cheap Omnidirectional vocal mic?

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noground

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I've decided I need an omni pattern for vocals. Since I love the Studio Projects C1, I was considering the C3 ($350), but I want some other options too. I looked through the entire Full compass catalog (that's a lot of mics) and only found maybe one other omni mic under $800. Is there really such a small demand for this?

Can anyone mention any other inexpensive omnidirectional (or multipattern) mics?
 
The CAD multipattern condenser gets a good grade from Chessrock, among others. I think it can be had for around $150, as can the Studio Projects B1.

Electro-Voice makes, or at least made, an omni, the EV 635A, that Chessparov has recommended. The guy knows his dynamics, so I'd give that one some though. They are often on eBay for under $100.

Fab
 
Thanks Fab.

BTW many classical recordings during the 60's and 70's were made with a pair of 635a's.

Copped this recommendation originally from Bob Ohlsson who has posted what sleepers
these microphones are, especially with a good mic pre.

Elvis also (reputedly) used it on some of his
RCA hits. My wife (high soprano), who is too shy to sing in public or on a recording, sounds excellent on this mic-very 60's" girl groupish".

The C3 has a somewhat flatter response than the C1, so it is quite complementary IMHO.

Omni's are great for singers, like myself,
who don't have the best mic technique
due to their lack of proximity effect.

Get both! :)

Chris
 
Hmmm... cheap omni's

-Studio Projects B3 ($150) multi-pattern

-Behringer ECM8000 ($40) probe-type omni

-Oktava MC-012 w/ omni capsule ($? ) small diaphragm omni + switchable capsules

-Electro-Voice 635A (ebay) dynamic omni, thought very highly of

-Studio Projects C4's ($320 /pair) small diaphragm omni w/ cardiod & omni capsules

I can't think of any others off the top of my head, but I'm sure that they're out there.
 
Look for a used Soundelux U97, 4 patterns, it's been compared to a AKG 414 (which I've never heard). The Omni pattern sounds great on acoustic guitar. Doubles as a nice vocal mic too!
(Don't forget fig-8 for MS and the hypercardiod for work where you need a tight pattern)
 
Somehow, I'm never surprised to see Chris (Chessparov) piping in about cheap omni vocal mics. :D
 
thanks for all the suggestions. I'm giving every one you've mentioned a fair chance. Though it would obviously be best if I could hear them all.
 
Very true Rev.

The good news is that if you upgrade your mic pre, with a good dynamic,
it improves the mic quite a bit typically...

Chris
 
I currently own an AT4040 and MXL V67M (both for voice), and a pair of Studio Projects C4 for the SDC chores. I use SM57, D4, ATM25 on the drums.

I'm currently doing live performance rock group recordings, and thinking I'd like to expand to choirs, and instrumental groups.

I'm thinking about a pair of Studio Projects B3, particularly for the omni pattern capability. The alternative is getting a second AT4040 to complete a cardioid pair.

Any downside to a pair of B3?
 
Off axis response on cardiods usually isn't as good as omni's, all other things being equal.

Just make sure the dealer matchs the color of the "dots" on the two B3's.
This was a clever device that PMI came up with.
Alan can explain it better at his forum than I can.

Chris
 
It is a bit less expensive to get a 2nd AT4040 instead of two B3, but I would lose LDC omni.

I already have SDC omni in my pair of C4, so I'm curious if a pair of B3 (with LDC omni) will offer me more *useful* function than a pair of cardioid-only AT4040.

I'd like to try my hand at ORTF with ensembles or choirs.
 
I just won a EV 635 on eBay for $40...I can't wait to try it on guitar cab (see how it stacks up against a 57 and a e609) and vocals (the main reason I got it...I want a dynamic to use on screamers...the one I recorded last weekend pushed my v67 a little too hard in a couple spots).
 
That's great Adam.

One cool feature on the EV 635a is that it does better than most other omni's when the singer "eats it" close up.
Just make sure it's never dropped head first, then it can lose top end response.

Chris
 
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