Should I trade my c3000b for a Studio Projects B1 ??

[Neeps]

It's always a constant battle to find funds to buy more gear, at the moment I'm trying to raise enough cash to buy a pair of SD condensers (oktava MC012's or Studio Projects C4's.... something with switchable capsules to try omni pattern recording cos I think my recording room sounds pretty good)

Anyway moving on to my question...

Currently I've only got two mics that I bought before I came accross hr.com

1 x AKG c3000b LDC
1x Shure SM58

and a M-audio DMP3 as a main pre-amp...

I noticed that the c3000b is selling for £100 plus on ebay, I bought it for £149 new about a year ago...

I keep reading good things about the Studio projects B1 or the MXL v67 as an entry level LDC...

I can pick up a B1 new for £65...

Should I sell the c3000b, buy a B1 and put the £40 towards the SDC's

What is everyone's opinion on the c3000b I've not got anything else to compare it to so I don't know whether I should keep it or move it on

Cheers Al

 

[noisedude]

It's a tricky one. I haven't used the C3000B but it's hardly a well-loved piece, or the greatest value for money. However, whether it makes sense to sell is hard to know.

You could get an SP B3, which has the patterns you want. I have one which is my 'utility mic', as in, it doesn't sound bad on anything and I can stick it anywhere in the studio or on stage and rely on it. Kinda like an SM57 which doesn't sound like an SM57 (thank god).

Red5 Audio do some mics which might interest you, although their cheapest multi-pattern is £149.

If I was in your situation, yes, I'd sell the C3000. But make sure you know exactly what you're saving for first, or you could end up with a turkey.

 

[Neeps]

Well there are two senarios...

Senario 1

Wait longer - keep the c3000b and eventually buy a pair or SDC's (I want a pair to record in stereo - we record a lot of acoustic guitar)...

Be left with a pair of SDC's for recording acoustic guitar (lets say oktava MC012's) and the c3000b for vocals.

Senario 2

Wait less - Sell the c3000b and replace it with a B1 (or something else that is cheaper and would release some cash), use the money gained from this trade to get the SDC's faster.

I guess the big problem is that I have nothing to compare the c3000b with so I don't know it's value to me... we have two singers and I suspect that it suits the other singers voice rather than mine... it seems too bright on my vocal... but the other singer has a deep voice and the c3000b seems to work well with it... but again I have no reference point... so I may be talking out my arse.... is the c3000b a bright mic? Is the studio projects B1 a bright mic? Maybe that wouldn't be any use either...

Part of the problem is that I'm just too impatient...

 

[noisedude]

The C3000 has a reputation as a bright mic with a bit of a rubbish high end, I don't know about the C3000B.

Whether the B1 would be better for your two vocalists is impossible to predict. I happen to quite like it, although on my voice I want a little more top end, if anything. You could always EQ out some of the high end from the C3000B??

If you are desperate for omnis for cheap, pick up one or two Behringer ECM8000s ... otherwise, the Oktavas or the SP C4s are what you need to save for, as you already know. Sorry I can't be more help mate!!

 

[Clit Torres]

Well there are two senarios...

Senario 1

Wait longer - keep the c3000b and eventually buy a pair or SDC's (I want a pair to record in stereo - we record a lot of acoustic guitar)...

Be left with a pair of SDC's for recording acoustic guitar (lets say oktava MC012's) and the c3000b for vocals.

I'd go with this scenario. This is obviously the least risky cause the c3000b already works for the other vocalist. The B1, IMO, is not a great choice for a primary vocal mic, mine don't get any use at all on vocals, but of course YMMV. So I'd say, Keep the c3000b and hold out for the SDC's. Then add an LDC or dynamic that might suit your voice better later on.

I know how it feels to want to buy something right away, but waiting a little longer is a whole lot better than getting burned.