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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 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

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 […]