Best Condenser under $100?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alexbt
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Alexbt

Alexbt

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I'm looking at condensers at zZounds.com, and some are on sale.

I can't tell what would be the best condenser to buy.
I need to keep it under $100, but there are many mics to choose from, and reading the reviews, some people love them or hate them.

Any suggestions?

Here is the area I was looking at:
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/p...prodsearch&cat2=&ob=p19&submit=Filter+Results

Oh, I figured I should give some usage notes:
We'd be using this mainly for vocals, but multitracking with drums, amps, piano, etc., unless any of our dynamic mics would be better suited for those things. This would be our first condenser, and we plan on engineering an album ourselves to be send out for mixing/mastering later.

I have heard things about the Beringer B1, Studio Projects B1 (unless I am confusing them) and the M-Audio Nova. I don't know much about the other ones.

We are a progressive rock type band, I think (hard to categorize), so hopefully we can find something to suit us. Thanks!
 
Alexbt said:
I have heard things about the Beringer B1, Studio Projects B1 (unless I am confusing them) and the M-Audio Nova. I don't know much about the other ones.
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Of the two, most people would choose the Studio Projects B1 over the Behringer B1. They are not the same mic. The SPB1 is a very quiet workhorse mic that does well as an overhead, on acoustic guitar and on male voices. Not everyone likes it on female voices (too bright?)

There is also the MXL V67G. Haven't heard much about the Nova, but the other M-Audio mics are generally very well liked (and more expensive).
 
I have a Behringer B1 that's been around my place for a year and it's been doing the job. I don't really have anything to compare it to so I can't say it's better or worse than any other mic. I just know that I use it on my voice and it sounds fine.
On a side note, I ran my B1 into the preamps on my Zoom MRS1044 and thought it was sounding decent until I bought a Firebox and recorded through that into my computer and there was a big difference in the way my vocal sounds in the mix. All this talk I read here about having good mic pre's and I think I finally get it. I'm not saying the pre's in the Firebox are all that, but they are better to my ears than the Zoom.
 
The best under $100 condenser to me is the AT2020. YMMV.

There are some decent dynamics such as the SM57/58, EV 635a, and Beyer Soundstar MKII (if you can find a used one as they are not made anymore).
 
A used AT4030 for around $125.00

Somethings are better used because of the price then something new and cheap
 
I have also had good experiences with the Behringer B1. But make sure there is a return policy. With a company like Behringer, you can either get a steal or a piece of crap.
 
i like my studio projects B1 on guitar amp and acoustic guitar, but not so much on my voice (I like my AT3035 better, less bright). you may prefer a brighter vocal sound. I only tested it very briefly. I get some hissing from it about once a month, which is annoying, but turning off the phantom power and turning it back on again stops it.
 
I may have to see if I can go audition these mics somewhere. I am very afraid to order one without testing it though.

Thanks for the suggestions though!
 
pdadda said:
I have also had good experiences with the Behringer B1. But make sure there is a return policy. With a company like Behringer, you can either get a steal or a piece of crap.
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The quality control on the Berry B1 will be down to Beijing 797 so do not let that put you off. The 2 B1's are pretty similar regardless of what people tell you on this forum IMO.

Tony
 
deepwater said:
A used AT4030 for around $125.00

Somethings are better used because of the price then something new and cheap
Click to expand...


Ill take that one....you have one for sale???
 
I have an mxl v67 and from what little I've heard from it already, it seems pretty good, at least to bass-response.
 
I'd have to say the Okatava MC/MK-012 is, in most all respects I can think of, at least a few steps above any other condenser out there for less than a hundred. Pretty much beats the crap out of anything else I've tried in that general price range, on a fairly consistant basis.
 
i'm inclined to agree with deepwater or chessrock
buy used
or mk-012
 
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