Small Diaphram Condensors???

  • Thread starter Thread starter sean_w_mcgrath
  • Start date Start date
S

sean_w_mcgrath

New member
I am looking for a affordable SDC that will be primarily used for Acoustic Guitar, but it would be a nice bonus if it did a nice job on vocals.

Right now all I have is a Behringer B1 (LDC). And a Taylor Big Baby for an acoustic (if that matters). I don't have a mic preamp, and I am running into a Yamaha AW16G.

Some mics that I have been considering are:

MXL 603S
Rode NT3
and I would like to try a AKG C1000S, but they are just beyond my price range.

Any comments are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Sean
 
I like the 603s on guitar but they don't really cut the mustard as far as vocals goes. You might be better off with a Studio Projects B1 if you're looking for a dual-purpose mic.
 
sean,

have you tried your B1 on acoustic and vocals?....if you did and didnt like it, tell us what you didnt like about it and that may help in making a recommendation......
 
Gidge,

I have tried it on an acoustic and liked the sound of it. The only other mic I have tried on acoustics is an Audio-Tech 4033 (and the B1 sounds pretty close, in my amatuer opinion). I just got the B1 yesterday so I haven't had much time to get used to it.

I just figured with a small diaphram condensor, I could get a different sound from the B1, that I may favor in a particualr song and/or mix.

Thanks
Sean
 
Don't get the c1000s. Anything beats that mic (603, MK012, NT5, etc.)
 
cominginsecond said:
Don't get the c1000s. Anything beats that mic (603, MK012, NT5, etc.)
Click to expand...
For acoustic guitar, I agree.
 
Re: Re: Small Diaphram Condensors???

I was actually going to recommend an AT4033, but I noticed you've already tried it.

Anyhow, that's the one I'd go with if you want something that does both accoustic guitar and vocals well.
 
In general, the needs of vocals and guitar are quite different, and very few mics will work well for both, and even fewer of them are cheap. You already own a B-1, which is probably the best compromise available for cheap. If you look at small diaphragm condensers, most of them can work for overheads, some of them work for guitar, and a very few have any use for vox. Oktava MC012 is not a bad compromise as they go. I like it better than
the 603 on vox, although I prefer the 603 on guitar. A SD condenser would be pretty close to my last choice for vox in most cases. Anything else would be out of your price range, if you can't afford a C1000S, which personally I don't like on guitar or vocals. It's not a bad nightstick, though.
Consider a mid range dynamic, such as Shure SM57/58 or the Beta 57/58. For $179, you can get an AKG C2000B with an H100 shockmount (a rather good one) and a mic cable from 8th street. That is a mic I find useful for guitar and vox, and has bass rollof and a pad. It's a midsize diaphragm mic, like the AT4033, and I'm fond enough of it to own a pair.-Richie
 
i've been using the NT5's for acoustic guitar and i think they sound really good. i also tried them on vocals (what the hell it's worth a shot) and they weren't as bad as i expected. they're about $300 for a pair, i don't know how that compares to your budget. i think you'll be happier with the B1 on vox, but who knows maybe the SDC will work for the voices you're going for.
 
I still think the MXL603s ($75) is the best value out there for acoustic guitar--nice wide cardoid pattern. I love the sound. I'd also recommend the MC012 ($80, especially since you can get additional caps like an omni), and I like the Behringer ECM 8000 ($40) for close micing the bout/bridge area.

These are all great bargains IMO.
 
the MXL990 has the same capsule as the MXL630, comes with a beautiful case and shockmount and mic stand adapter.......and its only $69........
 
Gidge, are you SURE the MXL990 is JUST a side addressed verson of the end addressed MXL603S? I own both the MXL990 and MXL603S... and they just don't seem the same to me.
 
Last edited:
tdukex said:
Gidge, where can I find this MXL 630. :D
Click to expand...

aixelsid ym dnim t'noD.........:D



DJL, you may want to confirm that with Harvey Gerst...he has stated that they do indee have the same capsules.....
 
Gidge- !rehtie lleps t'nac uoY .aixelsyd s'tahT- Richie
 
I guess we really need to define "affordable"... I've found the Josephson C-42 to be rather remarkable for the task... at under $500 I think it's a great "budget" mic... but the MXL stuff is like $100- [if I remember correctly]... which I guess would make the C-42 an expensive kind of beast...
 
If the C2000b is all that it is cracked up to be, then it is a pretty good deal, considering that the shockmount alone costs $99. Also the H100 fits a lot of other microphones.

Another option might be Octava's from sound room. You could spend the money for a single mic with cardoid cap and then pick up the LOMO head for it and probably not spend all that much. Or take your chances and get on for $99 at musicians freind, and then get a LOMO head.

Beez
 
Well, I bought the NT-3 as the solution for "I need one mic to cover both acoustic and vocals". It's a decent mic for both, but not the ultimate mic for either. Kind of a "jack of all trades, master of none". Of course, if you're expecting the ultimate mic, you're forgetting that you do get what you pay for...

It's a very useful mic to have around, but on certain vocals, it won't shine. I still use it on the Acoustic, and definitely still like it.

The big plus: if you're patient, you can usually find one for about $100 on ebay.

-mg

BTW, it's worth checking out a few of these at http://www.thelisteningsessions.com/home.htm, where I know that they have the NT-3, and several other mics on acoustic.

And I've used the C1000S (don't own one, but have used it), and definitely like the NT-3 better. There's no way that the C1000S is worth more than the NT-3. At the same price point, it may be a matter of taste...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top