Need advice on a good mic to buy!

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westermane

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Hi,

I have a 4-track and am not satisfied with my current cheap mic I am using. I am mainly recording accoustic guitar and vocals. I need to find a mic that will record both and that's in a price range of about $200. I'm not really sure if a dynamic mic and condensor mic would be better for this purpose. I'm looking at the AKG C1000S as an option, but I wanted to get your guys' opinon. What would you recommend?

Thanks!
 
Not East but Westermane:

If the Yorkville mics are as good as the YSM-1 monitors, [I just got a pair] you might want to give it a try.

I speak of the Apex 430 which has a list price of 185 pezzutos; however, there is a 25% discount on that price according to my supplier. I think I'll get one just for the hell of it to see if it puts my AKG 3000 to shame.

This mic should to fine for vocals and your guitar.

Ever try running your guitar directly into your recorder?

Or, first into a mic pre and then into your recorder.

Then, adding reverb when you mix? Might be different than just recording it right out of the amplifier.

Green Hornet
 
i bought the Marshall mxl 2001($150 with the shockmount,
2 of the ADK Area 51's which have a 6db pad ($170 with shockmount and flight case with each, really nice)
and the Nady sdm 1000,3 polar patterns, 10 db pad and a bass roll off , i just got it from musicians friend for 150

you will need to get the shock mount for the nady(about $50)as none came with it and there is no way of mounting it other wise, odd?, but they sound great, ive used them on a few cds, and they excel live for drum overheads, the nady is the most versatile since it is multi-pattern ,
i compared them against my at-4033 with male vocals and a little guitar,the 4033 is more rounded sounding than the others but it was really close and considering the difference in price you could get 2 of the others, they all use the same or very, very similiar heads,
 
If you really want to improve your sound

I would suggest saving alot more money and getting some proper microphones and possibly a preamp.
 
westermane

Cheap mics and quality recording don't mix! Any quality microphone you decide to purchase and use will make a substantial and noticable difference in your recording.

In my opinion, the Marshall MXL 2001 is an excellent project studio mic. I know there are tons of better mics out on the market, but for the price ($160 including shock mount) it is hard to beat.

I bought one about three months ago, and it made a world of difference on recording vocals. I also use it to record piano and acoustic and amplified guitars. I bought another one last week because I was tired of having to set the mic up every time I record piano!

leadoff
 
I'm surprised that the Oktava MK319 hasn't made an appearance on anyones' list. Pretty decent mic, at least the handful I have used. I bought one on a lark a couple of months ago and I've been pretty impressed...nice full sound. No it's not a Neuman or a Blue, but it stacks up against the AT4033 pretty well and I think sounds much fuller than the Rode NT1 or the Marshall. Switch gear feels a little cheap, but I've seen them for around $175.00.
 
I disagree with you scroticus. For a little more cash ($40-$50) there are some mics like the Rode nt3 and apex that whoop the marshal etc. They seem like good buys, but once you a/b them they come out on top. As for the octava I quote RE "Buy them at the SOUNDROOM ONLY" They are killer mics, but a little bit more expencive from the soundroom but they are good mics. The quality control is no so good, and the sound room hand picks all the gems and sends all the turds to guitar satin!
 
thanks

thanks for you help guys. i actually decided to purchase the NT3 about a week ago and am waiting for delivery. thanks again for your help!
 
Good choice, I own 2 NT3's that I use for digital recording. You won't be unhappy with it.
 
I got (blind) the C1000S - I'd get it again...

I bought myself a small Project-Studio -starting from scratch -. For the while living in Africa I could test NOTHING, so I bought lots of stuff blindly, like as a main mic (Vocals, Ac-GTR, even trumpets or saxes) the C1000S just by the specs and/or description on catalogs.
I don't regret it at all and would go for it again.
But a factor to be considered is a mic-preamp. I got myself the cheapest dbx preamp-strip there is (286) and can't complain at all about the results.
Liking the C1000S's transparency so much, I "upgraded" to the C3000B. I still have to find the warmth on voices I could get with the 1000S.
Hope this helps in your decision.

Hans
 
Yo West of Main:

I just got my Yorkville 430 Apex mic; it just beats the hell out of my AKG 3000; suggest you look into this product because the price is right. But, it's your ears.

Good mic searching,
Green Hornet
 
decisions, decisions, decisions

For those of you who have used both: Is the Rode NT1 worth the $40 more it costs than the NT3???

Also...if you were strapped down and threatened and forced to make a decision...what would you say is THE best mic for under $300???

As always.....thank you very much!
 
I forgot to add something........

Keep in mind I'll be using this/these mics for as many applications as possible: overheads, guitar, acoustic, vocals, etc.......
 
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