Best Matched Pair Condesers for $400

[Guitardude324]

I'm upgrading my recording setup this summer to include a FireStudio with 8 pres, and a MacBook laptop to have a mobile recording studio for both bedroom recording of myelf and recording students/bands/musicians at my college.

I was wondering what are the best value Matched Pair Condensers for $300-400? I checked out Sweetwater.com and found the Rode NT5 and Studio Projects C4 kits are popular. Any advice on these two options, or other options?

I'm looking for $400 New, NOT used...if I'm gonna buy used, it would only be to save money, in which case, I wouldn't spend the full $400 on a used set.

I'll be using these mics for acoustic, overheads, room mics, vocal ensembles, piano, etc...

I have an Sm57 and a Large Diaphragm condeser that I use for Guitar amps and Vocals, I figre with a nice pair of SD condensers I'll have a pretty good starter set for mobile recording.

So, again, $400 NEW or less for used pair of small diaphragm condensers!

Thanks

[tnjazz]

Originally Posted by Guitardude324

FireStation

I sincerely hope this is a typo. The Firestation was the biggest catastrophe that Presonus ever brought to market!

To answer your question thoughm $400 new isn't going to get you much. Your choices are pretty much the Rode NT5, Oktava MC012 or the Studio Projects. There are probably a few others I am forgetting, but I'm sure someone will be along soon to remind me.

Of those three, I'd probably pick the Studio Projects. They have a nicer sound to my ears than ether the Rode or the Oktava, plus you get omni capsules in the kit as well.

Add 1/3 to your budget and the choices increase dramatically (as does the quality).

Good luck!

[pianosaur]

i would go with rode or oktava over the studio projects. correction.. i HAVE gone with the rodes and oktavas over the studio projects.

[bigwillz24]

I bought SE Electronic SE2's they are my go to SDC's. I'm not sure if you they're availible anymore though.

I also have the Oktavas. I'm not impressed with them although I heard a modified pair thar was pretty good.

I haven't heard the rode or studio projects so I can't make a reccomendation for either of those.

[Guitardude324]

Originally Posted by tnjazz

I sincerely hope this is a typo. The Firestation was the biggest catastrophe that Presonus ever brought to market!

Yes, typo!


wow, FireStudio is what i meant...the big brother to the Firepod!

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll go to a store and see if I can't do some testing of my own...but for now, I think I'll go with either the Rode or Studio Projects, whichever i can get the best deal on...money is tight, and I have to plan on buying an engagement ring in the coming months!!!

Thanks for the advice all!

[bigwillz24]

Originally Posted by Guitardude324

Yes, typo!


wow, FireStudio is what i meant...the big brother to the Firepod!

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll go to a store and see if I can't do some testing of my own...but for now, I think I'll go with either the Rode or Studio Projects, whichever i can get the best deal on...money is tight, and I have to plan on buying an engagement ring in the coming months!!!

Thanks for the advice all!

Then I suggest putting those mics and the rest of that gear on hold!

J/K Congradulations

[Guitardude324]

Originally Posted by bigwillz24

Then I suggest putting those mics and the rest of that gear on hold!

J/K Congradulations

NO! see, i gotta buy it now, before she is my fiance and can boss me around and tell me not to buy any more stuff!

lol, nah, she totally supports my music and gear, so it's cool! That's why I love her!

[weezerman2002]

you can buy new nt5's on ebay cheaper than what sweetwater will sel them to you for.

[Richard Monroe]

I own the Oktavas and the C-4's. For your purposes, I would choose the C-4's. The Oktavas are a little colored and make great rock overheads for drums. The C-4's are a little more transparent to my ears, and are perfectly good for remote stereo recording. If the location is secure, I use Neumann KM184's, but if I'm in some bar where somebody might pour a beer on my mics, I use the C-4's. I've never used the NT-5's, but I have had dealings with the customer service departments of both Studio Projects and Rode, and they are both *very* good.
Oktava is guaranteed customer service-not. Richie

[tdukex]

My choice would be easy, Item 4372 at 8thStreet: http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp...ry=Microphones

$419 for a pair at 4041s + two cables. These mics usually sell for $300 each, and they have a fabulous reputation.

[cavedog101]

If thats a real price on the Audio Technicas then ya gotta drop the coin on those. All the other mics are good, all are a touch colored in their own way....the AT is not and will make fine recordings.

Not better, different, and build quality is very high.