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Decipha
EFIDynoTuning
AKG C2000B, I'm not sure about being an 'all around' mic, but if your staying under the $1000 budget, it gets my vote hands down
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robin watson
New member
Indeed, one of those comments you have to read twice to see if it's actually serious or not.
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soundchaser59
Reluctant Commander
It's not flawed if you keep in mind the original poster's price limit like I did. When was the last time you bought a $150 Gefell? Pay attention.... and quit being so defensive. There's only one mic authority in this forum, and he hasn't posted in this thread. I'll post a public apology specifically for you if you find me an honest to goodness Gefell microphone manufactured in Germany that I can buy brand new for $150 bucks.
JPXTom
New member
Mxl 960, rode nt1a...those are two off the bat i can think off...i have the 990, and am stepping up to either of the first two i mentioned(and then getting the other eventually as well), so i would suggest maybe aiming higher. I wish i wouldve known what i known know, and probably wouldve started with a studio projects b1...but if u have the range to go higher, go with one of the two i listed
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robin watson
New member
Rode NT1 is a good call, but I'm sure a lot of other recommendations here (of mics I've not used) are fine also.
I have a Milab c96, which is 5 times more expensive than the Rode, but I've found myself going for the Rode for certain applications.
I have a Milab c96, which is 5 times more expensive than the Rode, but I've found myself going for the Rode for certain applications.
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robin watson
New member
I think he was referring to your "some Sennheiser mics are OK..." comment, which, you have to admit, was somewhat flawed in the context of what you were trying to say.
ausrock
Well-known member
While not knocking any of the recommendations here, comments from anyone who throws out a blanket statement like "If you avoid buying any mic made in China, you'll do just fine." should be taken with a grain of salt 
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Incarnation
New member
While not knocking any of the recommendations here, comments from anyone who throws out a blanket statement like "If you avoid buying any mic made in China, you'll do just fine." should be taken with a grain of salt
...and that's what I'll do. I haven't got too much negative impressions of Chinese products, although it's always positive if the products are made somewhere else. Still the low prices on Chinese products make them so interesting.
Someone suggested CAD M179 and it kind of caught my attention. It goes over the price limit, for it costs 225 euros. I tried to find some info on that CAD and it seemed like people weren't quite impressed when they had used it to record lead vocals. Most people said it was fine for background vocals and stuff. Is that true?
I'm ready to pay some extra for CAD M179 if it really beats the other options which have been mentioned earlier.
What about AKG 2000B or maybe even AKG 3000B, although it might go too much over the price limit?
I'd like to hear some thoughts on Audio Technica mics too, if someone has any.
What about Rode NT1-A? I'm trying to avoid buing it, because it seems so common.
Still it has come back over and over to haunt me, but is it as good as some people say? I think it has got quite mixed reviews, for some people say it's "the best in it's price range" and some say "it's nice for everything, but not very good for anything". Maybe they are those reviews that make me suspicious.
dickiefunk
New member
What about Rode NT1-A? I'm trying to avoid buing it, because it seems so common.
Still it has come back over and over to haunt me, but is it as good as some people say? I think it has got quite mixed reviews, for some people say it's "the best in it's price range" and some say "it's nice for everything, but not very good for anything". Maybe they are those reviews that make me suspicious.
I've got the NT1a and it is a very decent mic. It is a very bright mic so it depends what you're recording. I've also got the Studio Projects B1 which is another fine mic. It has a little more body than the NT1a.
Now I know what both mics sound like I would have probably just gone for the B1 but the Rode does sound better on certain sources but not much.
I also received the MXL V67g through the post today. Am gonna try it out in a few days. I might try and do some sort of shootout in the future but can't promise.
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Daisy
Banned
Very generally speaking ... that's some pretty good advice.
Particularly the part about the Audio Technica / Shure.
Those generally tend to be the mics you keep around ... or the ones you eventually get once you get tired of the whole brittle Chinese thing.
WhiteStrat
Don't stare at the eye.
As a founding member of CMAA (Chinese Mic Abusers Anonymous) I can only say that I agree with Daisy. In the past couple months I've done better work with a 30 year old 57 on the amp and a new SM7 on the voice than I did in three years with a bunch of Chinese eye candy.
FWIW--I have four (yes, 4!) 990's that everyone thinks look cool--and I never use.
P.S. I love Daisy's evenhanded, kindhearted contributions to the discussion!
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Incarnation
New member
What if I'd raise the price limit to about 250 euros (~370 USD)? I got some recommendations on Rode NT2-A. It would cost 269 euros and is a multi-pattern mic, but is it better than CAD M179 (225 euros), which is also a multi-pattern mic if I remember correctly?
tc4b
Yeah I been drinkin, SO!?
I wholeheartedly endorse the AT4040, and for that you can buy a new one. I can throw that sucker in front of almost anything or anyone (keep in mind I'm a tight-budget, true HOME recordist).
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Incarnation
New member
I'm afraid that it's little bit too expensive, 319 euros new, considering that I've already raised the price limit... Otherwise AT4040 would be a good option, although it isn't a multi-pattern mic.
MadAudio
Damned if I do
The NT-1A is a bit bright for an "all-purpose" condenser IMO. I've had success with the V67G on a variety of sources from vox to guitar cabs to percussion.
But if you've got the time and/or patience, you may want to go hunting for a CAD Equitek E-300 (the original, NOT the reissue or Mark II or whatever it was called). It's a great multi-purpose LDC IMHO. It has omni, cardiod and figure-8 settings, a pad and a low rolloff. It uses a battery in conjunction with phantom power. Most recently, I've used it with a V67 to record acoustic guitar in a mid/side configuration, and it sounded large! I really need to get another one for my mic locker....
But if you've got the time and/or patience, you may want to go hunting for a CAD Equitek E-300 (the original, NOT the reissue or Mark II or whatever it was called). It's a great multi-purpose LDC IMHO. It has omni, cardiod and figure-8 settings, a pad and a low rolloff. It uses a battery in conjunction with phantom power. Most recently, I've used it with a V67 to record acoustic guitar in a mid/side configuration, and it sounded large! I really need to get another one for my mic locker....
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soundchaser59
Reluctant Commander
Hard to believe this.....
and this......
came from the same person in the same post.
Sounds like somebody needs to stock up on some fine Chinese made mics. There are some very fine recordings posted right here in this very forum made with some superb $200 dollar Chinese made mics. And that's a fact....
and this......
came from the same person in the same post.
Sounds like somebody needs to stock up on some fine Chinese made mics. There are some very fine recordings posted right here in this very forum made with some superb $200 dollar Chinese made mics. And that's a fact....
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docmattic
New member
peluso microphoens are mostly made in china. I think they sound fantastic. not all chinese mics are bad.
i remember eharing that the b1 is the best alround $100 condencer. maybe the b3 would be better because it has switchable patterns
the nt1 has a lot of sibilance and harsh high end i would stay away from it myself.
scrubs
Not of sound mind
I am one of those who believes the M179 is a great all-purpose mic. It is more neutral sounding than most budget condensers, which means it is not as flattering as a lot of mics on vocals, but it generally gives a good representation of the source. Plus, it has variable patterns, rolloff, and pad, making it even more versatile. If you can get it, I don't think you'd be disappointed.
cavedog101
Well-known member
The problem with all of this is being able to properly demo the mics in YOUR environment on your gear with your clients/personal useage.
Someone recommending a $200 Chinese-made condenser that they're putting through a UA610 might very well like that mic a lot. It most likely will not sound the same through 'other' gear.
Someone else who has spent some cash on sound control in their space may find that their $100, 797 built condenser gives great results, but in a different setting will not deliver anything close to their individual claim.
ALL of these mics benefit from 'better' downstream gear. Most of all with variable impedance inputs on the preamp. While this will not guarantee a Neumannesque sheen to things, it will be better than a bare-walls-square-room environment with loud guitars echoing around the drumkit.
Honestly, as far as an all-purpose vocal mic goes, theres much to be said about your dynamic mics. SM58, SM7B, EV RE20, Heil PR40/30/20, AudioTechnica HE61, Beyer 201, Sennheiser MD421.....things like these. The Heils' being, IMHO, the upper end of these. Mated to a decent preamp, theres very little you cannot do with a very good dynamic and these are the mics you will keep long after the luster fades on the cheap condensers' usage.
Someone recommending a $200 Chinese-made condenser that they're putting through a UA610 might very well like that mic a lot. It most likely will not sound the same through 'other' gear.
Someone else who has spent some cash on sound control in their space may find that their $100, 797 built condenser gives great results, but in a different setting will not deliver anything close to their individual claim.
ALL of these mics benefit from 'better' downstream gear. Most of all with variable impedance inputs on the preamp. While this will not guarantee a Neumannesque sheen to things, it will be better than a bare-walls-square-room environment with loud guitars echoing around the drumkit.
Honestly, as far as an all-purpose vocal mic goes, theres much to be said about your dynamic mics. SM58, SM7B, EV RE20, Heil PR40/30/20, AudioTechnica HE61, Beyer 201, Sennheiser MD421.....things like these. The Heils' being, IMHO, the upper end of these. Mated to a decent preamp, theres very little you cannot do with a very good dynamic and these are the mics you will keep long after the luster fades on the cheap condensers' usage.
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Testing123
New member
You can buy a CAD M179 for $140 (+ shipping) from a reputable U.S. dealer if you know where to look. I don't know if that helps in Euro-land though.