Condenser Mics for the stage

[Brother Guinness]

Hello all
I'm in a bluegrass band and were experimenting with an "all around one mic" thing for live sound.
Actually we use a DI for the bass and one condenser for everything else.
We've seen AKG3000 used and also AT 4030. Both seemed to work well. Any opinions on which you think would be best??
For some reason my Rode NT 1 just wont work for this application. I cant figure out why but it seems to only pick up the sound source nearest to it.
Are there any other mics I could look at for this application??
Thanks so much for your help
Chuck

 

[Harvey Gerst]

The Neumann KM105 is probably the finest condenser stage mic, but it's about double what your budget is. I'd go for a wide cardioid like the Marshall MXL 603S at around $60.

Actually, I'd go for two 603Ss, one set low, at instrument height (about 4 feet), and another at vocal height (5 to 6 feet). You can't get in too close on these for vocals, but they'll pick you up easily from one to two feet away.

Better yet, use two in an X/Y or ORTF configuration about 5 feet high and it'll be great. I used to use the low/high mic technique on Flatt and Scruggs, and the Kentucky Colonels, and they always liked the sound I got.

 

[Brother Guinness]

Thanks for the reply!

Thanks for the reply Harvey
I'll look for the 603S. I could save money getting two of those instead of the 4033 or c3000b.
If you stop back here: could you explain why the 4033 and the c3000 seem to work for this application but the Rode Nt1 doesn't? Im still kinda puzzled about that.
Thanks
Chuck

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Actually, all those mics have an exagerated top end, and I think you would find them all unsuitable after living with them for a while. If you had been reading the very long mic thread that's been running here for a while, you would have seen me mention that large diaphragm mics often have unpredictable results from sources that are off axis. The C3000 has the same problems, but the small 1/4" diaphragm secondary omni capsule compensates a bit for it.