this microphone considering what I paid for it. This is an interesting microphone because it is a Chinese made microphone that has been issued under a number of different brands and names over the last few years. So if you see a microphone that looks like this one and has the same specs, the chances are that it is the same exact microphone under a different name. This is an homage to show how incredibly cheap these microphones are made and sold for. Beyond the great price of this microphone, it really isn't too bad sounding of a microphone. The only reason that I bought this mic is because I wanted to add a tube condenser mic to my collection and I wanted to do it as cheap as I possibly could. I found that this was just about as cheap of a tube mic as you could get and was pleasantly surprised to hear that it was also a pretty decent sounding mic as well. I use it for certain types of vocals when I'm going for a particular type of sound and I've also used it as a room microphone with good success. While this isn't the best sounding tube mic out there by the longest shot possible, if you are looking for a cheap tube mic, the Apex 460 is as cheap as you get.

(Originally written by didzedid/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Tube condenser mic for studio applications.

Exact copy of a Telefunken mic (except for the tube; see http://www.studioreviews.com/m16-460.htm).

I use it for vocals and acoustic instruments (guitar, percussions) and the sound is wonderful.

I recorded with a Projectmix without preamp into Digital Performer.

I recommend it to everyone, especially to people on a small budget because it's unbeatable in its price range.

OVERALL OPINION

- I've been using it fore one and a half years

- I like the polar pattern switch

- No cons.

- I also tested a Rode NT1 and an AudioTeknica.

- Incredible value for money

- I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again.