Best large diaphragm condensors for $200 ?????

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blinddogblues

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I need 2 large diaphragm condensor mics to record church choirs, my budget is $200 each. I am researching the Octava 219 ($99), the Octava 319 ($200 or 2 for $150 each at guitar center), the Rode NT1 ($200), the AKG C-2000 ($200), Marshall (?), and any other ideas anybody has. They don't both have to be the same mic either, I already have a 4033 and a bunch of small diaphragm condensors, but I think the large diaphragm would be better for choir. Any opinions would really be appreciated. Thanks.....
 
Um

If I'm not mistaken the 4033 is a large diaphragm condensor?

Your 4033 is far and away a better mic than all of those that you mention. There aren't as many "deals" on large diaphragm condensors as there seem to be. Most of the "pro-sumer" ld condesors that are flooding the market are... well... crap. :) You get what you pay for sadly.

I made the mistake of buying a NT1 about a year ago. I can't really reccomend it. It's harsh sounding, and I haven't found a way yet to get it to "sit" in a mix for vocal applications. It sounds great in my headphones though... ;) Such is the case with the majority of those "deal" ld condensors.

Out of the mics you mentioned the only one that I've liked is the Marshall v67. To my ears it was a sight "fuller" sounding than the rest.

My advice to you is buy another 4033 and use it and the one you already own. The 4033 has proven itself in "pro" applications, and as far as I'm concerned stands head and shoulders above the others you mentioned. This is one man's opinion... Good luck to you.

-Val
 
For $200, the only thing I can think of that would be better than just getting a Beta57 or some small dia. condensors like the Oktava or Marshall (heard its nice) is the Marshall v67. Read all good stuff about that one. Save a few extra weeks and get the Rode NT1000. Better yet, sell me your 4033 for $100, and spend the extra towards getting the best mic possible! :) No joke!
Peace,
Paul
 
Hey Valgrim...

Come to think of it, I'll buy your Nt1 for $75, and you can apply that towards a better vocal mic ;)
 
Why not get another 4033?

They've beat me to it, but check out the Marshal V67. In this price range it hard to beat. I do like the NT-1 on somethings.

-jhe
 
Re: Hey Valgrim...

tubedude said:
Come to think of it, I'll buy your Nt1 for $75, and you can apply that towards a better vocal mic ;)
Click to expand...

hehe well... I' think I'll hang onto it. It may sound like hell, but no one around here knows it. ;) The more "cool" looking mics people see, the more impressive my gear appears. :)

-Val
 
You can easily find used AT4033s for under $300. Try eBay and recycler.com

Isaiah
 
Nady SCM 1000

I've tried several of the ~$200 condensers, and I'm tellin' ya, the Nady SCM 1000 blows them away, for $149! It is Nady's "top of the line", dual-diaphragm, low-cut filter, -10 db pad, multi-pattern, very clean and quiet, smooth high end. The only place I've seen them is on Musician's Friend website--not even in their catalog. They do advertise the SCM900 for $99, which doesn't compare. The SCM1000 specs are far superior. I keep wondering if the price is a mistake! And interestingly enough, the 1000 appears to be exactly like the new Behringer mic that AMS sells for $299.

Lunkhead
 
lunkhead,

You've been pimpin' that Nady like a 2 dollar ho. What exactly have you compared it to and what is Nady paying you?
 
I know I sound like a broken record, but I've researched and tried a lot of mics, and I just can't believe the price they're selling the SCM 1000 at. There's just no reason to buy a $200 or $300 condensor when it's only $149. I think people assume it's a piece of crap because it's "cheap", but it really sounds and acts like a $300 mic (note the Behringer B2, which I believe is identical).

I would love to get a 2nd opinion if anyone else has one.

Lunkhead
 
This Nady sounds pretty interesting. It is a little suspicious though, all those features for $149???? Dual diaphragm, switchable patterns, low cut filter. Most mics with those features cost $4-500. Comparing it to a Behringer is not a good sales strategy I have to say, anything with their name on it is something I don't want. The Nady however, warrants further investigation. That is alot of bang for the buck!
 
blinddogblues said:
I need 2 large diaphragm condensor mics to record church choirs, my budget is $200 each. I am researching the Octava 219 ($99), the Octava 319 ($200 or 2 for $150 each at guitar center),
Click to expand...

As Mr. T might say, "I pity the fool who doesn't get at least one of those Oktava MK-219s for $99!"

Got two. Tickled to death with them.

But - BE WARNED - quality varies HUGELY with these as there's no real quality control on them. Ask GC to let you try out a few in the recording room. Pick one or two that sound best to you. I found a noticeable difference from one mike to the next, just running from a board into some cheap headphones. I spent about twenty minutes doing this and I am very, very pleased.

The MK-319 is nominally identical to the MK-219 except for the housing.

Getting a _good_ MK-219 for $99 is the microphone deal of the century.
 
heh....

blinddogblues said:
Comparing it to a Behringer is not a good sales strategy I have to say, anything with their name on it is something I don't want.
Click to expand...

A very astute observation. ;P This is the first time I've ever heard anyone reccomend a Nady. Whatever you do, try out the Nady personally next to a 4033 etc. For $149 your brain might trick you into thinking it sounds like a vintage U87. :) Try to A/B with something you "know" is quality.

If you decide to try it please let the rest of know what you think. Hell, I might even try it out... well... maybe. ;P

Behringer.... *shudder*

-Val
 
I know I sound like a broken record, but I've researched and tried a lot of mics, and I just can't believe the price they're selling the SCM 1000 at. There's just no reason to buy a $200 or $300 condensor when it's only $149. I think people assume it's a piece of crap because it's "cheap", but it really sounds and acts like a $300 mic (note the Behringer B2, which I believe is identical).
Click to expand...

lunkhead,

I really am intrigued, but could you tell us what mics you compared the Nady to and in what ways it was better? I know there can be some great deals on mics, so I don't dismiss it because its cheap (I'm as cheap a bastard as they come). BTW, did you get a chance to compare it to the $200 Marshall MXL-V67G? This is considered a great mic by many pro engineers on rec.audio.pro.
 
I've compared the Nady to the Marshall, which I thought was okay. I would say it's similar to the Marshall, except the Nady has pad, patterns, and filter switches. I also compared to the AKG C1000 and Rode NT1. NT1 had a harsher high end. AKG didn't have the depth. I also loaned it to a friend who has an NT2 and other nice mics. His assessment was, "man that's a **** good mic for $149! You sure that price is not a misprint?"

I've been completely satisfied with my SCM1000. BTW, except for the windscreen, it is also suspiciously similar to the Rode NT2.

Lunkhead
 
... oops, sorry it was the Marshall MXL2001 I compared. The Nady is a bit fuller and more natural sounding than that, plus the switches.
 
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