Help with Next Mic Purchase...

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Sonixx

Sonixx

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Soon I will be in the market for a pair of mics...

My budget can manage $2K. I'm thinking of either two C414B-ULS or two R84's. The majority of use will be for drum overheads, vocals and acoustic guitar.

Any input is greatly appreciated...

Here's my present mic locker:
1 - 4033
1 - 4050
2 - NTK
2 - C1
1 - AKG 460
2 - D112
9 - 57
 
not being funny but

dont you have it covered with your current mics ?
if it were me i would save the 2K, and find a pair of old pzm,s
for overheads used, and make myself a couple of diy tapeop mics
which i understand record acoustic guitar rather well.
they use cheap panasonic capsules costing 3 bucks from
digikey. however if you feel the urge to spend i would rent a number of high end mics first and record in real tests in your studio to settle on what to buy. try some soundelux, lawson,neumann,coles etc for high end.
 
thanks manning1...

i'll look at the TapeOp mic, but I'm no longer into making equipment. I did that for years and I no longer have too...

I don't have $2K burning a hole in my pocket, but I also want to expand my mic locker. Right now I'm limited on my multi-pattern mics and I'd like to have some Ribbons, but the C414 surely looks attractive.

I don't live in an area that easily supports renting mics... and I'll just sell whatever later if they don't fit the bill.
 
The R84 is fantastic for elect. guitars{IMHO} tested between a R84 and a Royer 121 and for "me" it won..My other choices for micing Ele. gut. are usally Baby Bottle,AT4033,Sen.421 and a ML19{Older Oktava ribbon} .For vocals it can be very nice also..I haven't used enough to know it exteamly well and I only have one as of yet...But its worth it to me just for how it works for me on a Marshall..No putzin around just hang it and press record..I'd look into some small caps for your overheads..also you didn't list any..Maybe some Josephsons C42's or T.H.E.'s.....Good luck






Don
 
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you have some nice mics, but if you are looking for even nicer mics, I would suggest

at 4060
neumann u87 vintage (hear it before purchase though)
the akg c414b/uls is a fave of mine but has some shortcomings. Definitely worth a listen and they are a steal when you buy used.
 
A couple more bills (shouldn't be too much for ya :D) and you can get a set of Soundelux u195s!
 
ChristopherDawn said:
A couple more bills (shouldn't be too much for ya :D) and you can get a set of Soundelux u195s!
Or one U99.
 
thanks everyone...

Henri Devill

Thanks for the input... What type of electric are you recording (tone wise)...


CyanJaguar

Thanks and is the 4060 basically a 4047 tube mic... or am I getting my mic confused. Do you have a 4060 and ever tracked using a pair?


ChristopherDawn and cominginsecond

Thanks and what's four bills... right... :)


lumbago

So I should just stay home and be satisfied...
 
What are your preamp choices right now? They'll make a much bigger difference.

Also have you looked into dynamics?

Shure SM-7b
Sennheiser 441
Beyer M-88

With a good pre these will be great mics!

Beez
 
Beezoboy said:
What are your preamp choices right now? They'll make a much bigger difference.

Also have you looked into dynamics?

Shure SM-7b
Sennheiser 441
Beyer M-88

With a good pre these will be great mics!

Beez
Thanks... but right now I'm not in the market for preamps or dynamics... maybe next year

Thanks for the input though...
 
AKG has an SE version of the C414B-ULS that uses the transformer of the ULS, but incorporates the diaphragm of the TLII. Did a little listening/testing, and they actually sound like a hybrid of the ULS and TLII. They sell as a matched stereo set with included shockmounts, windscreens, stereo bar and case. List price is $2100 for the pair, sells for about $1800 at most places...can be had for less though. ;)

jay@kraftmusic.com
 
right now I'm contemplating:

1 - Soundelux U195
1 - R84
2 - 4040

but subject to change at any time...
 
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Sonixx, how do you compare your AT4050 with your others? Especially for voice.

I have AT4040 the AT4040 and find it an excellent mic especially for the price. I have a slew of SM57 and ATM25, and a pair of ancient electret condensors for overheads.

I'm really interested in a pair of AT4050 (or ?? similar price range) for the multi-pattern. I will get a 2nd AT4040 when cash permits.
 
You don't really have a good set of SD overheads, dude. I would consider a matched pair of Josephson C42's, about a grand, and the other grand on a versatile instrument mic that's good for some vocals, such as KSM44 or C414-TLII. Or the Josephsons and a U195 would be a step up from the NTK on many vocals.
If you're really set on one badass mic, I think you could not go wrong with Lawson L47MP MarkII or Soundelux ifet7.-Richie
 
hi bgavin...

I've never used it for vocals. I generally use it for M+S micing of acoustic instruments as fo8. I like it Okay and I wish I had another but generally I only use it in fo8 or Omni mode. If I had another I'd probably use it more in cardioid mode and could better answer your question.
 
Richard Monroe said:
You don't really have a good set of SD overheads, dude. I would consider a matched pair of Josephson C42's, about a grand, and the other grand on a versatile instrument mic that's good for some vocals, such as KSM44 or C414-TLII. Or the Josephsons and a U195 would be a step up from the NTK on many vocals.
If you're really set on one badass mic, I think you could not go wrong with Lawson L47MP MarkII or Soundelux ifet7.-Richie
You're right on the SDCs. Thanks for the reply. I'll look at the Josephson's.

This discussion is exactly what I want. Thanks for all of the post everyone...
 
Sonixx said:
right now I'm contemplating:

1 - Soundelux U195
1 - R84
2 - 4040

but subject to change at any time...
new thinking...

2 - U195s now

2 - C42s (or something else) later next year
 
well... for now the mic journey is over...

I've ended up getting one U195 and a pair of e22s's

thanks everyone...
 
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