Urgent Condenser Mike issue I appreciate every single opinion

[Revalvedx]

Hello,

I will buy a condenser mike this week for recording vocals and acoustic guitar. I have a 300$ budget. I am thinkin about AT 4040, SP C1 ot Rode NT1000 (any other suggestions appreciated) . I am not crazy about spending all my budget. If a 200$ mike can do well, I will go for it, because if I save 100$ from mike, i may buy a better preamp.

I know everybody has different vocal tone but i am a beginner for vocals, so there is no chance for me to try the mike wisely and evaluate the quality. I am depending on the comments right now. I will use the mike for clean vocals mainly, for alternative rock music . Vocals are gonna be similar to HIM, Goo Goo Dolls and sometimes like the clean vocals of Bon Jovi. I appreciate any help.

Also I have another 150-200$ for preamp. (Just in case if you have some combo suggestions).

Thanx
Revalved

 

[H2oskiphil]

I've got a C1. It's a great mic that I use a lot.

I've heard and read great things about the Marshall V67. That's another $200 (or so) mic that has been reviewed well and has a lot of supporters on this board.

The AT 3035SE is a nice mic. I haven't heard or used the 4040, but there are a lot of people that like it.

I've also got a pair of ADK A-51's ($199 ea) that are very neutral and work well with my voice and the acoustic guitars that I've used them on.

Others are going to add to this list, but I'd guess that you're going to see a lot of votes for the C1 and the V67.

 

[Gidge]

Id start off with the Marshall MXLv67...ive seen them as low as $119....Sam Ash i believe.....vocals will sound great with them......you can use it for acoustic guitar, but youd do better with a single (or even better a pair) of Behringer ECM8000's or Marshall MXL603's.....

now if you have a crap preamp, start with just the v67 and get a better pre......

Bon Jovi rulez!!!

 

[darrin_h2000]

A good 2 channel for that budjet, providing you do go with the MXL67, and a 603s may be an RNP. Its coming out real soon.

 

[Revalvedx]

Guyz Thanx for replies, they are so valuable for me.

But nobody was talkin about the models i mentioned, something wrong with them? I heard stellar comments about SP C1, and also RODE NT1000, and the AT 4040 is the next generation of the BBS s top mike AT 4033.

I can go up to 300$, I just said It would be better for me to get a 200 $ one to save some money for preamp. But If there is a difference between a 300$ one and a 200$ one, I would get the 300 one.

By the way never heard of marshalls, and also my preamp is not working so I will get and art tube at least, but the VTB-1 is a charming model.

Thankz
Revalved

 

[Henri Devill]

I've never used the AT 4040..You should check it out and tell us how you like it...As for the Rode..Look into the Beringer B2{Omni and Cart} I belive its similar to the Rode its also 200.00 bucks new..Good luck and have fun!


Don

 

[Gidge]

the V67 will give you 80-90% of the performance of those other mics at 2-3 times less price.....and since you dont have a preamp,it would be senseless to blow the whole wad on the mic and have a crappy pre......thats why i chose to recommend it over the others....

Ive heard the NT1000and it sounds great....never heard that AT model but im sure its good too......so it wasnt a knock on those mics....just a wiser distribution of funds.....

 

[Revalvedx]

Hey i am searching the board since yesterday, Thanx for the precious comments again.

I read alot of good comments about marshall mxl v67 and v77. I am thinkin about v77 now, www.8thstreet.com has a nice deal on it. What do you guyz think about these models? I would like the hear some comparisons to others.

For preamp, I guess I need to save a little bit

 

[chessrock]

I think we're reaching a point where a 300-500 mic like the Rode NT1000 or the Audio Technica 4040 (or 4033) will get you a noticeably better mic than a V67, for example (I've owned the 67, and didn't particularly like it).

If you got 300 bones to spend, why not pick up something you'll have around and use, even after you upgrade to something better down the road? That said, I would try and score an AT 4033 off of ebay. Haven't heard the 4040, but if it's anything like the 4033, then it sounds like a winner.

The V77 is a steal for the price. I'd hop on that one in a heartbeat if I was in the market for a mic in that price range.

 

[screws]

If you buy a V67, don't buy the "G" model, unless you can afford to spend an extra $80.00 or so just for the looks of the green and gold (which admittedly look nice). Instead, go to Mars (while they're still in business) and score a V67M for $99.00 (which is exactly the same mic only in black).

I've compared the V67, V77, 2001 and 2003 of the Marshalls. They're all good sounding mics, especially for the money.

I recorded a sax track with the V77 that smoked every other mic in my studio, including a Rode NTK. It was the right sound for that sax on that day in that song in my room. On a different day with a different player and a different song, the mic that sounded sweetest was the NTK.

So the morale of the story is, I need one or two of every mic made.

Dear God, please send more money.

 

[chessparov]

Revalved, what kind of voice do you have?
Is it "brassy" or "mellow"?
Prone to any sibilance or "popping"?

These questions alone will help determine what microphone(s)
are more appropriate for you.
For example, in the pop/rock genre a dynamic microphone works
better for me on "rockers", and a condenser can give better
results on ballads. YMMV.

Chris

P.S. The Studio Projects VTB-1 would be a fine choice for your
first "real" mic pre BTW.

 

[Revalvedx]

Chess, U r the man, I ve been reading your "deep" comments for a while.

Now I need a a preference between

Studio Projects C1

Marshall MXL v77

Rode NT1000

Audio Tecnica AT 4033

If you dont bother u may give grades out of 10.
I never tried any of them but form the threads my grades are all 10/10 (price/performance considered).

 

[Revalvedx]

Oh replies are keep coming. I love this forum

Thanx all guyz I dunno what to say, u ve all been very helpful.

I cant say my voice is like this or that cause i am newly taking vocal lessons.

But vocals in my music will be liek Goo Goo Dolls, Him and the ballads of Bon Jovi.

I personally really like the vocal in "Lie To Me" and "These Days". I wonder which mics did Jovi used in these days album. It should be a real expensive one,
I wonder if there is a similar cheap model

 

[darrin_h2000]

I reccomend the C1, I think the AT 4033 isnt even a Large diameter condencer (its like 3/4"). I also have a VTB-1 and so far I like what Im getting from it.

 

[Richard Monroe]

I second the C1. It's a nice accurate mic. It will make you sound like you, not better or worse than you. That's $200. Then put the extra $100 into a better pre. Try a Studio Projects VTB-1. That should give you one fairly clean channel.-Richie

 

[Klaatu]

I'd also recommend the C1/VTB-1 combo. Less than $380 total, and I doubt you'd be disappointed. If you must have a stereo pre, get the DMP-3 for about the same $$$ as the VTB-1.

 

[still4given]

If I were you I would go to a store and try out some mics. What sounds good on your voice is really what matters. I have the Rode NT1000 and it is a great sounding mic. I tried about 10 mics the day I bought it and on that day for my voice is was the clear favorite. That doesn't meant that it would be the same for your voice. All of the mics that have been suggested here are quality mics. BUT, thay all sound a little bit different from each other. You really need to find the one that sounds right to you.

On the other hand, if you buy just one mic, any of these will do. You will eventually adjust to it and get the best from it anyway.

If I were you, I'd go listen to a few. You'll be surprised how much difference there is between them.

Blessings, Terry

 

[chessparov]

Revalved, thanks for the kind words.

I've tried 3 of the 4 microphones you listed in your last post.
My voice has a lot of low mid's that make it "mellow", and
a bright "shimmer" at the top so the C1 sounded best on my voice
type (lyric baritone). The 4033 brought out a slight nasality, and
the NT1000 seemed the "brightest" of these three, and the NT1000 brought out some sibilance in the voice.
Haven't tried the V77 or V67 though.

I've talked with others about the NT1000 and they reported that
it tends to work better on female voices than male BTW.

It would be a reasonable assumption that when the VTB-1 was
designed, it was meant to be "complementary" to the C1.

The VTB-1 is a couple of notches above the DMP3, on my voice
anyway.

Chris

 

[Revalvedx]

Thanx for the comments again and again.
I m seriously thinkin about v77 because I think that the tube sound will enchance my voice, and also its a tube mic for less than 300$, what do you guyz think? do u think is it appropriate for newly alternative bright vocals? i think i can eq for brightness...

Thanx All
Revalved

 

[alanhyatt]

Thanx for the comments again and again.
I m seriously thinkin about v77 because I think that the tube sound will enchance my voice, and also its a tube mic for less than 300$, what do you guyz think? do u think is it appropriate for newly alternative bright vocals? i think i can eq for brightness...

Thanx All
Revalved

I suggest you call a dealer that will let you try these mics out. The C1 and VTB-1 combo in only $70.00 more than the V77 and will give you the tube sound because of the tube in the VTB-1.

We also have a TB-1 mic that was just reviewed at www.digitalprosound.com for the same money as the V77

macmidimusi.com soundpure.com 8thstreetmusic.com and eastcoastmusic.com are all good dealers and should let you return your purchase if you do not like it.

Do the homework, do the math, and then make a decision. Just be sure you can change you're mind if you are unhappy.