$500 budget... looking for $200-$300 mic PLEASE HELP!

[skeem]

Hey guys, I got roughly a $500 budget and I want to get some basic equipment and start a home studio set-up. My goal is to have a decent set-up at home to primarily record hip hop music. I am plannin on getting the MAudio MobilePre 2x2 16-Bit 48kHz USB Interface with Microphone Preamp which is $150 and then planning on buying a pop filter and mic stand obviously. Now I am looking for a studio condenser mic to record hip hop vocals to in the price range of $200-$300... so far I am impressed with the Audio Technica 3035 which is only $200 I also hear the Studio Projects C1 is also a great deal at $200. Now I am also impressed with the Shure KSM27 at $300 and some of the more expensive Audio Technica models... now my question to you is that is there really a great difference between the Shure KSM27 and the Audio Techinica 3035.... is it worth an extra $100.... and do you guys have any suggestions of any other mics I should consider? I would appreciate your advice greatly, thanks...
Holla at ME!
-Skeem

 

[Sporkmyband]

The Shure condensers

Hey, I haven't actually heard the KSM 27, but I was able to get a KSM 32 for 300 bucks used and it was unbelievable on some rap vox that I recorded in m studio. The same guy that I recorded had a demo he let me hear that he used an MXL 990 and an art tube pre amp through an audigy soundcard (the outboard one) and with some proper eq'ing it was not bad at all! His voice was somewhat heavy in the bottom end and the art tube pre was the worst possible pre on the planet for his voice because it seems to magnify the low end crap that is supposed to sound tube-ish. Anyway, the moral of the story is that the KSM 32 is the most awesome mic for the money I have ever heard. It is SO flat. Perfect for those 20 layers of vox, adlibs, and whisper tracks for rap vox. The MXL 990 for 59.99 from musiciansfriend is perfect for the job if you look at the frequency response curve that is provided for the mic and eq accordingly so you don't get too much high end buildup. The KSM 32 beat my Rode NTK to my surprise on the rapper also, which I had used on him previously before I purchased the KSM 32. Hope this helps.

 

[fernandoesmaron]

A friend did replace his Rode nt1a with the SP C1 now, but i think both are great micros in the 200 €/$ pricerange.

But what i really want to know is how the brandnew Sontronics STC-2 is ? Also available for 200 €/$.

Can´t find it until now in germany !

 

[thajeremy]

I have never used the ksm27 but i have both the 3035 and the C1 and Id take one C1 over 2 3035's and not blink an eye. I dont get to use the 3035 much but the C1 gets the call quite often.

 

[ozraves]

I'd recommend the AT4040 first. I'd recommend the KSM27 second. I think they give you a lot more quality for the money than the $199 price point side address condensers.

 

[219777]

Though I won't have them until next week I hear good things about the Studio Projects projects. I've got a pair of C3's coming (the multi-pattern version of the C1's). From what I've heard and read the Studio Projects products are built well and a good choice for recording on a budget. The C series seems a good place to start.

 

[mikey@thecave]

better yet get the SP T#3

 

[tubedude]

What about a used MD-441? At about $250 used, its the best mic you can buy for the money. Period. Pretty much blows a new mic of the same price out of the water as far as smoothness and quality goes.
Buy smart, fellas, buy smart.

 

[fernandoesmaron]

RODE mics: shrill or not? ( topic at SOS )

 

[skeem]

Thx...

Thanks for your advice guyz, I'm definitely leanin towards gettin the Shure KSM27 or the Audio Technica 4040 now.... only question is which one... i'ma probably check both of them and test them out at the shop. What you guys think... AT 4040 or Shure KSM27? I would appreciate the advice again, thanks.

 

[mikey@thecave]

well if you get a T#3 the mic has nine pickup positions --if you are recordingtwo or more people you can put it in omni or figure 8 --gives you more options--its like having 3 mics

 

[kidvybes]

...the problem you may be overlooking is the interface/mic-pre...the M-Audio Mobile Pre is real "entry-level" quality...I have used them to help friends get started with home recording, and I've found that they are very limited by the fact that they are USB powered (tops out at 16bit/48kHz and less than stable)...do yourself a favor and get an interface/pre that has it's own power supply (wall-wart if necessary)...it will vastly improve the quality of your recordings (capable of 24bit/96kHz)...better to save up another $100. now (or go with the best of the $200 mics, and don't rule out "used" options) and do it right from the start...check out the M-audio Firewire 410 used for around $250...BIG step up!
...for example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41784&item=7329946695&rd=1

...if your computer is running XP, but doesn't have a firewire input, the PCI card is under $10.!
http://www.gearxs.com/gearxs/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=6002780

...your recording "chain" is only as good as your weakest link, and buying a nice quality mic to run thru an entry-level interface/pre is kinda self-defeating...I have set up a number of these systems for friends, and although the Mobile-Pre will work, it's just a matter of time before you'll want to upgrade to a better sounding and MORE STABLE interface...why not do it right from the start...Good Luck!

 

[Warhead]

better yet get the SP T#3

Actually that's a great suggestion. That mic has a wonderful sound.

War