Baby's First Condenser

[momtazwilliams]

I'm on the precipice of buying my first condenser mic, and was hoping I could get some input on the decision.

The two at the top of my list right now are the Shure SM27 and the AT 4040. Though my research led me to these two, I've gotten about all the information I can from the fifty mutually contradictory reviews I've read....

I'll be using the mic to record a wide variety of vocal styles--primarily rapping and clean singing at present--through an M-Audio Fast Track Pro, onto a computer running Vista 32, into Cubase 5 (if any of that matters at all ). Having tried neither of these mics before, I'm completely open to other recommendations as well. Any help would be tremendously appreciated!

Thanks,
Dan

 

[AlanSwenson]

You should be pleased with either of those mics no doubt but I would get a nice preamp too. Good mics on the fast track preamp are not going to be near their full potential. Like drinking spring water out of a dirty glass.

 

[momtazwilliams]

You should be pleased with either of those mics no doubt but I would get a nice preamp too. Good mics on the fast track preamp are not going to be near their full potential. Like drinking spring water out of a dirty glass.

Thanks for the input. What are a few preamps that you think would get the job done in my setup? Or, at the very least, at what price range would I start to hear an improvement over what I would get with the Fast Track's built in preamps?

As for the mic itself, what (if anything) are the practical differences between what I will get with the SM27 versus the AT4040?

Thanks!

 

[Bristol Posse]

Unless you get lucky on ebay or craigslist your not going to get much in the way of noticable difference over an audio interface pre until you are willing to spend $400 or more on a small single or dual channel pre amp in my opinion and limited experience with after market pres (DMP3, RNP and Black Lion auteur)

I have an SM 27 and like it but for a condensor it is on the quiet side (which is why I like it) good tight cartoid pattern low self noise, get in fairly close and not too much gain so room noise is not too much of an issue.

I have no experience with the AT so cannot give any opinion on that.

 

[mshilarious]

You should be pleased with either of those mics no doubt but I would get a nice preamp too. Good mics on the fast track preamp are not going to be near their full potential. Like drinking spring water out of a dirty glass.

Yeah, you know, something tells me OP is going to plug in his new mic into the M-Audio and enjoy it just fine.

 

[cantthinkofname]

i was watching alot of youtube tutorials etc. last night and one seemed to focus mostly on microphones. it was more geared toward voice overs but said it could more than likely apply to other studio needs.

for his condenser mic he used a ShureSM57 i think it was, or maybe it was the 27 like you mentioned. all i can say is that he was really bigging it up (in a noncommercial way) and i hear alot of people bigging it up. i couldn't say myself, but that's what i keep hearing is a very nice consenser mic. sorry not to be of more help, hope that helped a little anyways. good luck

 

[Bristol Posse]

i was watching alot of youtube tutorials etc. last night and one seemed to focus mostly on microphones. it was more geared toward voice overs but said it could more than likely apply to other studio needs.

for his condenser mic he used a ShureSM57 i think it was, or maybe it was the 27 like you mentioned. all i can say is that he was really bigging it up (in a noncommercial way) and i hear alot of people bigging it up. i couldn't say myself, but that's what i keep hearing is a very nice consenser mic. sorry not to be of more help, hope that helped a little anyways. good luck

SM57 is a dynamic mic so it couldn't have been that if it was really a condenser being demonstrated. Of course just because something is on youtube doesn't mean it's anywhere close to accurate so maybe it was an SM57 and the presenter just had no idea what he was talking about.
Amazingly I have found several videos on youtube that are completely innacurate, can you believe it something on the internet that's not true!!!

 

[dkelley]

I highly recommend skipping an expensive preamp. some incredible records were made in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s using the preamps built into mixing boards such as tapco and mackie.

Yes preamps can make a difference, but when you're starting out the difference is small compared to just learning how to use a mic.

I recommend getting two mics, a condensor (the at 4040 is used in professional studios, can't go wrong there) AND a dynamic (sm57 is a great place to start).

the 4040 will pick up your room noise, computer fans etc. sm57 won't as long as you aim it properly. stuff like that matters... but the 4040 will be more sparkling. they're good for different things.

the shure sm27 or whatever is a good mic too. the sm32 or whatever model it's called is used in pro studios... can't go wrong there iether.

anyway, you could also save some bucks and buy a CAD M179 condensor mic. it's the best deal on one of the best relatively flat/uniform/versatile/multipattern (continuously variable!) large diaphram condensor mics there is.

if you buy that, for like half the price of a 4040, you can then buy an sm57 as well plus a couple of xlr cables (don't forget, important stuff) and even pick up something like one of those little art low plate voltage tube mic preamps with the built in limiter/tone shaper thing for like $100.

then you'll be set for making professional sounding recordings.

 

[Wack]

I use the sterling audio st59. It's never let me down, amazing mic! good luck!

 

[Wack]

Also, with the condenser, you may want to think about getting a vocal compressor. It will make a big difference! Also, Make sure all your devices are +48v compatible, wouldn't want it to not pick up condensers now would we.