A mic that sounds like the Shure SM81 but cheaper?

[Jedman]

I just listened to Michael Jones' test recordings of the ECM8000 and the Shure SM81. What a difference! (piano recording) Wow...but the price is like WOW too.
So what would be the next jump up from the $40 ECM8000? I guess something that sounds more like the SM81, but won't cost me $325 a piece, because I'm going to need 2 of whatever I get.
Does such a mic exist?

Thanks in advance,
Jed

 

[DJL]

A mic that sounds like the Shure SM81 but cheaper?

A used Shure SM81. Try ebay.

 

[Fab4ever]

I like the Marshal 603S. Now, I can't honestly say I've recorded the same source in the same room and compared the sound with the 81, but I have used both mics. To my untrained ear there wasn't THAT much difference between the two. And the Marshalls are like $80 each.

For what it's worth.

Fab

 

[Jedman]

Well, on Ebay they're still a bit out of the price range - prices fluctuate, but around $200 or more each.

I was kind of thinking around $100 a piece, give or take, for mics to record the piano...I'll look into that Marshal 603s, I guess.

thanks again,
Jed

 

[Jedman]

OK, I have decided on the MXL 603s for the piano. Is it worth it to get them in a MATCHED Stereo Pair kit? (It's $50 extra for matched pair with 2 shock mounts & hard case, but I'll need 2 anyway, and shock mounts look cool.)

One last question, I promise: What will be better for recording the (male) vocal group: the MXL V67G, the MXL 1006, or the MXL 2001?

Thank you all for your time and help.
Jed

 

[mgraffeo]

I haven't tried them, or heard much about them, but Shure did introduce the PG81 (last year, I think), which was supposed to be pretty similar to the SM81, at a lower price. I'm sure that they aren't identical, but Shure seldom puts out crappy product. I think that the PG81 sells for about $125, but I may be wrong. Anybody with experience on this mic?

-mg

 

[DJL]

OK, I have decided on the MXL 603s for the piano. Is it worth it to get them in a MATCHED Stereo Pair kit? (It's $50 extra for matched pair with 2 shock mounts & hard case, but I'll need 2 anyway, and shock mounts look cool.)

One last question, I promise: What will be better for recording the (male) vocal group: the MXL V67G, the MXL 1006, or the MXL 2001?

Thank you all for your time and help.
Jed

I've used the Marshall MXL603S's on an upright piano, and they worked good. I also have another 'stereo pair' on back-order that I should be getting soon. I don't have the 1006 or 2001 but I do have two MXLV67G's and I like them. I have no idea if you'll like the V67 or not, but give it a listen and see what you think.

 

[kjam22]

I haven't tried them, or heard much about them, but Shure did introduce the PG81 (last year, I think), which was supposed to be pretty similar to the SM81, at a lower price. I'm sure that they aren't identical, but Shure seldom puts out crappy product. I think that the PG81 sells for about $125, but I may be wrong. Anybody with experience on this mic?

-mg

I've got two PG81's and two SM81's. The PG's aren't bad. They work better for overheads than they do recording acoustic guitar. In fact.... I just wouldn't use them for an acoustic guitar. Not as sensitive as an SM81. Not as crisp. Don't have the roll offs or the db cut. Just don't sound as good. A plus would be that for vocal.... because they are not a sensitive... they don't pick up the wind noise and the spsssss stuff. You can put a battery in them (I think it's a double A) and they dont' need phantom power from your unit that way. And they have an off and on switch.

I bought a couple from mars before mars went belly up for $119 each because I was curious.

Personally... I think that if you don't have a wealth of microphones.... spend the extra 100 a piece and buy a couple of used SM81s. You're gonna own them a long long time. Figure an extra $200 over two years comes out to $8 bucks a month. Wouldn't you pay $8 a month to own two SM81's instead of two imitations? Then if you can't get the sound you want.... you can look at something besides the mic

 

[Jedman]

Hmmm, thanks for the info. Yeah, put that way, it does make sense to get an SM81, but, well, I'm not going to be recording every day, just a couple of times a month, probably...ah, just so hard to justify the expense! (I've already spent way more than I planned.)
From my financial aspect, I'm probably going to have to get the MXL-603s...sorry guys, that's the best I can afford, I think. So what exactly is different about a matched set over just buying 2 mics? Also, do I need shock mounts for this stuff?

Thanks,
Jed

 

[Michael Jones]

Jedman - Thanks for listening.
The 603's or the Oktavia MC012's will both work very well for piano. I own both, and they sound nearly identical.
I would tend to lean towards the 603's. Definately get a matched pair if you can spring for it.
Shock mounts are always a good idea. Universal shock mounts are not too expensive, and you can use them on other mics too.

 

[Jedman]

Ok - here's the price - for $200, I can get a matched set of 2 MXL-603s mics with shock mounts and hard case.
For $150, I can get 2 MXl-60s mics and 2 15ft. cables in a package, but I don't think they're matched, and no shock mounts.

This is dumb, but what do the shock mounts actually do? (you mentioned they're nice, but I'd like to understand what exactly they're for.)

Also, should I just go with a MXL-V67 for the vocals? That seems pretty reasonable.
EDIT: I can't find any other version of the V67 than the gold one. Is that OK? It's $100 even That would put me at $300 total, which was my budget...
Thanks,
Jed

 

[crosstudio]

jedman, you're right about sm81's on ebay.

i just got one and it cost me $230.

but i just had to have it or i would be kicking myself.

i got a pair of audio technica mb4000c microphones a few years ago as mics to use for both drum overhead and acoustic guitar. although it wasn't much money, i still regret having spent the money.

 

[Jedman]

Yeah, I would love to have one of those as well...but maybe later. Well shoot, this is just for my first project anyway, and I've already shelled out way too much cash (that I don't have to blow in the first place)
So....MXL-603s will have to do for now. Just trying to decide if shock mounts and a matched set is worth the extra $50?

Jed

 

[Michael Jones]

Ok - here's the price - for $200, I can get a matched set of 2 MXL-603s mics with shock mounts and hard case.
For $150, I can get 2 MXl-60s mics and 2 15ft. cables in a package, but I don't think they're matched, and no shock mounts.

This is dumb, but what do the shock mounts actually do? (you mentioned they're nice, but I'd like to understand what exactly they're for.)

Shock mounts sort of... Isolate the mic from the stand, which helps eliminate low frequency rumble transmitted to the mic stand, from the floor.

Also, should I just go with a MXL-V67 for the vocals? That seems pretty reasonable.
EDIT: I can't find any other version of the V67 than the gold one. Is that OK? It's $100 even That would put me at $300 total, which was my budget...
Thanks,
Jed

I think you'd be real happy with that.
A Matched pair of 603's, shock mounts, and a V67.
Not a bad set up at all.

What kind of pre-amp or mixer are you using to drive these mics?

 

[Michael Jones]

Actually, I have a recording of piano using the 603's.
Let me dig it up and I'll post it, so you can hear those mics.
I'm looking for it right now......

 

[DJL]

"Ok - here's the price - for $200, I can get a matched set of 2 MXL-603s mics with shock mounts and hard case.
For $150, I can get 2 MXl-60s mics and 2 15ft. cables in a package, but I don't think they're matched, and no shock mounts."

> Get the matched MXL603S's with the shock mounts.

"This is dumb, but what do the shock mounts actually do? (you mentioned they're nice, but I'd like to understand what exactly they're for.) "

> The shock mount isolates the mic from floor noise and etc. You should get them.

"Also, should I just go with a MXL-V67 for the vocals? That seems pretty reasonable."

> The MXLV67 is a nice mic.

"EDIT: I can't find any other version of the V67 than the gold one. Is that OK? It's $100 even That would put me at $300 total, which was my budget..."

> Yeah, the gold one is good. That's the one I have, the MXL-V67G, the "G' stands for Gold/Green .

 

[Jedman]

Wow - this is incredible support here - Thanks! I've learned a ton.
Well, $300 was my (yes, small) budget for mics, so I'll spend the extra and get matched 603s with shock mounts.

The preamps I'll be using: Well, I've been looking at either an Alesis studio 12R (rack mount) or the Alesis Studio 24 (console). I have a bid on the 24 on Ebay right now -- we'll see if I get it.
Are those OK mixers? I really like the idea of a rack mount to save space, but the studio 24 has way more features...
Link is here: http://www.alesis.com/products/mixers/index.html

Thanks for the info!
Jed

 

[Michael Jones]

Hmmm... it's probably an OK mixer, I don't really know much about them.
I think I'd opt for a used Mackie. A 1404 or something like that. Better pre-amps from what I understand. What's your budget for a mixer?

I use a yamaha O1V, it has OK pre-amps, but I use outboard pre's for all of my recording. I think the O1V's can be had for around $800 used, on ebay. But a used Mackie would still have better pre's. I use the O1V soley as a control surface for Nuendo.

I found the recordings, but I need to mix them down to CD, then rip 'em to MP3 and post them on my site. I cannot find one, single blank CD in the house! I'll get some today and post the files later this afternoon.

Back to mic's....
A lot goes into mic selection, and I know you use what you have and make the best of it, but even the key signature of a song, in addition to the instrument itself of course, can have a BIG influence on mike selection.
Still, I know you'll be real happy with a matched pair of 603's!

 

[DJL]

Be warned, a lot of people have reported problems with the Alesis studio mixers.

 

[Jedman]

Ok, thanks for the heads up and everything. The reason I was looking at the Alesis 24 is that it has direct outs for all 8 preamps, and seemed to have pretty decent specs. Of course, I've never used one, so....I don't really know for sure.

What used/older (so I can get it on Ebay) Mackie or Soundcraft (heard they have good preamps) mixers have direct outs?

I think I will be happy with those mics, especially for the cost, when it's all said and done.
Thanks,
Jed