All purpose mic?

[Soulman13]

Hey all,

I'm looking for that magic Do It All mic. Something that will be primarily used for vocals and acoutics guitar, and maybe mic'ing an amp(less important). With this knowledge at hand, I went to the local gear shop. After I drooled all over myself at the rack o' mics, I was lost.

I have phantom power and mic pres through my Mackie board. I'd prefer something for around $300 at the most. Zzsounds has the AKGC3000B for 3 bills, and damn if it doesn't look like the mic a studio used for my (ex-) band's tracks. Then again, at $199, they have a Rode NT1 and a Behringer B2. I will now light myself on fire.

Help!?!

Chris

 

[jimistone]

theres no such thing as a "do it all" mic for recording.

if I was going to invest 300 bucks in a mic (and had no mics at all) I would probably get a sure sm57 (about 79.00) and a studio projects c-1 (about 230.00). I have these 2 mics and they cover alot of recording applications quite nicely.

 

[philboyd studge]

Shure SM 57. If you're starting a mic collection this is where you should consider starting. And if you could only have one mic for live/pa/recording, the 57 would be it.

 

[Soulman13]

Ah, yes, should have included this in the original post...

I have an SM57 already. And an AT2700HE.

I'm looking to add a condensor mic to the collection.

Have at it...

 

[Beezoboy]

I have to say that the AKG C3000b has been a "do it all mic" for me. I work for a university here and we are very limited on mics, so I use what I have. Thats only a pair of AKG C3000b's, a Sennhieser md420, and some 58's. I have used the AKG's on marching bands, string quartets, choir, soloists, and on every instrument you can think of. I would recommend a pair of these.

On the other hand, Harvey said that his son thought that the MXL v93 was very similar to the AKG C3000b. They are half the price at $150 Mars of an AKG. So you might think of that as an option. Also there is the MXL v63. I bought one of these but I haven't been able to use it because it is damaged. I am waiting on the other one to arrive.

I also haven't heard a bad thing about the AT4043's. Every recording comparison I have heard lately that has had one of these things has had it coming out on top. It is like $499 though as I recall.

Almost every recording of the C1 I have heard has come out very nicely as well.

I think anyone of these mics would suit your need fine. My personal recommendation is the C3000b or the MXL v93 if it is indeed like it for half the price.

Beezoboy

 

[Gidge]

get:

Marshall mxlv67 - $129
pair of Behringer ECM8000's - $70
if you plan on recording drums add a AT ATM25PRO for $60

 

[heylow]

ooooh! oooh! oooh! I know!

From recent personal experience, I highly recommend the 4033/se! I previously had a few 57s and an NT1 and bought the 4033 based on a few clips floating around on the board as well as my knowledge that certain records i love were recorded using the 4033 extensively.

The first thing I did was a little 8 track demo for a song on a Mackie MDR24 and I was blown away by the difference between this mic and my previous recordings. Never before had Overheads, Vocals, Guitar or Bass sounded so good with my hack ass the helm!

I think that covers the all purpose thing quite well
The SE edition comes with a sweet wooden box, a NICE shock mount and 2 weeks ago when I ordered it, musicians Friend threw in a nice pop filter! 299.00 and 8th Street has them for 289.00! I'm getting a second one because I liked it so well as a single overhead, I wanted a stereo pair.

Hope this helps....the other nice thing is that, for me, this is my first "pro" mic and I know I won't get rid of it cuz it's a quality piece that won't go out of style or be easily outdone in it's price range....I wish i could say the same for my NT1



heylow
Rock Jedi/Indie Snob
www.heylowsoundsystem.net

 

[chessrock]

Hmmm . . . as far as "do-it-all" mics are concerned, I can think of a few:

1) The at 4033 has often been noted for it's versatility. Vocals, guitar, drums . . . all sound pretty good. And apparently, it has a lot of fans for micing guitar amp!

2) The Behringer B2 is a good choice because it gives you the option of the omni-directional pattern, as well as a -10 pad and bass rolloff switches. Gives it some versatility, and it sounds awesome. It's kind of a two-trick pony, though, in my opinion - great on vocals and accoustic guitar but not much else.

3) The Oktava MC012. Easily the most versatile you can buy. More importantly, it is the best-sounding of those I've used (which includes all but the 4033 and the 2003). Unfortunately, it's also the most expensive of the bunch if you want all of the options that you can get for it.

4) The Marshall MXL V67 is great, but this is more of a one-trick pony on vocals from what I can gather so far.

5) Ahhh. But it's sister, the MXL 2003, has a flatter freq. response and has a less-colored sound (due to lack of transformer). This would also be your do-it-all mic. It has been compared favorably (favorably, I didn't say as good) as a Neumann TLM. At $150 with shockmount included, this might be the real bargain do-it-all condenser. And you can buy another one with the money save - and give it to me as payment for giving you such good advice.

 

[Bodhisan]

I've gotten great results miking acoustic guitars and amps (lap and pedal steel) with C1, along with snare (and vocals, of course).

 

[Meshuggah]

Oktava MC012 with -10db pad and 3 capsules...

 

[CyanJaguar]

4033

 

[Track Rat]

Do it all mic? No such thing. Swiss army knife mic? AT-4033.

 

[PinkStrat]

My favorite "do it all mic" is the AKG C 4000B. I don't know exactly what or how it does it, however, this microphone has a lotta soul in its sound--Big, full, rich & detailed. I know that it's the world's first dual diaphragm electret microphone....

 

[knownuttin]

I have not heard favorable things from Harvey Gerst and son about the AKG 3000. That is reason enough for me to stay far away from them. Call me a sheep, and I'll say ba-a-a-a-ah.

MXL V67 $130 from Mars and others
2 Behringer ECM8000's got mine $30 each from Guitar Ctr. Get yours while they last.
Shure SM57 can be had for $80 you'll never have a reason to sell it.

This package totals $280 new, so that leaves some room for tax under your $300 cap. The ECM8000's are great overheads, and may be used for any stereo source. Not to mention probably dozens of things I haven't tried yet.

What the 57 won't provide a usable signal of is not worth recording. They are de riguer for close-micing guitar amps, snares, even (gasp!) vocals (with a pop filter). Most all-round useful mic you may ever own.

The V67 is the bestest cheapest of the current glut of LD condensers. Great for those intimate vocals, but use a pop filter and watch out for those "esses"!

YMMV,
-kent

 

[Kelly Dueck]

I know I've been yammering a lot about this mic, lately, but I'll say it again ... CAD M179.

I would say if you're considering multi-purpose, consider something that's multi-pattern, can take a high spl if nec and built solidly.

Also realize, multi-purpose is going to mean serviceable on everything but likely not outstanding on anything.

 

[chessrock]

Call me a sheep, and I'll say ba-a-a-a-ah.

The V67 is the bestest cheapest of the current glut of LD condensers. Great for those intimate vocals, but use a pop filter and watch out for those "esses"!

YMMV,
-kent

Nothing wrong with being a sheep as long as your shepard is good, and Harvey's one of the best. And I don't think he likes the AKG's all that well. I do know that he thinks very highly of the MC012 . . . and with the lomo head he likens it to the sound of the big, vintage German mics.

 

[PinkStrat]

Kent,

The C3000 & C 3000B are two different mics in tonal quality. The former was very bright and in your face. The C 4000B is an entirely different design than the C 3000B. It is perfectly okay if Harvey prefers other brands of microphones-- He is one of most talented people that I know of in this business. There are some very beautiful sounding AKGs available today and right now.
Give the new C 451B reissue a test spin-- or their Blue Line Series [SE300B, C 391B etc] and don't forget the C 460 either! These are gorgeous sounding microphones and the quality is really top-notch. BTW, I have owned many different brands of microphones and I love them ALL....there isn't a mic out there than I couldn't find a perfect application for in my own experience. I am going to get some of the mics that Harvey suggested to check out--I'd be a fool NOT TO!!! Thought I would set the record straight on the C 3000 & C 3000B. YMMV as always

 

[notCardio]

And I'll say it again...

What style of music? What kind of vocals?

I'm inclined to agree with Gidge, as far as bang-for-buck goes.

I will say, however, that having heard something that Chessrock recorded, he knows his sh*t! Man, that acoustic sounded great!

 

[knownuttin]

Yeah, to clarify my statements, I would not dis the AKG line. They have made widely respected mics long before I was born and continue to do so. I merely echoed the sentiments I read from Harvey Gerst as I believe someone earlier on this thread may have misunderstood him to have commented favorably upon the 3000. I have no experience with it or the 3000B. I would love to own the 451 or practically any other mic produced by that fine company.
-kent