Best all purpose condenser combo under $300

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NRS

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Got all the dynamic mics I need but am now looking to purchace my first condensers within a budget of $200-$300 and need a highly flexable combo that will cover a lot of bases. Out of it I want at least one pair of something good enough for drum overheads in 3 mic triangle and also equally capable of stereo room recording. (Dont know, but I may need something omni for this). Secondly I'll need something good on vocals which will hopefully be good enough to be usefull on plenty of other things as well. Lastly, if any of these mics would also make good measurement mics that would be a great bonus.

So if you guys were limited to only $200-$300 worth of condensers to cover the most possible tasks, what would they be?

So far I was thinking about getting 2 Behringer B-2 Pros ($150 each) and calling it a day, or maybe just 1 B-2 pro with a pair of ECM-8000's ($50 each) as I already indended to get at least 1 ECM-8000 at some point anyway.

Another option would be a Studio projects B-1 ($100) and some kind of $200 multi pattern SDC pair, or maybe even a pair of B-1's and pair of ECM-8000's, or....maybe one B1, one ECM-8000, and an even cheaper SDC pair.

Not limited to any of the above mics of coarse, (they're just a few I've read about that seem to offer good bang for the buck at reasonable quality). I know this is all alot lot to expect for the money but trust you guys can provide some good direction.

Thanks
 
If I had $300 to spend on a couple of condensers I'd wait a while and spend $600 on a pair of condensers ;)


get something like a couple of AT4040s. This sings sound awesome on any number of applications. I've used them on vox, as OHs, acoustic guitars, electric guitars...
 
Try and save some more money so you get into a higher end mic. $500 to $600 will also get you into a very decent used mic, another option.
 
And if I had $25,000 to spend on a Honda I'd just wait a while and spend $50,000 on a Lexus! LOL! I completely expected a few "just save up and spend double" responses as they are all over this board and thankyou, but honestly I'm just a po boy with a few other purchases I also need to make so funadage is strictly limited to $300 tops.

Not looking to be the next big producer, just looking for something decent to get me by on a few projects in the next year or two that wont become throw away garbage once I realize what the best stuff is. It wont be processed through the most high end preamps anyway. I know I'm far from the only person who wouldnt want to exceed that amount for thier first condsers and know even the low end budget realm always has its cream of the crop.

A more important part of the question is what combo of LDC's, SDC's, and/or omni capable mics would be best for the apps I mentioned.
 
You could find a used AT4040 on eBay and then grab a paid of Naiant MSH-1Os. That should keep you under $300.

Alternatively, you could try out an MXL v67g and a couple of 604s.

Just a few suggestions, although I'm no expert...
 
Wow man, I don't think you're gonna get a combo of much of anything, unless you consider 1 mic and the case a combo.

You might be able to get 1 decent mic that you wouldn't have to throw away, or maybe an sm81 and a stereo pair of MXL pencils used if you're real lucky...anything else would probably be considered throw away material after you get more serious about recording. If you are looking for several mics, you are gonna have to look at MXL's or something that is not worth keeping once you upgrade.

Basically all the mics you mentioned are not worth keeping in the long run, but could very easily get you by considering the budget you have. I would probably consider the studio projects or some MXLs
 
HeyHeyMyMy said:
Alternatively, you could try out an MXL v67g and a couple of 604s. ..
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I think that this is good counsel!
 
First, I would wheel and deal on a pair of MXL604's. I can do that at Guitar Center for $125 out the door (in other words, sales tax included). The rest of the $300 would go for an AKG C2000B off of ebay (about $150) or a Perception 200 (about $180).
Yes, I know the price on the 604's sounds unbelievable. If you can't get them to do that, I can, but you pay the shipping.-Richie
 
You can likely get a pair of CAD M179 for that price if you make an offer on ebay, or snag a used pair. At least, that's about what I paid IIRC. I've used them in every imaginable configuration, stereo, vocals, overheads, cabinets, acoustic stuff, violin, live, etc. Great little do-it-all mics.
 
I agree with CAD M179.
Or the CAD M177 if you aren't concerned with fig-8 or omni.
 
Those Naiant MSH-1Os were already on my radar as I was looking into the mobile ones for my camcorder anyway. Suprised to get recomendations of something even more affordable than what I suggested though since cheap seems to always indicate low quality in most peoples book around here. Could those little mics really be an exception? I dont see how I could possibly go wrong trying them as they look as though they'd always be somehow useful reguardless.

As for the LDC, that CAD M179 looks pretty cool and its variable pattern adjustment is certianly unique (as opposed to 3 dedicated ones). If I already get the MSH omni pair though, how nessisary would having a multi pattern LDC really be? (I think I need to read the sticky at the top of this section)
The AT4040 even used still seems out of reach but I hear people like the 2020 too. Shopping used is starting to sound like a pretty good idea though. At least I could get back what I paid for something if I want to change it up.

Thanks for you suggestions so far guys
 
NRS said:
As for the LDC, that CAD M179 looks pretty cool and its variable pattern adjustment is certianly unique (as opposed to 3 dedicated ones). If I already get the MSH omni pair though, how nessisary would having a multi pattern LDC really be?
Click to expand...

They are completely different animals. A multipattern LDC is a staple of a serious studio. I personally think the most useful extra pattern is fig-8, which beyond doing M/S, it usually sounds groovy, and can be useful for clever tricks like guitar and vocal at the same time, or backing singers, etc.

(I think I need to read the sticky at the top of this section)
Click to expand...

Yes, you should :) If I had never read it, there would be no MSH mics.
 
People seem to dig the MSH mics. I think Timothy Lawler posted a thread with some examples of how the MSH-4 sounded, and I'm pretty sure there have been some samples posted using the MSH-1Os. Also, the Naiant site links to some samples too.

There is a big difference between a SDC and an LDC, so buying a pair of MSH omnis wouldn't mean you don't need a LDC. What kind of dynamic mics do you have? If you want my opinion (which is a relatively uneducated and unsubstantiated one), if you're just starting out and are tight on cash I'd spend some time recording with your MSH mics and your dynamics for now. You'll probably learn a lot and will be able to appreciate a good LDC down the road more.

I'd check out the mic primer that is sticky at the top of this thread too. It sure helped me out a lot. Good luck!
 
Didnt mean to give the impression I thought the SDC's could actually substitute a LDC, more that if the SDC's were omni how much would I really need the LDC to be capable of that pattern as well, especially if its primary use will probably usually end up being vocals. I'm sure just having the multi pattern option is probably the safest bet though (especially since it will be my only LDC for some time to come). I may want to hold off and experiment with just the MS mics as you suggested though, or even pick up a dirt cheap used MXL 990 beater along with it until I get a better feel of what I really need.

Yeah, that sticky is definatey on my "to do" list. Would have read the whole thing already if didnt have so damn many posts. LOL!.

As for my current dynamics:
1 Roland DR-10
2 Audio Technica 4L Pro
2 GLS ES-57
4 GLS ES-58
1 Superlux FK-2

Still budget minded as you can see, but they all get the job done quite well for sound reinforcement which is more of what I do. I also intend to build a subkick mic out of one of the many raw speakers I have laying around, but thats for another thread.
 
lumbago said:
I guess you'll need a decent preamp, too, but this mic fits your budget and will improve your recordings.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/R0DE-NT1000-Microphone?sku=271576
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I would have to agree with going with a R0DE for the LDC, but if you are just starting out, in my opinion, it would be better just to go for the NT1a. It's a great mic (to my ears) and it's $100.00 cheaper so you could get some MSH's which would handle the SDC end of the deal nicely. Just my 2 cents... ;)
 
I can vouch for the Naiant mics. ;)

Haven't tried the 1O yet (which is an improved version of the one I have, the 1A).

I posted a thread with a sample (of it going through a shitty signal chain), and Timothy Lawler posted a thread also (not sure what gear he uses but I'm pretty sure it's better than mine).

In case you want to check them out:

Timothy Lawler's Thread · My MSH-1 Thread
 
I would not go for the AT2020 as your main LDC as it's really it's really an SDC (or 'MDC') in a larger case, same capsule as the pencil AT2021 they bundle. It's a nice mic, but a bit on the bright side. Not brittle, but bright. There is a pretty audible bass roll off (you can also see it in the freq response chart). I have a pair which I use more like a pair of SDC's, really like them on acoustic, second mic on an electric amp, but I'm not very fond of their sound of vocals (my vocals anyway).

My next mic purchase is going to be a CAD M179 as I've not seen another mic with those features for that price and it seems to have a good reputation. In fact, you could grab a pair of AT2020's and a CAD M179 for under $300.
 
if you ahve dynamics, you can probably do the drum micing with a single decent LDC that you could get for $300.

Honestly isn't the entry level $100 or less LDC, jsut an excercise people go through to realize they need something a bit nicer? Skip it, you will use the single decent mic far more/longer than 3 crappy mics.

Daav
 
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