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Description

The Crowley and Tripp Naked Eye is a versatile addition to any studio recording setup, renowned for its dual-voicing ribbon microphone design that offers recording engineers and musicians exceptional flexibility. Crafted meticulously in the USA, this microphone is a favorite among those who seek to capture rich, natural sound with minimal coloration. Whether you’re recording vocals, guitars, or orchestral instruments, the Naked Eye excels with its unique transducer technology, providing detailed audio capture across a wide frequency range.

The microphone's innovative design features a dual ribbon element that delivers two distinct sonic profiles: one side offers a classic, warm ribbon sound, while the other provides a more open and brighter character, allowing for creative tonal adjustments depending on your project needs. This adaptability makes the Naked Eye a preferred choice for dynamic studio environments where varied sound textures are essential.

Built with robust materials to withstand the rigors of professional use, the Crowley and Tripp Naked Eye not only promises durability but also ensures high performance in both live and controlled studio settings. Its passive design allows it to pair seamlessly with a range of preamps, offering unparalleled flexibility in sound shaping.

Key Features:

  • Dual-voicing ribbon microphone with two distinct sound profiles
  • Unique transducer technology for superior sound accuracy
  • Handcrafted in the USA for quality and durability
  • Robust construction suitable for studio and live performance
  • Passive design compatible with various preamps
  • Ideal for vocals, guitars, and orchestral instruments

Product specs

Brand Crowley and Tripp
Model Naked Eye Roswellite Ribbon Microphone
Finish Black with Red Grille
Year 2000s
Made In United States
Categories Microphones
Electronics Analog, Passive
Microphone Type Ribbon
Polar Pattern Bidirectional
Wired/Wireless Wired

FAQs

What type of sound can I expect from the Crowley and Tripp Naked Eye ribbon microphone?

The Crowley and Tripp Naked Eye offers a natural, smooth sound with a warm low end, typical of ribbon microphones. Its bidirectional polar pattern captures sound from the front and back, making it ideal for recording vocals and instruments with a balanced, detailed response.

Is the Crowley and Tripp Naked Eye suitable for recording vocals?

Yes, the Naked Eye is well-suited for recording vocals. Its smooth frequency response and natural sound reproduction make it a great choice for capturing the nuances of vocal performances.

How does the Roswellite ribbon in the Naked Eye microphone benefit recording?

The Roswellite ribbon in the Naked Eye is more durable than traditional ribbons, providing greater resilience to high sound pressure levels. This makes it suitable for a wider range of applications, including louder sources like guitar amps and drums.

What is the polar pattern of the Crowley and Tripp Naked Eye, and how does it affect recording?

The Naked Eye features a bidirectional (figure-eight) polar pattern, capturing sound equally from the front and back while rejecting sound from the sides. This makes it excellent for stereo recording techniques and capturing room ambiance.

Can the Crowley and Tripp Naked Eye be used for live sound applications?

While primarily designed for studio use, the Naked Eye's durable Roswellite ribbon makes it robust enough for live sound applications, particularly for capturing guitar amps or brass instruments. However, care should be taken to avoid excessive handling noise.

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Crowley and Tripp Naked Eye.

Comparisons

  • The Naked Eye offers more heft compared to the Royer 121, which is described as darker and slightly narrower in sound.

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  • The KSM313 is compared favorably to the Royer 121, with the latter having more mid presence, while the 313 offers a smoother high end on the bright side.

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Features and functionality

  • The Naked Eye/KSM313 has two distinct sounds on its front and back, offering subtle but audible differences, beneficial for various recording contexts.

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  • The KSM313's bright side excels on acoustic guitars and cellos, while the darker side is ideal for guitar cabs, offering versatile applications.

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Value and pricing

  • The Shure KSM313, a rebadged Naked Eye Roswellite, maintains the original Roswellite's MSRP, reflecting a price increase from the base Naked Eye model.

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Use cases and applications

  • The KSM313 is favored for kick drums, positioned about a foot out, often blended with other mics like the Audix D6 and D112.

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  • The mic is effectively used on cellos by placing the bright side on the treble and an LDC on the bass for a stereo pair without hard panning.

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User experience

  • Guitarists were extremely satisfied with the tone obtained from the Naked Eye when used in combination with a Neumann 184 and an AT4033 in a controlled studio environment.

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  • Owners report that the KSM313 performs exceptionally on guitars, as room mics, and on brass instruments, though less favorable for vocals compared to other mics.

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Mods and upgrades

  • The Stephen Sank mod on a Beyerdynamic m260 with a 77DX ribbon is recommended for those seeking a ribbon mic specifically for vocals.

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Critic Reviews

Crowley & Tripp Naked Eye

soundonsound.com

The Crowley and Tripp Naked Eye microphone delivers impressive sound quality and versatility for its price, making it an appealing choice for both beginners and seasoned professionals. With its dual tonal pickup options and well-engineered design, this ribbon mic stands out in a crowded market, providing smooth, warm tones on one side and a brighter sound on the other. However, potential buyers should be aware of its sensitivity to mechanical shocks and magnetic interference, which can affect recordings. A pop filter is essential, as even a slight breath can cause unwanted noise. Overall, the Naked Eye is a strong contender worth auditioning, but it’s crucial to consider its limitations alongside its strengths.

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Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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