After 16 years with my AMT S25B, it looks like it’s finally time to move on. There’s some audible rattling I can’t quite track down, and the gooseneck isn’t nearly as stable as it used to be. And well… as I’ve read some of us know how AMT customer service can be. So maybe it’s just a good excuse to try something new.
I was close to pulling the trigger on a Neumann, but then I came across Xlson and that definitely got my attention. Part of me wants to go with the Xlson because I like supporting smaller companies that make interesting gear. On the other hand, the Neumann seems like the simpler option — straight into the Felix, no extra box or power supply needed.
My typical setup is sometimes mic straight to FOH + Lifeline into an amp, and sometimes mic blended with a Lifeline through a Grace Felix into my amp. I almost always play with a drummer, so stage volume is definitely a factor. Since the Lifeline already covers the low end pretty well, I usually point the mic toward the fingerboard or the bridge to capture more of the natural string sound and finger attack.
Also worth mentioning: my bass is about a 130-year-old Austrian flatback. It has a lot of character, but like many older instruments it can occasionally develop a little buzz or rattle somewhere if the wood dries out (I’m trying my best to prevent it). For those who’ve used Xlson or Neumann - is either mic more prone to picking up these mechanical noises on older flatbacks?
Has anyone here compared the two in a live setting? If you’ve used either with a Lifeline or a Felix, I’d really love to hear your experience. And I’d be very interested in hearing how it’s working for you on gigs.
I was close to pulling the trigger on a Neumann, but then I came across Xlson and that definitely got my attention. Part of me wants to go with the Xlson because I like supporting smaller companies that make interesting gear. On the other hand, the Neumann seems like the simpler option — straight into the Felix, no extra box or power supply needed.
My typical setup is sometimes mic straight to FOH + Lifeline into an amp, and sometimes mic blended with a Lifeline through a Grace Felix into my amp. I almost always play with a drummer, so stage volume is definitely a factor. Since the Lifeline already covers the low end pretty well, I usually point the mic toward the fingerboard or the bridge to capture more of the natural string sound and finger attack.
Also worth mentioning: my bass is about a 130-year-old Austrian flatback. It has a lot of character, but like many older instruments it can occasionally develop a little buzz or rattle somewhere if the wood dries out (I’m trying my best to prevent it). For those who’ve used Xlson or Neumann - is either mic more prone to picking up these mechanical noises on older flatbacks?
Has anyone here compared the two in a live setting? If you’ve used either with a Lifeline or a Felix, I’d really love to hear your experience. And I’d be very interested in hearing how it’s working for you on gigs.
and I like it very much..The Neumann replaced the Remix because of its easier handling and more flexible sound options… you have a lot more possibilities to “equalize” the sound by changing positions and by changing the capsule..soundwise for my ears it’s near by my Schoeps Mk5 and without knowing the Xlson I find it hard to imagine the Xlson to sound “better”…
