Must Have Mics In The Studio...

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ghetto3jon

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hello. i'm bulking up my home studio for the summer, i need some new toys to keep things fresh. i'm looking for some distinct mics with definite personality to add to my mic closet. right now i have three sm57s, two mxl 603s, two mxl v67s, a shure beta 52a, and a couple of junkers. i'd like to add a mic or two (in the sub-$400 range) that will bring something new into my studio. maybe something really killer for acoustic guitars, or guitar amps. what mic do you think is a "must have" or a "must try?"

thanks,
jon.
 
Rode NTK- You have no tube mics, and the NTK is usable, even sometimes excellent, on every source you named.-Richie
 
Good reasonable mics (typically $400 and below used) to check out:

AKG C2000 - medium sized diaphragm cardoid condensor decent for overheads and acoustic guitar, warm and bright. Pretty good mic for the money.

AKG C3000 - similar to the C2000 but a bit more articulate, a bit brighter, a bit more high quality sounding. Not as good a deal for the money compared to C2000's though.

AKG D112 - great dynamic for kick drums and bass amps, good for catching the 'click' of a kick drum. I sometimes couple these with MD421's or RE20's for kick drums. Personally I dislike these for bass amps though.

AKG C451 - small diaphragm condensers... very popular for overheads because they give cymbals zing and pep. I used to use SM81's for overheads but now have been favoring these... I still use an 81 for the high hat though, to get a different, thinner sound.

Electrovoice RE20 - doesn't seem too popular anymore, but great for deep warm vocals, kick drum, bass amps... one of my favorite mics for bass amps

Shure SM7 - sort of trendy now (but I've used one for 3-4 years now) dynamic mic... very popular for screamo type vocals. Sounds good on kick drum, bass amps, and surprisingly meaty on guitar. Pair this with an AKG 414BULS on a guitar amp and the tone is very happening. Essentially this is a lot like a SM57 but with way more thump and clarity

Shure SM81 - my favorite mic for high hats. Very flat and accurate mic that tends towards being a little bright. SM81's sound a bit thin to me compared to the AKG C451's--perfect for avoiding that over-intrusive high hat bleed.

CAD M179 - fairly new design, cheap and intriguing. Sounds pretty good. Meaty sound, not very bright. I'd call them a bit 'dark' sounding. Generally good for overheads or room mics. Nice cheap alternative to C2000's or C451's for overheads.

AudioTechnica A4050 - very popular high hat microphone. Personally they are a little bit strident to me, but they are fat and bright sounding. Also used on vocals and occasionally acoustic guitar.

Rode NT1 - a budget mainstay. If you can buy an older model not made in Japan. Clear and cheery sounding microphones used for everything from overheads to vocals. Everyone should have some NT1's around (because they are so cheap and sound good).

Sennheiser MD421 - another high quality dynamic mic. I like using these for snare drums but they are typically used for toms as an upgrade to a SM57. Somewhat similar tone but the 421's sound higher quality. Good on kick drums, bass amps, and even guitar amps.
 
I've got a C3000 and I wouldn't buy it again. It's just as harsh as eveyone says it is. I bought it before I knew about BBS's like this.

Get a BLUE Dragonfly and don't look back.

What kinda preamps you got??? You might get a lot more bang buying a couple good channels of preamp if you're using bottom-feeder pres.
 
I'd say Km184s (used on ebay) or Oktavas MK012s...well I guess the 603's are SDCs, right, but I dont know how they please you....

I'll second a dragonfly, Studio Projects T3, and {insert flavor} ribbon mic
 
get the AKG 414 on ebay... I have seen them going for 500-600 I know its out of your price range, but its something to consider.
 
I agree with Cloneboy on the C200B, a great xheap mic. I disagree with him and agree with C7sus regarding the C3000B- a great fishing sinker. I also agree regarding the Dragonfly, but that ain't no sub $400 mic.-Richie
 
Here's a condensed version of Bob Ohlsson's "meat and potatoes" microphones he recommends in addition to your SM57's;

Beyer M88
EV RE20
Sennheiser MD421
EV 635a
EV RE15

He's said we would all be surprised how often one of these has been chosen over expensive Neumann's, Telefunken's, RCA ribbons, and the like that remained in the studio mic locker on major recording releases he's worked on over the years.

With over 80(!) top ten records to his credit, his advice may be worth paying
some attention to...

Chris
 
Chris, or anyone, do you know alright prices for the m88, RE15 and 635A?
 
Phosphene said:
Chris, or anyone, do you know alright prices for the m88, RE15 and 635A?
Click to expand...
The 635a's are all over ebay right now-a good price is $40. Re-15's on ebay are going for $50-$75. M-88's are like $200. All of these are used prices.
 
The C3000 isn't *THAT* bad, but I do prefer the C2000's over them as well. The 3000's are usually too bright in the 6-12 khz range though, which thins out the sound by comparison. I've used them at studios once or twice, but don't own a pair.

Admittedly I'll grab the AKG 414 over the C2000's and C3000's any day if they are available. Awesome mic, maybe my favorite condenser.
 
I'm with C7sus. I didn't know about the BBS when I bought my C3000. Only thing it does is collect dust. I put a sock over it and painted a smiley face. My kid laughs at it when he sees it. Fitting.
 
The greatest microphones...

I'm surprised no one has mentioned ADK mics yet. They are a big step up from AKG, Marshall, Rode, or Studio Projects. I highly recommend the ADK A-51 TC (Tube Cardiod) microphone as one of the finest vocal microphones in this world. Also for less than $300, there's the A-51 Vienna and Hamburg Edition Microphones which put the AKG C3000B to shame!

Check out www.adkmicrophones.com.
 
The greatest microphones...

I'm surprised no one has mentioned ADK mics yet. They are a big step up from AKG, Marshall, Rode, or Studio Projects. I highly recommend the ADK A-51 TC (Tube Cardiod) microphone as one of the finest vocal microphones in this world. Also for less than $300, there's the A-51 Vienna and Hamburg Edition Microphones which put the AKG C3000B to shame!

Check out www.adkmicrophones.com.
 
The greatest microphones...

I'm surprised no one has mentioned ADK mics yet. They are a big step up from AKG, Marshall, Rode, or Studio Projects. I highly recommend the ADK A-51 TC (Tube Cardiod) microphone as one of the finest vocal microphones in this world. Also for less than $300, there's the A-51 Vienna and Hamburg Edition Microphones which put the AKG C3000B to shame!

Check out www.adkmicrophones.com.
 
The greatest microphones...

I'm surprised no one has mentioned ADK mics yet. They are a big step up from AKG, Marshall, Rode, or Studio Projects. I highly recommend the ADK A-51 TC (Tube Cardiod) microphone as one of the finest vocal microphones in this world. Also for less than $300, there's the A-51 Vienna and Hamburg Edition Microphones which put the AKG C3000B to shame!

Check out www.adkmicrophones.com.
 
I'd get a Shure KSM44 or KSM32 for acoustic stringed instruments.
 
Next time I want one new 'proper' mic to add a new sound, my first choice will be the CAD M179. Chessrock says so.

BTW - Greg ... you seem very enthusiastic (you make your point four times over!) ... my understanding of ADK is that they were another entry-level Chinese brand along with all the others ...?
 
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