purchasing a condenser mic, need opinions.

[MrKevcool]

ok so i'm in a position to purchase a condenser mic for digital recordings. my setup consists of a p4 computer with the delta 1010 sound card and a yamaha m16/4 mixer. my price range is 300 and under. i want a mic that is fairly versatile though it'll mainly be used to record vocals. Something i was wondering about was whether or not i should just by a cheaper mic and use some of that money for a better pre-amp, becuase i don't think the ones on the yamaha mixer are all that good, though maybe i'm just not using them right? do any of you recording guys have an opinion on what i should do? any kind of help would be greatly appreciated.
oh and some of the mics that i've been looking at are the shure ksm 27, akg 3000b, and the rode nt1000.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Just my 2 cents worth- Don't buy an AKG C3000B, buy a C2000B. Its a much better mic and costs less. You can pick it up for $180 with a really good shockmount (H100) at 8th street for $180. That leaves you with $120 toward an M-Audio DMP-3, which is $140-150. You can get the mic and the preamp for very close to $300. The C3000B is a large diaphragm, multipolar mic, so you can have harsh brittle highs in a variety of flavors. The C2000B is a mid-size diaphragm cardioid only workhorse that's good on vocals, acoustic guitar, cabs, and as an overhead. The AKG engineers recommend it over the C414B-ULS on hand percussion. The C2000B is one of the most versatile mics in its pricerange. The C3000B, in my opinion, is a pretty good fishing sinker. -Richie

 

[Warhead]

I cannot say enough good things about the CAD M179. Multi pattern, sounds good just about anywhere you point it, and multiple patterns and everywhere in between.

My $0.02

War

 

[DJL]

ok so i'm in a position to purchase a condenser mic for digital recordings. my setup consists of a p4 computer with the delta 1010 sound card and a yamaha m16/4 mixer. my price range is 300 and under. i want a mic that is fairly versatile though it'll mainly be used to record vocals. Something i was wondering about was whether or not i should just by a cheaper mic and use some of that money for a better pre-amp, becuase i don't think the ones on the yamaha mixer are all that good, though maybe i'm just not using them right? do any of you recording guys have an opinion on what i should do? any kind of help would be greatly appreciated.
oh and some of the mics that i've been looking at are the shure ksm 27, akg 3000b, and the rode nt1000.

If you really care about your music/recordings... don't buy a cheap mic, get the best mic you can afford... and afterwards (after you saved up again) buy the best preamp you can afford. Remember the old saying... buy cheap, buy twice.

 

[Mark7]

The C3000B is a large diaphragm, multipolar mic, so you can have harsh brittle highs in a variety of flavors.

Woah, I have to pull you up on that one Richie. Harsh and brittle the C3000B maybe, but "multipolar" it ain't.

See here for proof.

 

[Mark7]

Originally posted by DJL
If you really care about your music/recordings... don't buy a cheap mic, get the best mic you can afford... and afterwards (after you saved up again) buy the best preamp you can afford. Remember the old saying... buy cheap, buy twice.

Let's see. All three of the mics he's looking at cost exactly the same ($299). Of the three only one has (proven) Chinese input in it's manufacturing; the other two being made by highly reputable European and American companies... presumably at their own facilities.

So... what you're now saying is that you don't just hate Chinese made LDCs but, also, any LDC under (I'm guessing here) $400.

Congrats. You're officially our Gear Snob du jour

 

[Mark7]

BTW, Kev, the Audio-Technica AT4040 and CAD Equitek E-100 also fall within your budget (as do the CAD M177 and M179).

 

[Big Kenny]

cad m9
baby bottle
at4033
Rode NTK
search microphone

 

[Mark7]

He said $300 and under: which the Baby Bottle, M9, 4033 and NTK certainly aren't.

At least do the guy the courtesy of respecting his budgeting decisions

 

[Big Kenny]

4033 and baby bottle on ebay easily. musical 5 just got an m9 for $175
I do respect others

 

[Richard Monroe]

Thanks, Mark, I'm going senile. It has been 2 years since I auditioned that mic. I was sure it gave you 3 nasty patterns. My bad. I stand corrected. It's even more overpriced than I thought. Must be I'm not getting enough cowbell.-Richie

 

[Mark7]

4033 and baby bottle on ebay easily. musical 5 just got an m9 for $175
I do respect others

Darn. Forgot about ebay.

My bad


Although, you could have made it clear that you were referring to ebay bought examples of those mics

Your bad

 

[DJL]

Let's see. All three of the mics he's looking at cost exactly the same ($299). Of the three only one has (proven) Chinese input in it's manufacturing; the other two being made by highly reputable European and American companies... presumably at their own facilities.

So... what you're now saying is that you don't just hate Chinese made LDCs but, also, any LDC under (I'm guessing here) $400.

Congrats. You're officially our Gear Snob du jour

<snip>
Something i was wondering about was whether or not i should just by a cheaper mic and
<snip>
do any of you recording guys have an opinion on what i should do? any kind of help would be greatly appreciated.
oh and some of the mics that i've been looking at are the shure ksm 27, akg 3000b, and the rode nt1000.

My opinion is that he shouldn't buy a cheaper mic than what he is already planning on buying... and if he can afford it, he should audition some better mics also.

Maybe you need a louder cowbell... lol. j/k

 

[Mark7]

My opinion is that he shouldn't buy a cheaper mic than what he is already planning on buying... and if he can afford it, he should audition some better mics also.

I agree. And in the case of the C3000B a lot of cheaper mics are better.

Seriously though, what is your price:quality threshold for LDCs?

 

[DJL]

I'm looking at an M150 right now.

 

[Mark7]

I'm looking at an M150 right now.

An M150?

A Neumann M150?

A mic that normally retails for over $6K!?

THAT'S your idea of a budget mic!?!?!?


You really don't belong here, do you

 

[Richard Monroe]

Well Mark, there are a lot of people on this board, and budgetary situations vary a lot. I think it's fine if you need a mic under $100, and I think it's fine if you can afford a $6000 mic. Take a look at Han's setup, and imagine how much that set him back. DJL's perspective is valid, he's simply recommending that you will benefit over time by getting the best equipment you can afford. I can't afford an M150, but I do own a B.L.U.E. Kiwi, and I could have bought several useful mid-priced mics for the same amount of money.
Your perspective is also valid. A mic simply does not suck because it is Chinese, and it is not necessarily a good buy because it is made by a reputable European or American company. Mics, or any other piece of gear, need to be evaluated on a case by case basis, taking into account the intended use, the operational budget, and the support you will get after the sale. Would I trade my NTK with its Chinese capsule for a Neumann, Soundelux, Brauner, Microtech Gefell, B.L.U.E., Lawson? In a heartbeat. I just haven't talked anybody into it yet.
Just because you are ready to invest a fair amount of cabbage on top flight mics doesn't mean you don't belong here. Believe it or not, there are quite a few home recorders who have $50,000+ sunk into gear.-Richie

 

[noisedude]

Richie - You're well on your way to that target, are you not?

Mark is on very good form at the moment

I subscribe to the idea that if you buy wrong, you buy twice. It's subtly different. I agree on avoiding the C3000 but I've not heard the C2000 that Richie is quite keen on.

If you can find two mics for $300 you may get more versatility and options that just one. I have no idea of US prices but Gidge is a good guy for recommending two very different mics (usually one SP and one MXL but I dunno which!) and still having cash left over for a DMP3. Although, the MG preamps are pretty good so I would concentrate on getting at least one very good mic (regardless of price) before you think about upgrading that as well. Does that mean me and DJL kinda agree?

 

[Mark7]

Though, I feel it's only fair to point out that the M150 can be purchased new for around $4,800 (which is less than the $6K I originally stated). Nevertheless that's still a hell of a lot of money to lay down on a microphone.

Psst, Rick. Doesn't Han run a commercial studio... or something!? I think he'd consider the money he's put into it to be an investment Heck, it's probably tax deductible.

I don't really think the same levels of investment are justified in the case of a guy with a PC in a basement/bedroom. And it's probably NOT tax deductible, either.

 

[sdelsolray]

ok so i'm in a position to purchase a condenser mic for digital recordings. my setup consists of a p4 computer with the delta 1010 sound card and a yamaha m16/4 mixer. my price range is 300 and under. i want a mic that is fairly versatile though it'll mainly be used to record vocals. Something i was wondering about was whether or not i should just by a cheaper mic and use some of that money for a better pre-amp, becuase i don't think the ones on the yamaha mixer are all that good, though maybe i'm just not using them right? do any of you recording guys have an opinion on what i should do? any kind of help would be greatly appreciated.
oh and some of the mics that i've been looking at are the shure ksm 27, akg 3000b, and the rode nt1000.

If you stay with recording, either as a hobby, endeavor or profession, you're going to spend more than $300 in the long run. I agree with the posters that say buy the best you can. On the other hand, there are alot of mics in the $300 and less category. You might like a $80 mic best for your uses, if you had the opportunity to try them all side by side.

You said you want a fairly versatile mic, mainly for recording vocals. You also wondered about getting a pre also within the $300 budget.

My suggestions:

1) Just get a mic. Save up for the pre.

2) As far as mics go, consider (in no particular order):

- CAD M179
- ADK 51
- Marshall V69
- Studio Projects C3

3) Consider buying used. Some risk, but leaving that aside, you can get a better mic for the same $$. Consider:

- CAD M9
- ADK 51 TC
- AT 4040

4) Perhaps save up more $$ and go to the next level now. Used Neumann TLM 103s can be found for $550 or so on eBay. A new AT 4050 is within reach, so is the CAD VSM, or the Studio Projects T3.

Good luck.