Should I buy a Shure KSM44 ?

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mattkw80

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I am a beginner at recording/mixing (less than 2 years experience).

I can buy a Shure KSM44 for $1000 CDN (Thats probably $750 USD).

I want it for several application ie: Vocals, Overheads, etc. etc.

I want whatever large diaphram mic I buy to be the only one I will
need for a period of 5 years.

Is this a good buy, or is there a better alternative ?

Matt
 
That's a good choice for its versatility, though to do drums you'll probably want more than one mic.
 
As an all around workhorse, KSM44 is a proven performer. It's in that class with AKG C414 and AT4050. It's the mic you put up when you don't know what mic to put up, because it simply sounds good on lots of stuff. Sometimes, you choose it instead of more prestigious, specialized mics, because it works most of the time, and it's great some of the time. For just one mic, you could choose far less wisely. Personally, I would choose AKG C414, and I'm not alone, although probably in the minority. On a budget, consider both the Audio-Technica and ADK, which I presume is attractively priced in Canada. However, I have worked quite a bit with KSM44, and it rocks.-Richie
 
mattkw80 said:
I am a beginner at recording/mixing (less than 2 years experience).

I can buy a Shure KSM44 for $1000 CDN (Thats probably $750 USD).

I want it for several application ie: Vocals, Overheads, etc. etc.

I want whatever large diaphram mic I buy to be the only one I will
need for a period of 5 years.

Is this a good buy, or is there a better alternative ?

Matt
Click to expand...
The Shure KSM44 is a great mic.
 
man this forum is great... i was just considering getting a ksm44.... mostly for vocals and woodwinds but it would be really nice if this would have a good sound on electric guitars to blend in with my 57 and e609s.

i was originally thinking about that nady ribbon mic because ive heard good things but now i think i can get a really good deal on a ksm44......

any suggestions or thoughts on the ksm44 vs cheap ribbon or on how the 44 is on guitar cabs?

thanks!!
 
mattkw80 said:
Thanks for the great advice everybody !
Click to expand...
You're welcome. :)

photoresistor... one of my favorite gtr amp mics in the Sennheiser MD421.
 
ahhh mannn.... i was ALSO thinking about the md441 but since I came across the opportunity to get a ksm44 for a good price........................... have you had the chance to compare the ksm44 and the md421 or are you just lettin me know what a killer mic it is? :)

would you use the md441/421 over a ribbon microphone (granted it being a lower cost one such as the nady)?

thanks guys
 
I own both the KSM44 and the MD421... and the MD421 is one of my favorite mics of miking amps... whereas the KSM44 is a GREAT mic and will work on amps, but it's not my favorite amp type mic.
 
mattkw80 said:
I can buy a Shure KSM44 for $1000 CDN (Thats probably $750 USD).
Matt
Click to expand...
On that mic you get three different polar patterns Cardioid, omni, and bidirectional. I would probably work good for overhead, but be aware that the roll off is at 115Hz.
 
okay, thanks DJL! just wanted to make sure. it doesnt matter anymore anyways though... i thought i might have had a chance to get a 44 for cheap but not anymore.

is there a huge difference between the md421 and the 441? i WAS looking at 441s on ebay awhile back.... like i said, im getting a much better sound combining my 57 and my sennheiser e609s but i think i could do better.

thanks
 
It depends what you call a huge difference... but yeah, they're different... and I like both, but again... most of the time I perfer the MD421 for gtr amps.
 
really.... interesting... from being on this forum i thought that the md441 was supposed to be the most amazing mic evar lol.

thanks for your thoughts.... will it work well for vocals? vox and guitar are what i need improvement in most.

thanks man i really appreciate your input.
 
You're welcome.
photoresistor said:
will it work well for vocals?
Click to expand...
Yes... and has worked for vocals for years... the MD421 works good on kick, toms, bass amps, guitar amps, vox, sax, and etc, etc. IMO, the MD421 is a "must have" mic... and you'll find them in every pro studio worth a crap. ;)
 
alright then.... i might have my next microphone picked out.

oh btw, what version of the md421 do you have/find work great for guitar? thanks
 
I got mine in the post two days ago...I haven't tried it out. I got it on ebay for 510 dollars, then had it shipped to Europe.
It don't look that good, but It's suppose to be superb. Other options for 500 bucks are, sp T3,to name one...I suppose very few people her have had a chance to test out LOADS of 500 dollar mics...Is there someone that doesn't like the KSM 44?
 
Interesting that you guys like the MD421 so much. I don't own a studio, but I have a/b'd the MD421 and the KSM32 on a guitar cabinet that is part of my live rig at my church and I overwhelmingly preferred the '32. Both mics were about the same distance (1 foot) and angle (45º off-axis) from the cone. I was listening to the mic'd sound through a pair of shure e2 in-ears.

Are you guys mostly guitar players or engineers here? Maybe that has something to do with it? The main sound engineer at my church also prefers the 421.
 
I believe the Ksm44/32 will be 'less focused' than the dynamic MD421 mic on guitar amps...The dynamic will be easier to use in a multitrack situation because of this. If a person had two mics to buy for their studio and wanted mics that not only sounded good, but were versatile and robust in their construction, then a Shure KSM44 and A Sennheiser MD421 would both be great choices...ones that you could build on in the future.
 
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