Some good condensers to buy PLEASE!

[cautionage]

I've done some searching for days through this message board. So much information, its hard to decide. I want to get a few good condensers, preferably at low cost. I'm thinking a large diaphragm for vox and overheads for drums, acoustic git, piano maybe. Right now I have:

3 x SM57
1 x MXL 2001 (getting rid of it)
1 x SM58
1 x Beta 52
1 x Electro Vioce Raygun (dunno model number)

Any suggestions?

P.S. Help with a mic pre and compressor for cheap would be nice too ; )

 

[Gidge]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ex/shop/home/010428142558024004254167184113?pid=273153

http://www.samash.com/catalog/showi...ARCH&GroupCode=nonetodaythanks&DepartmentID=0

the v67 will work great on vocals.....the 1000's with the ball off will work great for overheads, acoustic guitar, and probably piano......

preamp depends on what you call cheap...the Midiman Audio Buddy is a clean 2 channel for$75 while the Studio Projects VTB-1 is more versatile at$79......

same with compressors.....a Behringer Autocom will do you a decent job for $69, but a RNC is very nice for $175.......

 

[flapo1]

I agree with both the marshall v67g and the two preamps. Another option is a Studio Projects C1 (which are costing around $175) and a Marshall 603s (small dia.) for instruments. Sounds great on acoustic guitar and as an overhead.

 

[Gidge]

im told those Marshall 1000's with the ball off sound identicle to the 603's.......

if you can find the C1 for $175, thats a good deal....it sounds very similar to the v67 and has the bass rolloff and pad......i just have yet to see them under $199......

 

[cautionage]

Thanx guys, sounds good, I actually should of specified that I want a tube preamp cuz I'm doing all digital recording. I did some vocal stuff already with the mxl 2001 and I don't think it sounded bad at all, then again I haven't had much experience with condensers. I've seen a lot of bad stuff on it so I decided to sell the thing and get something different. I also bought an Alesis 3630, and then I found out that its the bottom of the line...well I'm kind of tired of falling into the junk trap. Anyways....thanx a lot.

Tim

 

[Gidge]

a 2001 and a 3630 huh?...if you had come here first that would have never happened

really, both arent terrible (too much)...but you can get so much more for your $$$ these days.....

 

[cautionage]

Yea shitty luck! I forgot to ask, how does the MXL1006 compare to the V67??

Tim

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Yea shitty luck! I forgot to ask, how does the MXL1006 compare to the V67??

Tim

It doesn't compare, IMO. It's more similar to the 2003 or the 2001 (with the Scott Dorsey mod).

 

[ambi]

apex 410 is AWESOME, and cheap
not many people seem to know about it, its fairly new.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

ambi,

One of the big problems with most of the Chinese and Russian microphones is quality control and consistancy from unit to unit. It was a major problem with the original Rode NT1. It's still a problem with Oktavas that you buy from Guitar Center. Marshall and Studio Projects (PMI) are the only companies I know for certain that import Chines mics and proform extensive QC and testing on their products.

How many Apex mics have you heard or tested? How much variation is there from unit to unit? Is the one you own an especially good sample? How do you know?

"Awesome, and cheap" may be nice words to throw around, but please define awesome. Compared to what? What other good microphones do you own? How did you test it?

 

[ambi]

compared to a neuman mic, that costs about 1000 canadian, i don't know the modle
yea, i did a side by side comparison with the neuman microphone at a long and mcquade home recording session, and ive rented the apex 410 right now
the neuman was only slightly better, and the difference was subtle.

and the neuman is 800 dollars more (canadian)
definatly not worth the difference in sound quality, unless you have tons of money and you don't really care.

I don't know where they are made, and i don't know about their consistant quality, but i would assume they're all about the same, as the people at long and mcquade around here use them a lot, and say they're great.

 

[chessrock]

With all due respect to Harvey's opinions on the Marshall line of mics, particularly the mxl V67, the 2003 and the 2001 with Scott Dorsey mod . . .

and with all due respect to Alan's fine Studio Projects line (which gets a lot of deserved praise) . . .

I'm afraid there's yet another mic on the block that is deservedly the new champ of budget LDC's :

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...0255088275/search/g=home/detail/base_id/45955

Sorry, but this puppy is worlds better than anything else out there for less than $500-600.

I love my mxl v93, and always will. The AT 4033 has a special place to me, but sorry, CAD owns the title now. Flame away, if you feel the need, but it's all futile because there ain't anything even close.

 

[tdukex]

Sorry, but this puppy is worlds better than anything else out there for less than $500-600.

...Flame away, if you feel the need, but it's all futile because there ain't anything even close.

Now why would anybody flame that statement?

At least you've peaked my interest. Can you compare and contrast this CAD to some of the other favorites mentioned to give us an idea of how it sounds on vocals and various instruments? What makes it "worlds better" than an SP C3, a Rode NTK, an AT 4047, a KSM 32?

 

[chessrock]

Not sure if "worlds better" than anything less than $500 was quite appropriate in that context.

Maybe worlds better than anything in it's general price range. Sorry. I just got back from a wedding and I've been pounding the Jack and Cokes tonight.

How do I qualify this? I just do. I've auditioned and worked with a ton of them, and this baby smokes. Now I'm not the type to go saying that just because so-and-so likes it, it must be good. But in this case, I have to also point out to you that these guys carry what amounts to be the same mic, only a different name:

http://www.mercenary.com/cadm1conmic.html

Say what you will, but I don't think these guys would carry it unless it weren't a seriously good piece of gear.

Case in point number 2: It's basically the same mic as the E-300 (though not as versatile with the different patterns). Do your research . . . the e-300 almost qualifies as a classic.

 

[moog81]

I own 2 cad m37 and and I agree with Chessrock These mics are great for the price (I bought them at $100 a piece). They are great vocal mics. They have a bass roll-off switch an -20dB pad switch. I opened one of them up and looked at the electric board and it says "m177" so I believe that m37 and m177 are the same mics. I´ve also read that m37 was manufactured specially for GC and later became the m177.

 

[Shailat]

ambi,

One of the big problems with most of the Chinese and Russian microphones is quality control and consistancy from unit to unit. It was a major problem with the original Rode NT1. It's still a problem with Oktavas that you buy from Guitar Center.

Harvey,
I want to ask you about quality control on these mics.
I'm curious about these mics I haven't really come across them.

I have heard a few complaints about the quality (not of the sound quality). More then 2 people told me that their Marshall has failed them and has been sent back to be fixed. One person told me this happend twice in the space of 2 months. I also know a member (if he wants to come foward let him) who has had nothing but problems with the mic failing him a few times as well
(REMARK - he has no complaints about the service).
Of course that isnt a indication for anything but how do you feel about a lot of handling like in a studio were they could be mounted and put back in the cabinet daily and so on...
Can they stand the test.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

As with any product made anywhere, it's possible to have some problems with some items.

I haven't had a single problem with any of the low cost mics I own, and they get dropped around here on a fairly regular basis.

But when something does fail, I want to know the manufacturer will stand behind it. If I've found that a manufacturer is concerned about quality control and consistancy between units, that makes a big difference to me.

 

[littledog]

I own 2 cad m37 .... They have a bass roll-off switch an -20dB pad switch.

Now that's definitely cool! I love close mic'ing drum kits with all condensers, but few mics these days have a -20db pad like the various 414's do. The Shure KSM32 has a -15db, but i really love those -20db's. These days if you get a pad at all, it's usually -10, (4033, UM70s) which often doesn't cut it. And at that price, it's not gonna drive you into bankruptcy if one occasionally gets whacked with a drumstick!

 

[Aren]

Hey Harvey,

It doesn't compare, IMO. It's more similar to the 2003 or the 2001 (with the Scott Dorsey mod).

In what sence? I have an 1006, and while I like it a lot, I never heared the V67 (or the 2003, for that matter), and always wondered what's the difference (or what's better for what purpose).

Thanks,

Oren

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Hey Harvey,

In what sence? I have an 1006, and while I like it a lot, I never heared the V67 (or the 2003, for that matter), and always wondered what's the difference (or what's better for what purpose).

Thanks,

Oren

The V67G is a darker, warmer mic. The 1006 and the 2003 are smoother, more "neutral" sounding mics, with a bit more top end shimmer.