I know I shouldn't do it but...next mic?

[EleKtriKaz]

I've been following this board for a while now, and I know how many of these pop up, so I apologize in advance.

That being said, it's time for me to get another mic. When I first got my setup I bought a Rode NTK which I absolutely love. I've learned how to do a lot of different things with it, but i don't like having everything on my tracks have the same sound.

I mostly record acoustic and electric guitar, vocals, percussion (shaker and bongos), and somtimes harmonica (which the NTK sounds amazing on).

I'm looking for something that will give me a different sound on acoustic and that will be usable for other applications as well. All suggestions under $700 are welcome. Hope this isn't too broad.

 

[lumbago]

I have an NTK and a Beyer M88 which works well for applications where the NTK isn't optimal.

 

[CMEZ]

why not get a pair of AKG 451's? They're a studio standard you'll find in any pro studio, and a go-to mic for many of the applications you've named. It'll also give you stereo capability, which you don't have at the moment. OR a pair of Shure SM81's, also used for the same things. You should be able to pick up a pair of either for that budget.

Chris

 

[Richard Monroe]

As a complement, I would recommend AKG C414, any model. The standards are C414B-ULS, C414TLII, C414EB, and there's a new version C414B-ULS SE. I use the B-ULS version, and it is one of the most versatile studio mics out there. Good on a wide variety of percussion, great on acoustic guitar, mandolin, strings, banjo, piano, woodwinds. Although it isn't my first choice as a vocal mic, it is perfect on a minority of vocalists. NTK is one of the other mics I use, and the 414 is exactly what I put up when NTK is the wrong mic for the job. It is my "go to" mic for acoustic guitar. The TLII is a slightly more expensive version with a capsule based on the C12, a bright and pricey standard. The EB is a discontinued model which has been a studio standard for many years, a great choice if the mic is in good condition. Most people prefer the TLII to the B-ULS version, but I belong to the minority that doesn't. I would select the TLII only if I intended to use it as a vocal mic. For instruments, I have a slight preference for the B-ULS. The new SE I can't really comment on. No clue.
Try this- look up any 10 top professional recording studios, and try to find one that doesn't have a couple of 414's. Bet you can't. Think about it.-Richie