What Power Supply Do You Need for a Blue Baby Bottle Mic
Blue Bottle Mic ---New Vs. Old
I was interested in the Blue Bottle Mic and they are always available on eBay. Many sellers of used ones like to say that their "old" power supply version is better than the "new power supply run of mics. Does anyone have any info on this claim. I called Blue Mics and asked if there was any truth to it, and they said no. The new and old mics according to them are exactly the same, except the external power supply on the new ones has been redesigned. The rep from Blue assured me that they would sound exactly the same. Does anyone have any experience comparing them?
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The difference is in te capsules. The old ones were made by JZ, the new ones come from "elsewhere". Just buy the Violet VIN series capsules (JZ made) in case you can't find old Blue versions. Violet does not have every model that was made for Blue on offer, so there is still a gap to fill.
(BTW: the B8 is a later addition (seemingly from Chinese production) that sounds not bad at all.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Earcatcher ➡️
The difference is in te capsules. The old ones were made by JZ, the new ones come from "elsewhere". Just buy the Violet VIN series capsules (JZ made) in case you can't find old Blue versions. Violet does not have every model that was made for Blue on offer, so there is still a gap to fill.
(BTW: the B8 is a later addition (seemingly from Chinese production) that sounds not bad at all.)
+1, the vin 67 capsule was much better than the b6 IMO.
Also, something about
power supply + redesigned = sounds the same.... does not add up (though I am completely talking out my [email protected]@ on that one). However the power supply of anything has an audible effect.
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I had a lot of problems with my original power supply. It went back to Blue a few times for repair before they finally swapped it for the new redisigned power supply. No issues after that. I would certainly be looking for one of the redesigned ones.
Quote:
Originally Posted by vintagelove ➡️
+1, the vin 67 capsule was much better than the b6 IMO.
I'm guessing based on the model #, the vin 67 is a 67 style capsule. The b6 is based on the c12. Those two capsules cant really be compared directly to each other. My b6 capsule vs b7 are night and day. I'm really curious about that vin 67 cap though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by VWYF11 ➡️
I'm guessing based on the model #, the vin 67 is a 67 style capsule. The b6 is based on the c12. Those two capsules cant really be compared directly to each other. My b6 capsule vs b7 are night and day. I'm really curious about that vin 67 cap though.
While the ad may say the b6 is like a c12, it has nothing to do with a c12 capsule. It is a k87 style capsule, just like what you would find in a u87 (except not Neumann quality obviously). Same with the vin67. They are both just "tuned" to give the desired response. FWIW, the vin67 was better to my ears. Just the right amount of low end beef, with a nice top (hence the 67 name). Great cap for the price.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Earcatcher ➡️
The difference is in te capsules. The old ones were made by JZ, the new ones come from "elsewhere". Just buy the Violet VIN series capsules (JZ made) in case you can't find old Blue versions. Violet does not have every model that was made for Blue on offer, so there is still a gap to fill.
(BTW: the B8 is a later addition (seemingly from Chinese production) that sounds not bad at all.)
At what point did Blue stop using JZ for capsules? And how can you tell a JZ made Bottle Cap vs. New ones not made by JZ?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vintagelove ➡️
It is a k87 style capsule, just like what you would find in a u87 (except not Neumann quality obviously).
Why "obviously"?
Quote:
Originally Posted by castle ➡️
Why "obviously"?
Just from my own experience with several k87 style capsules from Blue, Violet(JZ), Neumann, and a Neumann reskin.
I had several different capsules on a couple different bottle mics. CMV3 and global pre (ss mic body)
An older blue 47 style capsule is very nice
the b6 was decent (but to me had not as much mojo as the others)
M7, great tone but I think it may be getting a little old as the output is lower than newer caps. But the midrange is awesome.
Vin 12 - Definitely not the choice for your only capsule, big bass, scooped mids, and what seems like a 200db (yes 200) bump in the top. But that bump is very smooth (above the sibilance range). Fantastic on BGV or acoustic guitar. Could work on some voices. Cool capsule to increase versatility. p.s. Also a k87 capsule to my surprise.
Vin 67 - what I think they wanted the b6 to be, big lows, bright but smooth top, great midrange. Probably the most versatile of them all, though the 47 with the cmv is haunting
In a Neumann I had a k87 resin which sounded fine. Bit the bullet and bought a new capsule right from Neumann. Boom, all the midrange magic people associate with the great Neumann's was right there. That magic, was more apparent than any other k87 capsule I ever heard. So, that is what I base my opinion on. There is a certain midrange character present in the Neumann I have not found in other k87 capsules. This is obvious but the brass ck12 capsules are also amazing.
Hope that helps, was not meaning to bash the blue. Just imo anyone looking at the b6 should give the vin67 a listen. Or if money were no object, buy the Neumann.
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None of the capsules are made in China. I asked Blue.
Not even the Bottle Rockets are made in China.
Quote:
Originally Posted by vintagelove ➡️
While the ad may say the b6 is like a c12, it has nothing to do with a c12 capsule. It is a k87 style capsule, just like what you would find in a u87 (except not Neumann quality obviously). Same with the vin67. They are both just "tuned" to give the desired response. FWIW, the vin67 was better to my ears. Just the right amount of low end beef, with a nice top (hence the 67 name). Great cap for the price.
Yeah the more I think about it, the kiwi capsule was always compared more to a U87, which is the b6 capsule.
i had the old one for a while. bad sounding. very scratchy and smeared. lost it in a hurry
Quote:
Originally Posted by NewAllianceEast! ➡️
i had the old one for a while. bad sounding. very scratchy and smeared. lost it in a hurry
Finally I just compared a new one with a B6 capsule to an old one with B6 capsule and the old one sounded smoother and bigger. I'm no tech expert as to why this is but the old one, with the original power supply is the one I'll be looking for, for sure! Not sure how you had it set up NewAllianceEast, or maybe yours wasn't the truly oldest original version, or maybe yours had a problem, but I'm not hearing the "scratchy smeared" sound you have described. I really loved what I heard. Definitely a "pop" sound. I can totally hear how Maroon 5 (Adam Levine) has used this mic on some of their previous records hit. Next I'll have to hear the JZ capsules on the "Original Old Blue Bottle."
Quote:
Originally Posted by SharpKillerCable ➡️
Finally I just compared a new one with a B6 capsule to an old one with B6 capsule and the old one sounded smoother and bigger. I'm no tech expert as to why this is but the old one, with the original power supply is the one I'll be looking for, for sure! Not sure how you had it set up NewAllianceEast, or maybe yours wasn't the truly oldest original version, or maybe yours had a problem, but I'm not hearing the "scratchy smeared" sound you have described. I really loved what I heard. Definitely a "pop" sound. I can totally hear how Maroon 5 (Adam Levine) has used this mic on some of their previous records hit. Next I'll have to hear the JZ capsules on the "Original Old Blue Bottle."
I would swap the capsules on the two mics before making any decisions. There was definitely a change that happened when blue and JZ parted ways. I am thinking specifically the original baby bottles, they have an excellent capsule. The new ones... don't.
Take the same capsule, swap it with the two bodies. That should give you a more reliable answer.
Good luck!!!
We didn't swap the capsules. Or the power supplies.....
I would love to find out exactly which serial numbers start the "new era" without JZ... But safe to say the earlier, the better!
Quote:
Originally Posted by SharpKillerCable ➡️
I would love to find out exactly which serial numbers start the "new era" without JZ... But safe to say the earlier, the better!
This was a post by the owners of JZ detailing the last serial numbers on various mics and caps. Hope this helps.
Last serial # of original Juris Zarins "Scruples Ltd." models are
Baby Bottle # 22-7191
Blueberry # 25-2077
Cactus # 28-0223
Dragonfly # 37-02570
Dragonfly DE # 02-0372
Kiwi # 54-0794
Mouse # 66-01189
Bottle Capsule Heads line # 1322
Lollipop Capsule Head # 57-0244
Cactus Capsule KK47 # 701
Plum Capsule KK67 # 653
Kiwi Capsule KK87 # 1161
Quote:
Originally Posted by vintagelove ➡️
This was a post by the owners of JZ detailing the last serial numbers on various mics and caps. Hope this helps.
Last serial # of original Juris Zarins "Scruples Ltd." models are
Baby Bottle # 22-7191
Blueberry # 25-2077
Cactus # 28-0223
Dragonfly # 37-02570
Dragonfly DE # 02-0372
Kiwi # 54-0794
Mouse # 66-01189
Bottle Capsule Heads line # 1322
Lollipop Capsule Head # 57-0244
Cactus Capsule KK47 # 701
Plum Capsule KK67 # 653
Kiwi Capsule KK87 # 1161
But what about the flagship "Blue Bottle"? What would be the last serial number for that?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SharpKillerCable ➡️
But what about the flagship "Blue Bottle"? What would be the last serial number for that?
Can't help you there, but you may want to search for that same thread. What I posted will help you with the capsules. Good luck.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SharpKillerCable ➡️
But what about the flagship "Blue Bottle"? What would be the last serial number for that?
I believe all Bottles come from the same basic production run in Latvia. It's just that Blue started making the later power supply because there was no stock of the original left. My Bottle is from Latvia and my power supply is from the USA. I have a few old heads (with JZ made capsules in them) and a number of later heads with capsules made elsewhere in them. When you open them up you will find a JZ designation in their type number, like "JZ002", in addition to a "Blue" engraving, or no JZ at all. Don't forget that only a very small number of a mic like the Blue Bottle is in circulation, worldwide. Around a thousand at the most.
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My friend bought a new one a couple years ago. Sounded amazing, and yes I was jealous 
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I just got an old B.L.U.E. Bottle a few weeks back, ironically not blue in color, with the B6 and B0 caps. It doesn't suck near as I can tell. I definitely don't hear smeared and scratchy. I hear high end quality much like I get out of my Microtech Gefell UM92.1. Anyone that gets one will want to have a stand that handle it's girth. It is massive in size. I call this one Big John.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crash ➡️
I just got an old B.L.U.E. Bottle a few weeks back, ironically not blue in color, with the B6 and B0 caps. It doesn't suck near as I can tell. I definitely don't hear smeared and scratchy. I hear high end quality much like I get out of my Microtech Gefell UM92.1. Anyone that gets one will want to have a stand that handle it's girth. It is massive in size. I call this one Big John.
I haven't heard the B0 cap, only the B6 and B7 and my favorite was the B7 which needed to be brightened up a bit with EQ, but to me gave the best starting point to work from with a vocalist. I've got to hear the B0.....
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SharpKillerCable ➡️
I haven't heard the B0 cap, only the B6 and B7 and my favorite was the B7 which needed to be brightened up a bit with EQ, but to me gave the best starting point to work from with a vocalist. I've got to hear the B0.....
I am hoping to hunt down a B7 at some point to round out the caps I want for this rig. The B0 has quite a bit of top end boost, I bet you would dig it.
Do you still own your blue bottle? I just purchased one thats not blue in color and was wondering if there was a sound difference between the blue and non blue versions.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lapo ➡️
Do you still own your blue bottle? I just purchased one thats not blue in color and was wondering if there was a sound difference between the blue and non blue versions.
There's no difference at all, strictly aesthetic.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lapo ➡️
Do you still own your blue bottle? I just purchased one thats not blue in color and was wondering if there was a sound difference between the blue and non blue versions.
Yep, I still have mine. I finally got the B7 cap too, which I think rounds out the setup nicely. As you can see in the pic., mine is a grey color. When I inquired with Blue about the age of this unit, they told me you could a bottle in any color that they made their other mics in, so green, red, etc. I don't believe the innards of this thing have ever changed though I have heard that the caps may have between old and new after the falling out with JZ/Violet when they were partnered together. I love mine and get a lot of miles out of it in the vocal department.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Crash ➡️
Yep, I still have mine. I finally got the B7 cap too, which I think rounds out the setup nicely. As you can see in the pic., mine is a grey color. When I inquired with Blue about the age of this unit, they told me you could a bottle in any color that they made their other mics in, so green, red, etc. I don't believe the innards of this thing have ever changed though I have heard that the caps may have between old and new after the falling out with JZ/Violet when they were partnered together. I love mine and get a lot of miles out of it in the vocal department.
Nice. I'm assuming you do take those transit screws out of your capsule when in use...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Squawk ➡️
Nice. I'm assuming you do take those transit screws out of your capsule when in use...
Indeed, I do.
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Source: https://gearspace.com/board/high-end/957059-blue-bottle-mic-new-vs-old.html
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