I have no more than $300 to spend on a mic...

[Xochi]

As I said,

I have $300 to spend on a Mic. I've heard alot about the
Rode NT1 and the Studio Projects C1. Please share your experience and wisdom on these or other microphones in this price range. Thank You. Xochi
(I'm looking for something that will record Voice/Classical Guitar/Guitar/Various Instruments.)

(was edited after a very relevant question was asked. What mic do I have now?)

All I have now is the E.V. (Electro Voice) Vocal mic. Compared to the SM57 or 58. Thats it.
I also have a Mackie 1202 VLZ. Thats it!
I dont know If I have a good room. I live in an efficiency. The sound in here is pretty dead so I think it might serve as a good room. This cottage is made entirely of wood.

 

[Roel]

What mics do you have at the moment? And what mixer/preamps? You got a good room to record in?

 

[Beezoboy]

2 Marshall V93's

Or the C1

I would be happy with all these. The Marshalls are flat and accurate, and well the C1 seems to sound quite good too. But I think two mic give you a good deal more options than one. Or better get

1 MXL V93
2 MXL 603s

Oh Yeah and don't forget the Mxl V77. It is a tube mic so it must be warm. I am very happy with every Marshall mic that I own so I recommend them.

Beezoboy

 

[wes480]

"It is a tube mic so it must be warm"

wow - everything this forum hates summed up in 10 words.

 

[Tom Hicks]

A good under $300 versatile mic includes C1 ,the NT1 and the MXL V67.All are similar chinese mics large diaphragm condensors.
Tom

 

[tonejunkee]

dude, get the v77 - I've had it for a week and its got a huge sound! - it does add warmth though - so it depends on what yer lookin fer

got mine from shreveaudio.com for $289!

 

[Jimmy D.]

Xochi,

I have had a great experience with the sure ksm27 - large diaphram (1") - probably not the flat-est, but very flatt-ering!

has built-in subsonic filter (cuts vibration below 17 Hz); also a 15 dB switch pad, as well as a three position 'low cut' filter (my manual says - "18 dB/octave rolloff starting at 80Hz, 6 dB/octave rolloff at 115 Hz, or flat").

my uses: acustic (both flat-top steel string, and classical), voice, some 'wind' (ehem..) instruments and percussion. Got mine at about $300 with shockmount...

Hope this helps...

Jim

 

[neirbo]

Since you have a variety of micing needs, why not get more than one mic? A good, versatile setup for less than $300 would be:

1) MXL v67m ($99 at Mars music) great for vocals, also room micing, drum overhead, maybe acoustic guitar (?)
2) MXL 603 ($70) acoustic guitar, drum overheads, other acoustic intruments
3) Shure SM57 ($80) guitar amps, most drums, vocals

If you plan on stereo micing (e.g. drum overheads), I'd go for two 603s. Even with two 603s, the whole shebang would cost you just a little over $300, and you would have a very solid mic collection for home recording.

Check around with the search function, and I think you'll find most folks on this BBS would agree that the mics I recommeded are all high on the "bang for the buck" list. For great mic info, check posts by a guy names Harvey Gerst. That spelling might be wrong, but its close. He is a well-respected wealth of info on mics who frequents this web site. My recommendations above basically came from him.

The C1 is also highly recommended as an overall condensor for vocals and acoustic instruments, and would be a good choice. But for the same price (or less) you can get the v67 and the 603, which will give you more variety.

I would NOT get the NT1. It is just not a very good mic for most purposes. I can't compare it to the C1, but I have used both the NT1 and the V67 and the V67 is clearly superior to my ears.

 

[CyanJaguar]

do yourself a favor and get either an at4033 $299 or an at 3035 $199. Both mics are beasts and work on most any source you throw at them.

 

[chessparov]

My vote is to check out the new Studio Projects B3 (multi-pattern)
when it comes out and if you like it get a pair so you can do stereo
recordings with the option of using different polar patterns.
The street price is supposed to about $150 each, and they should be out
very shortly. Their customer service is great BTW!

 

[Tom Hicks]

Vaporware!I've been hearing "soon" on the B1 since before X-mass.Same tune as the really-super-nice-mic-pre...
Tom

 

[Gidge]

1-Marshall MXLv67M
2-Marshall MXL603's
1 shure sm57

 

[neirbo]

Gidge, you are obviously a very intelligent and talented individual for making such fine picks!

I know these things because I have just become a "Senior Member."

 

[Randy Yell]

Three bills is the price of the new Studio Projects TB-1.I'm waiting,as soon as it's available I'm going to pick one up.I was going to try a B-3,but Alan's clever marketing ploy of making me wait gave me time to upgrade before I even bought a mic!

 

[chessrock]

just get a pair of marshall mxl 603's and a v93 and there will be nothing you can't mic with that setup.

 

[chessparov]

tom, the B series will devaporize shortly per Alan Hyatt.
Alan's just finishing final quality control now that he's finally
has the shipment. Surely the "man" himself will update us
when it hits the stores...

 

[alanhyatt]

Vaporware!I've been hearing "soon" on the B1 since before X-mass.Same tune as the really-super-nice-mic-pre...
Tom

Tom,

They are not vaporware. They are in, and going through QC. They will ship to all the dealers this week. Our issue is we will not let let them out without testing, as it is a new model.

In either case, the wait is really over, you will see them in the stores within days. We are shipping all models of the B Series.

Alan Hyatt
PMI Audio Group

 

[Xochi]

Whats wront with this Beringer B-1 mic?

Why is it so inexpensive? And it comes with a case and shockmount!?
It must not be that good of a mic since I've heard no one mention it.
Xochi

 

[Beathoven]

Alan,
What about the mic-pre? Is it hitting the stores soon?

Thanks in advance,
Beathoven

 

[heylow]

Well,

The first thing I'd do keep WAY away from the NT1. It will be the first thing you get rid of as your tastes mature. I'd like to reccommend the 4033 because I think it's one of the best deals out there for the money.

But since you don't have much, I'd go with what Gidge said. The Marshall MXL603's are great mics...you can record stereo....acoustics sound wonderful through them...as overheads, they are nice and smooth.

The Marshall MXLv67M is something I have not used but for the dough, based on the general concensus around here from people I trust, I wouldn't hesitate. The 57 speaks for itself.

Also....I notice 8th Street.com has the at3035 for 200 bucks, including a free cable and boom stand....that's a nice deal too.


heylow