tonal and application differences between these

[Mongoo]

I've been trying to learn as much as I can about LD Condensers under $1000.

So far these are the one's that have stuck out the most for me.

-Blue Bluebird $500
-Rode K2 $700, tube and multipattern
-Audio technica AT4050 $600 multipattern
-Rode NT2000 $600, multipattern
-AKG C414 $1,000 multipattern


I'm primarily looking for a vocal mic, but would be nice to get any other use out of it I can. The first 3 stick out the most to me the most.

The Bluebird seems like a good deal as it comes with a cable, pop filter and shockmount. The next step up for blue is $200 for the baby bottle (because you have to buy the shockmount kit). Reviews I've read seem to paint it as a good versatile mic. Plus it would just be cool to have a blue mic.

On the other hand it might be better to have a multipattern mic handy. I haven't much experiance with tube mic's but I sure know I love my ampeg tube guitar amp and figure the pinciple transfers over to vocal mics. So maybe the K2 is the way to go.

From what i've read alot of people like the AT4050 and it is also multipattern.

The AKG is another option but I don't know if it's worth the extra money right now. Like I say I'm mainly looking for a vocal mic that can do a little more than vocals.

Tonally and application wise how would you seperate these mic's?

Out of these, if a male tenor/baratone came in to sing a variety of styles heavy and soft what would you use?


Thanks,

Mongoo

 

[giraffe]

out of thooes mic's i personally don't find the blue bird that thrilling.

 

[Rick Shepherd]

Wow, there are many many options available to you in that price range. What kind of music will you be recording. Right of the bat, I would recommend a multipattern for more versatility. I have had nice, interesting results trying different patterns. My knowledge is limited, but another mic that stands out in all the different forums is the Soundelux U195. I hear that it shines for other sources other than male vocals. You may end up trying different mics until you find something you really like. Yes, I have heard good things about the 4050, but also the AT4060. I personally use the Peluso 2247, a multipattern tube mic, which you can hear in my latest recording link below. I have only heard great things about the AKG 414. Anyway, I hope that confuses you even more, tough choice as far as I am concerned.

 

[Mongoo]

.

Giraffe, are you speaking from experiance with the bluebird or do you just plain like the other mic's in the list better than that?

Rick, well I grew up on grunge music though my style has turned into something other than that. I sing with a soulful meloncally a lot it seems, sometimes forcefully, maybe even most of the time. Not screaming but more just singing loud and out. Sometimes screaming though.

If the music I listen to is any indication of what I play, It would be some sort of combination of Nirvana, Morphine, Violent Femmes, Tom Waits, Radiohead, & Fugazi. God I love those bands.

I'm really in a bind, I'm putting together a big purchase and I want a LDC to be on the order. I think I might be placing my order very soon. The local shops arn't very helpful with audiotioning mic's here. So I'm trying to play it relativly safe because there is no return on Vocal Mic's. Yeah I could go with a $1,000 mic but it will still be a gamble, just the same as something cheaper.

I'm still learning a lot, but I'm not entirely clueless with mic's. I worked with a Tascam SX-1 for a while with Some SM57's, SM58, AKG c100s, AT3035, and a Beta52. Not the best selection so whatever LDC I go with I would imagine is going to be noticably better. All I'm really looking to get here is a Mic that will give me great recordings and be a keeper. Even if I get a better vocal mic down the road It would always be good for something. I'll invest if a mic is worth it, but I'm shooting in the dark here a little bit. The more I spend the more risk there is, but perhaps the more pay off too.

Anyways,

Thank you for your reply's, Keep'em coming if you can I need the help.

Mongoo

 

[giraffe]

Giraffe, are you speaking from experiance with the bluebird or do you just plain like the other mic's in the list better than that?

a friend owns it, he let me borrow it for a while..... no glairing problems, just no obvious benefits.
never tried the NTK
rode 2000- i own a nt2a, dam near the same mic as i understand it, and i really like mine.
414- a classic, kinda bright (but not annoying like some of the Chinese condensers) have used it a few times, don't own. i don't see how this could possibly be a bad choice though.
at4050- used like once, not enough to form personal opinion.
but i've seen many people extol the virtues of it on the bbs. i think it's mid freq bump is mentioned often, but i may be confusing it with the 4060.

 

[frankieballsss]

The akg c414 is a great mic for the price. Very accurate mic.

 

[Mongoo]

at4050

Could anyone chime in on which of these mics are best for vocals? The C414 sounds like a great utillity mic but I thought I read it's not very good on vocals. I've found a AT4050 for $530 new, that's $70 cheaper than most stores. And makes it only $30 more than the bluebird Is the Audio technica a safer bet than the blue in that price range?

Thanks,

 

[dwillis45]

I've never used the AKG 414 but I've always read that it's great on a lot of sources with the exception of vocals. I would vote for the AT4050 because it's a solid utility mic for some vocals and lot's of acoustic instruments. I used it quite a bit the last three years until I got a Soundelux U195. You might also want to add the Shure KSM 44 to your list or perhaps a Shure SM7.

 

[jkokura]

Vote for the 4050 (530 new is GREAT) if you want a multi-pattern. Vote for the NTK (300 used..)if you want a tube mic...those are the mics I'd get at least...And you could get both if you want versatility - under $1000

Jacob

 

[Mongoo]

.

Dwillis, what do you mean when you say the AT4050 is a solid utility mic for some vocals? Do you mean it's really good on some vocals and not so good on others? or it just gets you by?

I'm definately thinking the AT4050 looks to be the safe bet. How big of a problem is it that the AT4050 only has 3 polar patterns instead of the constantly variable that the K2 has?

So is what I'm hearing that the AT4050 is better on Vocals then the Bluebird?

How much better is the K2 then the NTK? Are tube mics better for vocals?

Thanks

 

[giraffe]

the world has made it this far without constantly variable polar patterns.
and, avoid the blue bird. my nt2a constantly and over many different kinds of voices romped it's ass.

 

[tkingen]

I've never used the AKG 414 but I've always read that it's great on a lot of sources with the exception of vocals. I would vote for the AT4050 because it's a solid utility mic for some vocals and lot's of acoustic instruments. I used it quite a bit the last three years until I got a Soundelux U195. You might also want to add the Shure KSM 44 to your list or perhaps a Shure SM7.

The AKG 414's are sometimes great on vocals, depending on the vocalist.

 

[Lomo]

Try an ElectroVoice RE-20. Yeah, I know it's a dynamic.

 

[pohaku]

I'd say the safest bet is the AT-4050 (or alternatively a Shure KSM44). They will sound great on somethings and at least good on most everything. Having the three patterns instead of a variable pattern mic is not a problem. The 414 can sound great on somethings and terrible on others. It has less consistent applicability in my experience - especially with vocals. I've used a friend's 414 from time to time and haven't particularly cared for it all that much. If it is primarily your voice that is being recorded, then by all means try a 414 if possible and see if it will work for you - it might be great - but otherwise, IMHO, you have more risk with it if you are buying solely based on web recommendations. You can pick up a used 4050 for @$350. There are lots of them available. I have 2 -- both bought off of E-bay and they work just fine. Make sure you get the shock mount with the mic if you buy used. Sometimes people will sell the mic only.

Are you sure you really want a LD condenser? The EV RE-20, Shure SM7b, and the Sennheiser MD441 are great dynamic mics that are very multipurpose. FWIW, these mics often get used by artists in preference to condenser mics - especially for vocals. Notable users include Stevie Wonder and Bonnie Raitt (RE-20); Wilco, Michael Jackson (SM7); and Elton John, Stevie Nicks (MD441). A friend recently did a solo album with the drummer of a fairly major roots rock group (can't name names just yet -- to be released in February) and most of the vocals (and guitars and other instruments -- but not drums) were done with my SM7 -- in preference to a 414 and other more expensive mics. If you are interested in the SM7b, be aware that it requires a preamp with some power as it has a fairly low output.

 

[dwillis45]

Dwillis, what do you mean when you say the AT4050 is a solid utility mic for some vocals? Do you mean it's really good on some vocals and not so good on others? or it just gets you by?

This is really just a standard caveat that probably applies to all mics. Any given mic may or may not match any given vocal style. I doubt that the AT 4050 would demolish your voice but there may be a better match out there. Unfortunately, you really won't know until you give it a try.

 

[nuemes]

If the music I listen to is any indication of what I play, It would be some sort of combination of Nirvana, Morphine, Violent Femmes, Tom Waits, Radiohead, & Fugazi. God I love those bands.

I would not get the AKG C414 considering the bands you listed above. The C414 is a neutral sounding mic for the most part - the bands you listed would not use it for vocals. For what you describe I'd go with a SM7 and a Green Bullet (Mark Sandman used the GB live in conjuntion w/ another mic, I imagine Waits does too).