Good brands & bad brands between $250 and $400

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suddentwigs

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Hi there. I'm about to invest in a large diaphragm condenser mic, predominantly for recording male vocals. I have a pair of small condensers, which produce a nice accurate sound, and from this new one I'm looking for warmth and dynamics. I've done quite a lot of research but the only thing I can't figure out is which brands to trust. I'm keen to avoid Chinese models.
 
If you want to enter the world of tube microphones you should check out the Stellar CM-6!
I think you'll be very surprised by this microphone at $350.
 
I swear to God, this place is turning into the Twilight Zone.
 
Do, do... do,do
Do, do... do,do
Do, do... do,do
Do, do... do,do
 
Lots of mics in that price range. Dynamics wise record in 24 bit, not 16. And get a mic that handles the SPL of the task. Bear in mind that SPL specs are measured at 1 meter, not the 6" that they'll be from a lot of sources. If mythbusters is to be trusted, the human voice can break glass, so having headroom in terms of SPL tolerance can't hurt. At least 130dB IMO for voice. Without the pad switch if available. At least check this spec, some mics only handle SPL in the neighborhood of 100dB, which is okay at talking levels, but not much use for anything else.

It'd be hard to recommend a mic without knowing where you live. Shure and Audio Technica for the USA. Sennheiser, Neuman (not in that price range), and others for the other side of the pond. Rode if you live in Australia. And if you live in China, by all means get a mic made in China.

You could always tweak the EQ of your SDC accurate ones to see what tickles you. A lot of manufacturers have frequency response curves that could help guide you on those tweaks. One way to get something different from what you already have. Perhaps a frequency sweep recorded on your current mics to make them ruler flat first. And look out for frequency graphs that are pretty much drawn, not measured. Which would indicate a manufacturer NOT to trust. Or manufacturers that don't publish ANY specs for their mics.
 
You just know a name like Paddy Gordon could only come from the West of Scotland.
Pleased to meet you, Paddy.
 
Is Ebay the only place to get the stellar mics?
 
Pretty well.
I think you can buy them premodded though.
PM Kidvybes for a link.
 
Hi, fellas. I've read very little about the Aurycle AS5600. I'm sure it's not as good a value as the Stellar CM-6 is reputed to be, but at $280, wouldn't one think it's worth considering? Especially if it can be upgraded at some point down the road? I have NOT heard either mic, and don't claim to know either one. I'd like to, though. Any takers?

Thanks! ~~ Sara
 
Hey Sara:
I'd think you have as much chance of finding what you want in that mic as you would with any other dual condenser tube at that price.
Golden Age and Nady both have similar models at $299 and both of those companies, in my experience, produce excellent microphones.
They may even share the same sources.
The point is, it's all very subjective.
I have an Aurycle Tube Mic and am following Kidvybes' advice by giving it time to grow on me.
I've ordered a bunch of tubes and we'll see how it goes.
I picked one of these up for just under $200 and really like it.
EM T5000 Tube Microphone High Quality NEW on eBay.ca (item 170607352607 end time 02-Mar-11 00:23:09 EST)
I'll be doing some tube swapping with it too.
 
Jim Lad said:
Hey Sara:
I'd think you have as much chance of finding what you want in that mic as you would with any other dual condenser tube at that price.
Golden Age and Nady both have similar models at $299 and both of those companies, in my experience, produce excellent microphones.
They may even share the same sources.
The point is, it's all very subjective.
I have an Aurycle Tube Mic and am following Kidvybes' advice by giving it time to grow on me.
I've ordered a bunch of tubes and we'll see how it goes.
I picked one of these up for just under $200 and really like it.
I'll be doing some tube swapping with it too.
Click to expand...

Thank you, Jim. I'd be very interested to read how you like that EM T5000, as well. I presume the other mic you have, the eBay purchase, is the Aurycle A5500? I read a really good article about modding it on Fox Audio Research's site. I can find next to nothing on the 'net about the A5600, though. Looks are deceiving, sometimes, but I do admit that the A5600 and it's packaging looks nice, and it seems a decent value from that standpoint. However, sound is why I'd (or anyone) would buy a mic (I'd like to think!). I would like to read impressions others have of that mic (and of other "affordable" Nady TCM 1050 "style" tube mics).

Thank you!

Cheers and smiles! ~~ Sara
 
I find that the EM T5000 sounds very similar to the Golden Age R1.
A little brighter, maybe but not unpleasantly so.
I really like it.
I only tried it in the cardioid position mind you but that's how I would expect to be using it most often.
 
Jim Lad said:
I find that the EM T5000 sounds very similar to the Golden Age R1.
A little brighter, maybe but not unpleasantly so.
I really like it.
I only tried it in the cardioid position mind you but that's how I would expect to be using it most often.
Click to expand...

Jim, I'm not familiar with the Golden Age mic. Can I ask how you'd describe the sound of the T5000. Would you say the overall character of the T5000 is neutral, bright, dark? Is it quiet and accurate? Is it "breathy" on top, does it have that Chinese Sizzle, or is it more controlled and laid back? Have you opened it up? Is the interior layout similar to the TCM 1050 or Apex 460 (in other words, can it be modded)? Is the tube socketed? And, is it a 12AX7?

Oh, my - I hit you with a veritable review! Thank you for bearing with me!

Have a good Thursday, and thank you...

~~Sara
 
Chinese Sizzle :D I like that can I use it with out quoting?
 
Umm, here's a "duh". I just finished doing some "poking around" (another term for "research") and found some information here and on GS about the EM T5000. I found some pictures of the innards, too. Over on GS there is a huge discussion related to the mic, but mostly to ISK and the coming import of the line to the US by a well known person in the mic modding business. I won't go into it, most here have probably read it, as I recognize names here that I'm used to seeing on GS. Anyway, the T5000 is supposed a "leg up" in quality and sound mic in it's price range. One poster implied another mic sounds a little better in his opinion (I'm guessing that mic is the Stellar CM-6), so with that implication out there, I'd love to read a comparison between the two (the CM-6 and T5000), and maybe some clips?

Yes, I am a high maintenance woman. Get over it. ;~p

Thanks, fellas!

~~~Sara
 
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