Best Of The Chinese Crop?

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Vikki

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I'm still waiting for my akg 414 and akg451 here in the u.k, there seems to be something of a wait due to a change of uk distributor, i've tried ebay without much luck.
So while i'm waiting, what seems to be the pick of the Chinese mics for recording acoustic guitar and another for female vocals ie Cryatal Gayle style, modern country vocal style?
Vikki(uk)
 
Well, I use a matched set of MXL 603's, and an NTK with great results. On acoustic guitar I put the MXL's in an X/Y config and the NTK at the 12th fret. Sounds fantastic. And, I think the NTK is a great vocal mic, although it is a bit on the bright side. But it has a nice warm sound.

My 2 cents.

NL5
 
Vikki said:
I'm still waiting for my akg 414 and akg451 here in the u.k, there seems to be something of a wait due to a change of uk distributor, i've tried ebay without much luck.
So while i'm waiting, what seems to be the pick of the Chinese mics for recording acoustic guitar and another for female vocals ie Cryatal Gayle style, modern country vocal style?
Vikki(uk)
Click to expand...

For SDs for the guitar, my vote would go to the SP C4s. For the vocal mic, that's a tougher call, mostly because matching a vocal mic to a particualr voice takes actual usage. Nonetheless, Chinese mics which may fit an alto voice like Crystal Gayle's, could include the following tube mics (in no particular order):

Marshall V77
SP T3
ADK A48
ADK TT
 
Vikki said:
I'm still waiting for my akg 414 and akg451 here in the u.k, there seems to be something of a wait due to a change of uk distributor, i've tried ebay without much luck.
So while i'm waiting, what seems to be the pick of the Chinese mics for recording acoustic guitar and another for female vocals ie Cryatal Gayle style, modern country vocal style?
Vikki(uk)
Click to expand...
The Mashall MXL603S is one of the best sounding cheap Chinese made budget mics on the market today... the MXL603S sounds great on acoustic guitar. As for your vocal... you really need to audition mics to know which one(s) you like best.
 
Thanks guys, as a matter of interest i don't see much interest on the se range are they not what they're cracked up to be?
Can anyone recommend a good reliable store in the u.s where i can buy a pair of Marshall mxl 603's. Can't seem to get them in the u.k.
Thanks Again
Vikki(uk)
 
Don't pay more than $199 shipped. If you can'y find it for that, send me a PM, and I will send you to where I got several of my Mic's. Great service, and pretty cheap.

NL5
 
SDC Mics

You know Vikki, if your going to get a pair, you might as well get the "Matched" stereo pair. Too bad you didn't buy your MXL603S a few months ago... you could get a matched pair with shock mounts and a case for about $200 and now they have gone up $79 to $279. At least they didn't lose any resale value (yet).

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=6450&Category=Microphones

The other thing is... if your going to pay $279, for just a little more ($319.99) you could get the Studio Projects C4's... it comes with interchangeable omni and cardioid capsules... plus the pad/filter switch can come in handy too.

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=6679&Category=Microphones

And there is also the Behringer B5 for only $179.99 a pair... which also comes with the interchangeable omni and cardioid capsules and the pad/filter switch.

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=21014&Category=Microphones

Note: the C4 package are a "Matched" pair and the B5 package are NOT matched mics... also the C4 package comes with windscreen, shock mounts, and a case... the B5 comes with only two cables, but it's also $140 cheaper.

Oh, and don't forget the JoeMeek JM27 for $160 a pair (NOT matched). Like the B5 is Behringer's answer to the Studio Projects C4... the JM27 is PMI's answer to the Marshall MXL-603S.

http://www.samedaymusic.com/prodsearch?form=prodsearch&q=JM27&submit.x=12&submit.y=11

Two JM27's... $160... (not matched)
Two B5's... $179.99... (not matched)
Two 603S... $279... (matched)
Two C4''s... $319.99... (matched)

EDIT: Price correction.
 
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another plug for the mxl 603s. i got the stereo matched set with the shockmounts and suitcase (it cost me 200 euro's new in holland) great mics for giving some life to an acoustic guitar. or as overheads for drums. but watch out they can sound a bit bright on some things.

thomas
 
Thanks
Just found a uk dealer for the mxl 603's, sad news is they are 160 us dollars each uk price. I will order from the us but will have to pay import duty on them in the uk, you're so lucky in the us prices are sooo cheap, if i lived there i'd have 2 of all the mics.
Vikki(uk)
 
Vikki said:
Thanks
Just found a uk dealer for the mxl 603's, sad news is they are 160 us dollars each uk price. I will order from the us but will have to pay import duty on them in the uk, you're so lucky in the us prices are sooo cheap, if i lived there i'd have 2 of all the mics.
Vikki(uk)
Click to expand...
I have all of them except the C4's... which I plan to get once I know forsure that Brent Casey/PMI is finished upgrading them... call me silly if you want, but I want the better newest verson. ;)
 
Well, they're not Chinese, but the Shure SM81 and the (lesser known) Crown CM700 are nice on acoustic guitar. The vocal mic would be a bit more subjective, but the Audio Technica line is full of solid performers.
 
DJL said:
I have all of them except the C4's... which I plan to get once I know forsure that Brent Casey/PMI is finished upgrading them... call me silly if you want, but I want the better newest verson. ;)
Click to expand...
That makes enough sense. If you have plenty of others you can afford to wait too! :cool:

Warhead / Warren Dent's company mail to the UK, I haven't dealt with them myself but he seems a nice guy and Harvey likes him enough to make him a supplier for his headphones. Just a thought. Can dig up the URL if you can't find it ... ?
 
SP C4's are great in my opinion, although I've not really tried much else (SP B1, Behringer B1, Shure PG57 - so not really the best of the bunch). The two SP mics keep me happy with acoustic and vocals, although I wouldn't actually recommend one to do the other job, although I have heard nice acoustic sounds with a B1 (but C4's treat me better! :))

To be honest, if you're gonna get a C414, it's not really worth getting a B1 at the moment IMO, because the C414 can cover all its jobs. However, the C4's WILL find a place, especially since you're only gonna have ONE small condenser, so a matched pair would be nice :)

Man, I'm tired
 
timboZ said:
Thats for shockmounts not mics.
Click to expand...
Oops... your right... I'll correct my above post.

EDIT: PS...don't buy any JM27's from "Same Day Music" because they have a BULLSHIT mic return policy.

Quote from "Same Day Music"...
This item cannot be returned. Microphones (all types), Harmonicas, Ear Plugs, In-Ear Monitors, Heil Talk Boxes, and any other items that touch your mouth, your nose, or your inner ear cannot be returned once opened due to health laws.
Click to expand...
If the above quote were true, we wouldn't have public phones and etc.
 
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