Peluso 2247 LE Tube Microphone

Not all microphones are created equal. But with attention to detail and commitment to quality and consistency, we can always get close. I bought this mic and the Peluso 22 251. I love them both. Are you familiar with a U47? While I don't like calling a mic a clone, it's not hard to reveal that the character of the Peluso is groomed to resemble much of what the old U47's have.I've put this mic up against an old Telefunken U47 in perfect working order. While the Peluso was brighter and a bit more focused, it still has much of the top softness and low-mid response of the U47. I suspect that the Peluso, if given many years of vigorous service, the capsule will loosen up and respond more like the U47. Think of this like an old cello or 1950's Fender P-Bass. After many years use, wear-and-tear, and complex vibrations from the strings, the wood loosens up to become more responsive to the player. Obviously with the finish fading, the brightness fades with it. I believe old mics somehow follow this basic principle. As I've read elsewhere, it seems John Peluso created this mic to be more like a new U47 from more than 50 years ago.When I received the case, which is quite attractive, the mic, power supply, suspension mount, and cables were all lovingly stowed. The jewel box housing the mic wasn't exactly as sweet as the box the 22 251 arrived in, but it serves the purpose. NOTE: Please be very careful removing and returning the mic in this case. Over a few months of relatively spare use, the top grille of mine became un-welded and fell off. A simple form filled out and a couple of short emails later, the mic was sent back for repair. It was covered under warranty, thankfully, but just as Peluso would advise, be careful with it. I cut out a couple of finger holes on the sides of the mic in the foam to allow me easier access to remove the mic from the tightly fitting case.When you first remove the mic, you may be able to easily smell the vintage tube. It was made a long time ago, with long periods of storage, so it will smell like an really old and dusty radio. But that's totally a charm! The mic is big and heavy, not like a Blue Bottle, but it's bigger than an old U47, and feels rock solid. Cable connections are rugged, connector pins are thick and durable, and the basket, easy to work with. I had to add a little oil to the screw-ring on mine, but it's new. The power supply is the same for both the 22 47 LE and the 22 251. I suppose it may be the same for the other mics. That could be handy, if one fails, and you quickly need a replacement (assuming you have more than one Peluso mic).The mic warms up pretty quickly, although I recommend at least 30 minutes. While I've heard some studios leave their tube mics on indefinitely, with such an old tube, I'm ok with not doing this. My mics aren't quite that heavily used. But expect you could get your life-span's worth of use out of this old tube.While the U47 responded better to the low end of an Alto sax, the newer Peluso 22 47 LE responded better in the top end, probably masking some of the lows. Some minor EQ cuts in the high-end, and using the right pre-amp, you can quickly find that vibe you seek. While I won't say the 22 47 LE is a clone of a U47, it does have a lot of its character, such as a darker top, compared to a C12 or 251, and has what I call a more 'carbonated' bottom. In other words, with my voice, the Peluso makes me think of pouring a coke over ice while I speak. What I mean is that I can hear every click in my male voice clearly, but with the warmth that I'd expect from a U47.One piece of advice: Don't buy a U47 clone until you've heard several U47's, if that's your goal. You might note that the old U47's may not please you, and they may not all sound the same, exactly. While I was apt to compare this mic with a U47, I don't believe it makes one shred of difference in how I view (or hear) this mic. While this mic doesn't match a U47 exactly, I don't feel it's necessary that it does. Who knows, maybe this mic will one day replace the U47, especially for the price! In some ways, this mic outshines the old b**tard!

Amazing!