Replacement for Tram TR-50

G

gpforet

Well-known member
Well, I totalled a TR-50 today. The housing shattered and the element is in pieces. It's about 6 or 7 years old and the plastic housing had become brittle.

I've got an Senn MKE2 that I like the sound of.

My price range is about $200. The Sanken COS011 is out of my price range.

Anything other than the Countryman B3 I should be looking at?

Anyone use Voice Technologies VT-400 or VT-500?
 
Another TR50? j/k

I like the VT mics a little more than the TR50, less mids and smoother highs. Oh yeah, it's cheaper by a bit.
 
I use the Countryman B3 & like it over the MKE2... You could also look at Countryman's version of the TR-50: EMW, since they're under $200.
 
All good suggestions! Here's one more Oscar Sound Tech. oscarsoundtech.com/

They make two Tram/Sonotrim type mics plus some others. One has the Tram like response curve and the other has a flatter Sonotrim type curve. They come in four colors and can use the Tram mounting accessories. I have all four colors in the flatter version. So far so good. Physically the cable is just a bit thicker but it doesn't present a problem. I won't quote their pricing but its well worth checking out. Well under $200 though.
Best,
Bernie
 
Thanks, Bernie. I've sent an inquiry to them for pricing info. Looks like a winner. Most of my work involved putting the mic under clothing so I'm leaning toward the 801. Have you used these?

berniebeaudry said:
All good suggestions! Here's one more Oscar Sound Tech. oscarsoundtech.com/

They make two Tram/Sonotrim type mics plus some others. One has the Tram like response curve and the other has a flatter Sonotrim type curve. They come in four colors and can use the Tram mounting accessories. I have all four colors in the flatter version. So far so good. Physically the cable is just a bit thicker but it doesn't present a problem. I won't quote their pricing but its well worth checking out. Well under $200 though.
Best,
Bernie
Click to expand...
 
if you're going to be concealing the mic under clothing you might want to look at either the countryman b6 or the sanken cos11. they are a bit more expensive, but well worth it in my opinion.
 
You may want to consider the new Rode Lalalier. I just did a shootout video between the TR50, the ME-2, the Sanken COS11D and the Rode Lav. At 250.00 the Rode Lav sounded very open and natural. Listen for yourself:

http://vimeo.com/15979250

Here's a link to the Rode Lav. I did this video for DVeStore. http://www.dvestore.com/products/RODE-Lavalier-Mic.html


Hey where did the "V" button go for Vimeo video embedding?

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/15979250" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/15979250">Lav Shootout! Sennheiser Me-2 / Tram TR50 / Sanken COS11D / RØDE Lavalier</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/chadfish">Chad Johnson</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
 
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There's a little 'insert video' film-strip button now. All you have to do is copy the URL and paste it.

Nice job on this...thank you!
(that Rode sounds pretty good to me..)
 
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Thanks Zaz! I almost tried that, but I figured it was to upload. And yes, I found the Rode Lav to be really nice sounding. My COS11D almost sounded too brittle compared to it. When I had the little mesh screen on it there seemed to be a high freq, almost whistle sound to it that I found annoying. But that depends on who's talking, where you are. I just did audio for this big doc destined for PBS, and the COS11D really sounded good when I couldn't use my shotgun. The Rode lav sounded full and balanced with clear highs. The tram just sounded muddy to me in comparison, yet when I use that on some jobs (It's wired for Lectrosonics so I use it in areas where the sennheiser gives me RF hits) it sounds nice and full.
 
Yes I did Chad. I just wrote you back but I didn't see the sent message in the Sent folder. My computer is acting a little funky with dvxuser today. I tried to "Reply With Quote" just now but it formatted really strangely on my screen and was unusable.

Did my PM make it to you?
 
Haven't used the 801's. I have all 802's. They still sound fine under clothing which is how I use them almost exclusively. If you like the sound of a Tram get the 802's. They have great customer service so if you don't like them I'm sure you can work something out.
Best,
Bernie



gpforet said:
Thanks, Bernie. I've sent an inquiry to them for pricing info. Looks like a winner. Most of my work involved putting the mic under clothing so I'm leaning toward the 801. Have you used these?
Click to expand...
 
The Rode lav sounds really good. In the shootout I thought the Tram and the Rode lav sounded the most natural with a good balance between the highs and lows. I've never felt the love for the Sankens, and your shootout just confirmed why. To my ear they sound a bit brittle on the high end, and the form factor has never impressed me for hiding under clothes. I know the brighter high end is helpful when under clothes but its size and response makes it a non choice for me. I know this is against conventional thought but I've felt this way a long time. Besides for that money I'd rather have a DPA.
My two cents.
Bernie



Chadfish said:
Thanks Zaz! I almost tried that, but I figured it was to upload. And yes, I found the Rode Lav to be really nice sounding. My COS11D almost sounded too brittle compared to it. When I had the little mesh screen on it there seemed to be a high freq, almost whistle sound to it that I found annoying. But that depends on who's talking, where you are. I just did audio for this big doc destined for PBS, and the COS11D really sounded good when I couldn't use my shotgun. The Rode lav sounded full and balanced with clear highs. The tram just sounded muddy to me in comparison, yet when I use that on some jobs (It's wired for Lectrosonics so I use it in areas where the sennheiser gives me RF hits) it sounds nice and full.
Click to expand...
 
I've never seen or heard a DPA. The shootout was painfully incomplete. My friend berated me for not having a Countryman in there. If I had another 4 contenders I could shoot them out, then do a rapid-fire comparison of all 8.
 
801

801

Received the 801 a few days ago. Will be putting it thru it's paces on a location this weekend in Florida. Bench tests sound impressive. Construction is very nice and price is very reasonable. Initial impressions tell me this is a TR-50 clone. I'll report again after the weekend.

berniebeaudry said:
Haven't used the 801's. I have all 802's. They still sound fine under clothing which is how I use them almost exclusively. If you like the sound of a Tram get the 802's. They have great customer service so if you don't like them I'm sure you can work something out.
Best,
Bernie
Click to expand...
 
gpforet said:
Received the 801 a few days ago. Will be putting it thru it's paces on a location this weekend in Florida. Bench tests sound impressive. Construction is very nice and price is very reasonable. Initial impressions tell me this is a TR-50 clone. I'll report again after the weekend.
Click to expand...
How did the 801 work out for you? Hope your shoot went well.
Best,
Bernie
 
That shoot was scratched at the last minute and ended up on another job where I just boomed the shot. Since then I've used the 801 on two jobs. It really does sound like the TR-50. Since I no longer have a working TR-50 I can't directly compare the sound but I have ordered another 801 as well as 2 802s.
 
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