Budget battery condenser mic?

[TooNice]

Hello, I am starting to shortlist my options for my first mic. I've still not decided whether to go dynamic or condenser. Of the dynamic, I am still deciding between the SM-58 and EV 767A. Of the condenser, well, I've made a big list on another thread here. I would like to further narrow down the list by picking out the ones that accept battery as substitute for phantom power, since my pre-amp does not provide phantom power. Are there any good options for my needs or am I better sticking with dynamic? I am also a little concerned that my PC is currently too noisy, although I will eventually make it more quiet.

Overall, I am just looking for a "flattering" mic suitable for deep voice. Any recommendations please?

Cheers.

Edit: Wow, the thread finally posted. Here are the list of mics I found. But the description on the site does not specify which one can be run on battery:

- AKG C2000B
- AKG CK93
- AKG C 418 L
- AKG C444PP
- AKG Perception P 100
- AKG C900 M EMOTION SERIE
[Actually, there are heaps of AKGs condenser mic, so I'll move on]
- Audio Technica Pro 24
- Audio Technica ATM33A [Overbudget]
- Audio Technica MB 4K
- Audio Technica ATM31A
- MXL 9000 [Overbudget, kinda but I think I've heard of this one mentioned before]
- MXL 990 [Much better, spot on in terms of budget]
- MXL 992 [Priced similarly to the 9000 - no idea what are the diff]
- MXL V67G
- SENNHEISER E 865 [Overbudget]
- SHURE SM 86 [A lil over budget]
- Studio Projects C1 [Overbudget]
- Studio Projects B3 [More reasonable but still costly]
- Studio Projects B1 [Perfect budget wise, large diaphragm too]
- the t.bone RB500 [Ribbon based - whatever that mean]
- the t.bone SCT700
- the t.bone SC1100

 

[rayc]

You should search ebay & elsewhere for a Sony 19B electret. A little AAA battery powered condensor from the 70's that is remarkably good &, if you can find one, quite cheap. It does need an adaptor as the plug is a little jack splug the size of a walkman h/phone plug.
Very small, cheap but versatile & GOOD - (I own three - 1 from the US & 2 from the UK) - I much prefer these to a Shure 57.

 

[aznwonderboy]

-AT mb4000c or AT 4k uses AAA battery
-MXL V63mbp uses 9V battery

 

[Minion]

You can also make your own Battery Powered electret Condensers Like I do and they Sound quite Good (better than many mics I have Tried) and they can be built for about $10 to $20 each and you don"t need to be an electrical genius either.....

I use them for anything from micing Bass and Guitar cabs to Bass drum and Cymbal mics but can also be used for Vocals and since they have an allmost perfectly Flat frequency responce you get a Very detailed Sound out of them....

Cheers

 

[TooNice]

Thanks for the replies. I don't know the first thing about microphones.. other than the different types - but nothing about how to build one, so I'll leave the DIY thing alone.. Unless the parts are really easy to get here in the UK and you could point me to some guide

I'll keep a look out for those Sony 19B electret. But considering they are no longer in production I take it, it finding one might be hit or miss. Still, they do potentially sound great value.

I've read LOADS of threads by now, and done about as much homework as I could. There seem to be a few mics that keep coming back whenever the magic $200 is mentioned (I want to keep my expense under 200 Euros). It seems that all of those require phantom power, but let's assume this won't be an issue for now. I've noted down the few that seems to come up all the time. In ascending order of cost:

- Studio Projects B1
- Oktava MK319
- Studio Projects C1 and Rode NT1A (same price - although for the C1 I can get a bundle with some accessories making it slightly better value)

And if I look to import from the US, the ADK Hamburgh and Vienna are potentially good value too. But I am weary of buying microphones on Ebay, let alone on Ebay and imported from the US. Still, can't rule those out, since they are well regarded.

I also noticed that the Studio Projects B3 (and C3 - which is way out of my price range) are the same as the B1 and C1 respectively, but with 3 polar pattern (cardioid/ Omni-directional/figure 8). I take it this adds versatility, but under what situation?

Finally, could someone tell me more about the recording "signature" of those mics? From what I've gathered, the B1 is mostly flat. The C1 on the other hand seem to be described as emphasising on the high - is that right? I think the Oktava is desbribed as being darker, kind of opposite of the C1 - again, am I getting this right (I had to digest a lot of things - so I may start mixing up stuff) ? I have no idea what the Rode is supposed to sound like. I read a comparison of the two ADKs, but overall, I don't know how they compare to the other mentioned. The cost of those in the UK would is higher than the other mic mentioned here.

Finally, since I have a fairly deep voice, does it make sense to go with something with a brighter mic rather than a darker mic?

Cheers.

 

[TooNice]

Okay, I think I might have secured a Sony 19B electret. I don't know if it's functional though, it is listed as "untested". But it won't be an expensive loss if it doesn't work. Is the little plug refered to a 1/8" plug? If so, can I use a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter seeing that it is battery powered?

Cheers.

 

[Dags]

I would like to further narrow down the list by picking out the ones that accept battery as substitute for phantom power, since my pre-amp does not provide phantom power. Are there any good options for my needs or am I better sticking with dynamic?

Have you checked out the Rode NT3?
I have only tried it out using phantom power and it's a nice sounding mic.
Don't know how much it costs where you are, but all Rode mics seem to be reasonably priced
(No, I don't have any affiliations with the company, but they are Australian based )

Dags

 

[TooNice]

That's me back to square one. I am having trouble getting the Sony Electret to work. So I am still open to suggestions.

What sort of plug does the Rode NT3 use?

Cheers.

 

[Brackish]

That's me back to square one. I am having trouble getting the Sony Electret to work. So I am still open to suggestions.

What sort of plug does the Rode NT3 use?

Cheers.

1/8" mono mini, I believe

 

[MadMax]

AKG C-1000s. I've got 3 for sale. $125 ea.

 

[TooNice]

I guess there is also this: http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/6942

Could someone tell me a little about the sound signature of those mics?

Do any of them have a flattering sound, or do I have to go Large Diaphram Condenser for that?