DEEP RECORDING STUDIOS

‘I recently used the RT-1 Ribbon Tube on loan via sonic distribution (thanks guys!) with an array of interesting angular guitars and cabs thrashing away inside the stone room at deep recording studios..this mic simply captures and rips detail from nowhere! it almost sucks the entire cab full force into the console, leaving no heard dynamic behind (and some) in a very dynamic way...I and the band were very impressed at the depth of detail captured during those sessions and the huge image we could create on some of the overdubs.

Deep recording studios have since also bought the sE GM10 for a variety of recording scenarios and have been very impressed with the benefits and detail. Along with several other sE mics already here, a pair of sE2200's,sE1000, sE1's in our extensive collection, I would recommend anyone should find a suitable microphone within the very well made sE collection. Well done sE!!....mic's for any occasion.

SCREMO ARTROCKERS NEPHU HUZZBAND

TONY PLATT – PRODUCER/ENGINEER

'The sE GM10 and the sE Reflexion Filter have been well thought out and beautifully constructed to address a simple problem with a simple solution that has enabled me to enhance the creative environment for these artists - many thanks sE!.'

'There is really only one thing to say about the sE4400a - it is fantastic!'

'There are so many microphones on the market these days and so many of them claim to be 'as good as xxx' or 'better than yyy' - at half the price of course!'

'So far my experience of SE microphones has been that they tread their own path and are designed towards a particular application rather than compete with existing (often industry standard) microphones. I like this attitude because I am always more enamoured of audio products that have their own personality.'

'The 4400a is exactly one of those - it seems to be somewhere between a U87 and a C414 - warmer than the U87 but brighter than the C414. This of course makes it a very useful microphone to have around.'

'I have used it on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, percussion - it is a true all rounder. Most importantly it has a particular character so I can choose it to do a certain job with confidence.'

'I can see the sE4400a becoming a requirement for all good microphone cupboards.'

Bob Marley, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, The Stranglers, Motorhead, Gary Moore, Buddy Guy

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STEVIE WONDER

‘I love the warmth, fullness, presence and the fat sound of the
sE Gemini II, and every studio should have an sE Reflexion Filter. It's great for isolating sound and it's perfect for on the road.'

'The sE Reflection Filter is exactly what I've been waiting for.’

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GIL NORTON

‘Since I first used sE microphones about 2 years ago, they have become staple tools in my recording arsenal. I especially like the Titan, which I’ve found great for LOUD vocals and instruments with a high output like kicks and cabs.'

'The sE4 Stereo Pair are particularly suited as drum overheads and on acoustic instruments including strings. They command a very real and pure sound and come provided with a useful stereo mount.'

'The Gemini II is a versatile vocal/room/general purpose mic which is never left in the box on a session.'

'Recently I’ve been using the R1 Ribbon which I Iove on guitar cabinets.'

'I think sE microphones are of the highest quality and fantastic value for anyone’s money.’

Find out more about Gil at www.gilnorton.com

Foo Fighters, Pixies, Gomez, Feeder, Counting Crows,
Maximo Park

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DON WAS

‘I am incredibly impressed by the seemingly contradictory combination of warmth, crispness and definition that was captured in the tracks by the sE Gemini II and sE Reflexion Filter.'

'The songs we were working on had dense arrangements yet the sax cut through without ever sounding abrasive or disconnected from the rest of the track ... it was a beautiful, natural sound ­ we didn't even use any EQ!’

Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones, Willie Nelson

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DOM MORLEY

'I recently used the sE Reflexion Filter while recording vocals at an artists house and it was the ideal solution. It's like you don't need a studio anymore. If I'm ever recording in a less-than-ideal acoustic I can just throw the RF up and all the problems are gone - I've got a clean and clear sound as if I was recording somewhere considerably more expensive.'

'The Gemini II kind of gives you the best of both worlds - it's got all the presence and mid-range clarity you'd expect from a valve mic, but with a really open and clear top end that you wouldn't expect. I'd normally be adding a bit of top when recording vocals but have found it's not necessary with the Gemini II as it's already there.'

Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson, Grinderman (Nick Cave),
The Feeling, Morrisey, Lemonjelly

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JACKNIFE LEE

'The sE4400a is a beautiful microphone. I've tried it on nearly everything I can with stunning results. Wonderful warmth, depth and amazing clarity. It will be a classic and will be used by me for a long time to come. It sounds and looks superb.'

'I've been using the R1 Ribbons on guitar and for drum ambience with great results. They sound (and look) pretty sweet. Warm, deep and detailed. The R1's are getting a lot of use at the moment.'

'I've not used the Reflexion Filter for it's primary purpose, vocals (I like to see the singer) but have used it on guitar mics to get some separation when the band are all in the room. Very useful and smart.'

REM, U2, Green Day, Snow Patrol, Bloc Party, The Hives,
Vega4, The Editors

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CHRIS PORTER

‘I use the sE Relexion Filter in my vocal booth. Generally so you can see the vocalist you have them standing not very far from a glass window and, of course, you are getting bouncing sibilance back from the window into the mic and it can give you really blurry s’s and t’s.
The sE Reflexion Filter cleans those up nicely and I find it also helps control the bottom end; you get a really good bottom end on the vocal. It really does make it sound like you have a very expensive booth. And I love the sE Gemini II on vocals and guitars.’

George Michael, Sir Cliff Richard, Pet Shop Boys, Tina Turner

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SVEN LENS

'I had a couple of expensive mics from Germany and Latvia plus the
sE Gemini II. From the moment my assistant talked through it [the Gemini II], I knew it was something special. Actually, it blew both of the other mics away. I can hardly believe that the Gemini II sounds so good. '

Snoop Dog, Willie Nelson

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ADRIAN BUSHBY

'We're using the sE mics on everything. The sE4400a's are permanently on the guitars and snare.'

Foo Fighters, Feeder, Gomez, The Kooks

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JON BURTON

'We tried the sE Instrument Reflexion Filters in rehearsals and they seem to work so we bought four. When we did the first shows, some small warm up gigs in tiny clubs, they came into their own.The spill was dramatically reduced and the sound more focused. They exceeded my expectations.'

The IRFs have now been on tour doing major festivals around the world, and have become an essential part of the bands touring package.

Jon Burton has also mixed for Portishead, Bjork at Live8 in Japan. Katrina & the Waves, Radiohead, Suede, Cocteau Twins and many others.

FOH Engineer - Prodigy

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ALAN BRANCH

'When I got the chance to try the Gemini II I was really excited as I am slowly becoming a real sE fan, I was bowled over by the clever design and quality of the GM10 and have recommended the Z5600a II so many times to artists wanting quality from a small budget, all of them feeding back how much a difference it made to their performance. It’s not often you find a manufacturer living up to it’s hype or having spent real attention to the R&D of a product.'

Nine Inch Nails, Sinead O’Connor, Depeche Mode, Blur

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BRENDON BENSON

'I used the sE mics on my latest record and had really great results. I especially liked the R1 ribbon mic. Very smooth and realistic. Great as drum overheads or on a guitar amp. The Titan is another one of my favorites.

It's a great mic for a bass amp or kick drum, but to my amazement, it also sounded really great on vocals!'

Raconteurs, Brendan Benson

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TROY VAN LEEUWEN

‘Yet another mic from sE that is a must have for multiple applications, the sE Titan handles everything thrown at it. From the punch of drums and bass, to the delicate touch of any acoustic instrument, every frequency is captured with ease.’

‘The Z5600a II is a mic that you could just leave up in your tracking room and record with any instrument in combination with a close up mic. The switching in between the three patterns of the capsule is a great way to dial in the depth of your room. Another workhorse in my mic collection.’

Queens Of The Stone Age, Enemy, A Perfect Circle

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DAVE CATCHING

‘I LOVE sE mics!!! Put any one of them anywhere and you immediately have a great sound. I use the Titan on bass amps and kick drums and was astonished at how quickly the perfect tones came up. Then even more so when I tried it on vocals.'

'The Gemini and Z5600a are so warm yet crisp on vocals too, and everywhere else I placed them.'

'The sE3 stereo pair were used to cut acoustic guitars and i just could not believe how amazing they sounded.'

'Every studio should have a complete set of sE microphones.
Thanks sE !!!’

Eagles of Death Metal, QOTSA, Mondo Generator, The Duke Spirit, Rancho De La Luna

Click here to find out more about Rancho De La Luna.

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ENDA WALSH

'I love the natural sound of the Gemini II. Not only is it my default vocal microphone, it is also my preferred acoustic guitar mic. I haven't tried it on piano or drum overheads yet but I have no doubt that it will deliver.'

'The sE Reflexion Filter is just the best thing ever. I can't imagine why someone didn't do it years ago!'

U2, Shane MacGowan, Andrea Corr

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MATT ROBERTSON

'I'm a firm believer in the fact that you can get good results out of less than ideal recording situations with a bit of knowledge and patience, however, having the right tools on hand makes life very much easier. Packages like the sE4 Stereo Pair and the sE Reflexion Filter definitely fall under the category of ‘making life easier’. They are good, solid products that perform very well.'

'I'm using the sE4 Stereo Pair as instrument mics and also as close drum mics. They are great on snare drums. I’m also using them a lot on acoustic guitar and was using them as a cross pair somewhere in between room mics and close mics on things like piano and glock and when re-amping stuff. With the sE4's I really like the whole package: stereo bar, shock mounts and all. It’s good quality hardware.”

'I have been using the sE Reflexion Filter for vocals in less than ideal recording environments, where it really does help a great deal in getting rid of bad room sounds. It has made it possible to do credible vocal work in very much less than ideal rooms.'

Hot Fuzz, The Other Boleyn Girl, Pepsi, Mercedes,
Land Rover.

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PAUL HERMAN

‘Why do we have a cupboard full of sE gear? Well, the results speak for themselves! The sE Reflexion Filter is just a great asset for any vocal performance – even when recorded in a vocal booth. “But for recording acoustic guitars – or in fact any instrumentation – we reach for the
sE3 Stereo Pair . The reason we bought into sE in the first place was purely because we were hearing so many producers and engineers tell us just how good they were.’

Dido, Natasha Bedingfield, Corinne Bailey Ray, Faithless

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JOHN MERCHANT

‘If you're recording in a space with challenging acoustics, you owe it to yourself to try the sE Reflexion Filter. In both good sounding rooms and bad, I've found this simple device can dramatically improve the quality of your tracks.'

'I prefer intimate sounding vocal tracks. If you're recording in a studio with lots of reflections, even if the room sounds great, you may not want all that ambience on the tracks.'

'In three minutes, the sE Reflexion Filter can totally change your vocal from spacious and diffuse to detailed and clear.’

Bee Gees, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson,
Celine Dion, Mika

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PAUL MERTENS

‘The Z5600a II is a great addition to my studio. I'm impressed with how well built the mic and shock mount are, and the features; bass roll-off, pad and the switchable pattern. It's incredibly good value.'

'I especially like the Z5600a II on vocals, acoustic guitar and woodwinds which is what I record a lot of here. I've been looking for a tube mic that sounds thick in the midrange but still has clear, present high end and this one does it at an amazing price. Can't wait to hear your ribbon mics!’

Beach Boys, Brian Wilson's Pet Sounds, Stereolab

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GARETH JOHNSEN

'I’m often recording acoustic guitars, and let’s be totally honest here – it’s a pain! Guitarists – myself included – move around a lot, so getting a consistent level and tone can be tricky. But the GM10 boom clips onto the body of the guitar itself, so the guitarist could be jumping around the room or even standing on their head and the mic stays in place – positioned in the right place on the guitar body. And it gives a full, rich tone. You know, I really wasn’t sure what results I’d get with the GM10, but I was totally shocked by how good it sounds. It’ll make a cheap guitar sound expensive and an expensive one sound even better!'

'Because I work on such a diverse range of projects I travel around a lot and record in different locations, the sE Reflexion Filter is an essential for me. It makes doing vocals in the control room a reality, and it also means that I’m guaranteed a useful recording environment whenever I hit the road with my portable recording set-up.'

'The sE Gemini II is simply hands-down the best mic in my collection for many jobs around the studio, especially vocals. It’s warm, crisp and clear and seems to add more detail than anything I’d used previously. It seems to make vocals sound fatter! And the results need less processing because the Gemini II captures all of the nuances from a performance. That also makes it a great choice as a room mic in the drum room, or for miking up guitar cabinets too. It used to be a secret weapon, but these days the Gemini II is sneaking its way into all sorts of places!'

Goldfrapp, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,
Natalie Imbruglia

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AL MACHERA - WESTLAKE STUDIOS, LA

'The sE Mics have been doing great for us. We lined up an AKG C12, a 414 with a C12 capsule, a Neumann U87, a Sony C800G, a Shure SM7, the sE Z5600a II, the sE Titan and the sE ICIS. The results were surprising. Hands down the sE mics stole the show.'

'I've been using the Titan on a new artist, and it sounds incredible. The vocal is just incredible.'

'I lent the ICIS to a friend who's putting together an album with a female vocalist. He set up the ICIS with an AKG C12 for the lead vocal but went with the ICIS.'

'I love these mics. I'm using sE with all my artists. And I'm spreading the word.'

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BRIAN TRANSEAU (BT)

‘I am using sE Electronics microphones all over my new album. They sound absolutely unreal! I love the Z5600a II, it reminds me of the character of a Neumann U47 but with 1/10th of the noise. If you’re looking for an expensive sounding mic at a reasonable price . . . look no further.’

BT, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Tori Amos

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ERIC VALENTINE - BAREFOOT STUDIOS, LA

'I've been trying the sE Titan in all the places I would normally use my Neumann fet47 (Bass and Kick). I was surprised when I started picking the Titan over my favorite 47Fet in those spots'

SmashMouth, Third Eye Blind, QOTSA, Good Charlotte, Nickel Creek

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ALAIN JOHANNES

'I've been loving the Z5600a II It's got amazing detail and warmth and an incredibly musical character. As a room mic for drums it allows me to start with a solid balanced kit sound. Love it on vocals because of it's ability to capture the character and detail as well as claiming it's own space alongside heavy guitars. Well done!'

Eleven, QOTSA, Spinnerette, Hilary Duff

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JAMES MURPHY - LCD SOUND SYSTEM

‘The sE Z3300a's were absolutely mindlessly lovely on the toms - I just stuck them there and plugged them in and they sounded great. The sE4 Stereo Pair did a great job on the hat and bottom snare, and the Titan worked nicely as a mono overhead.’

‘All in all, I'm very happy with these guys’

‘Yesterday I spent the day recording drums with a 100% sE setup, which would be the first time I haven't used either my 193/re2000 rig or my other standard (just an old EV omni dynamic just above the kick) in YEARS, so it's a big step for me.’

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PAUL BARRETT

'I set up the sE2200a alongside the ubiquitous U87 to see which one the singer built up a liking for. I believe this friendship/relationship can make or break a recording session. The performer must trust his microphone, and never more so than with a singer.'

'The sE2200a fought neck and neck with the Neumann. The performer was happiest with the sE2200a.'

'I believe it out-performs any Rode microphone I have tried.'

'Try them, but be warned that you will not want to give them back.'

U2, Carole King, Quincy Jones, Hothouse Flowers, Frank Sinatra

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ROB HARRIS

'The Reflexion Filter is a great idea, so simple but so useful. I use it on vocals, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, percussion, hi-hat overdubs….'

Jamiroquai, Kylie Minogue, Beverley Knight

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NICK FRANGLEN

‘If I could only use one mic it would be Gemini II, no contest. It captures the natural essence of the instrument without colouring the sound in a way that made my other mics seem muddy and indistinct.'

'For vocals, lead instruments and those intimate sounds like acoustic guitars where you need to hear the pure qualities of the instrument and performance I really couldn't imagine using a different microphone.’

LemonJelly, Primal Scream, John Cale

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GUY CHAMBERS - PRODUCER/SONGWRITER

'We've been using the sE Gemini II and Z5600a II for various applications, from vocals, guitar and piano to live drums and we've had fantastic results. These mics are great. We're using them all the time.'

Robbie Williams, Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue, James Blunt

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STUART CRICHTON

'I particularly like the Z5600a II, the sE1a Stereo Pair, and the new GM10 [guitar mic]. The Z5600a II I use on every vocal production I do.'

'I’m using the GM10 absolutely every time I record acoustic guitar... it’s just amazing!'

'sE mics make my life easier. These mics are just so flexible. I don’t think I’m being overly dramatic when I tell you that I couldn’t live without my sE mics now. These mics can handle all of my recording needs – period!'

Pet Shop Boys, Bond, Charlotte Church

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JAMIE CULLUM

'I love sE Mics. I use them in the studio because they give me a sound I can't get from anything else. I've recently been using the sE Gemini II on vocals and acoustic guitar, and I love the sE4 Stereo Pair over my piano.'

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MATT DEIGHTON

‘I was looking for a mic set up that would capture the warm and dust between the vocals and acoustic guitar when putting down a live studio take and after some soul searching came across the perfect solution PLUS!.’

'What the valve sE Z5600a II mic achieved sonically blew me away; it seemed to enhance the overall sound straight away showing detail in the vocals or guitar playing. I combined the set up with an sE3 condenser mic positioned just off of the sound hole of the Martin acoustic and have been recording live in the studio in this way ever since.’

‘The sE3 with it's high and low Db cut switch opened up many subtle possibilities, especially when using say a parlour size acoustic guitar or a Dobro resonator where the guitar sound was more 'boxy' with less bass end than my Martin Jumbo.’

‘These mics definitely capture the most important thing in music ­ feel.’

Mother Earth, The Bench Connection, Paul Weller Band, Oasis

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ROB KELLY - STRONGROOM STUDIOS

'We have used the sE Gemini II on various sessions at Strongroom Studios, and they stand up to the best valve mics in our collection. The Gemini II is clear, full and detailed sounding. We bought two for Strongroom, and several of our clients who got to use them have put orders in for their own mics without hesitation.'

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COURTNEY PINE - JAZZ PERFORMER and PRODUCER

sE Gemini - 'Wow. That mic is dangerous! Real quality.'

sE Z5600a - 'Great mic. I know it's a great vocal mic, but the Z5600A is fantastic on piano as well. Beautifully clean.'

sE3 Stereo Pair - 'These are fantastic. Real class sound. I use these on all my overheads.'

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GEOFF DUGMORE

'I love sE mics - they quite simply record what I play - nothing added, nothing taken away. Superb. I would happily recommend sE. Great mics.'

Robbie Williams, Tina Turner, Dido, Bruce Springsteen,
Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart

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LYNNE FIDDMONT

‘I love my sE Z5600a. It's warm and full but what I love most about it is that nice air at the top. It makes my voice sound like I like to hear it and I feel like it actually makes me sing easier and better. Thanks sE.’

Stevie Wonder, Phil Collins, Madonna, Barbara Streisand, Johnny Mathis

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DARRYL LAVICTOIRE

‘I’m amazed by the clarity and the top end of the Gemini mic and very impressed with the sound directly from it. It actually sounds like it’s already been treated, that’s how good it is. I think: ‘hang on, this is like I’ve put it through my tube tech compressor and Avalon EQ’, but it’s straight from the mic! The Gemini is very special.’

Sugababes, Blue, Mis-teeq, Big Brovaz, Liberty X,
Beverley Knight,Atomic Kitten/p>

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JS CLAYDEN

‘I have been using the Se Electronics Z5600A for vocals in my own studio. I can honestly say the results are better than more expensive models by other companies. It just has a natural tone and clarity that’s great for capturing the true essence of any vocal performance. Now that I have it ­ I couldn’t live without it!’

Pitchshifter

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GRAHAM PATTISON

‘I was blown away by the Gemini and have used it on everything since.’

Kula Shaker, Gomez, Spiritualized

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ROGER LYONS

‘I’m getting another sE Gemini as I like it so much but also have a pair of sE3s (which you can use for pretty much anything) and Z5600a’s which I use for ambient drum recording. They sound great ­ really warm and crunchy. I’ve mainly been using the Gemini on vocals; it really does have a fantastic sound.'

'I can sing but don’t particularly like to… I wouldn’t stand up on stage and do it, but I’ve done some vocals with this mic and all of a sudden I have some confidence back in my own voice as it sounds so good!’

New Order

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JAVIER WEYLER - STEREOPHONICS

‘I have a couple of sE Z5600a‘s and a pair of sE3s. I use them for everything, especially the Z5600a‘s which I use for guitars, vocals, overheads, drums and stuff like that. The Z5600a is a great all rounder.’

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CHRIS HARRISON - MORCHEEBA

‘We’ve got the whole sE range but I primarily use the Gemini. What I like about it is that it has a bump around 2k and another bump on the top end so it has an immediate feel about it and you will know straight away whether it’s working. Some mics you will need to adjust this, that or the other. The sE Gemini is a very characterful mic and generally sounds very good on most things.’

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STEVE LEVINE

'The sE Gemini studio tube microphone is a very unusual microphone as it combines both the traditional warmth, expected of a high quality studio tube condenser microphone, along with an exceptional transparent high end, normally only available with solid state designs.'

Culture Club, The Creatures, The Beach Boys, Honeyz, Westworld

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STEVE WILLIAMS - THE CHAPEL STUDIOS

‘The point about the sE3 is that, because it’s not hugely expensive, I can dedicate it to one job. I find it really works on cymbals, not because it has a boosted high end but it takes the high end and gives it some real clarity especially on my ride cymbal. It just stays there and does the job brilliantly!’

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THIRTEEN SENSES

‘We've been using the sE3 stereo pair, the Z5600a II and the Z3300a extensively during the recording and pre-production of our latest album. We've been very impressed with clarity and versatility of these mics, and have made some great sounds with them.’

‘The sE3's gave a beautiful, open sound to an acoustic guitar, and the Z5600a II has given us some very unique ambient sounds whilst we've been recording the drum kit.’

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TROY VAN LEEUWEN - QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE

'In this day and age of digital recording, anything that can add character to the signal path is worth it's weight in gold. with a microphone like the Gemini you can really push the limits.'

'With multiple applications like mono drums, beautifully warm but clear vocals, bass, acoustic guitar and piano, this mic could be the only one you need in a recording situation.'

Queens Of The Stone Age, Enemy, A Perfect Circle

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PAUL BORG

'The Z5600a is a great all rounder. I have found it to be a great work horse using it on vocals, acoustic guitar and even bass amps. It has plenty of depth and handles low frequencies well whilst delivering real clarity on the high end with vocals and acoustic instruments.'

Busted, MC Solaar, James Brown, Gangstar, Urban Species, Sugababes

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SIDH SOLANKI

' ... in the studio we usually have the pick of the crop when it comes to microphones but I keep coming back to my sE Gemini - I use it for almost everything from recording bass cabs and kick drums to acoustic guitar and vocals - knockout detail and luscious warmth - plus the two valves glowing in the back... simply beautiful.'

Outkast, Busted

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TIM LEVER and MIKE PERCY - STEELWORKS STUDIOS

'We were blown away when we tried sE mics. Now when we have a singer in they’re first out of the box in front of any of our other mics!'

Robbie Williams, S-Club 7, A1, Gareth Gates, Blue, Spice Girls

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ACE - SKUNK ANANSIE and ACESOUNDS

'I use the Gemini for clear and accurate vocal recordings, with a true presence that compliments rock recordings, bringing a edgy but sonically correct result.'

'I use the Z5600a for recording Acoustic guitars that sound real and natural with bottom warmth but crisp top end clarity. Quite simply it sounds the same from the guitar acoustically as on the recorded audio, and at the end of the day that's what I want .'

Skunk Anansie, Acesounds

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