Cheap chinese microphones vindicated

[noisedude]

from what i read the only adequate alternative to the behringer b-1 is the studio projects b-1 with the same20-20 frequency response. both mics are pretty much the same mic, yet i read alot more positive user reviews about the behringer from various websites.

It's all just layers of myth, rumour and lies. Why bother?

What do you even mean by 'same 20-20 frequency response'? When did those graphs ever mean anything? What if your hearing happens to go slightly lower or higher than those boundaries? Do the mics sound different then?

We all like a bit of gossip, but at least base it on something. Like, let's talk about the Røde NT2 being an OEM model or all their parts coming from China to be assembled in Australia. Or maybe SE Electronics - an entire line of rebadged OEM mics sold at markup prices ... but also sold at various points by JoeMeek, MXL and now CAD?

How much do you want, mate?

 

[cpc]

strave,

i agree..i think im gona order this mic and see for myself, and form my own opinions on it. i dont care how it was made or if it ripped off another design...all that matters to me is how it sounds for the price. ill be sure to let everyone know if everyones "seemingly" biased opinions are just that, or if it really is that shitty of a 100 dollar mic. i mean i respect everyones opinion, it just seems that people are either biased on this mic, or dont like it because it doesnt sound like a 2,000$ mic...which it isnt. to me, it SEEMS like a great value..but ill have to see for myself. the technical specs are better than almost all of the other mics in its price range..so unless its got some really messed up internals i doubt its considerably more shitty than any other 100 dollar mic, and probably better based off reviews ive read and specs. what really bugs me when people say "get a 300 dollar mic instead, its better"... NO SHIT. more expensive things USUALLY are. what if people dont have a studio or that much money to spend on a mic? im all about behringer making cheaper versions of expensive proven things for people getting started, unless it truely sounds like crap i plan to enjoy my purchase. my 15 dollar sony behind the neck headphones for my walkman arent the best quality either but they work great for me, im sure 100 dollar stereo headphones will sound better but im not willing to spend 100 dollars on headphones for my walkman.

 

[cpc]

like i said im a newbie to computer recording just looking for a cheap simple way to get started. i heard 20hz-20khz is the frequencys a human ear can hear. so to me i just feel more secure with a mic that has that frequency response because id just assume it would pick up any noise im able to make.

 

[noisedude]

I can't think of any mic that doesn't have SOME frequency response across a 20-20 range. Thing is, not only are technical data sheets USELESS, you also don't even understand what they mean.

You've made up your mind and are refusing to hear anyone else's opinion. Then you'll buy the thing, hear it's better than your PC mic, and feel totally vindicated. Why did you even bother asking for experienced and knowledgable people's advice, when you clearly won't let the facts get in the way of a good opinion anyway?!?!

 

[Strave]

This is true. However, some of the guys with more advanced abilities here want to make more than just a 'decent' record, and in their judgement require other, some more expensive tools, to get them there. Fortunately I'm not one of them, so if it comes to it I'll use whatever cheap shit the burglars leave behind.

EDIT - I really would miss my Beyer M400 though. That's a great freakin mic.

Well I doubt those more advanced engineers are here asking about the Behringer B1. Let me make a correction to my opinion: everyone possesses the capability (maybe not the ability) to make a *great* sounding record with an sm57, an akg d112, two mxl 603s, a firepod, and a decent sequencer. A behringer B1 would only make that easier.

I am not arguing in anyway that the behringer B1 sounds anything like a mid grade or high end mic, I am arguing that it is totally usable and on par with the other mics in it's league (which are also totally usable). That said, if you have the money then buy something better.

 

[noisedude]

Well I doubt those more advanced engineers are here asking about the Behringer B1. Let me make a correction to my opinion: everyone possesses the capability (maybe not the ability) to make a *great* sounding record with an sm57, an akg d112, two mxl 603s, a firepod, and a decent sequencer. A behringer B1 would only make that easier.

I am not arguing in anyway that the behringer B1 sounds anything like a mid grade or high end mic, I am arguing that it is totally usable and on par with the other mics in it's league (which are also totally usable). That said, if you have the money than buy something better.

Whilst I don't think that all mics in the price bracket are on a par with each other, I totally agree with your sentiment and think that people should stop upgrading their gear till their rooms, instruments and engineering ability have caught up with them!!! (In fact, I might write that down as a memo to myself )

 

[Strave]

Whilst I don't think that all mics in the price bracket are on a par with each other

Sorry, I meant the budget condensers that are generally considered by the home recording person (Behringer B1, Studio Projects C1 and B1, MXL v67g, etc.)

 

[hueseph]

Unfortunately, the Behringers also sound harsh and edgy in the highs, but that's a whole nother subject altogether.

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That's where subtractive equing gets involved. Isn't it. Much more desireable to do subtractive equing than boosting frequencies and noise along with it.

 

[lexdrummer]

\

That's where subtractive equing gets involved. Isn't it. Much more desireable to do subtractive equing than boosting frequencies and noise along with it.

yes to some, no to others. Some camps don't like the B1 and the way that it sounds, especially trained individuals. But a trained individual would definately subtractive eQ the behringer b1, and or behringer preamp recording.

From all these post topic thoughts I pulled out a dusty MX 1604A berry and just plugged into channel one with an SM57, then straight to 24/96 m-audio card. I pulled out a solid mohagony martin and flashed a totally acceptable to hand over to mastering stage track in about 1 hour. I liked what I heard. I may have technically done better if some snob put a scope on it (measuring to what standard?), but I AUDIBLY did well. That is what I wanted, something to sound good, not measure up.

Why screw around. I said it once in this post already: "If the cat's ass records some interesting tone, plug him into the board" It's about using the tool for what it can do, not depending on it for everything, nor asking it to measure up to something. Although 30 years of use will lean you toward the sm57 for testing just about anything close mic'ed. Only a spec addict would dispute that. It is a nice flat mic with clarity. I might try an entire record, challenged with only the sm57. I know it has been done before, and even released international, but I just want the challenge. Perhaps throwing in the behringer 1604 and no compressor would handicap it enough for major challenge. Or pehaps it would help the project work. See what I mean. You gotta play with the tool, not against it. Picking a combo and sticking with it to in a sense "know your mate" is the key.

 

[cpc]

I can't think of any mic that doesn't have SOME frequency response across a 20-20 range. Thing is, not only are technical data sheets USELESS, you also don't even understand what they mean.

You've made up your mind and are refusing to hear anyone else's opinion. Then you'll buy the thing, hear it's better than your PC mic, and feel totally vindicated. Why did you even bother asking for experienced and knowledgable people's advice, when you clearly won't let the facts get in the way of a good opinion anyway?!?!

i didnt have my mind made up, thats why i was asking. i'm hearing peoples opinions but people are responding with answers that arent helpful to me. i tell everyone im a newbie to computer recording and want simple inexpensive gear to get the job done...and they recomend 500 dollar things because it sounds the best in a professional studio. i mean, yeh that helps me alot seeing as i have 250 dollars or so to spend

and you're right, all i use right now is a crappy PC mic. i want something that sounds better than that , i dont want a $2000 dollar nuemann with 200+dollar mixers. im trying to ask what some good beginner equipment is, and if the things i were looking at are good beginner equipment.

 

[cpc]

Originally Posted by Strave
Well I doubt those more advanced engineers are here asking about the Behringer B1.


EXACTLY, this guy gets it.

 

[lexdrummer]

i didnt have my mind made up, thats why i was asking. i'm hearing peoples opinions but people are responding with answers that arent helpful to me. i tell everyone im a newbie to computer recording and want simple inexpensive gear to get the job done...and they recomend 500 dollar things because it sounds the best in a professional studio. i mean, yeh that helps me alot seeing as i have 250 dollars or so to spend

and you're right, all i use right now is a crappy PC mic. i want something that sounds better than that , i dont want a $2000 dollar nuemann with 200+dollar mixers. im trying to ask what some good beginner equipment is, and if the things i were looking at are good beginner equipment.

Dude, get an sm57. don't complicate things with worry on price. Pick a winner first to learn what a great mic sounds like. Don't listen to the gear junkies. I just described a combo you can get (smaller behringer board for $60 with clean pres) for under the money you have. And YOU CAN GET SOME GREAT RECORDING FOR SURE!

 

[lexdrummer]

Dude, get an sm57. don't complicate things with worry on price. Pick a winner first to learn what a great mic sounds like. Don't listen to the gear junkies. I just described a combo you can get (smaller behringer board for $60 with clean pres) for under the money you have. And YOU CAN GET SOME GREAT RECORDING FOR SURE!

Look for soundcraft compact mixers. they would have the bus you would need for multitracking. ($99) model + ($89) sm57 and ($20)cable.

 

[cpc]

thanks, i thought of that as well, thats why im also getting a shure sm57 or 58 because they're proven. i just thought i'd also get a cheap condenser as well because everyone says theyre that much better than dynamics for recording. for 250 i can get a sm57, 50 dollar mixer, cable, and b-1 condenser. or should i just forget about the condenser all together for now as a begininer?

 

[Strave]

I highly recommend getting the B1 and 57 if you've got the money... that way you can at least compare two very different microphones and see which one does what you want. Additionally, if you buy it from zzounds, you can return the B1 if you don't like it. I'm a firm believer in comparisons... you can't decide whether something is right for you unless you can compare it to other things.

 

[cpc]

how do they let you return it. do they offer full refunds? or what?

 

[cpc]

i just checked the site and found this

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.

so they probably dont offer returns on microphones, unless you have personally done this?

 

[Strave]

You're right I completely forgot about the microphone law... I've returned mics at Guitar Center before... you may be able to do it there (but I had a good relationship with the manager). If not you may just have to go for it. If you really don't like it I'm sure you could ebay it and lose no more than $20-$30.

 

[lexdrummer]

i just checked the site and found this

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.

so they probably dont offer returns on microphones, unless you have personally done this?

No. I have not done this, but you will have no need to return the shure products. I would stick with that if i were you. For voice efforts the b1 might suite you better, though the 58 or 57 can be used to great effect with practice on voice, perhaps employing a home made pop-screen if you need it. (pantihose streched over coat hanger works the same as a pro screen) I would save a little for a basic compressor. You can use a plugins for this, but there is a learning curve with some of them.

I would stick with the 57 and the 58, and spend the hunge you would spend on the B1 on a compressor preamp myself.

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--ART131 $99.00

This will aid you to control the signal, as well as warm up the digititis. 57 and 58's react quite well with this model. Don't forget an extra cable for leading from the mic pac to the mixer.

 

[cpc]

well thanks anyways. i think im gona do that then, pretty much what i had originally planned. the only reasons ive got for not doing that are people saying "behringer sucks" or "more expensive things are better" , which hasnt really helped me find other equipment or derived me from at least trying this stuff. the people who have at least suggested other things in the same price range havent said why its better than behringer products usually only saying something like "behringer sucks" leading me to believe that they're just biased. everyone that does like behringer says its good equipment (for its price of course). like i said, im not looking for or expecting 500 dollar mics/mixers/or preamps. thanks to everyone thats helped me with their opinions and suggestions.