best (dynamic) recording mic under 125$

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jboutelle

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So, I'm looking to record vocals (as opposed to live performance). I need to buy a dynamic mic for budget and logistical (no phantom power) reasons. What mic would people recommend? I know the shure 58 is the standard live mic, but I'm not going to beat on this mic at all, it will stay in my room. So if there's a mic that is perhaps more delicate but has a better sound, or is more appropriate for recording than the shure I would choose that. Does anyone have any suggestions of which mics I should consider listening to / purchasing?
 
Sam Ash has the Marshall MXLv67 for $89...you could get it with an inexpensive phantom power unit and come in under budget......


if you must go dynamic, id say go with a sm57 just because of how versatile it is.....
 
I've recorded vocals with a SM57 with great results! If you're not going to use a condenser, you can't go wrong with SM57 for $80.
 
hmm...

1)Why is everyone in favor of the SM57 rather than the 58? Just curious...I thought the 57 was more for mic'ing instruments.
 
they're exactly the same mic, just that the sm58 has a windscreen designed for vocals, while the sm57 has something different. it does affect response a bit, but when i want to record instruments, i just unscrew the windscreen from the 58 and it's basically turned into a 57.

the extra expense of the 58 probably isn't worth it if you're recording. for live, it is worth it.
 
I have 6 SM-57s and 2 SM-58s. To tell you the truth I prefere the 57 over the 58 for voice.
 
I recently recorded my acoustic guitar with a 57, instead of the AT4033. (i haven't done any serious recording in years- so I'm feeling my way around again) I'm blown away with how good the 57 sounds. Of course, the pre-amp and clean signal path helps, but still I'm very pleased. I'm going to try it on a vocal next time to see how it treats me. Anyone else have any 57/vocal experience?
By the way, damnit man! I've had trouble getting on the site lately. The withdrawls are painful...
titan
peace
 
hey there Titan. I too have used the 57 for a few things of that sort. particularly vocals. I used 4 57's on a Barbershop quartet. I have a mp3 of the song if you or anyone else is interested.

- Brent
 
In dynamic, I'm also a big fan of the Shure SM57 as long as...
You get a "good" one.
While all the ones over the years have been at least "pretty good" for me, there IS a variance in how each one sounds.
(haven't noticed it really in the Beta series BTW)

That's why Madonna and John Lennon had "favorite" 57's they
used to record their vocals with. Lennon's was a beat-up, and
cracked one at that too!

Other choices for under $150 besides the Shure's;

1) Audix product line
2) Sennheiser Evolution series
3) Peavey 520i Large Diaphram (just scored one for $60!)
4) Beyer Soundstar MKII (what a SM58 wishs it was IMHO)
5) Beyer Soundstar X1 or X19 (Sennheiser 421 lookalike)
6) EV 635A omni (classic blues microphone BTW)
7) Beyer M88 or M88TG (if you're lucky to score one at this price)

The "best" dynamic on my voice so far is the Beyer M88TG,
generally speaking. (haven't played with the Peavey yet)
However YOUR voice and anyone else's will be different which
can make the best microphone for you different! :)

Chris
 
Sure Brent, love to hear it. Is it on a site, or are we talking e-mail? Also, give me any other info such as recording format, pre-amp, board.
Thanks

titan
peace
 
Here's a wierd one for you. A discontinued cheapie you can still find new at most Guitar Centers.-AKG D690. This puppy retailed for the same as a 57, but now can be had dirt cheap. I talked GC out of one for $36! It has a little more high end sparkle than the 57, is a really good stage vocal mic, and produces a very different sound on vox and cabs than a 57. For some cuts, and some voices, it's a better mic than a 57.-Richie
 
While I beleve in the SM57 to be a great answer to your question, I cant discount the fact that the EV co4 is one half the price and is alot like a 57 with better high end response. at $40.00 worth trying.
 
Titan, thanks for wanting to hear.. you can find the song on my site www.thesaltines.com on the music page.

It's called : Coney Island Baby

I recorded it with a Roland VS-880 VXpanded with 4 SM-57's running thru impedance matchers into the 4 inputs and I did the rough mix on my PC after digitally transferring the audio tracks from the Roland to my PC with SONAR 2.0 XL. I used only a small ammount of compression and a neat reverb.. I still need to remix it but you will get the Idea.

Thanks for the listen and I hope it helps you.

OH I ALMOST FORGOT to give MY opinion of the mic.... it pretty much RULES ALL. I used it on acoustic guitar and my vox... I'm content with it in just about ANY application... the response on vox is nice and crisp... not exactly what you'd expect out of a dynamic..... I would DEFINITELY reccomend it.. I just with that those 57's weren't loaners.. I really need a few of my own.. I intend to puy 4 of my own once I get some more equipment under my belt. there's my .02

-Brent
 
My mint EV Co9, that's higher in the Electrovoice product line,
for less $$ than a new Co4 over in the "For Sale" forum.

Chris
 
I'm the only guy who will say beta 57? Well, they're a couple bucks over $125, but i'm sure you can get them cheaper on ebay...
 
I'm with #4 on chessparov's list.

Beyer Soundstar MKII. You can usually find them on ebay and they're a great mic. One of the real sleepers.
 
Yeah, the Soundstar MKII is my personal choice for live performance.
For recording, however, it's the old "YMMV" as my voice has a lot of
"top end" and "presence" already so it can sound mildly sibilant with
the Soundstar. For the 95%+ of you with a different kind of vocal
classification than mine it should work excellently.
(above percentage is based on recording/hearing many singers BTW)

Tried out the Peavey 520i last night and it's a good vocal microphone.
Very detailed, and just on the "bright" side of neutral IMHO.
Reminiscient of my Shure Beta 57A.

Harvey (or anyone else), does the Beyer M88 (or M88TG) sound similar
to a Sennheiser 441 in your opinion? I suspect the 441 doesn't have as
much proximity effect as the M88. And of course it costs more!

Chris
 
For under $125 I'd go with Audio-Technica's ATM27HE/ATM29HE. The 27HE is for vocals & the 29HE is for instruments, however, we've gotten stellar results on vocals with the 29HE. In fact, so far we prefer the 29HE all the way around! You can get these from Eighth Street for $79.95 (when they're on sale) and usually $99.95 normal street price. Great microphone! KILLS a normal 57 any day IMHO.
 
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