Looking for a condenser, on a tight budget

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IronFlippy

IronFlippy

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I know there's a bunch of threads like this already, and I HAVE looked through them, but none of them seem to really answer my question. What's my question?

What is a good condenser mic for someone on a budget who is recording acoustic guitar and vocals?

I've heard quite a bit about Studio Project's B1. I have an Audio-Technica ATM31 condenser, which doesn't really look like a condenser to me so I thought it was a dynamic mic up until just now.

Should I stick with the ATM31? The sound I get has too much high end for me. Is this because it's a small diaphram condenser? I feel very lost on the whole thing, could someone help me straighten myself out a bit?
 
IronFlippy said:
I've heard quite a bit about Studio Project's B1.
Click to expand...

I can vouch for this mic. Good value, good results for a home studio, at minimum.
 
Don't know what your budget is, but I have an At 4040, and it seems to work just fine for me. Only condensor mic I've ever used, so I have no comparisons for you, just that tidbit. It was $300 when I got it about 2 months ago.
 
from what I've read, small condensors generally are'nt used for vocals......usually for acoustic instruments. large condensors are used for both. for versatility, I'd look into a large diaphram condensor.

just pick one that is within your budget and learn to use it. experiment like crazy but be careful with it; don't drop it, knock it over, expose it to high humidity, expose it to sound sources higher than it's rated for. i think for a first ldc, you should worry more about learning how to use it rather than going nuts over which one to get. i fell into that trap myself. you can lose alot of sleep over picking out mics. you could probably learn alot and do alot with any of the popular cheap large diaphram condensors. i heard a recording yesterday that was done with a MXL 990 that really surprised me. the 990 was my first condensor and i probably did'nt spend enough time experimenting with it to get closer to the results i wanted. oh yea, technically the 990 is'nt a large diaphram condensor since the diaphram is a bit small.

heres a link to the tune i heard yesterday that was done with the MXL 990:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=156324
 
:) my vote is for the B1.

but don't listen to me too much - its the only condensor i've used regularly - i can tell its not a pile of crap though. Soundonsound had an article on it this month. under the heading "cons" they put "none at this price" :p

tis a beast :p

Andy.
 
IronFlippy said:
Should I stick with the ATM31? The sound I get has too much high end for me. Is this because it's a small diaphram condenser? I feel very lost on the whole thing, could someone help me straighten myself out a bit?
Click to expand...
You should try using the ATM31 in a few different ways before giving up on it. Try singing closer to the mic to accentuate the low end in your voice (proximity effect). SDC's aren't that commonly used for vocals but that's not to say they aren't ever used. If you get a good sound from it that's all that matters.

When micing the guitar try moving it more towards the body to bring out the low end of the guitar.

You might try lots of different things and still not like it but it'd be a shame to get rid of a mic which might work for you if you just spend a bit of time experimenting with its position.
 
I've done quite a bit of experimenting with it, haven't been able to get a sound I really like. The ATM31 is supposed to be a vocal small diaphram mic, but maybe my voice is too high and middy for it. I'm thinking the MXL990 is the one to get.
 
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