Condensor Mic Recommendations, Do I Need One?

[build]

I've been thinking about getting a condensor mic to do some home recording, vocals and acoustic guitar. Right now I've been using pairs of sm57's, sm58's, nd257's, and a few oddball vintage mics. I was wondering if any of the $100 (or so) condensor mics would be an improvement over the mics I have?

Thanks, Jim

[Dogbreath]

Improvement? I dunno...Different? Yup.

For $100 ya might check out the V67G. Maybe an AT3035 for just a skosh more. Keep in mind you'll need phantom power to run em. I tend to lean toward the 3035 more for ac guitar but have heard of others getting great vox outta them.

The more sensitive the condenser, the more room it'll pick up. If you've got a decent place to record in, you'll be fine.

Just some food for thought mang.....

[Sen]

Yep,
At 3035 is an excellent mic for the money

[mshilarious]

Originally Posted by Dogbreath

The more sensitive the condenser, the more room it'll pick up.

Polar pattern and frequency response being held equal, that's only true if you adjust your levels by moving farther away from mic rather than turning your gain knob on your preamp.

[Big Kenny]

CAD M177 or 179

[dgatwood]

Originally Posted by mshilarious

Polar pattern and frequency response being held equal, that's only true if you adjust your levels by moving farther away from mic rather than turning your gain knob on your preamp.

I think the reason people mistakenly believe that condensers inherently pick up the room more is that the frequency response is almost never equal. It's a rare moving coil dynamic that gets much above 15 kHz. The Shure dynamic mics almost top out at about 12, IIRC. You can, of course, achieve the same results with a low pass, but who wants to do that?

[Shadow_7]

Well you can close mic any mic that can handle high SPL's. It might be a cat meowing, but a few millimeters from the source and it's a lions roar. I think LDC's make better room mics because they pic up quieter sources from greater distances. Not to mention wider frequency response. Not that it's a very even response.

As the other guy said, Improvement, don't know. Different, sure thing.

[Dogbreath]

Originally Posted by mshilarious

Polar pattern and frequency response being held equal, that's only true if you adjust your levels by moving farther away from mic rather than turning your gain knob on your preamp.

ahh...I stand corrected.

[build]

Thanks for the ideas,

The "different" thing is intriguing no doubt. Would I really be better off spending extra cash for a better mic? Is it just that a $100 mic wouldn't really be better than what I have? Say I spent $300, would that capture noticibly richer, warmer sound? I'm using a EMU 1820M, and cubase and cakewalk for editing.

Thanks

[hairylarry]

Originally Posted by build

Thanks for the ideas,

The "different" thing is intriguing no doubt. Would I really be better off spending extra cash for a better mic? Is it just that a $100 mic wouldn't really be better than what I have? Say I spent $300, would that capture noticibly richer, warmer sound? I'm using a EMU 1820M, and cubase and cakewalk for editing.

Thanks

Hi,

Does the EMU 1820M have phantom power?

All three of the mics you mentioned are what I think of as dynamic vocals mics. There are many dynamic mics that will give you some other options. Omni dynamics will usually be flatter than vocal mics and they don't bass out on the proximity effect.

EV 635a
EV RE50
Shure SM61

Also there are what I think of as horn mics, cardiod dynamics that handle bass frequencies and high volume. Good for cabs, drums, and vocals too.

Peavey 520i or 520tn
Audio Technica ATM25

These types of mics can be found used under $100 and sometimes under $100 a pair.

If you have phantom power and are looking for a warmer richer sound try to find an Audio Technica AT4054. Probably over $100 but for recording vocals it's a definite step up from the live band vocals mics you're using now.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

[P. Glaser]

For the money, the MCA (MXL) SP1 is getting some pretty good reviews.

http://www.pssl.com/Search?q=sp1&x=0&y=0&by=s

They're getting harder to get though, backordered. I have one and it's not bad for a cheap LDC.

Paul

[build]

The 1820M does have phantom power.

The MCA (MXL) SP1 looks promising, and so cheap, $39. I've heard clips of it and a modified version, sound pretty good. Seems like there are many reasonably priced condensors on the market, I can't really tell which one to buy.

Anyone tried the AT 2020 and AT 2021? I know where I can get the pair for under $100

Thanks

[guitar zero]

I have a 3035 that I've used for acoustic guitar and vocals. Very happy with it for the price. Also have a Studio Projects B3 that's been good for guitar.
Both are more than $100 though.