Neat Worker Bee?

[Mike Stranks]

I'm thinking of spending just a little on a LDC (or something masquerading as an LDC!) to use for spoken word during this time I'm churning out augmented audio to support people through lockdown.

(For the avoidance of doubt, 'just a little' means less than £100. As soon as lockdown is fully done, it's back into retirement for me, so no point in spending a significant sum on something that will only have short-term use. Some may be saying, "Hang on, I thought you owned an X, Y or Z." or even "What about that 'R' I sold you?" Well they've all gone, because I'd retired and liquidated many of my assets.)

So... I was thinking of that old favourite the AT2020 when I came across the Worker Bee now being heavily discounted.

Does anyone have experience of this mic - or even own one? There are a few video reviews about and I know that Paul White reviewed it and its larger sibling. One of the problems I have is that the user-comments that can be found via Google are an aggregation of those for the WB and the KB - frequently not specifying which.

So just comments on this mic please... I'm aware of what else is available thanks.

Of course if anyone has a latest-edition NT1 going for about £70...

[Random Guitarist]

If you are bent on re-entering retirement is a purchase best, or would a loan be better?

[innerchord]

Whilst an AT2020 might be fine (although not my choice), if it's going to be temporary why not buy a used Neumann and sell it afterwards at the same price?

[Mike Stranks]

This place is something special!



I've had two offers of very decent mics on loan for a few months... one of which I've accepted.

I wasn't expecting that - but on reflection it's typical of the supportive attitude of very many of the regulars here.

Thanks guys!

[Arpangel]

This place is something special!



I've had two offers of very decent mics on loan for a few months... one of which I've accepted.

I wasn't expecting that - but on reflection it's typical of the supportive attitude of very many of the regulars here.

Thanks guys!

I was just going to say Mike, you could have borrowed one of mine, but I’ve been beaten to it.
Best of luck with your retirement.

[ConcertinaChap]

I was looking for a mic that was cheap but decent to use when I didn't want to use one of my more expensive mics. You put me on to the worker bee mic, Mike, with this thread and I've bought one so many thanks for that.

So, I gather you're expecting to retire from this game at the end of lockdown. Understandable but it would be a shame if you disappeared off the forum again. To counter this possibility I propose that Sound On Sound create the honorary ranking of Sound Engineer Emeritus and make Mike the first recipient of this award. Once that appears below his name on posts how can he refuse to stay a member of our community?

CC

[Mike Stranks]

Ah! I shall be interested to hear what you think of it CC...

Yes; I fully intend to slope-off again once I'm back in retirement... there's only so much excitement a bloke can stand!

[Sam Spoons]

I too think it would be a shame if you left us again Mike. I appreciate your common sense and perceptive posts.

I like to think us 'experienced' sound guys can still make useful contributions and you, especially, have a wealth of knowledge to share.

BTW I was expecting to use the Fostex passive volume control you gifted me this week but the current situation has resulted in the cancellation of the dance festival, the first time it hasn't run in 54 years (and Gwyn's first May Bank Holiday Monday off in all that time, her mother started the festival and Gwyn danced at the first one). It will happen next year I'm sure.

[ConcertinaChap]

Yes; I fully intend to slope-off again once I'm back in retirement... there's only so much excitement a bloke can stand!

But once you're in retirement you're going to need a bit of excitement to prevent the brain cells ossifying ... mine as well as yours

CC

[ConcertinaChap]

Ah! I shall be interested to hear what you think of it CC...

May take a little while. It seems to be making its way here from Madrid for reasons best known to Amazon ...

CC

[zenguitar]

I ordered one yesterday and received it around 1:30pm this afternoon.

Unboxed it, but not yet plugged in as cables, stands, and monitors are all packed away for the next few months. As well as anything other than my mouth to point it at. But looking forward to playing with it in due course.

Andy

[Mike Stranks]

... and the alternative mic loaned to me by a fellow-forumite is duly installed... doing its stuff very nicely indeed!

So thanks again fellow-forumite!

Now if someone could just loan me one of those SSL SiX jobbies...

[Arpangel]

HHHmmm? these Bee mic's look interesting, I’m almost swayed by the SOS review, could be a useful mic to have around.
This could also "bee" the excuse I needed to buy a Behringer WASP.

[ConcertinaChap]

Try and hold back, you'll just get stung.

(Yes, I know, but someone had to say it).

CC

[Sam Spoons]

There was an old man of St. Bees,
Who was stung in the arm by a wasp,
When asked, "Does it hurt?"
He replied, "No, it doesn't,
I'm so glad it wasn't a hornet."

[Mike Stranks]

Try and hold back, you'll just get stung.

(Yes, I know, but someone had to say it).

CC

No they didn't!

[Arpangel]

Paul White was like he was describing a U87 or something, he created an real buzz...

[shufflebeat]

...I propose that Sound On Sound create the honorary ranking of Sound Engineer Emeritus and make Mike the first recipient of this award.
CC

I propose FFoH, Father of the (front of) House, although I also respect Mike's intention to exit stage left ad lib.

[ConcertinaChap]

Well the Worker Bee buzzed in to land at last having flown from Madrid (for some unexplained reason) and here it is in its new home.



You do get a lot for your 80 quid, I have to say, and initial impressions are that it's punching well above its weight. I feel a lot happier leaving it semi-permanently above Anne's computer than the Aston Spirit that preceded it. Money well spent, I'd say.

CC

PS It's linked to the Macbook by a Blue Icicle. There's a guy on ebay flogging them off new for £25. Another bargain, I'd say.

[Arpangel]

Well the Worker Bee buzzed in to land at last having flown from Madrid (for some unexplained reason) and here it is in its new home.



You do get a lot for your 80 quid, I have to say, and initial impressions are that it's punching well above its weight. I feel a lot happier leaving it semi-permanently above Anne's computer than the Aston Spirit that preceded it. Money well spent, I'd say.

CC

PS It's linked to the Macbook by a Blue Icicle. There's a guy on ebay flogging them off new for £25. Another bargain, I'd say.

I think I’ll get one Chap, at the price, who cares, and it’ll come in useful, I need a mic for my sampler, so that’s that solved.

[Mike Stranks]

Well the Worker Bee buzzed in to land at last having flown from Madrid (for some unexplained reason) and here it is in its new home.



You do get a lot for your 80 quid, I have to say, and initial impressions are that it's punching well above its weight. I feel a lot happier leaving it semi-permanently above Anne's computer than the Aston Spirit that preceded it. Money well spent, I'd say.

CC

PS It's linked to the Macbook by a Blue Icicle. There's a guy on ebay flogging them off new for £25. Another bargain, I'd say.

Good news Chris!

Very pleased you're happy with it.

[ManFromGlass]

But the colour clashes with the window shade !

See, once you upgrade one piece of gear it can lead to other upgrades/changes!

[ConcertinaChap]

The window blind is beehind it so it's OK.

CC

[Mike Stranks]

The window blind is beehind it so it's OK.

CC

[ManFromGlass]