Studio mics

[goldtop]

Hi,
I'm in the process of deciding which large-diaphragm studio mics to buy for my home studio. I have a limited budget to play with, and i was looking at AKG c2000 or c3000, and behringer b-1 and b-2. That gives you some idea about the price range.

Can anybody suggest other mics i should be considering, or comment on the ones i have mentioned?

Thanks in advance,

Tom

 

[tdukex]

The C3000 is generally considered a poor mic for the price, the C2000 a decent mic. The Behringers are not favored here.

Use the search function and you will find hundreds of threads about this topic. Some often mentioned mics that have generally earned good reputations are:

$300 or less:
AT 4040
AT 4033
Rode NT-1000
Marshall V-69 (tube)
Marshall V-77 (tube)
Shure KSM 27
Studio Projects TB-1 (tube)
ADK (can't remember which ones)

$200 or less:
AT 3035
Studio Projects C1
Studio Projects B1
Studio projects B3 (multipattern)
Marshall V 67

 

[David Artis]

If you can preview these mics for the specific functions you need. Some function better as all around mics whiles others seem to be more relavant to a few recording situations.

 

[crazydoc]

Hi,
I'm in the process of deciding which large-diaphragm studio mics to buy for my home studio. I have a limited budget to play with, and i was looking at AKG c2000 or c3000, and behringer b-1 and b-2. That gives you some idea about the price range.

Can anybody suggest other mics i should be considering, or comment on the ones i have mentioned?

Thanks in advance,

Tom

Try reading the faq posted here:
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=93191

There's a large section on purchasing mics for different purposes.

 

[goldtop]

Having read around a bit, particularly the FAQ (Thankyou so much graham!) i'm heading towards a pair of SP B1s. seem like a good choice, especially at the price point!

 

[grahamware]

Having read around a bit, particularly the FAQ (Thankyou so much graham!) i'm heading towards a pair of SP B1s. seem like a good choice, especially at the price point!

no problem!

 

[DJL]

Hi,
I'm in the process of deciding which large-diaphragm studio mics to buy for my home studio. I have a limited budget to play with, and i was looking at AKG c2000 or c3000, and behringer b-1 and b-2. That gives you some idea about the price range.

Can anybody suggest other mics i should be considering, or comment on the ones i have mentioned?

Thanks in advance,

Tom

Marshall MXLV67G

 

[malcolm123]

Re: Re: Studio mics

Marshall MXLV67G

LOL



Malcolm

 

[chessrock]

Best mics out there for the money (and in the $300 and under bracket) are the Audio Technica 40 series and the CAD M series. The best bottom-feeders are probably the Studio Projects B series. If you can afford a little extra, I think you'd be happier, but the B series is the best option if you're basically destitue, or if you aren't overly picky about sound quality. With the notable exception of the 603, the Marshalls sound like garbage to me. Never understood the hype.

 

[goldtop]

i'm afraid the ATs and CADs are a little beyond my budget at this time. the B1 still looks good to me, bearing in mind its a starter setup, not a fully fledged home studio (yet!!!).

 

[chessparov]

goldtop, the SP B1 is a nice sounding condenser.

You may also want to get a good dynamic microphone in addition,
like one of the Electro-Voices below;

1) EV 635a omni
2) EV RE15 (or RE16)

They complement most condenser's very well IMHO.

Chris

 

[Rocket Boy]

i have the c2000, and i really like it. its a pretty up front sounding mic, and it doesnt really color you to much(Which i guess can be good or bad). It sounds pretty decent on acoustic guitars, i like it on snare drums and toms alot, and its pretty darn good on the right voice. its a good all around mic, and a great starting mic.

 

[FourEyesRock]

Marshall v67

I just bought my Marshall v67 for $100 at Sam Ash and i love it. It compares favorably to the SP C1 and for that price you cant go wrong. I highly recommend this mic for any newbie home studio.

 

[DJXodus]

I had the same problem, AKG 2000 and 3000 are just okay. I picked up the Studio Project B3, and can't tell you how much I love it. It sounds bright and warm on vocals and instruments, I read it's comparable to Nueman mics. You can get one for about $150.00, it has 3 patterns and a bass roll off pad. If you don't need the 3 patterns or pad, there's the B1 that's just cardiod pattern. I highly recommend these mics, I went to try out a whole lot of mics, for the money go with one of these.

 

[Richard Monroe]

I have to agree with Rocketboy (somewhat) and disagree with DJX here. The C2000B and C3000B are not remotely the same. The 2000 is a versatile workhorse which I consider an all around much better mic than the B-1 (I own both). The C3000B is a pretty good fishing sinker. I agree that the B-1 is the most versatile all around bottom feeder.
In a recent tracking session with the girls, we were trying out backing vocal mics on my partner Mo, who just sounds like shit through my Kiwi. It zigs where she zags. I put up every mic I own that could possibly work for a female backing vocalist, and with 5 pairs of good ears in a blind test, C2000B was the unanimous winner on 2 songs, beating out B-1, Oktava MK319, SM7B, C-3, C414B-ULS, and Rode NTK.
Before anyone jumps all over me, I'm aware this was no comprehensive test, and I am by no means saying the C2000B is a better mic than, say, an NTK. I'm only saying it is a very versatile mic, with applications for vox, guitar, percussion, and a variety of instruments. It's interesting to note that the AKG techs consider the C2000B superior to C414B-ULS on toms and congas. The only place I would disagree with Rocketboy is that I think the 2000B is a fairly colored mic, often mistaken for a tube mic in blind tests. A pair of them make very good overheads.-Richie

 

[darnold]

Chessparov - I was really glad you mentioned the Ev RE15 and 16 there. I was gonna ask about these mics because i have them in the new studio. Please let me know what kind of characteristics they have so i can know a good time to try them out.

DJXodus - I wonna know which Neumann mic the B3 and B1 are comparible to??? They are great mics for their money but do not compare them to those kinds of mics until you actually own the Neumann you are comparing it to. Its like saying lobsters are comparable to the creatures on a hidden planet by mars.

Ok, i suck with analogies.

Danny

 

[Big Kenny]

LOBSTERS DO COME FROM MARS,DON'T THEY?
EVERY CHINESE MICROPHONE SMELLS LIKE A NEUMANN, DOESN'T IT?
IN HIS NAME
BIG KENNY

 

[M Havlen]

You mentioned a budget...I have an Oktiva MK319 that I got at Guitar Center for about 100$ !! I't amazing what you can get these days for a 100$. Anyway, I think it shines on vocals, but does well on other stuff too. The mic looks expensive...the fit and finish is good. I'v heard good things about them on this BB. I thought several of their other models looked somewhat cheap...you judge for yourself on that one

Good luck

 

[DJL]

I think the Marshall MXL603S is one of the best sounding cheap budget SDC mic's on the market made today. As Harvey once said "It's a flat out winner" and IMO he was 100% correct.

 

[darnold]

i agree DJL. MXL603 has been a wonderful addition to my mic collection, especially for the price i paid for them.

Danny