Shell Rock, IA – October 2018…Chandler Limited’s foray into microphones with its highly successful REDD Microphone, continues the history, heritage and lineage of EMI and Abbey Road Studios, with advent of the TG Microphone.
Chandler Limited Founder and Chief Designer, Wade Goeke’s concept of the TG Microphone—following the mold of the REDD Microphone is unique sonically, functionally and as expected, this mic isn’t a clone of any other.
The TG Microphone is a transistorized, large diaphragm condenser microphone, featuring the EMI TG sound, a ‘Dual Tone’ voicing and in-body NAB/IEC—IEC/NAB ‘Tape Equalizer’ or EQ, re-purposed from historic EMI TG12410 transfer consoles of the ’70s, still in use today.
While TG Microphone’s color comes from three TG amplifiers, its tube mic sized sonics are possible due to its reliance on a dedicated power structure rather than the 48 Volts phantom power standard.
Wade Goeke, Chandler Limited Founder and Chief Designer— “I and other engineers have often thought of phantom power as a compromise. It is low current and low voltage when compared to tube mics and is not capable of powering high fidelity circuits that could allow a solid-state mic to compete with a tube design. To me this is why solid-state mics often have a smaller and more ‘pinched’ sound. Using an external PSU has allowed us to bypass what we consider all the drawbacks of a solid-state mic design and deliver a microphone that can compete with any topology.”
Versatility of the TG Microphone begins with unique ‘Tape Equalizer’ facility, re-engineered from vintage EMI TG12410 transfer desks and adapted for source acquisition. The TG Microphone’s specialized passive tape equalizer allows the audio engineer’s and recordists to create a sound at the source, in lieu of added downstream processing; make use of your vintage Pultec elsewhere.
Historically speaking…the historic EMI mastering console’s Tape Equalizer was needed to easily and correctly playback tapes printed on tape machines of opposing standards. In lieu of having to recalibrate a tape machine to playback a NAB master on an IEC calibrated machine—or IEC on an NAB machine—the EMI and Abbey Road mastering engineers would select the appropriate speed and EQ curve, issue solved.
However, why was this historic EMI equalizer chosen?
Wade Goeke, Chandler Limited Founder and Chief Designer— “I’m lucky to own one of the TG mastering desks. I often run sources through the desk, not to use the mastering equalizers or compressors, but to use the NAB/IEC EQ that is part of its input section; its passive eq section is a special sound I have not heard in any other device. The more I thought about it the more I realized it would be the perfect thing to add to the TG Microphone, not only because of its beautiful tone, but also the wide array of sounds and flexibility it would add to it. Once we re-tuned each setting for recording purposes—instead of mastering—I realized the mic could easily cover the job of a variety of classic mics, however, with even more girth. Thicker FET47 sound for bass? Simply go to setting 5 in system B, fatter vintage C414eb sound? Go to setting 4 in system A etc…”
The TG Microphone versatility is extended by its unique ‘Dual Tone System,’ developed as an means to accommodate more sources, system ‘A’ is characteristically TG mid forward and colored in sound, while system ‘B’ is pristine and capable of taking extreme sound pressure levels.
The switchable Low-Cut filter (90 Hz or 50 Hz,) works beyond that of a ‘Rumble Filter’. The Low-Cut filter, is designed to interactively modify the tape equalizer’s 5 base settings, and effectively doubling the TG Microphone’s tone-shaping possibilities.
During development with EMI / Abbey Road Studios, the famed studios’ audio engineers and technical staff tested the new microphone along-side of some of their historic microphones, and the TG Microphone quickly found favor.
Mirek Stiles, Head of Products, Abbey Road Studios— “I love the sound of this microphone. The hyped tape EQ curves Wade has added really take it to another level. At Abbey Road we compared the TG microphone with some tried and trusted microphone models on all sort of instruments and the TG mic seemed to always come out on top. With so many sound sculpting options I think this microphone offers incredible value, it’s so unique and fun to use. It won’t disappoint.”
FIELD-TESTING WITH LUMINARIES
Producer, engineer and mixer, Ryan Hewitt was able to put the TG Microphone through its paces during sessions for a major label artist and had this to say— “The new Chandler TG Microphone is totally a modern classic. The different combinations of tape EQ curves, filters and the system A/B switch gave me great versatility in capturing a number of different sources on a recent recording session. I absolutely loved it on electric bass, acoustic guitars, drums and vocals. Any source on which you’d use a classic FET mic, the TG mic just smoked the old standards. The problem is that I need at least four of them!!!”
Producer Dave Cobb is actively experimenting with the TG Microphone and commented— “The TG Microphone is the coolest new mic I’ve heard. I preferred it on guitar over my vintage U67, this was on a small Gretsch combo using tape equalizer setting number ‘5;’ it’s already becoming one of my favorite guitar mics!”
What’s included in the TG Microphone set?
TG Microphone, Dedicated PSU, Shockmount, 25’ Mogami microphone cable and wooden microphone case.
To learn more about Chandler Limited’s REDD Microphone visit: https://chandlerlimited.com/tg-microphone
When is the Chandler Limited TG Microphone available for purchase?
The TG Microphone is available for order now.
U.S. street price: $1,849
About Chandler Limited
Headquartered in Shell Rock, Iowa, Chandler Limited, Inc. is a boutique manufacturer of high-end signal processors, mixers, and amplifiers for musicians and audio professionals. Recognized globally for its exquisitely handmade products and the company’s high-profile clientele, Chandler’s product offerings include the Abbey Road/TG line, its unique Germanium transistor series of products, the 500 Series Modules, plus its recently introduced guitar pedals and amplifier. For additional information about all Chandler Limited products, please visit the company online at www.chandlerlimited.com.
About Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is the most famous recording studios in the world and a global music icon.
Home to countless landmark recordings and pioneering advances in recording technology, the legendary studio complex has a phenomenal history spanning over 80 years, encompassing celebrated work by many of the world’s most famous recording artists including The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Kanye West, Radiohead, Oasis, Frank Ocean, Lady Gaga and Adele.
Since the score for Raiders of The Lost Ark was recorded at the studios in 1980, Abbey Road has developed into one of the world’s premiere locations for movie scoring. Blockbuster films such as the Lord of The Rings Trilogy, The King’s Speech and Skyfall feature scores recorded there, while recent projects include the Oscar-winning score to Gravity. Additionally, a number of high-profile videogames such as Halo 5 and Call of Duty have recorded in-game music at Abbey Road Studios.
The Studios house a number of state of the art mastering suites. Recent projects mastered or re-mastered by Abbey Road’s award-winning engineers include albums by Ed Sheeran, Queen, The Smiths, Depeche Mode, Mary J Blige and Iggy Azalea.
Abbey Road Studios also offers online mixing and mastering, audio products for professional and home studio music producers, live concert recording, archiving and video services. The studios also host a select number of special events each year.
Music recorded, mixed and mastered at Abbey Road has won countless awards, including BRIT Awards, BAFTAS, Oscars, GRAMMYs, Golden Globes and Gramophone Awards.
Chandler Limited and associated logos are trademarks of Chandler Limited, Inc.
Abbey Road Studios, EMI, TG, REDD and their associated logos are trademarks of EMI (IP) Limited.
