Best mic under $200

[Zorn]

Here's a question for you all. What is the best vocal microphone you can get for under $200?

 

[kidvybes]

...whichever vocal mic (under $200.) that sounds best on YOUR voice (or whoever's voice you will be recording)...what I'm trying to say, is what has been said on this website so many times before...no "one" mic will be the best on every voice...so the only real judge would be the person using that particular mic on that particular voice (in a particular room, thru a particular mic-pre, on a particular day...and so on)...you get the point...start auditioning mics at your local music store...that's your best starting point...Good Luck!

 

[junplugged]

all my mics are under $200, but the best and cheapest I just got today for $39. So it's my current favorite but that may change by noon today after I wake up. But if I still like it w/ fresh ears, I might grab another one.

 

[bigwillz24]

Here's a question for you all. What is the best vocal microphone you can get for under $200?

Heres an answer for you!


I Don't know...

 

[Dot]

...whichever vocal mic (under $200.) that sounds best on YOUR voice (or whoever's voice you will be recording)...what I'm trying to say, is what has been said on this website so many times before...no "one" mic will be the best on every voice...so the only real judge would be the person using that particular mic on that particular voice (in a particular room, thru a particular mic-pre, on a particular day...and so on)...you get the point...start auditioning mics at your local music store...that's your best starting point...Good Luck!

I think these evasive Zen-like replies are not constructive – especially at this level of the game. And in many cases the "local music store" is the worst place to start looking for mics – as many of them only stock a couple of brands like Samson and Peavey – and the people in the stores generally don't know jack.

We've used nearly every budget mic on the market in numerous applications in different studios with different types of music and musicians. And there are clearly some mics that consistently stand out from the pack and work better in more situations.

I'd suggest for under $200 vocal mic you look into:

Studio Projects C1 - colored and hyped in the hi-mids. Good for pop & r&b. Though generally not a good instrument mic.

Red5 Audio RV8 - neutral with an airy top. Good all-around mic.

If you can swing around $250 - the ADK Vienna or Hamburg are excellent mics and worth the extra investment. A bit colored with nice, smooth mids. Everything sounds good through these mics. If you're not sure of the choice, I usually recommend the Vienna.

Any of these mics I listed would be a great start, and they're all the best in their class.

 

[Big Kenny]

Nice Dan,
I'll add the CAD m179 and Audio Technica (as high as you can get) 3035, 4033 etc

 

[Nakatira]

Mxl v67g for 99$ is a good mic, at least it is for my voice.
makes evrything sound very worm, I also like the B1 on some stuff.
and lets not forget the sm58 wich I`ve had for years, and is a very nice allarounder.

 

[kidvybes]

I think these evasive Zen-like replies are not constructive – especially at this level of the game. And in many cases the "local music store" is the worst place to start looking for mics – as many of them only stock a couple of brands like Samson and Peavey – and the people in the stores generally don't know jack.

...Sorry Dan, but my intention wasn't to be "Zen-like" when answering the question...your ears are still your best asset when judging the best value in a budget vocal mic...if there's a Guitar Center within 100 miles, it would be a worthwhile trek to make (call first to make sure that a reasonable selection of affordable mics are in stock and that an audition session is possible)...
...if I had to recommend a mic that comes to mind as a particular bargain, I would have to second the MXL V67G...for less than $100, it's a very well liked "vocal" mic...after that (and at twice the price) the SP C1 is also very respectable...
...and if a "used" mic is an acceptable option, go directly to Ebay and search "Rode NT1000" which often go for less than $200. used...it's an excellent mic with better build quality than anything else in that price range...very similar in sound to it's "tube big brother" NTK...same capsule, same build quality...highly recommended!

 

[Walter Tore]

I really like the RODENT1A. I have used it on vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums, with good results. It is a bright, clean sounding mic. Very lifelike IMO. Walter

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/7/waltertoresspontobeat.htm

 

[chessrock]

I'd suggest for under $200 vocal mic you look into:

Studio Projects C1 - colored and hyped in the hi-mids. Good for pop & r&b. Though generally not a good instrument mic.

Red5 Audio RV8 - neutral with an airy top. Good all-around mic.

If you can swing around $250 - the ADK Vienna or Hamburg are excellent mics and worth the extra investment. A bit colored with nice, smooth mids.

Yea, Dot, but the recommendations you're making, here, are assuming that a Large diaphragm condenser, Chinese-made, mildly sibilant with scooped mids and hyped highs represents the best way to go. Granted, all three may be slightly different from one another, but when you boil it down, they're all just different variations and shades of the same basic category.

Don't get me wrong ... I think it's cool that you're stating your opinion, as your opinion on that type of mic seems to be based on some experience and real-world comparsion. I just don't find it so constructive so as to transcend the "zen-like wisdom" you speak against.

.

 

[mrbowes]

i second the AT3035 suggestions. they are $125 new off eBay. this would leave you some extra money for a classic mic necessity, the shure sm57.

i have also found the shure ksm27, which can be had for $200, to be a suprisingly good mic, especially on female vocals.

hope this helps

 

[freshmattyp]

So, Chess, maybe you'd like to offer up a different suggestion? Perhaps something in the price range that isn't "a Large diaphragm condenser, Chinese-made, mildly sibilant with scooped mids and hyped highs"?

I'll just wait over here.

For my money, for Vocals, I'd get a Studio Projects C1. YMMV.

 

[PhilGood]

I think an Oktava MK319 would be a good choice as opposed to the "Large diaphragm condenser, Chinese-made, mildly sibilant with scooped mids and hyped highs" category. Plus you get features like a 10dB pad and a low end roll off. The only backdraw is the mic body can ring a little. Get a good shockmount.

 

[junplugged]

Yea, Dot, but the recommendations you're making, here, are assuming that a Large diaphragm condenser, Chinese-made, mildly sibilant with scooped mids and hyped highs represents the best way to go. Granted, all three may be slightly different from one another, but when you boil it down, they're all just different variations and shades of the same basic category.
...snip...
.

I just compared 6 mics in that same basic category and I'd say that you're right, very very mild differences, almost no differences in them - for my voice. I spent the whole day yesterday and from the $39 Nady scm 900 to 2 tube mics Nady and MXL, with some of the favorites around here in between. My voice, guitar and room aren't much of a source tho so probably with a high-end mic it would still be the same.

Either of 2 conclusions I can make are 1. low-cost mics are all almost identical, or 2. with a less than optimal room, guitar, and low quality male vocal close mic'd it doesn't matter what you use.

 

[warble]

Not to be taken the wrong way, but.....

This question has been asked a millions times on this board. Do a search and you'll come up with plenty of options (including some that are in this thread).

BUT, as long as I'm here - I put my vote in for the CAD179. This is a great sounding and versatile mic.

 

[Rick Shepherd]

Hi Zorn, in case you didn't already see the post, the Studio projects C1 isn't bad at all for acoustic guitar either. I recorded this using the Avalon AD2022 preamp. Here are a couple sample for ya:

Studio Projects C1

C1 and AT4033 together

I don't mind people asking the same questions over and over, just as long as the answers are different.

 

[Dogbreath]

I guess this is another "me too" response but I've got the AT 3035 and the V67G and I like em both. It depends on what works for your voice. But these are the only 2 that I can offer any 1st hand info from. FWIW..................

 

[chessrock]

So, maybe you'd like to offer up a different suggestion? Perhaps something in the price range that isn't "a Large diaphragm condenser, Chinese-made, mildly sibilant with scooped mids and hyped highs"?

Yea, I'll give a really good suggestion, in fact. Better yet, I'll give you a method :

1) For starters, get on ebay and pick up something mostly honest / neutral; less flattering. An Oktava would be a good starting point. MK-319 ... even an MC-012 with a good pop-filter.

2) Next, you'll want to get recording some stuff with it. Pick some material to track that will be indicative of your voice range and the style of music you plan to record. We're talking full mixes, here, too. Track everything so you can get an idea of what your voice will sound like in the context of a mix.

Now, listen back very critically. And as painful as this can be, compare it with professional recordings over the same monitors. Pick reference material that reflects the kind of vocal styling you are shooting for; something in the same basic vocal range, and that you like and think represents a "good vocal sound."

When comparing, what's sticking out for you about your own tracks? What's missing? Other than talent ... money ... horrible room accoustics (standing waves, etc.); because that's all stuff you can't expect a mic to help with.

3)Now : Pull out the EQ and try and see if you can coax out of your track whatever you feel is missing. For starters, if you're going for a modern, pop-radio style vocal, then chances are you might need a little of high end jimmy ... so start out by boosting at 12 khz. If you're tracking in a less-than-ideal accoustic environment, then you also might need to cut some low-mids, so start futzing a little with the 400 hz range -- wide Q. Maybe your voice needs some more lows, so try boosting around 200 hz, narrow Q.

Once you get things to sound kinda' close to how you want it, then make note of the things you needed to do in order to get part-way there. If you found that there just wasn't enough air, and you had to jack the 12 khz up to infinity in order to get enough shimmer ... then I would start looking at the Rode mics as a good, logical next step. A C1 would qualify, since that's got a very similar sound to it (similar to the Rodes).

Now on the other hand If you:

*found your voice to be too sibilant ... too present on the consonants, and just, overall, would like it to "sit back" and mellow out a bit more

or

* felt that it got buried amongst a background of heavy guitar or other midrange instruments, and just didn't have the necessary midrange imediacy ...

Then I would look at a dynamic as being my next step. In the $200 range, there are plenty of good Electrovoice mics to be had off ebay (RE-15, 16, etc.) or Shure (SM-7 if you're lucky), or maybe just an SM-57 or 58 new.

And finally ... let's assume you listened back ... you like it for the most part, but you:

* just want your vocal track to seem more "real." You like your voice, and you want it to sound the way it does in the room, but maybe with a little extra clarity ...

or you:

* like everything, but just feel it needs a little something extra in the high-mids; you tried boosting 5-6 khz on the EQ, and felt that gave it just that little extra high-midrange cut that it needed ...

Then I would then proceed to purchase either an Audio Technica 4040 ... a Shure KSM-27, or a CAD M-177.


My reasoning: The mostly flat reference mic will give you a good point of reference. A good middle ground starting point. By focusing on the air frequencies of 10-12 khz, you can get a really good idea of whether or not the Chinese / Rode stuff is for you or not ... because the Chinese / Rode stuff is all about the 12 khz. If you know right away that you don't need that stuff, then that's one "category" of mic that can be scratched off your list.

Now, by focusing on the immediacy of the mic; esses, consonants, beginnnings of words and transient response ... you're kind of deciding whether or not you need a condenser in general. If the esses and consonants on an Oktava are too much for you ... then they'll definitely be too much for you on something else. This is probably an obvious sign that you'd be happier with a dynamic. Also, if it sounds too "clean," or if it needs more midrange to poke through some busy or distorted guitar, etc ... that's also a good sign that you might prefer a dynamic (or even a ribbon).

And lasty, I mention the whole 6 khz thing because there's yet another category of condenser where that range is particularly prevelant, and I think of that as being a feature of the "midwest" mic companies. Shure (Illinois), Audio Technica (Ohio), and CAD (also Ohio) ... all seem to have that 5-6 khz boost in common, and it's somewhat indicative of the overall sound. Mostly neutral and realistic, but with that extra bite in the upper-mids. The kind of bite that can cut right through a mix ... or right through your eardrums , depending on what kind of voice you're dealing with.

Very, very generally speaking, this last category of Midwest manufacturers is very prevelent with the Indie-rockers due to it's more organic quality (think Wilco, Spoon, etc.). The Chinese / Rode variety tends to be prevelent with pop; think Britney, Averil, etc. or R&B / radio ... due to the extra high end juice. And the dynamics tend to be favored for heavier rock due to the more aggressive / loud nature of the vocalists. Or just for those who prefer a less accurate and more laid-back tone.

Once you're done with the reference / Oktava mic, then I would keep it around because they're good to have. Or if money is an issue, then ebay it for exactly the same as what you originally paid for it.

 

[freshmattyp]

That's an excellent post. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

 

[Robert D]

Chess - You shure took the bait. Nice post.

Zorn - If I were to paraphrase your original post to "What's a good vocal mic under $200 that won't become a paperweight after I spend more money on my next mic", then I'd say Oktava MK-319. It's the least expense LD condensor I own, and it keeps on proving itself to be a keeper, often nailing the sound I'm not getting with other mics I put up first. Add a little compression, and it sounds full and natural, not hyped.

-RD