budget condenser mics battle

  • Thread starter Thread starter yelloworange
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yelloworange

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Hello everyone!
I've always recorded my vocals with a shure sm58 mic, and my acoustic guitars with the built-in condenser mics in my tascam portablestudio, but now I'm planning to sell my tascam in order to buy a boss br 800, which is a much better recording unit, but its built in mics are not as good... so, the time has come for me to buy a condenser mic
I would like to use it, mainly for vocals and acoustic guitars, and for some percusion and harmonicas from time to time
I would like to know your thoughts on this mics, and please let me know if you have any other suggestions.
These are the mics:
-behringuer C3
-Akg Perception 120
-Audio Technica AT2020
-SE Electronic SE 2000

I know they are nothing compare to more pricey mics, but I've seen videos of all of them, and they sound pretty good though... Specially with acoustic guitars, and I also belive the vocals sound better than with my current shure sm58

Which one is better?
Thanks!!!
 
Where can you get an SE 2000?

Get that. Most condenser mics sound the same at that price range, but there are desirable features on the SE.
 
Seconded on the sE2000. If not, have a look at some of the MXL mics, there's quite a few in the sub £100 range (although my vote still remains with the sE2000)

and crows, not sure about the other side of the pond, but in the UK quite a lot of the online stores sell them. they retail about £70 over here!
 
Yeah, I figured it had something to do with the UK when I saw every price have the pound symbol.
 
lol, it does seem odd. i've not even seen them in mainland europe based music stores, it does just seem to be some crazy UK only anomaly. And to say that, i don't know a single person who owns one and have only tried one a couple of times, and although i've been impressed, as i already have a sE2200a i didn't feel the need to get one (although if my 2200a dies i may replace it with the 2000 as it's half the price!)
 
THOMANN in Germany have them for 89 Euro/71 pounds, including a bundled pop screen.

I agree, the sE2000 is in a different league from the others on your short list. I still feel the sE2200a is worth the extra (I now have 3) but, for the money, the sE2000 is hard to beat.
 
Ok fine!
Just after I opened this 'battle', I watched more videos, and The SE was my best choice, and now I see you agree! Those mics must be great!
And yes, I live in Europe, and I will order it in thomann's website (I can't post its url)
The mic + metal pop killer 89€ !!

thank you very much for your help!!
just one more question... once I've test it, I will know the answer, but, do you think my vocal traks will sound better on the SE compared to Shure dynamic mic??
 
Well, better is a subjective term. They will certainly be more natural and detailed and probably "crisper". The more natural high end response may fool you into thinking initially that it's lacking bass compared to what you're used to. It's not...the bass is just balance by a better high end. To my ear, yeah it would be better. To you? Only you can say!
 
Bobbsy said:
THOMANN in Germany have them for 89 Euro/71 pounds, including a bundled pop screen.

I agree, the sE2000 is in a different league from the others on your short list. I still feel the sE2200a is worth the extra (I now have 3) but, for the money, the sE2000 is hard to beat.
Click to expand...

Good find bobbsy :thumbs up:

And to Yellow, as bobbsy said, if you can stretch your money a bit the sE2200a (i've got two of them) is well worth the extra cash. Saying that, on ebay you can pick them up for about £50 second hand so it's worth keeping an eye out.

And better than a 58 for recording vocals? subjective but yes, i'd expect you'd find it more crisp, natural, clean, and bright but, depending on the room you're recording in, you may also find that the mic may pickup more of the room sound so, if you haven't already, look into room treatment or at least some basic blankets hanging behind you when singing
 
Hi, I've been looking at LDCs and in particular the SE2000 to record saxophones in my home studio and with a live jazz quartet. I've been advised that the SE2000 is about the best at the price but was wondering if anyone can comment on whether the SE X1 is worth the extra money for what I want it for. Any opinions please?

Thanks

Andy
 
I just want to throw this tid bit out there...

About three months ago I contacted, via website email contact information, both Audio Technica and SE about a replacement suspension element for the shock mount of microphones I own from each of the companies. I sent the email out in the evening.

By 8:00 am the next day Audio Technica contacted me asking where to send the part. And it was at my door the next day. (I do live in the same stse as A-T US Corp Offices).

I am still waiting for SE to contact me, but doubt they ever will.
 
studiodtk5 said:
I just want to throw this tid bit out there...

About three months ago I contacted, via website email contact information, both Audio Technica and SE about a replacement suspension element for the shock mount of microphones I own from each of the companies. I sent the email out in the evening.

By 8:00 am the next day Audio Technica contacted me asking where to send the part. And it was at my door the next day. (I do live in the same stse as A-T US Corp Offices).

I am still waiting for SE to contact me, but doubt they ever will.
Click to expand...

That's flippin' awesome man! Good on AT for customer support :thumbs up:

tbf, we've had two replacement shocks for sE mics (not that they're bad, we lost one and one died after 7 years of hard abuse) but we've never gone directly through sE for them. we just spoke to the store we bought them from. Then again, the sE "loan a mic" service in the UK has been amazing.
 
Maybe sE has a bit better support in the UK than in the USA.

I ended up buying a new shock mount for the sE when all I needed was a new elastic, what a waste.
 
studiodtk5 said:
Maybe sE has a bit better support in the UK than in the USA.

I ended up buying a new shock mount for the sE when all I needed was a new elastic, what a waste.
Click to expand...

Yeah. The sE support in the UK is second to none (while the AT support is pretty dodgy there). I guess it depends where you live.
 
Got out (for the second time) late yesterday. I still get puffed out even walking across the room but it's gradually getting better. I even stood long enough to make a mug of tea this afternoon!
 
Bobbsy said:
Got out (for the second time) late yesterday. I still get puffed out even walking across the room but it's gradually getting better. I even stood long enough to make a mug of tea this afternoon!
Click to expand...

Well rest up and take it easy Bob. The come back will be slow ... don't forget we still have to be on top of Everest by mid February.
 
Advanced Audio mics for budget is great. Use a CM87 and love it. Only paid $370.
 
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