Mega-cheapie mics

[shagfu]

Can anyone recommend a decent $50-100 mic for recording some cheap (but half-decent sounding) steel-string and nylon acoustic guitars? It would also do double duty to record vocals.

I'm a horrible singer (thin, wispy voice), and the nylon-string has lost much of it's tone, and the steel-string is just a $160 Art & Lutherie (which sounds pretty good for the price).

My main concern would be a decent, quiet mic.

-many thanks
shagfu

 

[vox]

You could go for a Shure SM 57, It'll do a pretty good job on most vocalists and is one of the first mics to grab for recording snare drum or miking a guitar amp, it isn't the best choice for acoustic guitar, but if you don't have phantom power it might be your best choice. Costs about $80.

The cheapest condenser mic I'd recommend is the Behringer ECM 8000, it'll do a pretty damn good job on acoustic guitar and it only costs about $35. On vocals it'll give you a detailed sound but it won't warm up or gloss over anything so it won't make your voice sound "larger than life". The bad news is you will need phantom power to run it, so you may need to pick up an ART Tube MP for about $100, or maybe one of those dirt cheap Behringer mixers. Total cost - just over $100, and you should get pretty good results.

Another really good cheap condenser is the Marshall MXL 603s, I find it has a slightly "fatter" sound than the ECM 8000 but it also does a good job on acoustic guitars, it should be a bit more flattering on vocals as well. Cost about $80, and you will need phantom power for this one too.

I think the best "bottom feeder" ( ) setup for acoustic and vocals is probably a Marshall V67G (about $150 now I think,and it may also sound great on your acoustic) an Art Tube MP and either the ECM 8000 or the Marshall 603s.

Good Luck

 

[atomictoyz]

I bought MXL V63M for 79 bucks, and I see now that the Project Studios B1 is around the same price...Both are budget oriented large diaphragm condensor mics. They will work well for what ails the monetarily challenged folks.

The V63m is here;
http://www.marsmusic.com/store/product_template.jhtml?catid=585&prodid=prod510102&primarySkuId=14247

I haven't heard of anyone using the B1 yet, so I can't refer your to anything except http://www.fullcompass.com, Im gonna get a B1 myself probably next month..that if no one else want ot be the guinnea pig...


Peace,
Dennis

 

[AlexHerd]

at $35 I think the ECM 8000 is great!

 

[chessrock]

Yea, if you're looking for something that cheap to handle double duties, I would look at the Behringer B1.

Different from the Studio Projects B1, although that one I am sure is worthy of consideration as well.

The other suggestions are all nice for guitars (the ecm8000 or the Marshall 603), but not necessarily what I would reach for on vocals. The B1 should be able to handle both chores nicely.

 

[tdukex]

Marshall V67, $100 at Mars, is a proven winner.

 

[scodu]

Marshall V67, $100 at Mars, is a proven winner.

And if you take a copy of Mars web page with the V67m to Sam Ash they will Match the price for the same mic in a different color.

scodu

 

[shagfu]

Thanks for all of the suggestions

I'll probably start off with the Behringer first. Then add the Marshall afterwards. Since their is still quite a bit of stuff I need to get (Proto-J monitors, etc...)

Once again, many thanks

-shagfu