n00b looking for a condensor

[Gustin]

Hi there, I'm new to these forums. They seem to be an excellent resource, and I can't wait to take advantage of it.

Before anyone asks, yes I've searched. Thing is, everyone has individual needs that are different, so I wasn't able to find anything with any help exactly for me. If someone could point me to a thread that relates after they read the rest, that would be great.

Alright, I'm a 17 year old who's been doing recording on and off for the last several years. I've read several books on the subject and have recorded several small projects with my meager set up. I just recently invested in an audio interface to get better quality audio and ease of use (using my sound card before always had problems). The interface I use is a Tapco Link.USB. It has phantom power, so that's not a concern.

I'll be recording vocals (both male and female) and guitar (acoustic and electric) with this mic.

I'm looking for an large diaphragm condensor mic around the 100-200 dollar range (can go a little higher if necessary). I'm willing to buy used as long as the mic has a good history of being reliable.

Mics I've looked at are the MXL 2003, M-Audio Luna, and the MXL 76 tube. I'd prefer to stay away from the tube mic though, as I'm considering purchasing a tube preamp (or toob I suppose since it will be budget quality, therfore the tube will most likely be a starve plate type). I'm looking for something with a very "full" sound. I've seen the MXL 2003 been mentioned as pretty thin, so I guess I'm looking for something else.

I'd like to do some double micing techniques with the guitars to get a bigger sound. I have an SM-57 and some 58 clones plus an old Nakamichi pencil condensor (with cardoid and omni directional caps) currently. I plan on using the condensor with either the Nakamichi or the 57.

And while I'm at it I may as well bring up the subject of preamps. As mentioned, I don't need one to power the mics, but I'd like to get a tube preamp to add a bit of warmth for vocals. My budget for this will be about the same as my mic budget. I'm a guitar player, and I don't always have an amp available to me. I'd like something like the Art TSPII that would allow me to use it to warm my guitar when I have to play through the main system.

Sorry for being so wordy, but I thought I should describe my needs as best as I could. What I need is some suggestions for a good quality LD condensor with a full sound and a cheap tube preamp that I can use to warm up vocals and possibly my guitar (if you feel that's unnecessary please so say, I'm new to mics and preamps).

Thanks!

[scrubs]

IMO, the best condenser I've used under $200 is the CAD M179. It is versatile, multi-pattern, and fairly neutral sounding. There are others that might work better for one purpose or another, but for an all-arounder, the M179 is hard to beat.

As for preamps, the "toob" designs don't really add much "warmth,"...more just gritty/crunchy distortion. I do own a Studio Projects VTB-1, which is a very neat little preamp for around $100, but I rarely use the tube-blend feature. The Electro-Harmonix tube preamp is a full-voltage design for around $200, but I've never used it. The Groove Tubes Brick is a nice step-up. Word was that Guitar Center was liquidating them at $200, but they typically sell new for around $400 and can be found used under $300.

[Dogbreath]

Yeah, The M179 is a good choice. Nice neutral mic. Good call Scrubs.

The SP VTB1 is also one I was gonna recommend and maybe look at the SP B1 mic. I've got a pair of them and have used them on acoustic, toms and OH's. I've heard they're pretty good as vocal mics but haven't tried them.

my 2c.........

[dgatwood]

Originally Posted by scrubs

As for preamps, the "toob" designs don't really add much "warmth,"...more just gritty/crunchy distortion. I do own a Studio Projects VTB-1, which is a very neat little preamp for around $100, but I rarely use the tube-blend feature. The Electro-Harmonix tube preamp is a full-voltage design for around $200, but I've never used it. The Groove Tubes Brick is a nice step-up. Word was that Guitar Center was liquidating them at $200, but they typically sell new for around $400 and can be found used under $300.

Yeah. If you can find a guitar center in your area that has them, they were about $200 earlier this week. You can probably still get that price, since that wasn't a Labor Day sale....

[Gustin]

I'll definitely check those out.

Anyone have an opinion on this AKG? http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/pro..._sku=103058004

[pohaku]

For $200, you can probably pick up a used Audio Technica AT-4033 or 4040. Either would be pretty decent for a general purpose LD condenser. The CAD M179 is also a very good suggestion. The 4040 is more neutral than the 4033. Listen to them first if you can. There are also some pretty good bargains around in GT mics. I haven't followed the most recent models, but the GT-55 or current equivalent is pretty decent. The price has really dropped on those and they are very available used.

I'd avoid starved tube design pres. They aren't warm, they are fizzy. The VTB-1 is an exception, but only because it is a nice clean pre for the price. Just don't use the toob feature.

[Gustin]

The 4040 is 300 new, and the 4033 is 400 new. Unfortunately, the used mic industry doesn't seem to be all that good. I've noticed people tend to collect mics rather than sell them off when they "out grow them".

I think it may come down between the AKG Perception 200 (it seems to get good reviews on here), the MXL 993, and the CAD M179.

For the preamp, I'm gonna head over to a music store around here and try out some of the toob ones to see how bad they are (I've always played through tube stuff, so I have no idea if these sound as bad as everyone says). If they are pretty bad, I'll save up a bit more and get a quality one since I want to use this in my live guitar rig too.

[Warhead]

Another vote for the CAD M179.

War

[dkelley]

cad m179 is best of that bunch as far as overall usefulness and build quality and lack of harshness.

akg p-series isn't bad, similar to apex, studio projects, etc and you get the akg name if that matters to you. I already have the akg name with my 414s so don't own the perception but it is actually a decent mic. Definitely not as well built as my cad m179 though. I bought a m179 cuz war recommends them like crazy. guess what? he's right.

Cheers

[ljmaxx]

If you can stretch your budget to $250 check out an ADK Hamburg. Best bang for the buck in that price range IMHO. http://tinyurl.com/y6za4y Good luck.

[soundchaser59]

I've seen a lot of recommends for that Hamburg mic.

I got talked into trying the ribbons many months ago by Oz, and I am impressed. I have come to feel that the budget ribbons out perform the budget condensors every time.....but like most people, I have not actually used every budget condensor there is out there.

Catch is that the ribbon will most likely not work well with acoustic guitar, it will be great for voices. You can get an Apex 210 for $160, then youy could maybe get the ribbon and a budget condensor.

Whatever you do, call fullcompass.com for a price quote before you buy anything. They almost always have the lowest price on any mic, bar none.

And the Groove Tube Brick gets a ton of recommends. Any hi-voltage design will be better than a starved plate, and GT gets the nod from the majority of posters almost all the time. If I were shopping for one, for $200 bucks I would jump on it. You almost certainly will not regret that purchase.

[travelin travis]

Another vote for the M179. It's a cool mic for the money.

[jowillie]

ADK Hamburg and a Rane MS1b pre and you are within budget.

[studiomaster]

I would recommend AT3035 as well...