Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[vegas4ever]

So I just realize I can’t really afford the ELA or the C12 (not yet) but  I was wondering if you guys can name some GOOD budget mics that are a most  for someone starding out.  Now before I get attack with “ THE Cheppo LOOK” (you know the look that you give someone when they have a Behringer console)  A) I consider a budget mic anything below $500 (wife wont complaint if I go ohh it was just $399 or $499 but if I say $1500 them she may go postal) B) I have a full time job and as much as I love recording is not what is paying the bills (don’t give me the cheepo look), C) just because its not expensive it does not mean its not good or even great, so don’t come with the whole:  There is nothing good for that price, just remember the SM57 is the deal breaker on that argument. D) "The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous."


PS: My current closet: MXL 2001 WITH TUBE MOD (YEA I DID IT, B4 MOVAJE MICS  CAME ALONG), AKG 200, Karma K35, Karma K55, Karma mini,  Joe Meeks 207, Audix Drum kit, SM57, At 4040, D112, Blue 8 Ball

[Fibes]

You are asking about tools without mentioning specific jobs for them to be used for.

What instruments are you not happy with your microphones performance on now?

I want a better Hi-Hat mic.

Maybe i should get a 451...

[vegas4ever]

[You are asking about tools without mentioning specific jobs for them to be used for.


[/quote]

I see how you can think that, so let me rephrase the ???  What are GOOD ALL AROUND "CHEAP" MIC to get for someone that will be face with recording all aspects of music and instruments, any suggestions for any instrument will be welcome, so fire away.. here Ill even give you a demo: "snare-the shure sm57 is only $99 and sounds great as well as a classic"

Ps: I will recoment each one of the mics I used, so far I have yet to received a complaint about the way they sound, only the brands.

[hargerst]

Okay, here's a handy checklist of some cheap mics that I've found useful in a lot of situations:

MXL V67G - a warm, darker mic that can add a lot of body to a thin vocal. Similar mics: Joe Meeks JM47, MXL 960, ADK Hamburg.

MXL V69ME - a more neutral tube mic, with a little more clarity and  top end. Similar mics: Studio Projects T3, MXL V77, ADK Vienna.

MXL 603 w/Omni capsule option - A pair of SDC condensers with the extra Omni Capsules are useful for overheads, acoustic instruments, and any stereo recordings. Similar mics: Studio Projects C4, Oktava  MK012.  There are some other SDCs with omni options out on the market that I haven't tried, but most will work fine.

Figure 8 Ribbon mic - too many to list but a good bi-directional ribbon mic is an important addition to any mic closet.

Shure SM7 - probably the best dynamic mic around and a great multi-purpose tool. Similar mics: EV RE-20, Heil PR-40.

Measurement Omnis - These are small 1/4" capsules that are noisy, but almost ruler flat. Great for loud sources or where accuracy is ver important.Behringer ECM8000, MSH-1, Nady, etc.

That's the basic list and no, you may not get a platinum album out of them, they'll do a good job for you in most situations.  They won't break the bank, and of course, there are better, similar mics available, if you want to spend a whole lot more.

[vegas4ever]

WOW, not thats a list!!! I google most of them and for What I can see you like the MXL's. the ribbon I think is going to be my next purchase I was looking at the Cascade FAT HEAD, the Karma Ribbon, I test drove the Nady and the aphex ribbon and they both had the sound of radio shack quality.

[Fibes]

The Avenson Omnis are nice too.

I want to try the Peluso (CM6?) SDC package.

[vegas4ever]

so did a little google and check this out:

http://www.royerlabs.com/session_photos/RC_norajones.html


The mike noras piano with an ADK A-51, a Royer SF-12 stereo ribbon. and an AKG 414.

Royer $$$$$$$
AKG 414 $$$$$
Adk A-51 $151

http://www.8thstreet.com/Product.asp?ProductCode=9580&Ca tegory=Microphones

[hargerst]

I led off most of the selections with the MXLs that I own and use a lot (and are a good value for the buck), but the "similar mics" are also pretty close to those, in terms of price and performance.  With most of the mics I've listed, you should be able to record damn near anything, and get a decent recording, without the mics being the limiting factor.

[vegas4ever]

I know I'm asking for a beating but, after reading the new Tape op, and there article on K35 againts the U87 and the K35 leading on most situations, I got curious and call a couple of friends one with a Rode Tube something, another had the U87 and another a T149, and we did blind test all night well not to brag but the K35 came on top 8 of the 12 trials.  

[M Carter]

Get a used 414 on ebay for like 500 bucks. It'll sound good on just about anything you put it in front of.

Best purchase I've ever made.

[Fibes]

I love my U87, but I'm not a fan of U87s.

I got lucky and have a great one and can't find one to match it.

Same goes with cheaper mics, the QC isn't all that...

[floodstage]

M Carter wrote on Wed, 04 October 2006 15:29

Get a used 414 on ebay for like 500 bucks. It'll sound good on just about anything you put it in front of. Best purchase I've ever made.

I can't say it's the best ever, but a 414 is a good addition if you don't have one.

Especially the 414 TLII

[Alécio Costa - Brazil]

The At4050 to me is the great winner. If you do not need multiple patterns, go with an AT 4040.
MXL V67G, MXL2003 are also pretty reasonable mics, having in mind their very low prices.

[Trumpetman2]

vegas4ever wrote on Wed, 04 October 2006 15:13

I know I'm asking for a beating but, after reading the new Tape op, and there article on K35 againts the U87 and the K35 leading on most situations, I got curious and call a couple of friends one with a Rode Tube something, another had the U87 and another a T149, and we did blind test all night well not to brag but the K35 came on top 8 of the 12 trials.

Pardon my ignorance...but what the $%^%$% is a K35?

[hargerst]

Depends on the source, the room and the rest of the chain, but I'm not surprised; that night, on those sources, in that room, the K35 was better.

On another night, with different sources, in a different room, the results might not be the same.