200 dollar vocal mics

[redeyeforce]

hi..

i have a sm58 right now and i'm planning on moving up to the 200 dollar mark ahha. i mainly record vocals for my group, but i want to get some friends that play instruments every once in a while. i don't mind going a bit over or less but i'd just like some advice..

there's one from audiotechnica, at 3035
the akg c100s or c2000
rode nt1

but there's the studio projects c1 that i heard about that sounds like the neumann u87, does that blow the rest out of the water? thanks in advance.

 

[acorec]

hi..

i have a sm58 right now and i'm planning on moving up to the 200 dollar mark ahha. i mainly record vocals for my group, but i want to get some friends that play instruments every once in a while. i don't mind going a bit over or less but i'd just like some advice..

there's one from audiotechnica, at 3035
the akg c100s or c2000
rode nt1

but there's the studio projects c1 that i heard about that sounds like the neumann u87, does that blow the rest out of the water? thanks in advance.

I know of no budget mic that sounds like a U87. However, there are many that sound great and are quite usable. The Studio Projects mics seem to have a good rep around here as well as the Oktava MK319 and Marshall mics. There is no one mic that "blows away" any other mic. If there was, pro studios would have VERY short mic lists.

 

[redeyeforce]

thanks alot.

i'm kind of blindsighted, because there are so many choices. i don't really want to go to the store and try it out, because i'm not the only one recording (about 6 other people) so how else would i narrow down my choices?

 

[Innovations]

There were some very glowing reviews of the C1 early on that I think that the reviewers were overenthusiastic. The C1 is a good vocal mic, respected, but blowing away all the others is just not so.

 

[ozraves]

I'd look for an Audio-Technica AT4040 on eBay or call Full Compass and ask for their best price. Otherwise, you might try to an MXL V67 and an Oktava MK319. Yeah, there not on the level of the AT4040 but they cost a lot less too.

 

[cominginsecond]

Look for a used Shure SM-7.

 

[Gidge]

If I had $200, Id get a Marshall MXLv67 and either a Marshall MXL2003 or Studio Projects B1......

 

[7TPFN]

Try the AKG C3000B

It's a really good mic but everyone here doesn't seem to think so. One guy even went so far to discredit it by saying it gave too much feedback. I had no clue someone would try performing live with one. Go figure.

 

[distortedrumble]

i thought people hated the mxl2003. the only reason i knew people got it for was the 603s

 

[deepwater]

I use 3 AKG3000b for live choir mics at my church and they work great.

 

[Big Kenny]

If I had $200 and could only buy one mic, I'd pick up an SP c1

 

[tdukex]

i thought people hated the mxl2003. the only reason i knew people got it for was the 603s

It's the 2001 people mostly hate.

 

[distortedrumble]

.....ok cause i had the chance to pick up an mxl 2003 and i passed it up thinking that it sucked LOL damn. anyways. is that mxl2003 good on female vocals..i have a few "friends" wanting to mess around.

 

[redeyeforce]

Thanks alot guys i'm gonna go read aobut all of these mics and whatnot.

 

[artCROSS]

Just picked up an AT4040 new + free shipping for $199 on eBay. I just got it, so all I've done is plugged it in to see if it works...and it does! I did a comparison with my v67g, and was dissappointed to hear no real significant differences. But again, I only did a very weak vocal test where I just spoke into them and I briefly sang into both. They sound very similar to me, but again, I didn't really get a chance to sit down and ensure proper mic placement, tweaking, etc. I'm sure once I get up and running, the at4040 will sound much better.

 

[SawkenDotCom]

I've had a remarkable amount of good luck recording female vocals and acoustic guitar with a Rode NT-1. Many people don't seem to like it, but I think it sounds awesome.

 

[Richard Monroe]

I'm not a big fan of C3000B and even less the C1000S, which isn't even a very good nightstick, but C2000B has proven itself to be a very versatile mic. And a C-1 is a perfectly good $200 mic, but it is not even close to a U87.-Richie

 

[Markd102]

but there's the studio projects c1 that i heard about that sounds like the neumann u87, does that blow the rest out of the water? thanks in advance.

Anyone who says the C1 sounds like a U87, has NOT heard a U87.
I haven't heard a cheap Chinese mic yet that even comes close to the TLM-103

 

[slobbermonster]

but there's the studio projects c1 that i heard about that sounds like the neumann u87, does that blow the rest out of the water? thanks in advance.

I've got a C1. It's not even in the same town as a U87. I'm sure you can find much better than a C1 in the price range. The C1 works well for a few applications but I think it MOSTLY sucks on vocals. Not ALL vox, just most.

 

[mishagolin]

i have a Rode NT1-a and i like it alot. its a little bright. but i think it comes through pretty clear. it has worked well on my vocals and acoustic guitars. i've also used it on kick drum, upright piano, and guitar amps. i think its a really nice mic and its built well. i also have the mxl v67g and its alright. only $100 so its worth having for a few applications. i mxl is definitely darker. i don't like it as much on instruments as the rode. however, if i'm looking for a dark vocal then it works well.

i second the suggestion of looking on ebay for a used mic. you might be able to score an mxl v77 for a little over 200. i think that would suit you even better.