Condenser mics for vocals on a budget

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twangbuck

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Hi all, I'm looking for a good condenser mic for vocals for home recording. I'm running cubase le on a windows 7 pc. I'm looking for something that can handle a wide range of vocal styles and voices, including a baritone male, a male that's more in tenor territory, and female vocals. Primary genres are rock (both modern and more blues/classic sounding) and country-rock but can get folky as well, so it has to handle a multitude of genres.
Again, budget is the name of the game so I'd like to score something on ebay or in the used market for somewhere less than $200.
Any thoughts? I've heard the Shure KSM27 could be good, or the AT2020. I've seen several KSM27's for under 200 on ebay.
It would be nice if it could handle acoustic guitar recording as well, but it's not critical.
Any suggestions are welcome. Oh, I'm using a Focusrite Scarlett as the interface.
Thanks!
 
An AT2020 is an SDC that looks like an LDC. You'll want an LDC for vocals, so the Shure may be a good option.
 
If you really need to have a condenser (I still don't get this whole "have to use a condenser on vocals" craze), try the Rode NT1a. It's still too sensitive, but at least it has the vibe of a nice LDD.
 
Massive Master said:
If you really need to have a condenser (I still don't get this whole "have to use a condenser on vocals" craze), try the Rode NT1a. It's still too sensitive, but at least it has the vibe of a nice LDD.
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'cause some of us like some crispness and detail on vocals rather than the muddy warmth of an LDD. :D

Seriously, I've never found the "too sensitive" thing to be a problem so long as I'm aware of positioning and aiming and scatter some bits around in the background.
 
I've used SDCs for vocals (often a C451EB) many a time. There's nothing magic about large diaphragms for vocal recording..
 
AKG Perception 220 - new its under your budget price, if you find a good deal on ebay (like I did), you'll have money left over for a pop filter and a proper stand (the mic is heavy!)
 
Not sure what it would sell for where you are but I can highly recommend the sE X1 in the economy price range--if you watch, there are often deals with things like pop filters etc.
 
Wouldn't SDC's pick up too much of the transients of vocals?
 
Seafroggys said:
Wouldn't SDC's pick up too much of the transients of vocals?
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Well, they have a crisp, slightly bright sound (though not all that different to many modern LDCs frankly) but I've noticed any difference in transient response.
 
Brands to check that have cheaper models;

Audio Technica
SE electronics
Oktava
Rode
 
In the used market you should be able to find either an older sE2200a (the silver one, not the rubberised black one) or the older Rode NT1 (the matt grey one, not the shiny silver one) both of which are outstanding mics.

New the sE X1, as Bobbsy said, is pretty cool and should come in under $200 (i'm guessing, as a UK kid $'s scare and confuse me) or the MXL V67
 
Sometimes there's the not so obvious answer

There are the mainstream low-end mics,
and then there are a lot of smaller and
more off-the-beaten track options. . . .

Think outside the box (stores).


Good luck with your search!!
 
I used a Samson CO1 for a duet and to record a band in house and for the money on ebay you can get two or three of these for under 200 bucks if you shop for them. They're nice and warm, bright but manageable.

I still use a Shure For so e vocal applications like the occasional back up vocalists so they stand apart on a different mic, but I'm a pretty big fan of the condensers if used right. Now you can always shop the pawn shops and craigslist and even ebay and get a nice AKG 220 which will always oubd great across a very dynamic spectrum of varrying vocal styles and genres.
 
+1 on the CO1. I have heard a lot of recordings done with one an I was very impressed. It was on a female vocalist if that makes any difference.
 
The ADK Vienna is an absolutely killer microphone! The price is the icing on the cake. The Vienna has quite a bit of top end that may need to be pulled back from time to time, but it's my go to for vocals. It's worth mentioning that I have a very large mic collection and many very high end pieces. The ADK Thor and Odin are also great choices but they tend to have a little more low mid that needs to be taken care of, but once again killer mics for the price. Happy hunting!
 
Yeah, I also have a CO1. Great little mic considering the price. Samson products have really good value and an attractive price. I would still never use it on vocals though, as dynamic mics pick up most voices better in my experience. I'd still just go for the 58 and be done with it. ;)
 
The sE Electronics 2200A is a fantastic LDC that isn't overhyped in the highs. It sounds like butter on all my vocals.
 
It's weird to see so much love for the Samson C01 nowadays. I owned one 10 years ago as my first ever condenser mic and was very happy with it for a long time. I slowly stopped using it as i bought other mics which suited what i was doing better but never wanted to get rid of it as it worked great on overly bright acoustic guitars or as an outside kick drum mic. In the end, i lent it to a mate a couple of years back so he could record vocal lines over some house tracks and he absolutely loved it, so much so that he bought it off me for £30, which was only about £10 less than what i paid for it new in 2002!
 
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