Good mic for 200 range? (U.S$$)

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fuzzsniffvoyage

fuzzsniffvoyage

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I'm thinking of getting another mic for ambience? recording acoustic guitar. I have approx. 200 can go 230 (+tax)


Maybe the Rode NT1-a

or maybe the Blue Spark?

Need to go to Guitar Center though, got a gift card for Christmas : ) and there's a coupon for $20 bucks off until tomorrow.

Suggestions please................Currently using a MXL V63M for close micing. Got a Art MPA Gold pre amp, and a ART pro vla compressor. If that makes any difference.
 
I wish the Shure SM7B would drop back down to $250.
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Is it that much better, @350.00 I could get it next pay day.......no big hurry, was wanting to use the 20$ coupon. But they're always having sales.

Does GC do trade in trade up on mics ( edit) just call GC, and they do not do trade ins on mics., I have an old EV mic that I use to use live that I don't use any more.
 
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Please don't get an NT1A. Awful mic.

Save a little more and pick up an excellent dynamic like the RE-20 or SM7.
 
Yeah, NT1a not very cool unless you mod it. Even not sure about that yet, as I haven't had time to do it. IME, it sucks for anything with strong upper mid frequencies. That is just about everything I record.

+1 to save for the SM7b. My favorite vocal and guitar mic (this month anyway). No experience with the RE-20 yet. Yet.....
 
+1 to save for the SM7b
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Yeah, that's what I'm going to do, pay day is in 2 weeks, gonna have a great check with all that union holiday pay on there!
 
fuzzsniffvoyage said:
Yeah, that's what I'm going to do, pay day is in 2 weeks, gonna have a great check with all that union holiday pay on there!
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Do you have a decent preamp to run the SM7? Needs around 60db to begin to get the sweetness. More is better with the mic, especially when dealing with acoustic instruments. 60db preamp on my 1641 was barely enough to do yelling type vocals (right on the mic). Once I added a high end preamp, the mic took on a whole new personality.
 
Do you have a decent preamp to run the SM7? Needs around 60db to begin to get the sweetness.
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Using an ART MPA Gold which has 75dB of gain.

Input Gain control
This control optimizes the input signal level before the tube gain is applied. Both
Microphone and Instrument input gains remain the same and are affected by this
adjustment. Input gain can be adjusted from 0dB (for line level signals) to 45dB of gain.
The analog meters are used to see the effects of the input gain setting.
Additional gain is available via the Gain switch (+20dB) and the Analog Output control
(+10dB) for a maximum of 75dB total.
The combination of these controls allows the user to adjust the signal level through the
tube section, providing more or less “tube” sound as needed. To obtain more “tube’
sound, increase input gain, use the +20dB Gain switch, “normal” plate voltage, and less
Analog output gain.

...good, objective up-to-date comparison in your price range, here:

Entry-level $200 Condenser Microphone Shootout | recording hacks
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I thought about a tube mic, was looking at the Carvin CMT-100

199.99 + 12 s&h.

I don't know what to get.

Seems like maybe I should get a better pre-amp before the Shure.

Some of the other entry level mics seem decent. I'll just start buying & trying ; )
 
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices
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I looked at that, what's the taxes and import duties on that? I know it says they'll send as gift or other, but.........
 
...at those pricepoints there should not be any duties or taxes into the US for a single mic...I've had more expensive import items bought online clear customs without any duty imposed...make sure to pay via Paypal with a credit card, so you will have 2 routes to recover your investment should there be any issues that throw a wrench in the gears...that particular seller has a good history on eBay, and if I didn't already own one of those, I'd be all over them at that pricepoint...I've had sample mics sent to me from Chinese manufacturers, and with the shipping method they chose, the final cost to me was more than $200, and that was wholesale!...

...these mics are also a great platform for modding, but honestly, the one I have sounds quite good as is (with just an upgraded tube)...
 
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