Best small diaphragm condenser for under 300

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Hey Guys,
I'm looking to buy a pair of small diaphragm condensers, but only have around 300-350 to spend. I've looked into:
Behringer B-5s
R0DE NT-5s
MXL 603s

I'm a little hesitant about the mxls, even though they've gotten rave reviews on here. I've just had bad experiences with MXL mics. Does any body have any strong feelings about any of these, or know of a better choice within my budget? These will be used in the context of a stereo pair almost always for acoustic guitar, cello, upright bass, orchestras, choirs and drum overheads.

Thanks.

-Frank
 
I just got a matched pair of 603's (mogami edition) with shockmounts for $200.

I use them as drum overheads (so far, really pretty damned good, although they're a tad bright, which is good for me, since I'm in analog tape land and will have to bounce once)

They're also sounding pretty good on acoustic guitar.

I'd say they're a little brighter than the Rode NT5's (of which I had a pair for awhile) but about the same sensitivity-wise. And, they're $100 cheaper.

I feel pretty good about the purchase, and while I'm new to engineering things myself, I've cut many records in top notch studios with top-o-the-line stuff, and I'd say the difference is pretty minimal to, say, AKG 451's. I mean, you've gotta work 'em a little bit, but they sound fine. The Rode's are a little more in KM184 territory, which I think are just a little on the dark side.

Just my opinion,
Chris
 
If you can blow your budget by $20, you can get a pair of Studio Projects for $369 at 8th Street. They also come with cardiod and omni capsules, so it's like having 4 mics. They seem to be pretty highly regarded around here.

The matched pair of 603's are a good bet for the money. I've used them on a variety of acoustic sources. They are pretty much the best mic MXL makes.
 
I use Oktava MC012's a lot. I got them from GC for $100 the pair. I also use Studio Projects C-4's, $379 the pair. Although different, I'm quite fond of both mics. The Oktavas are darker and more colored, very nice for Rock or blues overheads. The C-4's are brighter and more transparent, in spite of Dot's experience. I like them on classical guitar a lot.-Richie
 
Richie,

How does the quality of the interchangeable capsules strike you.... solidly made, cheesy/flimsy, or ???

I was first thinking a pair of NT5, but the dual capsule appeal of the C4 is going to win out.
 
That's a tough question, because I don't have a good frame of reference. The C-4's are lighter than the Oktavas, and I suspect lighter guage steel has been used all the way around. I can't guess the durability of the things, because I don't abuse mics. I guess if I was going to bash them with drumsticks, I'd choose the Oktavas. The C-4's are very good mics, but the shockmounts leave much to be desired. I don't use them at all.-Richie
 
That's a shame. From the posts from the Hyatts, I was under the impression that was going to be corrected.

I'm overly-anal about caring for my mics, so bashing isn't an issue. If I need a hammer, I reach for a Neumann...

:D

The Rode are probably more sturdy in construction (from magazine review), but the C4 are more versatile, and a bit brighter.

How does the capsule mount mechanism, threads or ?? look to you. Is the interchangeable capsule mechanism solid or cheesy?
 
I've tried out lots of small condensers in that price range.

Here are the ones I thought were good: Audio-Technica AT3031, Rode NT5, Oktava MK012. I do think the Oktava MK012 is the most musical sounding mic of these and work on a variety of sources. Good luck.

Steve
www.mojopie.com
 
Well bgavin, my set was one of the first, so the new shocks may be fine. The only issue was the consistency of the plasric in the shock mounts itself, it was a little too soft, so it bends when pressure is applied, a little too easily. The plunger on the mic's body that makes contact with the capsule was a little sticky when new, so it didn't always return completely. That has corrected itself with use.
 
The SoundRoom offers a matched pair of Oktava SDC with 3 capsules type for $659. Considering the massive quality variation, I would not opt for Oktava except from SoundRoom.

Richie, how would you compare the mechanical quality and build between the SP and Oktava? I know this is repetitious, but I don't want flimsy gear.
 
bgavin, don't DJL me. I've already given you the best answer I have. The only way I would know if the C-4's are "flimsy" is to abuse them. If I don't drop them, or bash them, or crossthread them, I'll never know how much abuse they can take. I hope I never find out how breakable they are, or not.-Richie
 
What about the ADK SC-1? I've heard good stuff about them, and they're well within your budget.

Any thoughts?

Tom
 
The studio projects are looking pretty awesome. Anybody else had experience with them?
 
bgavin said:
Considering the massive quality variation, I would not opt for Oktava except from SoundRoom.
Click to expand...
I believe that this whole "massive quality variation" thing was either never true or is not currently true. In the last two years I've auditioned 14 of these mics, and there was not a substantial tonal difference between any of them. Some of them varied in output level by, perhaps, as much as 3 db, but they were all high-quality mics.

The MC012s are the best bargain going right now in pro audio, IMO, even if you get them from GC.
 
small guys

i really like the Audio Technica Pro-37r's...nice on acoustic guitar, and as overheads...not sure what these are running these days but they sound great consistently and are reliable.

i use my oktava mc012's as well, but they're a bit more finicky and delicate, not in a good way.
 
cominginsecond said:
I believe that this whole "massive quality variation" thing was either never true or is not currently true. In the last two years I've auditioned 14 of these mics, and there was not a substantial tonal difference between any of them. Some of them varied in output level by, perhaps, as much as 3 db, but they were all high-quality mics.

The MC012s are the best bargain going right now in pro audio, IMO, even if you get them from GC.
Click to expand...

I agree that they are a great bargain. I love mine. However, the quality problem with Oktavas seems to have more to do with the build quality than the sound quality.
 
Richard Monroe said:
bgavin, don't DJL me. I've already given you the best answer I have.
Click to expand...
That's a nasty cut, and certainly uncalled for. I have never dissed you, so please return this in kind.

I figure since you own the thing, and crow about them so much, you'd have a first-rate idea of their construction. If you had answered the question, I wouldn't have asked a 2nd or 3rd time.

I did get the answer I was looking for from Recording Engineer, so rest assured I will never ask anything of you again.
 
dude he answered your question as best he could. did you expect a different answer second time?

if you want one that's DEFINITELY up to taking a beating (and it doesn't matter if you break them either) send Freeform to get a pair of C1000s:rolleyes:
 
Anybody with even a primitive command of the language can see that I asked a 2nd question about a comparison between the Oktava and the C4. This was not a repetition of the C4 question, but a relevant 2nd query about the Oktava, which he also owns.

At first, I thought "Richie" was a kid packing attitude and no experience. I checked his profile, and found Mr. Monroe is age 50 this year. After this many years, a man certainly should have some manners, and most men are capable of determining if a piece of equipment is flimsy or well made.

I asked a straight forward question, and got dissed.

:confused:
 
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