Harvey, do you wanna play this little game?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JuliánFernández
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JuliánFernández

2&4
Hi Harvey.... I was wondering if you would mind to share (one more time) your experience with us...

If I ask you to choose 2 mics, both under $150, but one new and one used, to record just vocals... What would it be your choice?
It can be LDC, SDC, Dynamic, Ribbon, whatever...

I know that you talked a lot about cheap mics, but this time I´m asking you to narrow your choice to just 2 mics...

I´m curious about your opinion, and I bet other members are too...

As always, THaNKS! :D
 
Why not just title the thread "Best mic under $150 ?"

:D

Woulda' been easier than beating around the bush.



( How much do you wanna' bet he says mxl v67 and a Soundstar? )

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Daisy said:
Why not just title the thread "Best mic under $150 ?"

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No, this is different. It's the best 2 mics under $150. Way different.


I don't get the one new and one used bit. :confused: Is that to make it, you know, way way different?
 
Robert D said:
No, this is different. It's the best 2 mics under $150. Way different.


I don't get the one new and one used bit. :confused: Is that to make it, you know, way way different?
Click to expand...

He is probably referring to the fact that you can potentially get more for your money when buying used. Of course, that's a gamble since you won't always get the same (or sometimes even close) price for a used item on different occassions.

I also suspect that Harvey would say (as many would), that the mic needs to suit the voice to a degree, even in the cheapee range of microphones. I've used an MXL 990 to great effect on some voices, and on others it sounds awful. The same (or similar) is true of my Rode K2 through the same pre (an MAudio DMP3, not surprisingly) - some people who've used it come in crystal clear and full, while others have been rather dull sounding. Of course, that also had at least something to do with the singer :D
 
Hahaha, ok guys, you´re partially right...

I believe that there´s no BEST mic, just different sources and different mics that records better or worse depending on the situation...

My question is different... Think it this way...
Someone ask you to record several voices from different projects from an entire week, and gives you the chance to bring just 2 (cheap) mics...
What would it be your choice?
 
Ok, I'll play.

New, I'd probably choose the MXL 960 tube mic. A little dark, but good on a wide range of voices. It's $149 new, so it's a perfect fit for your under "$150 new" restriction.

Used, we have a problem, since it depends on what's available for $150. If I could, I'd probably try to find a Beyer Soundstar Mk II, AND a cheap ribbon mic.

The Beyer is like a low cost SM-7. A good cheap ribbon would add a 3rd flavor that should cover most of my vocal bases - from a big old tube mic sound, to a mic for screamers, to a more delicate, intimate ribbon sound.

I could also substitute an ADK Hamburg (used) or a V67 for the MXL 960. An SM-57 ain't bad either (with a really good preamp).

Basically, all these mics are known quantities to me and they all take eq really well (and none of them require a lot of eq), so they'll cover most of my vocal bases.

And, oh yeah, I'd probably have some change left over, so I'd pick up a used Nainant MSH-1O for $12 to have a really flat mic handy - just in case. Might be really handy for doing backup singers.
 
Harvey Gerst said:
New, I'd probably choose the MXL 960 tube mic. A little dark, but good on a wide range of voices. It's $149 new, so it's a perfect fit for your under "$150 new" restriction.
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Is the MXL 960 darker than the V67g?
 
just saw the price of the 960 go down again, they had marked it up to $250 again :(

Gonna buy one as soon as Paypal clears my money from the bank!
 
The Beyer Soundstar MkII is a really good mic at that price point (and often even less), but I'd also add a used AT-4054 to that short list. It is the predecessor to the AE5400 and uses a capsule derived from the AT-4050. It has built in LF roll-off. The AT-4055 which is the companion mic has no roll-off. The AE5400 has, surprise, a roll-off switch. A really, really great handheld vocal cardioid condenser for cheap. These were $500 when they were new. Typically go for about $140 or so on e-bay.
 
pohaku said:
... I'd also add a used AT-4054 to that short list. It is the predecessor to the AE5400 and uses a capsule derived from the AT-4050. It has built in LF roll-off. The AT-4055 which is the companion mic has no roll-off. The AE5400 has, surprise, a roll-off switch. A really, really great handheld vocal cardioid condenser for cheap. These were $500 when they were new. Typically go for about $140 or so on e-bay.
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Now don't go around giving really good suggestions like that. :D

... Why would anyone spend good money on a professional tool, when you've got all these cheap Chinese things running around out there to choose from?

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Daisy said:
Now don't go around giving really good suggestions like that. :D

... Why would anyone spend good money on a professional tool, when you've got all these cheap Chinese things running around out there to choose from?

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Hey, I already got mine. So, it's open season. :D
 
Don't know; haven't heard that many yet. I'll probably give as many of them as possible a listen at NAMM this year.
 
Daisy said:
Now don't go around giving really good suggestions like that. :D

... Why would anyone spend good money on a professional tool, when you've got all these cheap Chinese things running around out there to choose from?

.
Click to expand...
Hey, somebody asked what I would do with that much money, and I told them. There are a lot of other mics out there that are also good values; these were my choices.
 
threefers

Hey,

I'm pretty sure I can do this. Three for $150. Used EV PL80, AKG D770, Realistic 1070D (omni RE50 clones made in Mexico by Shure).

All three mics on ebay under $150 in fact you can probably get a pair of the omnis.

Now these are all really good vocal mics. Older and dynamic but really good.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
 
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