Looking for a small dia condensor - cheap

[Son of Mixerman]

OK, Ive put it off and put it off. I nned a small diameter condensor mic of my own. I only need it for mic'ing an acoustic guitar. It a Fender La Brea model and it sucks pretty bad. real nasally and tinny if you ask me. Im looking at the following models:

Audix Fusion 15
MXL603
ECM8000
Nady CM88
Shure 81XLR
NadyCM90
Oktava MK012

thoughts,comments and experiences with these mics please
Harvey?
SoMm

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

What do you consider "cheap"?

To me, an Audio Technica 4041 is a cheap (but very excellent!) small dia...

The AKG 451s are excellent re-issues and are significantly cheaper than the originals (while maintaining the same calibre of sound quality the originals had!)!

 

[Son of Mixerman]

Cheap is under $100 or so. Cheap means if the kids get ahold of it I won't cry. The list is what I scrounged up off the net and various catelogs. I used the 451 as overheads on a monster drum kit once, very nice mic, but not for home use. Thanks for your input though, maybe next year after I divide and conquer the rest of my garage Ill relook into the 4041. But for now..well now that you mention it...I might just start saving now for one...mmmmm.

SoMm

 

[H2oskiphil]

I just (this afternoon, so I can't review them yet) bought a pair of Oktava's for $99/ea from GC. Musician's Friend is running the same deal right now on their web site w/free ground shipping. The decision was based primarily on input from the members of this forum, so, if I hate them...IT'S ALL OF YOUR FAULT!!!



I didn't buy the shock mounts at $39/ea. Anyone with experience with this mic that can tell me if I need to go back and get them?

 

[Richard Monroe]

Oktava MC012 and MXL603 are standouts in this category, and I would look no further. Shockmounts? May be unnecessary if used for guitar only, but if used for overheads on drums, a must. And don't tap your feet! The Behrenger I know little about, but for a dirt cheap omni reference mic, it seems to get a lot of mention on this board. Can someone give me the lowdown on what it's really good for, and its strengths and weaknesses?- Richie

 

[tdukex]

I use both an MXL 603 (on the neck) and an ECM 8000 (on the bridge) and get a very nice stereo sound IMO. That's about $120 cost for two excellent budget mics.

If I could afford the 4041, I'd have one of those, and I may yet some day.

 

[chessrock]

I'm shocked that you guys call yourselves "senior" and "dedicated" members, and still haven't learned to use the search function. Tisk, tisk.

Alright, the cliffnotes version for SOMM -- What H20 and Richard said is accurate, and no, you probably won't need a shockmount for either the 603 or the mc012. The oktava will give you a little more versatility, but the 603 will sound just as good.

Cliffnotes version for Richard -- Omnis like the Behringer will give you more of your room (room accoustics will play a bigger role). They'll also have a bit more self noise to them than usual, so consider this when micing quieter sources. But they'll sound much more accurate and natural than what you're used to -- capturing things pretty much as they sound to your ears. This can be good or bad.

 

[memriloc]

Guage?...

Heya Son....What guage strings are you useing man?....A friend of mine had a beutiful Epi Texan, by all means a beefy guitar, but he was using 9's on it and the same thing was happening, nasely, tinny rattly and bugger all sustain, so I borrowed it to do some tracks before I had one of my own and I stuck 13's through 56's on it AND IT SUNG!!!!, full thick and sustain to die for, a completely different guitar...Only draw back is there's no way you could be any bending, but that didn't bother me nor him as it turned out....Just a thought man!

 

[Gidge]

i vote for the 603's....

 

[Aren]

I'd vote for anything but the CM-90. I was burned pretty bad with one, so now I developed a prejudice against adys

Oren

 

[Richard Monroe]

Chess, I know what an omni does in close mic'ing, and I often use the 012 or C3 in that role. My real question is what's so good about this cheap electret reference mic that so many people swear by it? I have no personal experience with reference mics, but I've read Harvey's comments, and it seems from what he said that the ruler flat response of such a mic would make it less than ideal as a guitar mic. Are they just blending in a little to gain increased accuracy? Forgive me for being thick. God knows, at the price point, if it'll do something my other mics don't, I'll buy a pair.-Richie

 

[Son of Mixerman]

Thanks for your inputs. Il keep checking back as more folks comment.

I'm shocked that you guys call yourselves "senior" and "dedicated" members, and still haven't learned to use the search function. Tisk, tisk.

Chessrock,
I used the search function, but rather than sort through the NYC phonebook, I decided to ask some friends knowing the question has probably been asked before.

memriloc,
I think you may be onto something there. I inherited the guitar after a friend passed away after being hit head on by a drunk driver. I never used it because the sound is aweful. Yup, I checked the gigbag and behold, Dean Markley Phosphor bronze 9's. I hope that helps with the tone.

Thanks again everyone.

SoMm

 

[chessrock]

My real question is what's so good about this cheap electret reference mic that so many people swear by it?

It's just cheap and honest. If you love the sound of your instrument and your room, then it will capture that as is -- no hype. It's beauty is in it's simplicity.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Thank's, Chess. For $39 or whatever, I'll take a very small chance, what the hell.-Richie

 

[H2oskiphil]

i vote for the 603's....

Really?

Gidge, I'll bet you tell everyone that the 2001 is a good mic, too...
Dont'cha? Hmmmm?

 

[wjgypsy]

the 603 is the best mic that you can get for $79.99 i just got myne today. they sound great on drum overheads and i'm going to start useing them to record other things. and they almost do not need any eq. and there really hiss free.

go to:

www.8thstreetmusic.com

and look for the 603. i bought my from there and they have a great deal going on.... 2 mxl603 and 2, 25' mic cables for only:

$159.99!!!!!!!

 

[nwsoundman]

I still like the AT Pro -37r on acoustic. I am trying to get a player over to test Chessrocks Bellari mic pre. I will use a 37r and post a clip if I can get the time. Check them out.

 

[Gidge]

Really?

Gidge, I'll bet you tell everyone that the 2001 is a good mic, too...
Dont'cha? Hmmmm?

nope......

 

[chessparov]

If you can find an Audio-Technica AT3527 it is an excellent SD
omni condenser for acoustic guitar.
There is a review of it at www.sospubs.co.uk/search,
just enter "30 series" in the search field.
You can get VERY close with it to help negate any room sound BTW. It is a also a nice mike for warm sounding vocals.
Unfortunately, AT discontinued it (of course!).
Should run only around $100 used.

Chris

P.S. Also it's "safer" to get any Oktava's from www.oktava.com
AKA The Sound Room where they cull the good ones from the
bad!

 

[tdukex]

My real question is what's so good about this cheap electret reference mic that so many people swear by it?

Many people use these for drum overheads if they have a good sounding room. On acoustic guitar they excell at micing near the bout/bridge/soundhole because they are omni small caps, and you can close mic and get a rich, clean bass without the boominess caused by the proximitty effect. Put an MC012 or 603s on the neck, and you have a very good stereo recording.

[Are they just blending in a little to gain increased accuracy?

No blending for me. See above.