“The best microphone I’ve ever put on a human voice.”
Top producer/songwriter Mitch Allan is also a gifted engineer and good at multitasking with a variety of artists such as Melissa Etheridge, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, and Selena Gomez. Up until recently his main mic was a vintage AKG C12, but now his first choice is a new TELEFUNKEN ELA M 251E hand-crafted in America, a stunning re-creation of the time-honored large diaphragm tube microphone.
“My first wow microphone was my vintage C12,” he recalls. “I explained to Chris Bolitho at Vintage King that this mic changed my view of microphones and asked him what else I might need.” Allan then took a tour of the new showroom at VKLA. “To look at all the gear you want in one room, it’s not online, it’s not a picture, it’s in the room. It kind of blew me away. They handed me a flight-case with the Telefunken ELA M 251E and I took it back to my studio to try it out.”
Writer-producer Mitch Allan has sold over a million records as an artist, and over 20 million as a producer and songwriter. He’s had two #2 singles, was nominated for a Grammy and has worked with such diverse and respected artists as Chris Daughtry, Faith Hill, Kelly Clarkson, Simple Plan, The Jonas Brothers, and Bowling For Soup. Besides his undeniable gifts as a songwriter, his biggest strength has been his intuitive ability to get the most out of creative collaborations.
Back at his studio, The Guest House, there is a fine array of recording gear, including a Dangerous Monitor ST, BAE and Chandler pre-amps, with API 512s and Shadow Hills pre-amps for guitars. Compressor/limiters are Urei 1176s and 1178s, plus a Distressor, among other vintage and current gear.
“I set up the new Telefunken mic and I had no idea what to expect,” Allan explains. ” I turned it on and sang with headphones; that’s how you know when something sounds so great. Then I came out here to listen back, and I’ve heard myself on the C12 a lot and I know the color — it was drastically different, it’s a great microphone, crystal clear.”
The TELEFUNKEN ELA M 251E was the 2003 winner of the TEC award for studio microphone technology. It features an amplifier designed around the GE 6072a vacuum tube, a newly manufactured CK-12 capsule, output transformer custom made by the original European manufacturer, and a three-position, sliding polar-pattern selector.
Mitch Allan’s impressive writer-producer career started out as the principal songwriter for Baltimore, Maryland pop-rock band SR-71, which sold a million records and had two #2 singles with “Right Now” (2000) and “Tomorrow” (2002). His songwriter career outside the band began when a song not a fit for SR-71 was submitted for the well-known pop-punk band Bowling For Soup. The track was BFS’s hit “1985.” It has since gone on to be certified Digital Triple Platinum and at the time of it’s release, held the iTunes record for the most downloads in a single week.
“After my initial testing, I tried the Telefunken mic on some of the talented ladies I’ve been working with,” Allan continues. “Chris at Vintage King said this mic really comes to life with a big vocalist and he was right. I had never heard anything like it before. It is literally the best microphone I’ve ever put on a human voice.”
Allan tailors his creativity to enhance each session. “When I enter a room, I figure out what an artist or co-writer’s biggest strength is and give them their space to create,” he says. He then offers what is needed, providing lyrics, melodies, vocal coaching, and of course, topnotch recording gear.
ABOUT TELEFUNKEN
TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik strives for absolute perfection. By offering historic recreations of classic microphones alongside their own proprietary designs based around the distinctive tube mic sound, TELEFUNKEN has established a product line that expertly combines vintage style and sound with the reliability of modern-day microphone design. TELEFUNKEN’s commitment to both the sonic excellence and quality of all of their products is rivaled only by their dedication to provide the best possible service to each and every one of their customers.
For more info, visit: http://www.telefunken-elektroakustik.com
ABOUT VINTAGE KING AUDIO
Vintage King Audio is a global leader in professional audio sales, studio consulting, and comprehensive gear servicing. No matter the scope of a client’s needs or goals, from selecting a new microphone to designing a studio from the ground up, Vintage King distinguishes itself with standard-setting customer service, which begins with the company’s knowledgeable, industry-experienced staff. Far surpassing the basic functions of an audio dealer, however, Vintage King Audio values its long-standing partnerships with manufacturers and stays connected with the professional audio community through hosting frequent events, panel discussions, and product launches. For more information, visit:
http://www.vintageking.com/about-us
