eq's and compressors and mics...oh my!!!

[Magnum Pi]

The question is: If you only had enough money to buy one of the following, which would it be: An RNC compressor, an EQ for around $300 or a condensor mic for around $300??????

Just so you know, right now I have several "usable" dynamic mics (sm-57s, 58s, couple samsons, etc), an Alesis 3630 (I know, I know) and the built in eq's on the board.

Any advice will be appreciated as always......

[Blue Bear Sound]

A condenser first, the RNC second...

Rationale - you need a decent mic to record a source properly before you even have to worry about compressing it!

Bruce

[John Sayers]

I agree - there's no use compressing shit nicely.

cheers
john

[Blue Bear Sound]

...shit compressed by the RNC still comes out sounding pretty darn good!!!



Bruce

(kidding... duh!)

[Magnum Pi]

Ok...so the condenser is the way to go. Is there a hands down best condeser mic in the $300 range (or am I better off just saving my money for a little while because a $300 condenser mic is going to suck)???????

p.s. I keep reading about Octavas...are they really that good?

[Blue Bear Sound]

I like the Rode NT2... there is also the Audio-Technica AT4033...

(hmmm, come to think of it, I'm not sure if they fall into your price range in US$)

[TeyshaBlue]

Yeah, the Oktavas are pretty decent. But, I've been warned by many to purchase them from the SoundRoom only as Oktava's quality control is pretty spotty.
I have owned one for a couple of months and am pretty impressed for the sound vs.$ aspect. I do own a variety of mid-range cond. mics and they all have their place in my studio, but the MK319 has gotten alot more use than I thought it would.
GO, Listen, compare.

[crosstudio]

i've owned an at4033 for several years, and am completely satisfied with it.

i've used it for vocals, and recording acoustic guitar, simply going straight into the pre-amp of a mackie 1604 vlz directly to a frontier design tango 24 bit a/d/a.