thanks for taking the time & energy in developing these wonderful products
I use the EQ and you can actually hear a 2db change at 10k. It’s clearly evident that Philip has improved the performance of these circuits without affecting that good ‘ole punchy MCI sound. This old MCI lives again and we’ll be doing a lot of mixing through it soon. Thanks for taking the time […]
don’t waste your time figuring out what else you could use
Wow, buy them. Don’t waste your time figuring out what else you could use. Use that time working to save up for them. Well worth the cost. as posted to analogconsole.com ‘MCI Consoles’ forum 7/20/09 by charlesaustin Austin Music Studios
the SAGE sounds is just so much better…just more definition throughout the frequency spectrum.
In my initial tests, <with the sage RED and BLUE opamps> I ran the CD into 2 input faders, panned center and levels being equal with respect to the individual light meters and analog VUs as reference (probably not 100%> accurate, but that’s what I have). Switching back & forth I immediately notice the air/ […]
if you own a 400 series MCI, you can completely hot rod the thing with minimal effort now!!!
Post subject: MCI owners take note!!! This is awesome…. http://www.sage-2021.local/images/SE-DOT_5A-5AB_opamp2.pdf One of my favorite companies on the planet just put up a new product on their website… A discrete replacement for the IC’s in MCI 4xx series consoles!!! I am hoping that this discrete opamp could be modified to live in other vintage consoles as […]
they sound exactly as described thick, silky, and just plain better
WOW, they sound exactly as described thick, silky, and just plain better. Buy them, sell whatever you have to. Feet, toes, teeth. it does not matter. as posted to gearslutz ‘so much time so little gear’ forum 7/21/09 by charlesaustin Austin Music Studios
nothing like a first impression
Got the Bova Opamps today, they are very big. Probably 1inchx1inch. Nothing like a first impression. I will post files later. as posted to gearslutz ‘so much time so little gear’ forum 7/21/09 by charlesaustin Austin Music Studios
let me just say that these MCI pres are killer
In regards to the MCI 400 416 428 etc with the bova discrete opamps. I wanted to wait until it was available on his site to post this, and I will make a full post of its own soon. I did a sample for his web site. A pro tools file (available to download) shooting […]
the differences in an A/B test of The Best of James Taylor CD using my new sage red & blue dot opamps are quite dramatic
Although changing out all the capacitors in this console had improved the performance, the differences in an A/B test of The Best Of James Taylor CD using my new SAGE Red & Blue Dot opamps are quite dramatic. Jack Grochmal Stackatrack
it clearly sounded better than both a UA-la610 and a vintec x73i
Hi, I wanted to let you know the samples are done. I am more impressed with your product than I was before. Not only does it put the 2001 to shame, it clearly sounded better than both a UA-la610 and a vintec x73i. Both of which are pretty expensive pieces (although the ua does not […]
the people at sage are AMAZING
Below is a thread as taken from TapeOp ~ Recording General Forum 5/05 Joel Hamilton ears didn’t survive the freeze Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 3815 Location: NYC/Brooklyn Posted: Mon 02.05.05, 10:10 pm Post subject: Sage electronics Just about to get my “bova ball” finally. I am really looking forward to that microphone. Check it […]
much more excited about a truly great piece of gear built by truly great people
Oh my god, you guys are so amazing. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t know how to thank you enough, I love these mics and I will indeed continue to spread the already good word about them and your company. I couldn’t tell you how I happened upon your website in the first place, or why I […]
The Ball is amazing. Period. LOVE it
The Ball is amazing. Period. LOVE it. Everyone was freaking out about it. Used the ball with a Manley VTL tube reference mic pre,Pultec EQP1 (creative custom) and a neve 33609 limiter for a room mic. Simply amazing. I think I need to get another one soon, as I am in love with this mic. […]
the detail of soft passages was matched by the detail of loud and complex moments
I saw a nice big picture of the Bova in EQ magazine the other day, very good! I mounted mine on a stereo bar and put them under the lid of my antique grand piano. They sound terrific! Very natural, and even through out the entire range of notes. The detail of soft passages was […]
quality gear that sounds great
I have been absolutely loving the Bova Ball, and i really, really love the Sage electronics mic pre. They have become my “go to” kick and snare pre’s. So open, and HUGE. Even in a big room with a neve or API I would use the Sage pre’s on the kick and snare for sure. […]
one Bova Ball mic is simply not enough
Well, it is obvious to me that one Bova Ball mic is simply not enough. I want a second one. Lets do it! BTW, so far all the acoustic guitars on the new Sparks album are using the ball. Some with the Hamptone mic pre and some with a Universal Audio pre. Kudos! Also, we […]
it’s wonderful that Mr. Bova called here to check on the microphone
it’s wonderful that Mr. Bova called here to check on the microphone. Everyone has been marveling over it, and I’ve found it to be marvelous sounding, especially on percussion! I’m debating now whether to buy one or two more. … I think the design is great, and love the way it looks and sounds. … […]
these things have a magic attached to them
I just tried out my new Bova Balls on acoustic guitar and must say I’m very impressed. They are “kinda” Omni and although I use omni on acoustic guitar quite a bit these things have a magic attached to them. They claim that the ball shaped housing (like the DPA) captures the higher frequencies in […]
sage electronics “bova ball” kicks ass
———————————————————————— Sage electronics “bova ball” kicks ass. I have one. I have had one for a while. i have two channels of their pre as well. Awesome people, awesome gear through and through. ——————– as posted to; EQ Magazine Forums » Use Your Ears » 10-03-2005 11:32 AM by Joel Hamilton Member # 45521 has […]
totally my perfect omni
Joel Hamilton says: The Bova ball is one of the most amazing omni mics I have ever used… period. Spherical omni condenser with discrete FET support circuitry= HUGE. As room mics, they are unequalled. Really: un equalled. SO open, but super flattering at the same time. Like a more flattering earthworks TC30k, or a less […]
they freaking rock
I just got a duo of Bova Ball mics and i am completely hooked. They freaking rock. Kevin ‘Fibes’ Rose Elevated Basement Studio as posted to r/e/p ~ psw forum Fri, 02 September 2005
quite a stunning microphone I must say
Hello Phillip and Janet, Received the Balls right on schedule and in perfect working order. Quite a stunning microphone I must say. I had lots of comments from the band concerning their appearance and several questions concerning how they work! We had a chance to use them as room mic’s during a straight ahead full […]
i’ll want to get a second bova ball soon
hi janet, the bova ball arrived safely and is great. thanks for the phone call too. i’ll want to get a second bova ball soon. thanks, john french Pony Records
incredible on many sources
Sage electronics “BOVA ball.”…. 579 CDN, so … like 500? $USA? ish? My favorite omni microphone. A spherical omni mic like if your head was mono… Totally amazing for anything where an omni is appropriate, and even some jobs where it really isn’t, because the spherical thing makes certain frequencies more directional than others…. incredible […]
the imaging is incredible
So tonite i tried my omni Bova Balls as overheads. There was a spot right over the front of the kit that was magical, i placed them there and know i could make the entire drum sound out of ’em. The imaging is incredible. Posted to Use Your Ears forum at MusicPlayer Forums by FIBES […]
it is just like your head, only mono
Scodiddly wrote: Hey Joel, how’s the Bova Ball worked for you so far? Building a sphere mic is on my (now incredibly overstuffed) to-do list. Love it. I have used the bova ball on almost every drum kit I have recorded since i got it. It is already on like 9 full records, and a […]
captures transients clearly and has terrific frequency detail
This is truly a unique mic, it is gently omni directional, is phantom powered, captures transients clearly and has terrific frequency detail. We loved it so much we bought 2 more! The Bova Balls, have found a happy home here recording acoustic guitars, stereo piano, drum overheads, and cymbals. Andy Snavley Bendy Music + check […]
I could never listen to just the 47 alone … I had to add the Ball in there.
Recently I bought a couple of the Sage Mic Pre’s and two of their Bova Ball Microphones. I wasn’t sure what to make of those strange looking mics when I saw them online, but why not find out? First, I have only used them on one session plus a little experimentation, not yet enough to […]
Janet and Phil spared no effort or expense to make it right, immediately
maxim wrote on Thu, 20 July 2006 03:36 terry wrote: “other mic/pre combo …in conjunction with a U-47 through an old Neve” two mics on vocal: common technique? just summed in the mix, or filtered first? Not a common technique with me. I generally prefer ONE MIC on most any source, especially vocals. However, I […]
be careful where you put Bova Balls … you will want more of them
Be careful where you put Bova Balls. You will want more of them. Terry Manning of Compass Point, then Bahamas Posted to REP ~ Forum: Budget? Budget? We Don’t Got No Steekin’ Budjet «» Posted On: Sat, 02 September 2006 18:20 «» By: compasspnt
this thing goes up and stays up for every basic tracking session I have done …
Hi Janet and Phil, I hope someone gets that Bova from you. they are incredible microphones! like your head, only mono…. and smaller…. and gray….. on a mic stand… They seriously kick ass every time I put them up. I have never, not ever, never one time put up a bova ball and then decided […]
the only mic NOT making any wind noise was the SE-BB1 Bova Ball !
Hi Janet and Phil, I want to take the opportunity to say hello and let you know how much I love the Bova Balls. They have been used all over the studio with great success as overheads on drums (perhaps the clearest drum recording i’ve ever made), as conga mic’s (my personal favorite application) they […]
I love the preamps and the Bova Ball is my new favorite microphone
Hey Janet! Hope all is well. I finally got a chance to track some stuff with my new sage gear and it was truly music to my ears, pun intended :)- I love the preamps and the Bova Ball is my new favorite microphone. I like it so much that I’m going to start bringing […]
and am really chuffed with it
Hello again and congratulations on your new arrival- he’s a cute little thing. I finally had a chance to try out the Bova Ball and am really chuffed with it. It’s made a big difference to my little setup here. I’m using it with a Charteroak sa538 on acoustic guitar and vocals and getting nice […]
damn those are some magic balls
I did a cello session last night and was amazed at the combination of SM-2 up high and a set of Bova-Balls in ORTF about 3-4 feet out front. Damn those are some magic balls. Fibes Posted to REP – Forum: M.A.R.S., the Musicians And Recording Stuff forum! «» Posted On: Wed, 21 September 2005 […]
here is the BovaHeadLady herself
And here is the BovaHeadLady herself, new and improved over the old tape box, as she stared pensively down upon the Horns. She was a good listener. The guys wanted to name her “Sharon 2007,” but I’m not so sure yet. Terry Manning Compass Point Studios, then Nassau Bahamas from ProSoundWeb.com Anatomy of a […]
the Bova “head” gave amazing and beautiful true stereo from a fair distance
… The congas were mic’d in two ways. For my initial tracking experiment, I had put a Sennheiser MD-402U, a hyper-cardioid microphone with a very gentle high end rise, right between the two conga heads, very close, trying to give the other guys some conga sound in the cans as they tracked. Then for the […]
the Bova Balls … they are amazing
Yes, I have three of the NT-4’s, and love them for stereo usage. You have also hit upon my other favourite “unknown” mic, the Bova Balls. They are amazing. And also a big hit when people see them. The Bova (Sage) mic pre’s are excellent as well. Terry Manning Compass Point Studios, then Nassau […]
phase coherence is superb no matter how they are positioned
I recently got a pair of Bova Balls from Sage. I haven’t needed to use anything else for OH’s since. Phase coherence is superb no matter how they are positioned, they don’t have the hyped upper mid’s that so many modern mic’s have and they are tank like in their build quality. From Canada too. […]
they have been very good on percussion, acoustic guitar, piano, and even lead vocal
I really like my Bova Ball microphones (and the Bova preamps), but I have unfortunately not tried them on orchestra, or in D-tree config. Must do that. They have been very good on percussion, acoustic guitar, piano, and even lead vocal (used as “ambient” mic in conjunction w/U-47, but when solo’d, would have worked fine […]
we were all totally floored by the sound
I’m in a band called Get Him Eat Him (http://www.gethimeathim.com); we’ve done two full-length albums and a handful of self-released and home-recorded EPs. Here are two tracks from our last album Arms Down where we wound up mixing the Bova Ball room mic way way up: http://gethimeathim.com/armsdown/08_Leaders_In_Doubt.mp3 http://gethimeathim.com/armsdown/11_Present_Tenses.mp3 Joel Hamilton used the Bova Ball as […]
one of the most valuable tools in my arsenal
This is Steve Sopchak, a Bova Ball user from NY. I think it has been about two years since I purchased my first Bova Ball from you, though my memory of the exact date is a bit fuzzy. I just wanted to let you know that it has continued to be one of the most […]