Fifty dollar mics

  • Thread starter Thread starter hairylarry
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does free count?

There was a local church who had a recording studio, don't really know why? the studio went under so they just GAVE stuff away to local churches. My church got what was left and they gave it to me..
EV PL 20
Peavey sm 57 copy looking thing
old akg d112 i think silver on one side black on the other

and a 16 channel trs snake, patchbay and Audix 1a monitors...

needless to say just the PL 20 made me excited!

Ryan
 
You can't buy them in singles, but I think that two Karma K-10s for $99 is a stellar deal.

The kick drum mic is the $49 Blue Kickball, which I think also qualifies for this thread :) On the way is a GLS Audio ES57 ($29)...

Seems like this is my kind of thread apparently.

S
 
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killer_deep said:
You can't buy them in singles, but I think that two Karma K-10s for $99 is a stellar deal.

Here's a sound sample of what they sound like as drum overheads with my first ever raw drum recording:



The kick drum mic is the $49 Blue Kickball, which I think also qualifies for this thread :) On the way is a GLS Audio ES57 ($29)...

Seems like this is my kind of thread apparently.

S
Click to expand...

killer_deep,

Karma has two mics that qualify for this thread. The K10 at $99 a pair and the K-Micro at $26 a pair.

http://www.karmamics.com/products.html

Unfortunately I have neither. So thanks for the sample track. Hearing what a mic can do can help a lot in determining whether a mic is worth your fifty bucks.

The K-Micros were $.99. Then they were $5. Now improved with higher SPL before distortion they are $26 for a stereo pair in a blister pack. What a trip.

Has anyone risked a quarter on these? Are the new versions better? Are these really recording mics or are they utility mics?

Inquiring ears want to know.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
 
PL20 and RE20

role65 said:
There was a local church who had a recording studio, don't really know why? the studio went under so they just GAVE stuff away to local churches. My church got what was left and they gave it to me..
EV PL 20
Peavey sm 57 copy looking thing
old akg d112 i think silver on one side black on the other

and a 16 channel trs snake, patchbay and Audix 1a monitors...

needless to say just the PL 20 made me excited!

Ryan
Click to expand...

The PL20 is a rose that smells the same. When EV brought out the PL line some of the mics were new and some we rebranded. So the PL5 and the PL20 are the same as the 635a and the RE20.

The PL20 is well known and does not really go any cheaper than the RE20. Unless of course you get it for free.

They have been on my wish list forever. The RE20 remains a top studio mic today and is still being made.

Best of luck on your new gear.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
 
Audix mics

Rust E-Z said:
I just recently scored a Audix om2 for $30. I love these audix dynamics it is surprising that people don't talk them up more. Great rejection, very open for a dynamic, kinda condenser-ish. Great for recording vocal and acoustic at the same time. Very nice on snare to.
Click to expand...

I have heard many people recommend Audix mics. For the most part they live in the $100 plus range and they must be good because even used they are not much cheaper.

Still I think the OM2 can be had for under fifty. I have some feelers out on ebay. Doing a little research. Good find.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
 
Karma K-Micros

TyphoidHippo said:
Interesting. Kidvybes, I recently read, for the second time, the saga of Karma threads from a couple years ago, and noticed your posts in most of them. Have you (or anybody, really, heh) ever gotten to try their new version of the K-Micros? The new specs look good... like real good. I have plenty of microphones already (like most people), but if those little guys really can handle drums now...I want some! They're cute as hell, if nothing else. :p
Click to expand...

See. TyphoidHippo wants to know too.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
 
Akg D120e

Ritzy said:
I have a pair of those AKG D120Es, except mine need new foam windscreen inserts as the foam of the old ones has disintigrated with age. Pretty sure these were low-endish mics on the AKG spectrum, intended for "general" use (PA, speech, performance, etc.). Still, it's another flavour to have in the collection. It's been a long time since I plugged them in, but from memory I think they were fairly clear sounding, but not really in a harsh way, and with decent detail for the price-range. Not big on the low end though I think. Kinda "European" sounding if you will, though not as much a high-end kind of sound as you'd get from, say, a 421. Decent bang for the buck mics and no doubt will have certain applications/situations that will suit them nicely.

You can get an old datasheet scan here: http://pl.wikizic.org/AKG-D120-E/gallery-1.htm

Unfortunately I've never come across a higher resolution or more comprehensive datasheet for these than the one above.
Click to expand...

Ritzy,

Mine came in and I've been enjoying it. I'm working on a review. Overall I'm impressed.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
 
Ev 631

MichaelJoly said:
This is one of the best-sounding MXL mics in my opinion - a lot of mic for $50. Just swapping the capsule-to-FET coupling cap from the stock ceramic to something better really sweetens the top end.

Hairylarry - re: your thread starting comment about the Shure 545 - that's where I started too man! Did a lot of recording with those and some EV 636 omnis.

Other cheap mics - What's the word on the sound of $30 SM-57 copy, the GLS Audio ES-57?
Click to expand...

Michael,

My first 545 had the screw on connector. Then later I bought one with the XLR. For a while I didn't have the screw on connector and I used the mic by sticking the leads right into the socket at the bottom of the mic and then taping it all up.

I kind of think of them as a Blues version of the SM57. Dirtier and grittier. Great for harp if you want that deep bottom and that bluesy sound. Also good for cabinets, snare, vocals, anywhere you would use an SM57.

I also have an EV 631 which unlike the 545 can still be bought under $50. I assume a 636 is similar to a 635a. (Please correct me) The 631 is like a high impedance 635a. The mic looks and sounds exactly like a shiny 635a but it has a screw on high impedance cable and no low impedance option. Be sure you buy one with the cable because the cable can cost more than the microphone. So if you have good high impedance mic inputs and a 20' maximum cable length is not a problem here's another way to get a dynamic omni cheap.

Coutant shows it as having a Low Impedance option. So I'm probably wrong on that.

http://www.coutant.org/631/index.html

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
 
hairylarry said:
See. TyphoidHippo wants to know too.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
Click to expand...

Yea, I really do - I'm just gonna order that 7 pack. Somebody has to do it, and the curiosity is killing me... At ~$11.43/mic, it's a pretty good deal even if they only end up being useful for talkback/utility purposes. If these really are usable drum mics, then they will be setting an impressively, freakin ridiculously low price point for getting into recording...But I'll reserve further comments of that nature until after I hear them ;)
 
hairylarry said:
Hi,

My AKG D120E came in. It is very small and light with some plastic and some metal I think. It feels kind of cheap but it sounds great. I've been comparing it to my Beyer M400. It really holds up well. On acoustic guitar very similar. On the vocals the Beyer is a little more solid in the midrange and I can tell the difference. That said they both sound good, just different.

I think this mic can be had under $50 and that my $30.70 purchase was not just a fluke. It was definitely a less expensive model when new. And it has that lightweight feel. So this keeps the cost down.

Mine sounds great and in my opinion the mic definitely deserves to be in this thread.

Feel free to disagree. And if you have any mics that can be had for $50 that you use a lot please add them to this thread.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
Click to expand...

hairylarry said:
Ritzy,

Mine came in and I've been enjoying it. I'm working on a review. Overall I'm impressed.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
Click to expand...

Cool bananas!
Yeah, their construction is a bit lighter than some of their siblings, but they are probably sturdier than they might seem. Mine have survived a few decent drops and to no ill effect. Certainly, for the price you paid you can't go wrong. I haven't plugged mine in in ages... I'll have to dig them out again and give them a listen with a fresh set of ears. From what recall I always wanted to try micing a cab with one, but never actually got around to it. I can imagine they'd be good at that. That fairly high bass roll-off can be useful in terms of using the mic's frequency response as a sort of EQ for whatever you're micing. Another good flavour to have in your mic locker I say! I look forward to your review!

Cheers,
Ritzy
 
hairylarry said:
I also have an EV 631 which unlike the 545 can still be bought under $50. I assume a 636 is similar to a 635a. (Please correct me) The 631 is like a high impedance 635a. The mic looks and sounds exactly like a shiny 635a but it has a screw on high impedance cable and no low impedance option. Be sure you buy one with the cable because the cable can cost more than the microphone. So if you have good high impedance mic inputs and a 20' maximum cable length is not a problem here's another way to get a dynamic omni cheap.

Coutant shows it as having a Low Impedance option. So I'm probably wrong on that.

http://www.coutant.org/631/index.html

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
Click to expand...

Larry,

If you check out the data sheet for the 631 on that Coutant page, there's a schematic for the mic at the bottom of the last page where you can see that the low impedence version is the same as the high impedence version, except without the transformer. If you wanted to be crafty you could always remove the transformer and rewire it with a three-pin balanced connection as per the data sheet, thus ending up with the lo-Z version. This'd probably bring it directly in line with the 635a. Of course, the sound may change ever so slightly without the transformer, so if you're digging the mic's current sound...
 
Ritzy said:
Larry,

If you check out the data sheet for the 631 on that Coutant page, there's a schematic for the mic at the bottom of the last page where you can see that the low impedence version is the same as the high impedence version, except without the transformer. If you wanted to be crafty you could always remove the transformer and rewire it with a three-pin balanced connection as per the data sheet, thus ending up with the lo-Z version. This'd probably bring it directly in line with the 635a. Of course, the sound may change ever so slightly without the transformer, so if you're digging the mic's current sound...
Click to expand...

Ritzy,

I was noticing that. Different connectors for the low imp version. And no transformer.

No, I'm a collector and I already have two 635a microphones so I'm keeping the 631 high imp stock. I need to do a really close a-b check on the 631 and a 635. They seem to be exactly the same but maybe in a close test the transformer will make a difference.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
 
Apparently the drum set

TyphoidHippo said:
Yea, I really do - I'm just gonna order that 7 pack. Somebody has to do it, and the curiosity is killing me... At ~$11.43/mic, it's a pretty good deal even if they only end up being useful for talkback/utility purposes. If these really are usable drum mics, then they will be setting an impressively, freakin ridiculously low price point for getting into recording...But I'll reserve further comments of that nature until after I hear them ;)
Click to expand...

TyphoidHippo,

Apparently the drum mics are just more of the same. Seven K-Micros for $79.99 or two for $26.00. Unbelievably low price.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
 
hairylarry said:
TyphoidHippo,

Apparently the drum mics are just more of the same. Seven K-Micros for $79.99 or two for $26.00. Unbelievably low price.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
Click to expand...

Oh yea, I realize it's the same mics as in the two pack, I've just never, ever heard or read any reviews on this "second generation" of them. I'll be ordering them within a week or two, so we'll see if they really can handle drums now, because the first version, apparently, could not cope with the SPL...nor could they handle guitar amps, or any other considerably loud source, for that matter...
 
That was my understanding

TyphoidHippo said:
Oh yea, I realize it's the same mics as in the two pack, I've just never, ever heard or read any reviews on this "second generation" of them. I'll be ordering them within a week or two, so we'll see if they really can handle drums now, because the first version, apparently, could not cope with the SPL...nor could they handle guitar amps, or any other considerably loud source, for that matter...
Click to expand...

TyphoidHippo,

I also have not tried them. It was my understanding that they would distort a loud signal. The new version is supposed to have better SPL handling before distortion. They would have to to be sold as a drum kit.

Please let us know first hand what you think of them after you've had a chance to try them out.

I'm going to make a list based on this thread so the more input the better.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
 
lav mics

Hi,

For some reason used lav mics are cheap. Lav mics often live their lives in video studios. They tend to be very sturdy. They are almost always tailored to the human vocal range however some are flat or have an extended frequency response. Typically lav mics may be 100 Hz to 13 Khz or even 120 Hz to 10 KHz which isn't always bad.

My current preferred vocals mic for live performance is an EV 649b lav mic velcroed to my harp rack. It picks up my vocals and harp fine while allowing me to move around freely. I paid $28.36 for this mic. Recently I bought the very similar EV 647a lav mic for $21.50. I used it at a gig and it seemed to be about the same. These mics are both dynamic omnis.

I also use an Audio Technica 831b lav mic. This is a cardiod condenser mic that comes with a battery pack you hook on your belt. It also works with phantom power. It's tiny like the size of a pencil eraser. This mic has an extended frequency response and is great for micing acoustic instruments in a television production environment where amplification is not needed. It is not good for live sound because it feeds back too easily.

A clip to mount the mic on a guitar sound hole comes with the mic. I always point my mic towards the bottom of the bridge because I love that woody sound. This mic compares favorably to a condenser mic on a stand without the guitarist having to be careful about staying on mic and not bumping into it. I paid $51.80 for this mic and used it making many videos. It is also supposed to be good for fiddles.

With a lav mic on my harp rack and another mounted on my guitar I could freely choreograph my movements during the shoot without worrying about going off mic. Both mics are close to their sources reducing background noise. The results are hi fidelity mono. You don't really want the vocals panned hard left and the guitar panned hard right.

Has anyone had experience with other lav mics? Has anyone used them in the studio?

I was able to mic my guitar with the 831b in the control room while the bass and drums monitored the guitar over the headphones. This gave pretty good isolation in spite of the fact that my control room window is made of air. Acoustic guitar, bass, and drums make a fine sounding rhythm section but is surprisingly difficult to record. We could see and hear each other fine yet my guitar track was not overwhelmed by the much louder bass and drums. I have also used the K&K mics that mount permanently on the inside of the guitar like this but they don't fall into the fifty dollar range.

So for a final question is anyone aware of mics that mount permanently in a guitar that give quality sound and can be had in the fifty dollar range?

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
 
Naiant has a mic that will mount on a guitar... and it might be under $50 including the special guitar mount.
 
Has anyone tried the speakerrepair.com GLS mic cables?

Not the Hi-end studio cables, but the ones that are $10 a piece or 10 for $70. Are they any good, do they last? Or are they cheap and break easily like the Musiciansfriend ones?

I'm thinking of buying their 57 copy with mic cable package... for 40 bucks!
 
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