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 […]
phase relationship between the 2 mic’s is very impressive
Janet, just thought i should send you a quick line about the Bova Balls now that I have had a bit of time to become aqcuanited with them. First off, love them. I have been using them primarily as overhead’s for kit but also a few other unexpected roles. As overheads I have found them […]
one of the best purchase experiences I’ve ever had
Hey Janet, Thanks for the nice words on the Remember Tomorrow stuff! They actually just got signed to a decent sized independent label based off of those recordings, and I just got word this morning that the work we did together will be re-released with national distribution on May 26th. I’m really excited for them! […]
the results are nothing less than stellar!
I use the Bova extensively on acoustic guitars I record these days and the results are nothing less than stellar! Colin Cripps Colin Cripps musician and record producer Kathleen Edwards, Colin James, Jim Cuddy, Sarah McLaughlin, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Sarah McLachlan, Justin Rutledge, Bryan Adams via facebook
a vibey-ness associated with them that is instantly pleasing and detailed
Hey Janet, I just had the chance to mess around with the pair for a little while. I am definitely thrilled with them. I can’t quite put my finger on the right way to describe them, but they have a vibey-ness associated with them that is instantly pleasing and detailed. I honestly can’t believe I […]
a really useful and unique microphone … beautifully made as well
Hi Phillip,I wanted to let you know I use one of your Bova Balls regularly for doing acoustic guitars and it works fantastic! A really useful and unique microphone. Beautifully made as well Cheers, Colin Colin Cripps musician and record producer Kathleen Edwards, Colin James, Jim Cuddy, Sarah McLaughlin, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, […]
the se-1 – 57 – Gibson chain smokes large
Can I send you some cash in advance to ensure, (or should I say ENSURE) I’m first in line for a DI hot off the press? I’m about to come into some free time, and my guitars miss me, and there’s history to be made! by the way, the se-1 – 57 – Gibson chain […]
the strongest link in my whole recording system
I am still positive that they are the strongest link in my whole recording system. George and Britta go studio / Déja Vu
my initial impression of your mic-pre’s (WOW)
Its Michael Hynes here with my initial impression of your mic-pre’s (WOW). I am very pleased with the sound of my Sadowsky Bass and can only imagine what the drums are going to sound like. Thanks so much for a great product, Michael Hynes Four Faces Media
the sage SE – Pre1 has that beautiful, open, “transformerless” sound in spades
“The Sage SE – Pre1 has that beautiful, open, “transformerless” sound in spades. It’s a very quiet pre, which is nice with my SM7, and the fast transient response has been great for drums. Sum a few channels of most anything recorded with this box, and you’ll appreciate how a special pre makes for less […]
the instruments that went through the sage pres sound awesome!
I’d like to thank you and Phil for the use of the pre-amps this past weekend. They were a joy to use and listen too. I am just getting around to listening to the beds that we recorded and the instruments that went through the sage pres sound awesome! David Dudley Dave’s Drums / […]
they appear to be unclippable and yet don’t require a pad
we have some pretty sweet gear including 2 api 7600 ch strips, a manley voxbox, a gt vipre, one ua 6176 ch strip, great river mp2nv and a drawmer 1969 to compare the sage pres too. first of all i really like them, period. secondly for the price of the mp2nv we added four of […]
I’ll admit it I’m drooling
Hello Phil. Thanks for the info. Okay, I’ll admit it I’m drooling. I went over the spec sheet and our Electronics tech was looking over my shoulder. I swear he almost started crying. He’s a big Neve head and I have never seen anything impress him as much as your pre’s. Steve Wagner CyberAudio […]
big, punchy, tons of great transient whallop
I couldnt stop gushing about the pre’s at this years TapeOp conference. I was on one of the main “big” panels this year, and I was honored that so many people wanted to talk to me! The pre is amazing. I really dont think they will be leaving this studio, in fact, Tony and I […]
I love it!
I love it! thank you so much… Ray Canapini redcable
very very happy!!!
Hello Janet! SE-Pre 1 173333 arrived just on time for it’s first session. Musicians are very happy, producer is very happy, engineer and studio owner (uh.. that’s me!) is very very happy!!! Thank you again. Benoit www.studioklaxon.com
crazy good build quality
Totally amazing amounts of headroom, super great sonic “signature,” and crazy good build quality. They look fun, too. Customer service is some of the best i have ever even heard of. Really amazing people. Joel Hamilton Studio G posted to Tape Op Message Board Forum Index -> Gear Talk: Mon Mar 20, 2006
amazingly open without being bright
as posted to http://homerecording.com/bbs ~ June 18, 2005 “The seventh circle stuff is ALL really good it seems. I have tried the API clone, and the N72. I like the API better, and I have a brent averill 1272 and a vintech x72… The N72 was just boring. it works, but nothing fun… The API […]
crystal clear highs and a fullness across the whole spectrum
hey all, … over the weekend i had some time to really dig in with the new pres. i first used them while tracking some electric guitars. the close mic’s sound was full and clear. great body and tone. also used them for some ambient room sound, and this is where the se-pre1 really began […]
I carry them with me even when I am working in a neve room
I cant say it enough: Sage electronics SE-1 mic pre. So amazing. I cant believe they go for as little money as they do. I carry them with me even when i am working in a neve room. They have become my #1 kick and snare pre’s. I also like them on, um… everything and […]
just so I can go anywhere with them!!!
On the plane…. SE-1’s safely packed in their new pelican case, just so I can go anywhere with them!!! Will report in after the session. Keep in mind this is a well known neve room I am working in for the next 10 days! It is called “tiny telephone” in sf,ca….google knows it… Sincerely, Your […]
gratitude for the lengths you went to
… Anyway, thought you’d like to know. I was tracking until about 3am last night, and the sound was just beautiful. It’s a little strange at first to hear the mic signal come through the headphones, with no coloration.. I thought I’d experienced that before but apparently not. And the relatively imperceptible noise level kind […]
your pres have the same sound that preamps did in the mid 60s
Your pres have the same sound that preamps did in the mid 60s … during music’s golden age when console manufacturers spent money to use discreet electronics that produced a richer fatter sound … no one does that these days Yours have a quality of sound … an expanded frequency response … we marry them […]
holy f$#Ck sh^(*&
Hey Janet And Phil I just wanted to say holy f$#Ck sh^(*&T the preamp really shines on drums really the best pre I have heard for kick and snare Great ! A+ Francois Lalonde Studio Piccolo, Montreal, Quebec
your equipment rules!!!!!
ps- your equipment rules!!!!! Michael Angeloff Michael Angeloff Music ~ Hemet, CA
i am pretty much speechless
Janet and friends — i am pretty much speechless — we tried the pre out last night on an old tune — just a couple hours of recording, essentially pointing microphones without much care, just to see what the pre could do. the results are amazing — clear, open, fantastic. who knew that a single […]
loved it
Oh, and by the way, on a whim, just to try it out, on the final vocal track I ran JB through the Sage Mic Pre. And loved it. Terry Manning Compass Point, then Bahamas Posted to REP ~ Forum: Whatever Works – Anatomy of a Session May «» Posted On: Thu, 07 June […]
these are the most luscious sounding preamps
First off, amazing work you guys are doing. I just picked up a pair of SE pres from a studio that was selling some of their outboard, and hands down these are the most luscious sounding preamps my mics have ever had the pleasure of being run through!!!! Great job!!! Thanks so much, Daryl […]
I use the sage’s for kick and snare on every record I produce/engineer.
Joel Hamilton posted to TapeOp’s Gear Talk forum: I have been using those sages for kick and snare for years now. Check out the gear list on the studio G website below. That’s the stuff i own. I use the sage’s for kick and snare on every record I produce/engineer. Every single one. No matter […]
sage ELECTRONICS Connects the Dots For Classic MCI 400 Series Console Enthusiasts
Posted by Harmony Central News on Aug 12, 2009 1:00:00 AM sage ELECTRONICS® introduce its long-awaited SE-DOT5 RED and BLUE (pure class A and class AB) discrete opamps — direct replacements for the 2001 and 2003 opamps found in classic MCI 400 series consoles. Designed by sage ELECTRONICS founder / record producer Phillip Victor Bova […]
sage ELECTRONICS Introduces SE-Pre 1 mic preamps
Posted by Harmony Central News on Apr 21, 2003 1:00:00 AM sage ELECTRONICS has introduced the SE – Pre 1, an elegantly simple discrete ‘class A’ mic preamp. Designed by record producer / studio designer Phillip Victor Bova and hand-constructed on a one-off basis for home, project and commercial studios as well as touring producers, […]
sage Kicks Off Spherical Microphone Line – SE BB1
Posted by Harmony Central News on Feb 4, 2005 1:00:00 AM New from sage ELECTRONICS is the SE-BB1 electret condenser microphone, the first in a series of studio recording mics fondly known as bova balls. Designed by sage ELECTRONICS founder / record producer Phillip Victor Bova and hand-crafted on a one-off basis for home, project […]
Sound and Recording Japan – Bova Ball
Tape Op Magazine – Bova Ball
EQ Magazine – Bova Ball
SoundCheck – SE BB1
Audio Media – D.I. Joe
Audio Media – May 2004 Sage Electronics DI Joe Canadian hand-crafted microphone pre-amp, mic, and DI box specialist Sage Electronics has launched the cunningly-named DI Joe, featuring a discrete, active Class-A input, a robust, balanced output stage, and an impressive 10Hz to 50kHz frequency response. www.sageelectronics.com
Music Store – D.I. Joe
Musician’s Tech Central – D.I. Joe
Electronic Musician – D.I. Joe
Soundcheck DK – D.I. Joe
Tape Op – SE Pre1