Best mics for under $200/

[DJL]

It's not that simple.

Best mics for under $200 for what? There's lots of applications. And there are some mics that are better for certain applications than others.

Again, I agree... and Blue Bear Sound said that too.

 

[Michael Jones]

Ok, this is like the 200th time someone has asked, "What's the best mic for under $200."
And the answer remains the same: It Depends.
It depends on what instrument you're using it on, what room its being used in, who's in front of it... the list goes on.
In short, there is no "Best".

Next time, try the search function.

 

[chessparov]

Asking "best under $200" is a kind of right of passage before we lust for U47's.

Thanks Nathan, it seems one of the exceptional dynamics (for a dynamic) on acoustic is the Sennheiser, although that's out of his budget.

If I were starting out my mic collection and played acoustic, would probably get a Studio Projects B1 and a EV RE15 (or RE16) to start out.

Those EV's work very well for a variety of voice types, and were very popular for top recording acts at RCA Studios BTW (like Elvis).

Chris

 

[lumbago]

Rode NT-1A
AT 3035

Shure SM-58
Shure SM-57

It's not what people buy, but what they keep.
The above are worth auditioning.

 

[ragata]

I guess you're looking for versitality, and thus the Beyer m201 would be a great deal. Works for most things, or as steve albini put it, "If the SM57 were a microphone, it would sound like this"...
I don't know how much it is in usa, but in europe it goes new for about 150 Euro.

 

[Han]

I guess you're looking for versitality, and thus the Beyer m201 would be a great deal. Works for most things, or as steve albini put it, "If the SM57 were a microphone, it would sound like this"...
I don't know how much it is in usa, but in europe it goes new for about 150 Euro.

Did Steve Albini really said that? Well, he's right about that, the M201 sounds great on many applications, even on vocals.

Another great and very versatile mic is the MD421, sounds good on almost anything.

 

[ragata]

Well, presuming he's the fellow that has written the equipment descriptions at electrical audio's website then yes, he did

 

[Warhead]

Speaking of good dynamics, the E/V ND468's have turned out to be a real nice mic to have around. Great on drums, guitar cabs, some vocals, I even had some success with one on ride once. It's got a nice "cut" to it and takes up a sort of smallish amount of sonic real estate in the mix. The mic is proximity dependent, you can bring it in close to a tom for some boom or back it off a bit and control it.

I've got 4 and love 'em. The high end is particularly present for a dynamic.

War

 

[dejacky]

weren't some of these E/V ND468 mics used on pearl jam's later albums? I seem to remember them using some in a studio video I saw in 1999.