mic opinions wanted..

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shmackdaddy

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g'day, i am looking for some opinions on mic choice. i am looking to buy my first condenser mic and want a good all round mic as i wont be able to afford to get another one for a while.. my main aplications for it will be mostly vocals, but also want to be able to record guitars and other instruments to. my choice so far is between the Rode NT1 ( supporting us Aussies!) or the Studio Projects C1. my Question is How do these to mics compare to each other and is there any other suggestions in that price range?

cheers..
P.S Long live Bon Scott!!
 
If you are looking for a more all around mic i would go for something more like the Studio Projects B1. I never really liked the C1 on guitar, and it can be a little bright on some voices. The Rode NT1 is probably very similiar in sound to the C1 but from what ive heard a brighter and harsher.

The B1 wont be as flattering (doesnt mean it doesnt sound good) but it will be very versatile and probably sound better on the guitar.

Danny
 
hey shmak,
have you considered the AT3035.It's cheaper than C1 and not as hyped in the upper range.Maybe even a bit dark.But would suit a higher voice (female?), acoustic guitar, maybe used on a guitar amp sometimes....there you go a few options...it's a nice mic for the price.
:)
 
I just bought a SM57 of ebay so its down abit its about $AU 350 which is about $US.270.321 at the moment. maybe leaning towards more a vocal orientated mic now.. any suggestions i now this Q must have been posted a Zillion times before!
 
shmackdaddy said:
I just bought a SM57 of ebay so its down abit its about $AU 350 which is about $US.270.321 at the moment. maybe leaning towards more a vocal orientated mic now.. any suggestions i now this Q must have been posted a Zillion times before!

Get a pair of small diapragm condensers - MXL603S, Studio Projects C4 or oktava Mk012 these are great for overhead, stereo recording all kinds of things you'll find a bazillion other things.

With the MXL603s or oktavas you might have enough left over to get a MXLV67G for vocals. Theres a couple of aussies around here who might be able to suggest best places to buy stuff in oz *nudge*

Good luck,

PAddy
 
shmackdaddy said:
I just bought a SM57 of ebay so its down abit its about $AU 350 which is about $US.270.321 at the moment. maybe leaning towards more a vocal orientated mic now.. any suggestions i now this Q must have been posted a Zillion times before!

US$270 for an SM57? :confused: :eek:
 
I think he means the current budget now that the SM57 has been bought...
 
darnold said:
If you are looking for a more all around mic i would go for something more like the Studio Projects B1. I never really liked the C1 on guitar, and it can be a little bright on some voices. The Rode NT1 is probably very similiar in sound to the C1 but from what ive heard a brighter and harsher.

The B1 wont be as flattering (doesnt mean it doesnt sound good) but it will be very versatile and probably sound better on the guitar.

Danny

I agree with your comments on the B1. As an all purpose "jack of all trades but in a master of none" way, the B1 is a pretty generic mic in this price range, and can do a pretty decent job on voice and on many other instruments.

The C1 may or may not emphasize the "right" frequency range/character in a voice, so for some voices it is good, and for others not. It also depends a bit on the style of music you want to mix the song with ;-)

However, I had always thought the C1 sounded pretty bad on a guitar, but when I eventually took time to test it on my own (Martin D41 type of sound), I was surprised that it made it sounds pretty good... so I think it may depend on the type of guitar body and your style of playing. At least with my guitar, I tend to prefer the C1 over a B1, NT1000 or MK-012.

Another option, if you like Røde mics, is the NT1000. It is probably a step up from the NT1A, and at least the one I have sounds less bright than the C1 or even the B1. It also sounds less harsh than the B1 can do in certain conditions; it is a bit warmer and more rounded. So you should try that as well -- in this price range.

But I think it may also depend quite a lot on the actual preamp, so test before you buy!


-- Per.
 
The only mic I can recommend you is 'The mother of all inexpensive Chinese made microphones', iow the Marshall MXL V77 tube mic for around $300 USA.

This mic is a very neutral, detailed and lush sounding mic that feels itself pretty comfortable among expensive German mics.

This is no joke! :D
 
Han said:
The only mic I can recommend you is 'The mother of all inexpensive Chinese made microphones', iow the Marshall MXL V77 tube mic for around $300 USA.

This mic is a very neutral, detailed and lush sounding mic that feels itself pretty comfortable among expensive German mics.

This is no joke! :D

I have seen this recomendation made by you so many times, I'm actually considering getting it (while others say mxl make "toy" microphones), but are you 100% shure, that your not joking, or that you for some reason just happen to have the best mic they ever made?
Funny so few other people here seem to have the mic...?

Thanks
 
You might also consider a multi-pattern mic like the CAD M179 which goes for around $200US.

I have the MXL v69m tube mic, and it's great. Don't know how it compares to the v77.
 
The V77 is different from the V69 which is much more colored.

I was thinking that perhaps I have a very good sounding V77, better than other V77's, but Harvey says they all sound pretty much alike.

And yes I've said it a number of times and I keep saying it.

You won't regret buying that baby.
 
"More colored" is an understatement! Thought Marshall OD'd on tube coloration with the M69 when I tried it. Probably sounds excellent for most other people
I guess.

You might also consider the Studio Projects B3 multi-pattern, in addition to the the M179.

IMHO it would be smart to get a multi-pattern, then concentrate on gaining further AE skills vs. concern over "which mic".

Chris
 
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