AT 4041, Rode NT5, or other SDC?

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HKchucksta

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I'm new to the recording scene and I've done some research on a variety of SDCs. If I had to get a pair of condensers as a workhorse to record anything from acoustic guitars to cajons/djembe to cymbals and shakers, what would be a good choice? I'll be running them through a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.

So far I've narrowed it down to AT 4041 and the Rode NT5s, I can see some pretty good deals on eBay for them. I've considered the SM81s, but they might be a little outside my price range.

Thoughts?
 
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I bet you can find a pair of SM81s for $400 if you look hard enough.

I was in your situation a year ago and I went with a pair of Oktava MK-012s. They're a lot like SM81s except with a more flattering high end. Both are great mics though. I don't know too much about the 4041, but I've heard the NT5s can be a bit too bright on some sources. Certainly usable though, but I wonder if it makes sense to save up a bit more and go for the SM81s or MK-012s?
 
As always, I'll chime in with a recommendation for sE1A mics. I bought as couple when my collection of C451EBs started to age and have been impressed enough I now own about six as my "use for anything" mics. They have a nice bright, detailed sound but without the harshness that can creep in with NT5s or SM81s on some sources.
 
I have a set of both At 4041's and NT5's. I would go with the AT's. The NT5's can be very harsh, especially on the high end. They can work great on acoustic guitar or some other low SPL source. I've given up on trying to use NT5's on any kind of Drum recording(hi hat or overheads). The AT 4041's sound great on almost everything, very musical.
 
Agreed on the MK-012 for hats or overheads.

I'd probably pick something with a little more sparkle for acoustic, but maybe that's just me.
 
Thanks for the feedback, guys! I'll expand my search to include sm-81 and mk-012 and we'll see what happens!
 
Don't over look the sE Electronics microphones and Avantone microphones!
 
Thanks, I'll definitely look those up as well. I've never heard of sE before!
 
moresound said:
Yes the sE Electronics are a great microphone company as is Avantone microphones!
Click to expand...

^^^^My thoughts exactly :thumbs up:^^^^

As bobbsy said, the sE1a's are super versatile and do a great job a pretty much anything you point them at. I do really like the Avantone stuff and the CK1's are on my "to buy" list. The Oktava MK012's are very much my "go to" SDC's for most things though and especially for drum OH's
 
moresound said:
Guess while were at it here is a LIST of all of the models of every microphone every made!
Click to expand...

I always forget recordinghacks has such an awesome database. just trawling through the sE stuff to see what models i missed out on. I'm quite intrigued by the sE H3500, and slightly saddened that the sE Titan never did as well as it should've as it's an awesome mic! (although, maybe the £1000 price point at the time put people off, but you can get them new for £279 now!)

I'd also add that if you're in the market for an SDC, see if you can find a pair of sE2a's on ebay. just the same as the 1a but with interchangeable capsules.
 
Justsomeguy said:
I always forget recordinghacks has such an awesome database. just trawling through the sE stuff to see what models i missed out on. I'm quite intrigued by the sE H3500, and slightly saddened that the sE Titan never did as well as it should've as it's an awesome mic! (although, maybe the £1000 price point at the time put people off, but you can get them new for £279 now!)

I'd also add that if you're in the market for an SDC, see if you can find a pair of sE2a's on ebay. just the same as the 1a but with interchangeable capsules.
Click to expand...



Yeah that site has me drooling with in seconds!
It's always sad when one looks at the discontinued list.

I looked on ebay to post a few link but for the most part it's all new stuff for sale - very few people sell their Se and Avantone microphones once they get them into their possession. ;)
 
moresound said:
very few people sell their Se and Avantone microphones once they get them into their possession. ;)
Click to expand...

I'm in no rush to part with any of mine :D Still haven't managed to get in to work to grab the Z3300a to try and get it fixed but i really want it back as it's one of my favourite mic's. definitely underrated
 
I tend to think of the AT 40-series mics as the condenser equivalent of Shure SM58/57's- industry standard work horses, mics you can't go wrong with.

But I have little or no experience with almost every other mic listed in this thread, so what do I know?
 
Well, looks like my first target is going to be a match pair of Oktava Mk-012's! If I can pick them up for a sub $400, I will be quite happy. The rest (sE-1a, AT 4041, etc.) I haven't been able to find a good deal on them yet.
 
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