What about this condessor mic?

[Erland]

Hi guys, looking for a quick response. I have got an offer of a Behringer B1 studio condenser for 70 pounds. It is comes with a carry case etc. but...

Can you tell more about the mic?

Can you also tell me how it will be powerd. I do not have phantom power, i think.

Thanks chaps

Cooper

 

[Fed]

Erland
I think Behringer B1 is large diafragm condensor and will need
phantom power. I am not sure if it's a good buy for the money where you at.

See if you can try the mic before buying it. It will probably be an improvement over what you have now. I checked your songs in the clinic that's how I know. But I don't see this mic recomended alot and 70 pounds doesn't sound like a good deal to me.

If I'm picking it up correctly my advice would be - resist that urge or you will become like Track Rat. (read his slogan) LOL

cheers

 

[Track Rat]

Track Rat here (read "Total Gear Slut"). Erland my friend, I have no experience with that particular mic except it's one of the many Chinese large diaphram condensors flooding the market right now. You would need a preamp that can output phantom power for it or damn near all ocndensors except for the handfull that are powered by batteries inside the mic (some of the CAD mics are built this way). Wish I was of more help sir.

 

[wes480]

Earland - considering what you did with that little Shure mic you had - I think you will do some amazing stuff with the B1.

It's a fine mic. Wouldn't be my first choice...but for the money...thats like, 60 bucks USD? Can't beat it.

 

[chessrock]

I'm not too bright with economics, so I'm not sure houw pounds would translate in to dollars. If it were $70 U.S. dollars, I would say it's a pretty decent deal, and I'd hop on it, as the retail is about $100.

It's not a bad mic at all. It sometimes gets accused of being a bit harsh in the high-end. I haven't found that to be the case, personally. It is noticeably pronounced around the 12 khz region, and the only problems I've had with it, vocally, would be with heavy consonant "K"s. Have to be C-areful with those. Sounds awesome on accoustic guitars.

What I really like about it is that it comes with a very nice shockmount, carrying case, and windscreen. For that reason alone, it's a pretty good deal, although personally, I would just fork out the extra $50 and get a Marshall mxl 2003.

 

[Erland]

Thankyou

good advice lads. I would really like a good consistent mic and was just looking to spent no more than 100 pounds, soon I hope. just shopping around. The thing is you guys have all the best deals and unbelievable prices. Here, its a different story.

As for this mic, I thinik I could get a better deal. Perhaps I persuade them to throw in the power.

Anyway, sing to you soon. Bye

 

[TexRoadkill]

Sounds like a crappy deal. You could get a MXL for that price.

For those who are math deficient 100 pounds is about $150 US

 

[SOUND DIAGNOSIS]

Methinks you should get a Marshall MXL V67 and a JOEMEEK MC3Q for a grand total of 300 American bucks. Spend this little bit of cash Coop. It is all you will need for your journey, my friend. Don't mentally masturbate yourself to death regarding this. -----ROB

Sounds like a crappy deal. You could get a MXL for that price.

For those who are math deficient 100 pounds is about $150 US

 

[octoruss]

Yeah, don't do it. 70lbs. is about the equivalent of US$150, and these Behringer mics just don't cut it, IMHO. You'd be better off saving up 25 more lbs and getting at least an AKGC1000 (small diaphragm mic, about $200 in the US) or an AKG C2000 (large condensor mic, about $220).

But au contraire, my British amigo, about your comment that us stateside folks have all the good deals on equipment. Sure that may be true on a lot of recording gear, but you happen to be blessed with two of the world's best microphone companies in your little European Union--AKG and Neumann. (ok, I know the UK isn't in the EU) I always buy my AKG and Neumann mics when in London or Frankfurt (just don't buy them in Paris..they rip you off there). You could probably get a better deal on an AKG mic there that you could here.

 

[octoruss]

One last thing I should mention--I'd also save up for a mic preamp, even if it is one of the cheapie Art Tube MPs. This will make a WORLD of difference with any condensor mic you buy. The alternative is an AKG C1000 mic which can take a 9v battery, but you're better off spending the lbs. on an external mic pre.

Good luck!

 

[wes480]

70 pounds is like 102 dollars

not 150.

 

[wilkee]

Get down to Digital Village and get the Nt1000 for £179 if you only want to buy once.

IMO the Beh B1 is no better or worse than all of the cheap chinese Mics, just a Diff.compromise and perfectly suited for most tasks that you would use a LD mic (but they sure sound bright)

 

[toby.I.]

all the rode stuff is pretty good, i haven't tried the NT1000 but i have used the nt1, nt2 and nt3. the nt3 is abit crappy(never used it in favor of a c1000) but the nt 1 and 2 are great for the money,

 

[Randy Yell]

Cooper,I don't know their pricing over there but you could consider the new Studio Projects B-1 also.It sells for $80 here which is cheaper by $20 than the Behringer sells for here.I have no idea about euro pricing so I don't know if it would be cheaper than the Behringer there.

For a preamp check out the M-Audio Audio Buddy,it's a two channel solid state mic pre that is very quiet and sells for $80 here.I have a Art Toob MP too and for me the Audio Buddy is a much better value.Two channels instead of one and it's so much quieter.

 

[octoruss]

Thanks for the AudioBuddy advice, Randy. I've never heard of this one, but for $80 you can't go wrong.

 

[Randy Yell]

The thing I like about the Buddy is how clean it sounds.It really lets your mics shine through.Some people use the Art MP and like it,if it works for someone then that is cool.The thing about the Art is that it colors everthing and I think it's noisy.I would rather have the option of a nice clean sound especially if you are using a decent mic.Plus the Buddy is two channels for the price of tyhe MP which is very cool for stereo miccing.I love my Buddy!It takes a man secure in his masculinity to say that!

 

[knownuttin]

Listen to the last thing Wilkee said: "...if you only want to buy once." Buying too cheap a product on the basis of price is more expensive in the long run, after it fails you and you abandon it to buy the quality you should have in the first place. Save for something good.

Also, do not fall for the fallacy that "condensor=better". Not always true. For many male rock vocals, the Shure SM-7, a large-diaphram DYNAMIC, is often used in pro facilities. The current craze over Chinese-manufactured cheap knock-offs is fueled by home-reccer ignorance.
-kent

 

[Randy Yell]

Kent,I agree with the fact that if you buy too cheap chances are you'll end up buying twice.Unfortunately that has been a trap I have fallen into on more than one occasion.

I take a bit of exception to the remark about the current craze over chinese manufactured knock offs being fueled by home-reccer's ignorance though.I just got a TB-1 and it is a good solid mic and it sounds excellent for the dineros no matter where it was manufactured.I think cheap mics are improving drastically all the time probably due to the competition among manufacturers.It seems every day there is a new mic at the budget level and they are sounding better and better all the time.

 

[octoruss]

Is the TB-1 Chinese made? I thought Studio Projects mics were made in the US....

 

[Aren]

Guys - One thing you weren't considering, is that MXL mics tend to double their price in Europe. I think, European prices (grrrr....) considered, it's a pretty good deal. Try and get hime to throw a phantom power supply, or even a nice little pre-amp with that, but I think that this mic would be great for you.

Oren