B1 or MXL603S

[jwong]

I'm a novice at recording. I do simple recording to computer stuff of vocals and acoustic guitar. I had been using a C1000S and a little ART Tube MP. I was never terribly happy with the sound, so after reading a lot of messages in this forum I sold them on Ebay.

I'm getting a DMP3 probably, and will only have enough for one inexpensive mic at this time that will have to do double-duty for vocals and acoustic guitar. The MXL603S seems to get the nod as the best cheap mic for acoustic, but would the B1 be better as a dual purpose? Suggestions?

 

[jwong]

Oh yeah, and does anyone know a cheap place to get the DMP3? I tried a local GC during the 4th sale, but they didn't have any.

 

[ausrock]

I recall seeing somewhere a comment that the 603's aren't too bad on some voices, although they seem to be primarily considered an instrument/overhead drum mic. The general opinion is that the B1's seem to be delivering the goods on most things they have thrown at them.

So............I would suggest you find somewhere that stocks them both, and who has a fair return policy.............try them both out in your own space, on your own gear because that's the only way you will have a chance of making a fair decision, then return whichever you aren't happy with.

BTW, I have both mics and so far on acoustic I like them both..........it all depends on which guitar is being played.

 

[DJL]

I'm a novice at recording. I do simple recording to computer stuff of vocals and acoustic guitar. I had been using a C1000S and a little ART Tube MP. I was never terribly happy with the sound, so after reading a lot of messages in this forum I sold them on Ebay.

I'm getting a DMP3 probably, and will only have enough for one inexpensive mic at this time that will have to do double-duty for vocals and acoustic guitar. The MXL603S seems to get the nod as the best cheap mic for acoustic, but would the B1 be better as a dual purpose? Suggestions?

I own both mic's in question.

IMO, neither the Studio Procjects B1 or the Marshall MXL603S are very good vocal mic's.

However, I think the B1 is a little nicer for vocals than the MXL603S... But then again, the MXL603S is an awesome acoustic guitar mic and nicer than the B1 IMO.

With that said and because you were using the AKG C1000S and didn't like it..... I have the feeling you'd be more happy with a Studio Projects B1 because it's a little nicer on vox and at least it can work on acoustic guitar.

I also think the Marhall MXLV67G is nicer than the Studio Projects B1 on vocals...... but, the V67G isn't any nicer than the B1 on acoustic instruments.

If I was in your shoes, I'd checkout the Marshall MXLV67G for vocals and the Marshall MXL603S for my acoustic guitar... but if I could only afford one cheap Chinese made budget mic, I'd get the Studio Projects B1.

 

[Flatpicker]

For instruments AND vocals, I'd go with the B1. I own a B3 as well as two MXL 603s and the B3 still gets all the mono guitar parts. I can put it in "omni" mode, find the instrument's "sweet spot" and it just sounds great - no proximity effect to deal with or picky placement issues. One 603, on the other hand, cannot capture the sound the way a B3 can and is much more picky about where you put it.

The B1 sounds similar to the B3 in cardioid mode (not exactly the same, though) and even when used like this, the B3 would still be my pick over a single 603. The B3 is twice as expensive as a B1, but is a very versatile all-around mic if you don't need to record in stereo.

 

[Gidge]

of those 2, id get the B1......

I rather the v67G DJL mentioned....I use it for vocals and acoustic guitar and it does a good job......

 

[Flatpicker]

Thanks to you folks here raving about the V67G on vocals I’ve got one on my list of mics to get. But… after listening to Dot’s Listening Session #5, I’m not very impressed with it for acoustic guitar. It’s indeed a dark mic, but it isn’t the lack of highs that bothers me (on the contrary, too much high-end usually makes an acoustic sound harsh). It just sounds like it’s “smearing” the sound, for lack of a better term, and not letting the transients through. Anyway, MHO…