the best mic for 200 $

[valsan79]

Hi, I'm looking for a mic not very expensive (around 200 $). I've heard speaking very well about behringer series (B1 and B2). Here in Europe they sell them for 120 - 180 euros. Can someone tell me if it is a good purchase? A friend told me that Rode NT1 is a good mic too, but it is not very cool and instead of it he proposed AKG mics. Thank you...

 

[Afficianado]

Maybe I'll beat some of the more experienced posters to the punch when I ask a couple obvious questions:

What are you using the mic for?

and

What is the mic running to?

I'll leave any further responses to people who know better than me.

 

[billisa]

A number of people don't seem to like the Behringer B1 -- too harsh, brittle...

The Studio Projects B1 (US$99. w/shock mount) is an entirely different story... Quiet, and to my ears, very neutral. I use it for vocals (narrative and musical), plus recording an acoustic guitar.

The Rode NT1 has been updated, and is now the NT1a (US$199. w/shock mount). This is substantial revision and has resulted in one of the quietest mics you can get at any price. The original NT1 was liked initially, but fell into disfavor, as apparently some component changes were made (though I don't know the specific facts on this). The NT1a should be seen and evaluated on its own merits.

Whether you'd like the sound of any these is, of course, up to you.

 

[Lanstar0]

The AT3035 is my favorite $200 mic...

 

[chessrock]

The Audio Technica 3035 is a good one. I'd also throw in the CAD M177 or M179. I don't know what those sell for in Europe, but they're right in the $200 range here in the states.

 

[Bergen]

I should say I've never used this mic yet, but I'm gearing up to buy a studio projects C1, and felt it deserved a mention. Not sure of their availability in Europe, but they go for $199 in the states. I've based this decision on the reviews I've read as well as dry clips and mixes from the mp3 clinic made with them. My take so far on the mic is that is provides a smooth high-end sheen that is the perfect complement to a voice with a lot of natural depth and warmth, and should work well for most voices.

 

[DJL]

Hi, I'm looking for a mic not very expensive (around 200 $). I've heard speaking very well about behringer series (B1 and B2). Here in Europe they sell them for 120 - 180 euros. Can someone tell me if it is a good purchase? A friend told me that Rode NT1 is a good mic too, but it is not very cool and instead of it he proposed AKG mics. Thank you...

It depends what you want it for... maybe get a used Sennheiser MD421.

 

[shackrock]

studio projects C1 - it's great. I use it on all vox, and acoustic guitar occasionally as well.

 

[Han]

I happen to be a professional engineer/studio owner and I have more than 40 microphones, Neumann tube (M149 $4k+), MXL tubes, many classics like AKG C451, Sennheiser MD421/441's, Beyer ribbons, M88's M201's and more of those beauties.

I have used the SP B1 quite a lot lately, on upright bass, guitar (acoustic and electric, clean and distorted, and last saturday on male vocals, next to the Neumann.

This $100-/- mic amazes me, you won't regret if you get one. I'm going to order another three of them.

I am not spamming Studio Projects here, in fact Alan Hyatt will never be my buddy, but it simply is a big bang for the buck.

 

[JuSumPilgrim]

I happen to be a professional engineer/studio owner and I have more than 40 microphones, Neumann tube (M149 $4k+), MXL tubes, many classics like AKG C451, Sennheiser MD421/441's, Beyer ribbons, M88's M201's and more of those beauties.

I have used the SP B1 quite a lot lately, on upright bass, guitar (acoustic and electric, clean and distorted, and last saturday on male vocals, next to the Neumann.

This $100-/- mic amazes me, you won't regret if you get one. I'm going to order another three of them.

I am not spamming Studio Projects here, in fact Alan Hyatt will never be my buddy, but it simply is a big bang for the buck.

The B1 is a nice mic for stuff thats not transient sensitive. Its got a unique sound that kind of improves on the 4033s notion of forward mids (except the B1s mids dont get thin)...but am I the only one to notice that its squashy on transients?

 

[jeffree]

Han, just to mention that I find your short post exceptionally enlightening. You first establish your credibility, then offer parameters that affect your viewpoint, and then clarify your
preferences. I think many of us can learn from your thoughtful
approach when discussing such subjective viewpoints. Thanks.

Best,

J.

 

[Han]

JuSumPilgrim

I don't have the idea that a B1 lacks transients. It may look like I spam Studio Projects, but I'm not. I don't know Alan Hyatt, I only read his posts at RO.

I only wan't people with a tight budget to get the most value for money and that happens to be a B1. (among others)


Jeffree

Thank you for the kudos. Indeed the discussion about mics is quite subjective. Many of us are talking about ourself and our preferences. I have recorded more than 700 bands, choirs and orchestras and I can assure you the internet is the most wonderful invention of the 20th century.

I have learned recording the hard way, I stumbled and have fallen many times. You guys can ask your questions all over the net and you will get an answer most of the time.

If you put a microphone in front of a guitar speaker, you move it a little, take another mic and you will get a sound you like, that's not a big problem. You record it and voila.

But if you have to record a big orchestra, you'll have a problem. You must know which mic to use for what instrument(s), how to place it and most of all why.

And this is where skill, talent, knowledge, but most of all experience becomes most important.

I have recorded many instruments with many types of mics. I recently sold my two AKG C3000's and my two C1000's because I found out that there are better mics for less money.

I got 600 euro for 4 used mics, so I can get 6 brand new B1's, or 2 C1's for that money. Not a bad deal right?

These days there are many very good mics available for very decent prices. I wonder how long the big name manufacturers can hold their sometimes extremely high prices.

Cheers, Han

 

[DJL]

I only wan't people with a tight budget to get the most value for money and that happens to be a B1. (among others)

You mean like a used Shure SM57 for about half the price of a B1?

 

[Han]

Among others I said. At 8th street music a 57 costs $89 and the B1 costs $79.95.

In most occasions the B1 will outperform the SM57 by miles.

Put a 57 on upright bass when recording a jazz band together in one room. The bass will not sound bad, but the bleed of trumpet, bone, winds, drums will sound nasty.

With a B1 you'll have as much bleed, but it will sound a lot better.
With a Neumann tube you'll have even more bleed, but it will sound beautiful, that's how things work amigo.

 

[DJL]

Among others I said. At 8th street music a 57 costs $89 and the B1 costs $79.95..

I bought my last used Shure SM57 for $40.

In most occasions the B1 will outperform the SM57 by miles.[/B]

I don't think so... IMO, the B1 sucks on snare, vox, and etc... plus the 57 is a better hammer than a B1.

 

[Han]

I was talking new mics. A hammer? The best hammer is the MD421

 

[DJL]

No, the best hammer is a hammer.

Thanks for the fun...

 

[Han]

Yo! It's 2.00 am here, I have a mix to make at 10.00, bedtime

Buona Sera

 

[DJL]

It's 8:43AM Thursday morning here now... I hope your mix went well.

 

[Han]

It's almost midnight in Holland now and actually I've done three mixes. One rough mix of a jazz (dixieland) band, some twentie songs of a kind of karaoke artist and four songs for a ' Saint Nicolas' record.

In Holland and most European countries this is kind of your Santa thing.

It all went well, an automated big board is a blessing, so much easier to mix than with a mouse.

Thank you for your concern!