Another mic poll, but a nice one

[Speeddemon]

uhuh

I mean, comparing a Røde NT1000 (that ø = Alt+0248. I know my ASCII ) to a Neumann U47 or an AKG C12.... HAHAHAHA.

"Yes you may testdrive the Vauxhall now. If you like the Lamborghini Diablo a 'bit' better, then we'll let you return your Vauxhall. Deal?"

 

[Track Rat]

Yes you may testdrive the Vauxhall now. If you like the Lamborghini Diablo a 'bit' better, then we'll let you return your Vauxhall. Deal?"

 

[Speeddemon]

More thoughts folks?

bump.....and a 100.

 

[knownuttin]

Yes, actually. Mr. Demon, did you say you're in Deutschland? If so, I would think you could find bargains on German-made microphones on the used market that would top anything on your list for quality. In my short visits to Berlin, I've heard from friends that the flea markets are a good place to look. I recently purchased a Beyer M260 which was brought to the US by a friend who has contacts at various studios in Germany and goes around buying used mics. Just a thought.

After all, if you're at the source of the world's finest quality mics, it seems almost criminal to settle for an imitation, especially at import prices. No disrespect intended to any of the mics mentioned.
-kent

 

[knownuttin]

Oops, your in Holland. My mistake. Forgiveness? Still, you're much closer than we are, and I bet you've got language skills, nein?
-kent

 

[sjoko2]

how did it get from mics to geographical confusion?

 

[Speeddemon]

I dunno man

Sjoko, it probably has to do with the shockwave I gave birth to when turning Senior Member...

Anyway, I wouldn't call an At 4033 SE an 'imitation mic'. But still, those Neumanns are pretty expensive here to.
Even in germany. Notice the dismissal of the capital. They still owe me some bikes.
Anyway, cheapest KMS will cost me $500, TLM 103 $ 700... So the AT 4033 SE looks like a steal for me for $280-290, right?

cheerz

 

[sjoko2]

yup, and it really is the most reliable one there is of that kind. I had those things out on the road for years without ever a hickup, they even outlasted some shures.

 

[knownuttin]

Fair enough, Speed. I revert to my original vote for the 4033 at those prices. Just sitting in the States dreaming of combing the Euro used market for treasures and not having to pay shipping.
-kent

 

[Scott Tansley]

I would choose the rode.
I love the sound of rode.
And if you want to have the mic in twenty years time, a rode is a good choice.
There built like a sure57. The others are very fragile and, well, just flimsy.
If youve seen the inside of the rode nt1000 its just amaising. If you wanted to strap a mic to the side of a fighter jet and record the thrust it would do it good. The others would fall apart on take of.
Ok not that build quality is everything and I know the sound is the main thing. Just don't drop the other mics.
Also the AT 4033 and the c1 have been around longer and been used more. So factor that into this poll as well?

 

[Richard Monroe]

At your price point, I'd have to say 4033. At the US price point, I'd say C3 (about the same price here). And Scott, whatever a C1 is, it is *not* "flimsy". I could use it for a nightstick, and then record with it.-Richie

 

[Sennheiser]

Umm...MD441-U.

That has so far, taken care of any and all micing needs I have ever had. Piano to vocal to drum kit.

Sorry no experience with condensors. Yes, I lead such a sheltered recording life.

 

[bebopdeluxe]

I vote for the C1 - at $230, it just slams. Actually, just recently upgraded my vocal/acoustic guitar signal chain...C1, an RNC ($190) and Grace 101 ($550). Awesome sound for less than a grand. I understand that for many home hobbyists, that still may be too much scratch. I also understand that there are probably other solid mic/mic pre/comp combos that can get the job done equaly well....

All I know is that THIS combo gives me a chubby...

 

[littledog]

Umm...MD441-U.

That has so far, taken care of any and all micing needs I have ever had. Piano to vocal to drum kit.

Kind of reminds me of that old Richard Rodgers song:

"Poor Johnny One Note"

 

[Sennheiser]

 

[Rossi]

@ knownuttin
Being from Germany I can assure you that nobody sells Neumanns at flea markets. I wish they did, tough. Actually new Neumanns aren't cheaper here, either. So people buy "cheap immitations" here as well.

I'm surprised everyone's raving about the AT 4033. I almost bought one a couple of years ago, but then found out that it's an electret, not a true condenser. So I was worried it might not sound the same in 20 years. But my fears might be exaggerated (good old German angst!). Also the 4033's capsule is only 3/4 inch. My worries ended shortly afterwards, when I was the lucky winner of a T.Bone ST1000 tube LD condenser. That's a relatively cheap microphone from Taiwan (Tenlux) that's marketed under various brand names. I think in the States they sell it as "Superlux". I like it a lot; thick sounding mic.

I also have a Studio Projects B1, which I bought in New York. In Germany they sell it for about 140-150 bucks. The C1 is even more out of proportion at about 350 Euros (1 Euro = 1 Dollar right now)

 

[knownuttin]

Danke, Rossi. There is at least one online store, based in Berlin I think, where one may order a U87 for nearly $1,000 less than the American retail price. Even with shipping and VAT, it is still a better deal for those that don't mind a small wait.

My visits to music shops in Berlin two years ago mostly consisted of a shopkeeper fussing with a catalog to show me a price in DM which translated pretty close to American retail. I'm not surprised they don't show up in flea markets. However, since so many fine mics have been made there, I'd like to think there'd be a greater chance of something of quality occasionally turning up as a bargain on the used market. Probably just my wishful thinking. Is there a balm in Gilead?
-kent

 

[Rossi]

Well, in Germany a U87 is about 2000 EUR/USD right now including the nice shockmount. Just seen it advertized at my usual online store. Might be a special, though. I'd be happy if I could afford a TLM103 at 800 EUR/USD. You hardly see any Neumanns on the used market, at least not at attractive prices. Plus in the days of ebay every rotten mic seems to have become a collectors item, especially mics from the old GDR, even in "untested" (i.e. broken) condition. People are insane. I'd rather buy an inexpensive new SP or MXL (if I could get'em here, dammit) than buy an expensive old mic, solder an adapter cable, only to find out it's broken, after all. Then sell it on ebay myself: "Secret gem, the sound of the pros. Untested."

 

[knownuttin]

As for the overpriced relics of the GDR, perhaps soon Stephen Paul will render them irrelevant. The thing about karma is that it's not instant.
-kent

 

[wilkee]

I own both the AT4033 and rode Nt1000 both are good mics but I think that the AT has a bit more of its own signature that probably makes it less of a "do-all" Mic.

The NT1000 is a very underated Mic imho.