Mic Shopping

[DanielJohn]

Ok so i've gotten to the point where I want to buy some more microphones, but where do i go to try different kinds out?
Guitar Center doesn't let you try them, and since i'm 19 people assume i'm not serious enough to actually buy a $500 microphone. So what do you guys do when you shop for mics?
Anyone in arizona have any suggestions for non-guitar center stores?
-DAN

 

[ozraves]

Ok so i've gotten to the point where I want to buy some more microphones, but where do i go to try different kinds out?
Guitar Center doesn't let you try them, and since i'm 19 people assume i'm not serious enough to actually buy a $500 microphone. So what do you guys do when you shop for mics?
Anyone in arizona have any suggestions for non-guitar center stores?
-DAN

I sympathize with you. It never stops so get used to it. A good approach is to go to a store and run some tracks. Guitar Center will do this for you if you ask nicely. But, go in sometime when it is very slow. You might just ask for the manager and tell him that you'd like to do this. He should be smart enough to put you with someone there who has some smarts.

Another approach is to go with something that everyone agrees is a fairly good mic from a reputable online source. Under $500, good large condensor mics tend to be the Blue Baby Bottle, Rode NTK, Studio Projects C3 and C1, and some Audio Technica models. I'm fond of the AT3035 which is pretty cheap at $199.

Small condensor mics: Go with the Oktava MC 012 from the Sound Room. Don't buy them any place else as the Sound Room does great quality checks. http://www.oktava.com is the address for the Sound Room.

Dynamic mics: Shure SM57 and others. I'm not fond of dynamics so I'm the wrong person to give you advise on these.

Good luck,

Steve
http://www.piemusic.com

 

[Gidge]

get ya a Marshall MXLv67 or a Studio Projects C1

get a pair of Marshall MXL603's

get a AT ATMPRO25

get a few Shure sm57's

 

[DanielJohn]

I've been reading here for a while, so I have a good idea of the different types of mic's and i've taken a few recording classes at school. And i'm taking all recording classes this fall. I was just curious what you all do to test out mic's and where you go. Or do you just go off of reputation, that kind of seems like it might not be enough for me in some cases....
THanks for your input...
-DAN