Quick Opinions Please....Two Mics To Choose From

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soundchaser59

Reluctant Commander
Primary use: blues and rock guitar cab, rhythm and lead


Secondary use: rock vocals, male and female




Choices:

SM7 - fair to good condition for $280 (not SM7b)

or

MD421 - very good to excellent condition for $280.



Which would you buy? How come?

Thanks!
 
I have both mics (original SM7 not SM7b). I'd take the SM7. It has broader application than the MD421, which is a great mic for toms and cabs, but not so great for vocals. The SM7 will do well on toms and cabs, among other things, and is a great vocal mic as well. The SM7 is a pretty safe choice for a vocal mic that will accommodate many different voices.
 
Thanks for the tip. The SM7 is coming highly recommended from all circles and all corners!

Might take me a while to save up the money.......unless I sell another guitar cab!

Tough choice! :D

There is also a guy selling new Beyer M260 ribbons for $300 bucks. But I am not sure I have the preamp power for a ribbon.
 
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soundchaser59 said:
Thanks for the tip. The SM7 is coming highly recommended from all circles and all corners!

Might take me a while to save up the money.......unless I sell another guitar cab!

Tough choice! :D

There is also a guy selling new Beyer M260 ribbons for $300 bucks. But I am not sure I have the preamp power for a ribbon.
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Assuming they are the recent version of the M260, you might not want one. The most recent version was once called the M260.80 and has built in 80hz bass roll-off. I have a couple older M260s and would prefer those to the newer ones. YMMV:D
 
If you dont have the preamp power for that ribbon then you really dont have the power for an SM7.
 
cavedog101 said:
If you dont have the preamp power for that ribbon then you really dont have the power for an SM7.
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Or maybe he does...I use some fairly "normal" pres with my SM7 with great results. Symetrix 202, ART MPA Gold, Rane--even the built in pres in my Tascam.

And yes, I also do fine with those preamps and my ribbon mics.

Maybe we overhype how much preamp power is needed for ribbons & SM7s. 40 might not get it, but 60 certainly will.
 
I have a choice of 60db pre gain or 60db pre gain, and both are pretty clean. But I do not have an AEA TRP with 84db of pristine noiseless gain.

So the question would be M260 or SM7?

Yes the M260 that guy is selling is the newer one with the bass rolloff. I've heard a few people say it's ok for vocs, but nothing about using it on guitar. I've had a few people say it isn't muich as far as ribbons go. And I dont trust the ribbon to never get damaged. The SM7 is supposedly an Abrams tank mic, capable of withstanding a direct nuclear strike.....
 
I love the SM7 for both applications. I too have an older 260 and a 500 and would prefer the SM7 if I could only have one. While the Beyers are great to have for certain stuff, the SM7 is more widely applicable. 60 db should be fine unless you get a whisper singer, those guys are annoying........
 
Big Kenny said:
I love the SM7 for both applications. I too have an older 260 and a 500 and would prefer the SM7 if I could only have one. While the Beyers are great to have for certain stuff, the SM7 is more widely applicable. 60 db should be fine unless you get a whisper singer, those guys are annoying........
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+1

I have all those Beyer mics as well. I'd still take the SM7. The M260 is OK, but the M160 is a better instrument mic and the M500 is a better vocal mic than the M260.
 
Wow! Everybody everywhere all over the solar system is recommending the SM7 as the top pick.

Thanks people for all the info, perfect for what I needed to know. :cool:
 
I know I'm late to the party, but the SM7 is a fantastic mic for vox (I use it over a Gefell UM92 about 1/3 of the time) and a decent mic for cabs.......as well as a great kick mic.
 
Not too late.... thanks for the extra vote. I'm getting price quotes now....
 
SM7. Love the MD421, but it's not as broadly useful as the SM7 is.

Frank
 
Call Full Compass and ask for their best price. They only list MAP on their web site.
 
Did, fullcompass will match the low offer I got from rmcaudio.

If I cant win a good one cheap on the bay, I'll call Eric at FC and order a new one.

I cant understand the people who bid on ebay and end up paying more $$$$$ on there than they would pay just ordering a new one from FC??
 
soundchaser59 said:
Did, fullcompass will match the low offer I got from rmcaudio...
...I cant understand the people who bid on ebay and end up paying more $$$$$ on there than they would pay just ordering a new one from FC??
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Because they aren't as actively intelligent or as thorough as you.;) That's also why there is a high probability that you will get exactly what you want/need for the best price.
 
pohaku said:
+1

I have all those Beyer mics as well. I'd still take the SM7. The M260 is OK, but the M160 is a better instrument mic and the M500 is a better vocal mic than the M260.
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I forgot to vote....and this is my experience with all of these mics also...

SM7 all the way.

The M500 is a fantastic mic for vocals and theres no telling how many keeper tracks were recorded with one on major releases throughout the 70's.

I always have thought the M260 was released as a 'do-it-all' replacement for the 160 and 500. Something kinda inbetween. It just isnt either and though its okay on its own, its not quite there. IMHO. YMMV.
 
Just won a mint condition SM7 on the bay for $280. Not bad. I can definitely live with that. Now I can leave the RE20 on the guitar cab! I have been dieing to try an SM7 for a long time, ever since I read that Chicago used them for all their vocals on their first album.
 
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