Looking for a significant step up in quality

[Brightside]

Hi

Search function is down at the moment so I thought I'd ask......

My 'best' mic is currently an AKG C2000B & I'm looking to buy something that is a step up in quality & is multi pattern.

I was thinking about the Studio Projects C3 but I'm not convinced that it will give me a *significant* improvement over the C2000B so I'm considering paying out for the 'next level'. A C414B-XLS is the front runner & is at the top of my budget.

An all round work-horse is what I'm after & it'll be used for pop/rock vocals, acoustic instruments & brass/orchestral work. The 414 seems a safe bet - am I likely to be disappointed if I get it? Any other suggestions?

My current mic list is:
C1000S x 2
C2000B x 1
SM58 x 2
SM57 x 2
D112 x 1

Thanks
Scott

 

[DJL]

An all round work-horse is what I'm after & it'll be used for pop/rock vocals, acoustic instruments & brass/orchestral work. The 414 seems a safe bet - am I likely to be disappointed if I get it?

The C414 is a good mic... but in time you will most likely get disappointed because you want just one mic to be the best mic for every job, and that's just not going to happen.

 

[Brightside]

Thanks DJL. Yes, as soon as I've got the money I'll be looking for a more dedicated/different flavoured vocal mic etc but for now, like most folk, I'm looking maximise my return from something like the 414.

I don't know why, but I'd always thought of the 414 as more of an instrument mic than a vocal mic but it's got to be better than my C2000B on vox right?

Scott

 

[Richard Monroe]

Well, that depends. (they always say that, don't they?). I'm very familiar with the C2000B and C414B-ULS and C414TLII. The new one I have no clue. The C2000B is a colored mic, which is very good on mediocre vocalists, cheap guitars, and for rock/blues overheads. However, on really good sources (Martins, Taylors, and Divas) its color makes it sound muddy. It's a great mic for airbrushing something. The 414 is just the reverse. It will bring out the best in a great guitar or a great singer, but, if the source is not so hot, the 414 will capture every sucky detail. It rocks on toms, Djembe, and as a jazz/country overhead. I recently recorded a badass lady vocalist (everything from Celine Dion to Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton, Melissa Etheridge, and Madonna), The 414 was a perfect fit. Almost all the acoustic guitar on my first album went through a 414 and it proved itself to be a world class workhorse mic. I believe the 414 will do exactly what you want, but don't underestimate the C2000B. Sometimes, it is the right mic for the job.-Richie

 

[chessparov]

The new 414's are reputed by some notable AE's to be (overall) markedly superior to the B/ULS.

Also consider the SP T3.

As Fletcher has said, "the right tool for the job"-could be a humble SM57.

Chris

 

[noisedude]

The Sound on Sound review of the new 414 was genuinely warm, not often to be found as they are often full of caveats etc (e.g. the SE Icis in the same issue, in which they don't say anything bad but still manage not to recommend it at all!).

 

[chessrock]

An all round work-horse is what I'm after & it'll be used for pop/rock vocals, acoustic instruments & brass/orchestral work. The 414 seems a safe bet - am I likely to be disappointed if I get it? Any other suggestions?

I doubt you'll be disappointed -- it's a pretty safe choice. I'd also throw a Shure KSM-44 in to the equation.

 

[Brightside]

Thanks guys.
Good to read an opinion on the differences between the C2000B & the 414 Richie, very informative as I've not had much first hand experience with other mics apart from the ones I own.
The KSM-44 seems to attract a fair bit of praise too but it's about 150 (pounds) more expensive than the 414 so I think I may pass on it in favour of buying something else for my set up (so many choices to make!).
I'm a month or two away from buying my new gear (see my 'new set up' thread here) and your advice is very welcome.
I think I'll go with the 414 as it's a time proven winner & sounds like it's something that everyone should have at least one of. Just like the good old SM57. As you say, the right mic for the right job - the 414 will give me detail when I want it.

Off to start a couple more threads...hopefully you guys can help me out with those too.

Scott