Condensers For Live Two-Track Recording- Naiant X-Q or AT2020?

[stevieb]

Local guy has a pair of AT2020's, apparently standing firm at $65 each (although he said he was firm at $70 and just reduced his asking price to $65...)

Or I can get Naiant X-Q's, new and matched if purchased at the same time, for $32 each, plus $9 each for shock mounts and whatever shipping to 30066 zip will cost.

I'd be using them to record in stereo, to a Tascam DP-01, rehersal sessions of my too-big guitar group, in a 30x40x20 room, very live and reverb-y. Of course, I know I need a phantom-power source.

Which mic?

EDIT- mics would, of course, be used for other apps.

 

[Seafroggys]

As much as I like the Naiants, I have heard great things about the 2020's. At that price, I'd go for them.

 

[juan162]

If you're doing a basic stereo set up, I'd go with the 2020 pair since they are cardioid pattern and will be less effected by a bad room as a pair of omnis. Of course, if you like what the room sounds like and there isn't a coughing, talking audience to worry about, the Naiants can be a good choice. If you are looking for a third option, I'd go with a pair of SDC mics, like the MXL 603's or some other SDC.

Juan

 

[thajeremy]

I wouldn't take the AT's at $35 each....go for the Naiants...if you dont like them...Ill buy them from ya...

 

[stevieb]

You mean that about buying the Naiants, Jeremy? At cost to me, or are you going to want them cheaper?

Why don't you like the AT2020's?

 

[thajeremy]

You mean that about buying the Naiants, Jeremy? At cost to me, or are you going to want them cheaper?

Why don't you like the AT2020's?

**takes foot out of mouth for a sec**

well...I obviously cant give you full price for them when I could get them myself brand new for that....but id say you would loose no more than $8 to $10....and If that is too much for you to loose...There is no doubt that you will be able to make a deal with someone on this board....

and about the 2020's....I had one for a short time....and if Im not mistaken...it is actually an SDC in an LDC body....just seemed to bright to me...also, had an AT3035.....the only thing I could find that it was decent on was a bass cab....I have not been pleased with the AT mics until I got the 4040

 

[dgatwood]

The AT2020 has a little presence boost, but it is pretty flat, response-wise. It is usually a decent mic, but many people buy it expecting a vocal mic, which it is not. It is a small diaphragm condenser. They're good for things where SDCs are appropriate.

For stereo recording, I'd pick the AT2020 pair over the Naiant mics because you can't do coincident stereo with omni mics (at least not without adding a Jecklin disk or similar), and spaced pair stereo can be difficult to get right without ending up with a hole in the middle of your sound space....

That said, if you're frequently doing stereo mic recordings, you might also consider a stereo mic, e.g.

http://www.frontendaudio.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=9999-05195
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?item=AT-PRO24&source=froogle

Note: I don't have any experience with either of those mics personally. I'm just giving a couple of examples of stereo mics here.