Best Condenser Mic Around $500?

**misterlong** · 08-20-2008

Originally Posted by Obi-Wan zenabI

but really, go cheap ribbon-- see my ribbon manifesto here:
My Ribbon Manifesto for Noobs like me

+1 on the cheap ribbon. Apex 205, awesome out the box, better modded

Originally Posted by drumzealot

Joly moded Oktava MK319.

+1 on the Oktavamod 319; awesome. Stock 319 is really good (I used it on vocals, sax, cabs, percussion) Oktavamod is better. Well worth the dough!!

You can always buy the mic first and then send it to mr joly for mods later if you wish.

long

**MCI2424** · 08-21-2008

Originally Posted by ermghoti

The correct answer for all mic questions is the AT4050, for as long as 8th Street is selling the refurbs for $350. It is rather awesome on acoustic in figure 8, works on many vocs, I haven't been overwhelmed on cabs yet, but I haven't explored much.

I second this mic. I use mine quite alot and at that price, buy 2.

**adamangler** · 04-26-2009

bluebird new
akg 414 sec hand

**darrin_h2000** · 12-22-2009

Originally Posted by Harvey Gerst

Excuse me? Don't buy ANY mics from China? None of them are any good? Here's the Studio Projects T3 on a couple of songs:

LizWilliams (Acoustic guitar and Vocals)

Spoonfed Tribe (Flute and Vocals)

And as a side note, Spoonfed Tribe just got signed to Universal, and they aren't redoing any of the songs, including this one. They will repackage their albums, but the record company is very happy with the sound of the albums.

You have to admit that China makes alot of turds...admittedly the SP stuff for the most part is decent...as long as you dont buy the cheap B line...I got alot of use out of that old C1.

**darrin_h2000** · 12-22-2009

Arround $500 you have basically the whole AT40 series including the AT4047.

The KSM mics KSM44 and KSM32

AKG214

Theres a world of mics at $500 there.

**indymusician** · 11-13-2010

I love this mic. Some mic snobs may scoff due to the price point but I am a believer now. Fantastic for female vocals or a guy with a high range. It has a little bump around 7k but sounds similar to a U87 other than that. There are actually some side by side recording clips comparing them out there floating around. At any rate, I love mine. And you can get 2 for your $500 budget.

**ChicoBluez** · 11-19-2010

This works for me...Avantone CK-7.

**John_7408** · 01-14-2011

Originally Posted by micahqs

What is the best way to know where a mic is made? Is it just experience with certain brands and types? I'm looking to buy a nice LDC for vocals, and I would prefer it not to be made in China. How much does that limit me? Is there a list anywhere of non-china mics? so many questions...

seems it is difficult to get a mic which is not made in China.
it is said that AKG Perception line is made in Southern China(Guangdong), Shure new mics are made in Northern China. Neumann new mics are made in Mid. China(....). SP mics seems to be made in Beijing 797. it is said that all the other cheap mics are made in Ningbo China including Blue mic/Rode mics.