Microphone Search

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Recording Engineer

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I'm looking for front-addressed, cardioid, mid or large sized diaphragm, condenser, instrument microphones; any recommendations?
 
for most of us outside of the pro studios, we are always compromising with our equipment purchases. none of us is normally able to purchase neumann u-87s or neve's, etc. but the mic you choose for your vocals, or whatever is the most important instrument in a mix, is often the most crucial item in determining how good your results are. a good choice for most of us is the akg 414 which is around $1000. fortunately, for those who dont have $1000, akg makes a variation on this mic called the akg c3000 - it has the same gold-sputtered large diaprhagm that the 414 has (except the 414 has two of them, and the c3000 has only one), and it is an exceptional mic for the money. a little more money will get you one of the nice AT mics, like the 4033. i have used both, and can verify that the AT is a little hotter than the akg, but both will turn out very good quality recordings. do not try to use large-diapragm condensers for everything though (not too good for micing a guitar amp!) - they are made for certain applications - especially vocals, and solo acoustic instrumentals: pianos, flutes, ambient room micing, etc. there will always be a place in your studio for the old sm-57s and small diaphragm condensers, but for vocals, nothing will suffice like a large-diaprhagm condenser.
 
I am pro at4033 all the way. If not that, go for the at3525. They are really affordable and accurate mics. OF course a good mic pre should go with em.....
 
Thanks for the repies guys, but I already own a matched-pair of U 67s, a matched-pair of TLM 103s, an Oktava VM100, and a Brauner Valvet for side-addressed large diaphragm condensers, but I'm looking for a front-addressed large diaphragm condenser. I want them for use of close miking toms with the advantages of large diaphragm low-end pick-up, attack from a condenser, and not bulky to get in the way.
 
The only front-addressed large diaphragm I can think of is the EV RE-20, and it will perform just as well as condenser mics on toms. I would have to say my first choice for tom mics would be the Sennheiser MD421. If those are too bulky, there is the Sennheiser E604.
 
I've found only a few to consider: Microtech Geffel M900, Beyerdynamic MCE 93, and maybe Elation KM 202 (I'm looking for the diaphragm size if anyone knows it). I have used 421s in the past on toms (love them), but not the RE-20s; how do they compare to one another? As you can see, I like to use the not so well-known mics as my work-horses.
 
Cheap Is Better Than Expensive

Look on ebay - "Condenser Drum Microphone" get a used cheap Mic.is my advice.
 
Recording Engineer said:
I've found only a few to consider: Microtech Geffel M900, Beyerdynamic MCE 93, and maybe Elation KM 202 (I'm looking for the diaphragm size if anyone knows it). I have used 421s in the past on toms (love them), but not the RE-20s; how do they compare to one another? As you can see, I like to use the not so well-known mics as my work-horses.
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I use 414's on Toms all the time, and the fact that they have such a flat shape makes placement fairly easy, even in tight spaces. I don't see why a front address mic is necessarily an advantage - certainly not one like an RE 20 which is the size of a small ICBM (and, of course, isn't a condenser). Unless you are trying to peer into a really small hole in a kick drum head, most of the time I think it is actually easier to get into a tight spot with a small-bodied side address LD mic.

With that in mind, and assuming the 414 doesn't do it for you, I suggest looking at the Gefell UMT70s. It has a really skinny body, and while it is a side address mic, the small profile may still make it a good mic for you.

You can check it out here:

http://www.gefell-mics.com/grp_2_prod_2.htm

But if you insist on front address large diaphragm condensers, Gefell makes the M294, 295, 296 series, and DPA makes the 4041 series. AKG has the C4500, but that looks to be too bulky for your needs. For mic'ing toms though, I would want to make sure the mics had a pad of at least -12 dB, preferably even higher. That's one reason why 414's do such a nice job.

There's also a company called KEL Audio that has an HM-4 model with a -10 dB pad. I know absolutely nothing about those mics.

I'm still rolling on the ground imagining you running out and buying AKG C3000's (certainly in the running for ugliest sounding mic ever made) to "round out" your collection of U67's, Brauner, et al.
 
Take a look at the Audio Technica AE5400. It is designed as a stage vocal mic, but it uses the same capsule as their AT4050, which is a well-respected side address workhorse mic that is just as usable for instruments as for vocals. I wouldn't hesitate to use the 5400 on instruments.

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/6c15480b96d121b7/index.html

You could also look at the AE5100. The 5100 is exactly what you asked for - a large diaphragm front address cardioid condenser mic that is designed for instruments, though it is an electret rather than a "true" condenser. Personally, though, I think I'd go for the 5400 instead.
 
And take a look at the date that Recording Engineer posted those questions. It was 7 years ago, and he was the moderator for this forum.
 
Harvey Gerst said:
And take a look at the date that Recording Engineer posted those questions. It was 7 years ago, and he was the moderator for this forum.
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:) Well, then, I hope he's still paying attention! :rolleyes: Thanks for the heads-up - I hadn't even looked at the dates. Hopefully it will turn out to be useful information for someone.
 
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tdukex said:
Damn, when I saw this thread I thought RE was back. It appears as if young Weston is doing well with his recording studio.



http://www.westonhouserecording.com/
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And his rates are $25 an hour???

I didn't realize Sacramento was a third world country. That's the problem with our national economy. We're losing all our jobs to Sacramento! :(
 
Not a cheap alternative but you may want to consider trying out a pair of SE Titans. Titanium diaphragm. Major transient response.
Maybe one the the sE try them for a week deals?
BG/HSG
 
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