Best small diapraghm condensor mics for the money??

[TheGmiester161]

what are your opinions on a list of 5 to 10 small diapraghm condensor micropones that are under 400 dollars. I'm looking at these especially for drum overheads, piano, and accoustic guitars.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Yo, Theg! Welcome to the board! There is a cool "search" function that could have already answered your question, because this board has been debating that question for *years*.
Anyway, here's my version of the short form. Marshall MXL603 is the wicked cheap winner, a fair compromise between the needs of drum overheads and acoustic guitar. For piano, I prefer large diaphragm mics, but that's just a personal preference. Oktava MC012 is also a good choice. Quality control has been a problem, so you want to hear the mics before you buy them. That generally goes for all mics, in a perfect world. The Oktavas are more versatile in some ways than the 603's,with pads and the availability of omni and hypercardioid capsules. In short, I think they rock as drum overheads but are mediocre on guitar. Studio Projects C-4's are closer to $400 for the pair. They are very good on acoustic and really clean as overheads, They'll give you a very sharp image, but I would not choose them for something that should be a little muted, like vintage blues. Rode NT5 are in the same ballpark, but those mics I've never heard. I've heard no one say they totally sucked, and that, itself, is probably indication that they're fairly good mics. Both Shure and AKG are starting to make forays into the budget small diaphragm condenser market, but the mics in question haven't been out long enough for the recording community to come in with a verdict. The 603's and 012's are cheap, and work very well, and the NT5's and C-4's seem to be fairly priced for what they do. Personally, I use the C-4's for guitar and instruments, and for Country or Jazz overheads. I use the Oktavas or AKG C2000B's for overheads. The 2000B's are mid sizad diaphragms, and actually work pretty well for overheads, guitar, vocals, and toms, and are in your price range. They are particularly good on hard rock, like early Ted Nugent or Deep Purple. Anyway, that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.-YMMV.-Richie

 

[mixmkr]

AKG451 (used)

 

[tdukex]

I hear the AT 4033 is used a lot in Nashville for both overheads and acoustic guitars. I have and like both the MC012 and the MXL 603s on acoustic guitar.

 

[Track Rat]

I love 4033's on overheads. Octava MC-012'a are nice too. Right now I'm on an Earthworks kick. I'm really digging SR-71's.

 

[Treeline]

This newbie picked up a set of MXL 603s on recommendations appearing here. What those mics do with an acoustic dreadnaught guitar just gives me the chills. I can't compare them with other SD mics, but I can tell you they knocked my socks off.

 

[meriphew]

The Josephson C42's and the GT 44's are both very good and can be had for about that much.

________________
Post indie electronic
Meriphew
www.meriphew.com

 

[ozraves]

If you are talking $400 each, then you can probably hunt around for some nice mics. Meriphew makes a good suggestion. The Shure KSM141 small condensers possess a very nice dialed in sound. They are very much in your face. They are lovely for most popular music styles. That's what I'd recommend.

If you are going to go under $400 for a pair then I'd suggest looking at the MXL 603, the Audio-Technica AT3031, the Oktava MK012. I think any of these would work fine if you couldn't afford the Shure or the Josephsons.

 

[cominginsecond]

I like the Oktavas better than the 603s. The 603s, while very good, are just a little too bright. On overheads they just bring out the harshness in high-hats. On acoustic they're also a little harsh, IMHO, on both big guitars I own. The 012s gave me a nice, woody tone, that's especially good for big, simple, strummed parts, which is what I do 90 percent of the time. I also like the fact that the MK012s are expandable with different capsules, including a large diaphragm lollipop capsule. Something to keep in mind for future purchases.

Also, they come with a 10 db pad, which is probably a necessity for drum overheads if your pre doesn't come with a pad. I use a DMP3 for overheads, which has no pad. This was probably the deciding factor for me when I sold my 603s and bought my MK012s.

 

[meriphew]

If you are talking $400 each, then you can probably hunt around for some nice mics. Meriphew makes a good suggestion. The Shure KSM141 small condensers possess a very nice dialed in sound. They are very much in your face. They are lovely for most popular music styles. That's what I'd recommend.

If you are going to go under $400 for a pair then I'd suggest looking at the MXL 603, the Audio-Technica AT3031, the Oktava MK012. I think any of these would work fine if you couldn't afford the Shure or the Josephsons.

Actually I meant the Groove Tubes GT 44, though I have heard nice things about the Shure mics.

 

[Fletcher]

A couple of the T.H.E. mics go for <$400... definite contenders...