Best mic under $200

  • Thread starter Thread starter Zorn
  • Start date Start date
I'll agree with kidvybes: do not use the word best. Ask the question like this:

"Hi. I have a voice with 14 octave range and am a tabla master. I'm looking to take my gifts and create a recorded sound that blends Wu-Tang clan with traditional Papua New Guinea*folk sensiblities. Which mics for $200 will help me achieve this. Long Live Jombi"

To which I would reply:

"Buy two SP B1's. Then you'll have a stereo option, which is nice."
 
kidvybes said:
...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....
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Oh, I'm not really jumping on you, kid. I've seen these types of replies here before and don't feel they'll really helping anyone. I just don't agree that the ears of someone getting started [ and auditioning mics in a store ] is the best asset. People who are beginners in recording and buying one of their first mics - and who don't have ears that are trained for it – don't know how to listen.
 
chessrock said:
An Oktava would be a good starting point. MK-319 ... even an MC-012 with a good pop-filter.
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+1 on the Oktavas-

The MC-012 is a really good vocal mic, IMO. Especially when you consider that most of us home-recorders don't always have great rooms to record in. Using a small-diaphragm mic may be just the ticket to take the bad room out of the sound and leave you with a much better sound.

That, and as Chessrock said, the fact that Oktavas are pretty flat make them really useful. I've used MC-012's for voice, drums, piano, upright bass, as a snare mic (with the pad), guitar amp, tabla, etc. and it's always sounded great. I use it as a good condenser, or in place of a 57. I have a pile of them and they'll never get sold.
 
Yea, I mentioned the Oktava because I feel it's a good starting point should you want to learn what your voice sounds like and how it records. It's not going to flatter it or anything ... although I have to admit it does, sometimes, do some nice things in the lower registers.

I just think that if you give yourself a good, neutral starting point, you can go from there; i.e. For this music, does my voice need some more high end? Could it use less? Is it too sibilant? Does it need a more aggressive midrange? Would it benefit from some extra bass rolloff or proximity effect?

And from there, you can kinda' choose your next vocal mic accordingly, and keep the Oktava around for other stuff or just sell it. Although I don't know why anyone would want to sell one. It's a steal for the price. But obviously, I don't think it's a very logical choice, long-term, for a vocal mic due to heavy plosiveness.
 
Dot said:
Oh, I'm not really jumping on you, kid. I've seen these types of replies here before and don't feel they'll really helping anyone. I just don't agree that the ears of someone getting started [ and auditioning mics in a store ] is the best asset. People who are beginners in recording and buying one of their first mics - and who don't have ears that are trained for it – don't know how to listen.
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...Yo Dot...you're still dwelling on the same issue...if a "newbie" doesn't like the way he/she sounds when recording, it's unlikely they're gonna do their best work...I mean c'mon, we're not talking 'bout demos for a major label deal here...besides, if they listen to enough of what they like in pop music, they're gonna know what they want from a recording mic...you wanna buy a car before driving it?...I don't...and even with a shining review in Car and Driver mag, I'm still gonna drive it first before buying...I'm with Chess on the "try it on for size" method, all the way...
 
Kel Audio HM-4

I've owned a number of mics and modded few more in my time. I ordered the Kel Audio HM-4 (and the 21 day return policy helped out with my decision) and have never looked back. Large bang for small green. This mic does it all and does it well. I am one fussy shit and this one exceeded my expectations.
My other love, the MC012. I got lucky when my local Guitar Center got one of the Chinese versions in and I scooped it and love it. The Chinese version is, I think, even better than the original Russian version. No mods needed on any of these. They are good to go out of the box.

Bob the Mod guy.
 
Thanks for the KEL link Bob. Thought I bumped into that site before, but regardless, my curiosity is peaked for both mics they offer.
 
Zorn, what kind of music are you recording? What kind of sound are you wanting? And do you expect to use the mic for any other applications such as acoustic gtr, amps, drums, etc?
 
Under $200, I like Oktava MK319, CAD M179, AKG C2000B, Studio Projects B3, Marshall MXL V67, Sennheiser e835. My favorites are the Oktava for most women, C2000B for most folk/pop male voices, and the Sennheiser for belters and rockers. Dot, I see the point you are trying to make. I do believe vocal mics are personalized, but I also agree that most retail audio places won't provide a good opportunity or environment for auditioning mics, especially if you are a newb looking at cheap mics. The best place to listen to mics is a studio. You might be surprised that almost wherever you live, there are people on this board living within striking distance of you who would be willing to let you try out some mics if you paid for the pizza. People will pay hundreds or even thousands on mics, but they rarely will pay a studio $50 to audition some mics.
I do disagree that presenting the personal nature of vocal mics is not helpful. If you come to understand that mics are tools, instruments that a vocalist plays, like a guitar, then you come to an understanding of why studios have multiple vocal mics, then you have been helped. It won't help you to buy the best vocal mic right here, right now, but hopefully it helps you to recognize the complex nature of microphone selection, and your own vocal holy grail, when it comes along.-Richie
 
Nice post Chess.... I will add my little secret weapon to the under 2 bills pot... ATM 61 HE. The reason I say this, is when recording demos for folks, I generally tend to put the singer on one of these hyper-cardioid things to guide track the vocals whilst recording the other stuff...Much more than 2/3's of the time the live vocal stays simply because this thing records even better than it sounds on stage.

And MK319. With mods I call it the Neumann-Rooskie.
 
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