Have narrowed it down to these...opinions please:)

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tangerinedream

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So after much research and reading on the forum and the web, I've narrowed down my search for a budget microphone. I'm new to home recording, so this is my first microphone. I will be recording MOSTLY acoustic guitar, and some male vocal. I would like something with a little body and more on the colored side. Looking to stay under or around $100. These are what I'm down to.

AT2020 - seems to be very popular and well regarded. Possibly too neutral? Seems to be good value.
MXL 603 - Also seems to be well regarded. A matched pair is $134, so that seems to make more sense than buying a single for $99.00.
MXL990s- This one really has me intrigued and seems like it would be well suited for acoustic guitars. Seems alot easier to set up than two different microphones for recording guitar. Will it work o.k. for vocals? Will I have to sing into one side of the microphone, or does recording vocals in stereo work o.k.?
MXL V67G - The one large diaphragm in my list. Seems very popular. I hate the green and gold, but the sound is what's most important to me. Just a little concerned it would be more suited for vocals than the acoustic.
Nady CM-90 - The cheapest of my options. Would also consider buying two for stereo recording.

Thanks so much for your opinions. I'm sure I would be fine with any of these...but a little more real-world experience from you guys would really help memake an informed decision.
 
tangerinedream said:
I'm sure I would be fine with any of these...but a little more real-world experience from you guys would really help me make an informed decision.
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hey man, it's an odd one because i think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head with this comment. the only things i'd say are if you plan to record vocals as well with the same mic (separately or simultaneously) then i'd be more inclined to go for an LDC over the SDC's on your list. however, and this is all down to personal preference, SDC's tend to suit acoustic guitars better.

If you want one mic for both (i almost went all "lord of the rings" and said "one mic to rule them all" but stopped short) then in or around your price range i'd say the MXL V67g would be a good choice. however, i'd also say have a look at the sE X1 and Avantone CK6 as well. the sE X1 is quite bright but not in a horrible way and the Avantone sounds much fuller and smoother which may or may not work for what you need.

If you want a really "coloured" mic sound (assuming that by coloured you mean all the usual adjectives such as "warm", "thick", "full", "smooth" etc) then it may be worth having a look at the Apex 205 which is a ribbon mic. the dangers are that ribbons are crazy delicate and need to be treated like a new born child and it's not as versatile as a majority of condenser mics but it does sound incredible on acoustic guitars and some vocals IME (although it does need a fair amount of EQ to get there but as a ribbon mic it handles EQ like a dream!)

Finally, assuming you're from the USA, although i've never used them and this is purely from hearing clips/examples/people ranting about them, it may be worth looking at both the Gauge Mics and Karma Audio mics. As i said, as a UK resident, i've not been able to get my hands on them, although i very much want to, but both brands seem to have a certain something about their mics and are still very reasonably priced
 
I'm sure you're right that any will be fine. I have a pair of MXL 990's and they work on everything. On page 2 and 3 of the recent "which microphone??" thread I posted links to things I've done and others have done using them showing them on horns, vocals and acoustic guitar. Great bang/buck ratio. If you watch the Lisa Lavie produced We Are The World For Haiti video, the guy who does the Michael Jackson parts is using a 990.

I'd like to try an AT2020. I wouldn't worry about it being "too neutral".

Why not get any two of them, keep the one you like the best, work your way through the list that way.
 
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Get the pair of 603's and the V67g. That should do you very well for beginners.

You can always find these used on ebay for about half price. :thumbs up:
 
If you're interested in the V67g, check out the MXL 9090 (search Amazon.com). It's a rebadged V67i (which is a dual-diaphragm version of the V67), NOT GREEN, Michael Jolly modifiable, comes in a case (my 67's did not), has roll-off and pad switches (the V67g does not), and it's less expensive than the V67i---sometimes even less expensive than the V67g! One setting is "warm" and the other is "bright." Generally available for ~$100-110.

Another MXL option is the CR-24 package (search Guitar Center, MusiciansFriend, BHPhoto), "black-chrome" versions of a 603 and LDC "factory-modded" 2003a. Available on-sale for ~$150.

MXL has other LDC/SDC packages (440/441, 550/551 [how about RED!], 990/991)---I only have experience with the 990/991 package, which were once available for $50 (now~$80), so I bought two. I kept the 991 mics---very 603-like (sometimes indistinguishable). I gave away both 990 mics (one was mailed back to me with a "Thanks, but I got a new mic" note). I know it has fans but everytime I see the 990 mic mentioned I think "Cereal box!"

I hope this helps (and now I have huge hankerin' for corn flakes),
Paj
8^)
 
Have you tried out any microphones on your vocals? It's easy to say a LDC will work for you, but it may be that you record well with an SM57 (which can also be used on a ton of other sources, including acoustic guitar) or other dynamic microphone.

Honestly, I'd take my time and save up to spend more than $100 on a microphone. Like moresound noted, cheap=cheap. You can pick up a Rode NT1-a for $229 new or under $175 used, and it's easily the best condenser microphone below $300 (...in my opinion).
 
Thanks for the comments and suggestions guys.

I think I'm moving towards the at2020.Very favorable reviews for a budget mic, and the price is right(72 dollars and free shipping on B&H). I'll be using this to sketch out demos in garageband, so i think it will be fine for the job...seems like a good compromise between price and performance. It'll get my feet wet anyway;)
 
The Nady condenser mics are dogs unless you're willing to spend hours modding them. You'll never get a good stereo image out of them stock.

The AT2020 sounds remarkably good for an electret, and is interesting in that it lies sort of in the middle between SDC and LDC capsule sizes. It will give you a lot of flexibility, and should make a solid acousting guitar mic, though not as detailed as SDCs would be, and a usable vocal mic, though not as forgiving as LDCs would be.

I'd probably steer you towards two different mics for those purposes, though. I can't keep you under $100, but I can give some good advice for under $200.

For vocals, either the V67G or a CAD M-179 should be decent choices. For guitar... Google... tap, tap, tappity tap. Cool. Jon is building mics again.

Naiant - Microphones

Any of his omni mics ought to be great acoustic guitar mics. I suggest a pair for guitar work.
 
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Well I got one today, but none that were on my shortlist.

Went to music-go-round to see what they had. Sitting there in it's own hardcase was an Oktava MK-319. Looked to be in excellent shape. Tried it out at the store and it sounded nice. Price was a little over my budget. I paid $115.00. Just plugged it in at home, and I gotta say it sounds smooth on acoustic guitar. Haven't really put it though it's paces, but I'm happy with my purchase. Now, let's record some music. Thanks again for the comments and suggestions everyone!
 
Great choice, I was reading the replies and wondering why nobody had suggested this mic. I just got one myself and sent it off to Bill Sitler to be modified. I thought it sounded great on vocals in its stock form, but I don't think I've heard it on acoustic guitar. From what I hear the mods turn it into a great mic. That's not a bad price you paid either. For another $120, you can get it modified and supposedly bring it into a whole other league. Or you can do some inexpensive mods yourself if you're DIY inclined. But for now you should be very happy with it as is. I would just keep the mod option in mind if you ever feel like it's time to upgrade to a different mic.
 
tangerinedream said:
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Well I got one today, but none that were on my shortlist.

Went to music-go-round to see what they had. Sitting there in it's own hardcase was an Oktava MK-319. Looked to be in excellent shape. Tried it out at the store and it sounded nice. Price was a little over my budget. I paid $115.00. Just plugged it in at home, and I gotta say it sounds smooth on acoustic guitar. Haven't really put it though it's paces, but I'm happy with my purchase. Now, let's record some music. Thanks again for the comments and suggestions everyone!
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You are plugin it into your typewriter to record with it? :D
 
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