Customer Testimonials

A mastering engineer friend of mine bought a set of Busman Audio small diaphragm condensers and used them to record one of my live shows. The performance was only so so, but sonically, it was one of the most dimensional live recordings I've ever heard. Depth, air, well-defined and controlled bass. Not a hint of harshness in the high end. I was in the market for a new large diaphragm condenser and as luck would have it, Chris Johnson, owner of Busman Audio, just happened to be releasing his very first large diaphragm condensers. They were inexpensive at $250, so I ordered it sight unseen.

The BA-L2 is a multi-pattern class A FET with a transformer-coupled output. The mic has a glossy BA "schoolbus yellow" finish. Each mic comes with a 5 year limited warranty and includes a hard molded case, shockmount and windscreen.

I am very impressed with this microphone. It sounds terrific and performs well in a number of recording situations. It has similar qualities as the Busman small condensers I mentioned before; smooth top end and no crispiness. It handled a key jangle transient test with no problems. Also, the proximity effect is well-controlled, which I find rare in a lot of mics in this price range. Here is a simple acoustic guitar sample that I got running the mic into my stock Digi 002R with no compression or EQ, about 10 inches at the 14th fret.

This microphone looks like it originated in the same Chinese factory as the Avantone CK7, but that is where the similarities end. Chris Johnson opens up every BA microphone and replaces all the parts with "very high quality components" including van den Hul wiring.

I have a single complaint, which is incredibly minor when I think about how this microphone sounds. I wish it included a slightly better shockmount. I have to handle the shockmount very carefully in order for it to not scratch the mic. There, thats it; my one complaint.

Chris Johnson is well known in taper circles for providing affordable modifications for a number of microphones as well as portable digital recorders. He has only just started to produce microphones under the Busman Audio name, but has already developed a "buzz" amongst hard-core live concert recordists for his attention to detail and his very high quality products. I asked Chris what his goals were and he told me that his long-term goal is to continue to provide mods and microphones but also develop mic pres at some point in the future. For the time being, he is concentrating on his new microphone line. If the BA-L2 or his small condensers are any indication, I think we may be hearing a lot more from Busman Audio.

Elisa Nicolas - Ohio

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I have owned the Busman BSC1 microphones for a few months now, having been one of the first to purchase a pair. I have found them to be exceptional in value and build quality, not only at their price, but at any price. I love the clear and crisp natural sound the mics capture and I have made some wonderful live music recordings with the mics. It is my opinion that Chris Johnson has attempted to put together a mic that if mass produced would have to cost much more. They are well engineered nicely finished mics and I could not be happier to use them when recording. I have been recording live music for over 3 decades, and I have listened to many microphones, and I think the Busman BCS 1's can hold their own in accurate sound reproduction with the best of them.
Thank you Chris Johnson for undertaking this venture and doing it so well!

Clifford Morse - Minnesota