Best $500-700 compressor or microphone

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sarias

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I've got a few hundred bucks on account at a music store and it's been awhile since I've been shopping. What's the best $500-700 compressor or microphone out there...and why? Thanks for your advice!
 
Compressor: FMR RNC
Microphone: AT 4033 a (200 $ used)
Studio Projects C! (230 $ new)

cheers
 
Depends on what you using the stuff for...and what you have...

I'd love to have a AT4060 laying near me at all times
 
pre amp = safe sound P1 or GT "the brick"
microphone = Studio Projects T3 or AT 4060 or Shure KSM44
 
I have a Rode NT2, a Groove Tubes GT66 and a MD421 and I'm looking for another condenser to round things out. Anyone have any thoughts on whether I should go with the AT4033 or the Studio Projects T3?
 
either the T3 or the 4060 would be great! I have the 4033 and while I use it a bunch, it is not in the same league. YMMV
 
I'd love to have a Beyer M160 but, I'm not you. Also, I don't know if there is a stand alone compressor in your price range. That said, I don't claim to know every piece of gear known to man. The nearest one at www.mercenary.com is the Chandler LTD-2 and it's like $1400 or something. For $700 you could probably get your hands on a good condenser (or ribbon) mic and a single FMR RNC which I also would like to have.

Wish I was you... I'm getting nuttin' (gear-wise) for christmas! ARGH!
 
Yeah, I think I'll go with a mic. I have a Joe Meek and a ART pro vla - kicking myself for selling my Drawmer 1960 but that's the way it goes. The AT4060 lists for twice as much as the T3. Is it worth it? Incidentally, I got my Joe Meek SC2.2 for $450 and it's worked out for me pretty well.
 
Exactly what I did. I found a new AT4060 (authorized dealer and warranty) on eBay for $700 from trailblazingmusic and bought it. I'll have to check them out some more and find out if all their prices are that good. Thanks to everyone for your input. :D
 
AKG C414B-ULS , C414TLII, Shure KSM44. Any of those will give you multiple options in your mic cabinet. A vocal mic, an acoustic guitar mic, a good figure 8 for MS mic'ing (I understand you do alrady have a figure 8 or two in your collection) Any of them is more than useable on toms, snare, woodwinds, strings, piano,Djembe, even some cleaner cabs. Banjo, accordian, Bhodran, Dulcimer. Pretty much anything but bass and kick (Not my first choice). Some people don't like the B-ULS and prefer the older C414EB or the TLII. The new one (I forget the designation) has gotten rave reviews, but I haven't heard it. My B-ULS has earned its keep many, many, times. It is a true Leatherman mic. Did I mention a pair of 414's rocks as drum overheads,or as a remote spaced stereo pair? Great spot mic on a concert harp, or on Celine Dion. What's not to love?- Richie

Sorry I hadn't seen your last post when I posted, but- the 4060, which I have not used, falls in the same class, by all reports, as the mics I suggested, and for similar versatility. It should give you good service. Congratulations!- Richie
 
I used to have a C414B-ULS but it made this weird popping noise after it got warmed up. My mic tech told me it was a bad year for that particular mic - apparently they make minor changes in the design from time to time and they screwed up that year. He was the only one who even said he could fix it (he's the best in the Bay Area) but it would have cost $700 so something ridiculous like that. I sold it as is for $350. They are great mics, though. Overheads, vocals (for the right voice and song) and really good on piano.
 
Did you buy that mic new, and was AKG USA any help? I'm interested. They should've repaired or replaced that mic.-Richie
 
I did buy it new but then it sat around for awhile before I ever got around to using it and the warranty had expired. When the mic tech explained it to me he went into a great deal of detail and it all made sense. He also told me, step by step, how he fixes them. He said he could do it but didn't really recommend it due to the expense. I bought the mic in '96, I think, and it's been so long now that I don't remember exactly what he said was causing the malfunction. I do recall that he would have had to build something for it. Now, it's possible this guy was full of shit but he was recommended by two very good shops who couldn't handle the job and they both said he's the best, "the guru", one of them called him. I don't recall his name - he was in Oakland.
 
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