What is the next step up?

[Telefunken]

I have a Studio Projects C1, and am ready to move to the next level. What would you sugest my next mic purchase be? Somewheres in the $700 range. Let me just say, that I think the C1 is a great mic, I would just love to move to the next level. I should also mention that my style of music is acoustic rock/adult contemp.
thanks,
Rich
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My tunes
www.mp3.com/Richard_Bischoff

 

[chessparov]

You might find it more useful to think of expanding your microphone
choices, rather than trying to go "to the next level" with just one mike.
What would be the various applications you want to cover?
You can get a variety of fine mikes for under $700.

Chris

 

[Telefunken]

It seems most the mics I own are in the 299 and under range. I was just wondering if I spent more money, what more am I going to get? I have been looking at the rode ntk, and opinions on that mic?

 

[acorec]

Go for the Neumann TLM 103. Great mic for acoustic instruments, vocals, electric guitars and some percussion. Very low self-noise. Great with a "dark" pre amp.

 

[acorec]

Go for the Neumann TLM 103. Great mic for acoustic instruments, vocals, electric guitars and some percussion. Very low self-noise. Great with a "dark" pre amp.

I forgot, you usually get more "detail" with the expensive mics. Vocals tend to sit in the mix better and not get buried.

 

[Telefunken]

I forgot, you usually get more "detail" with the expensive mics. Vocals tend to sit in the mix better and not get buried.

I think that the info you just gave me is good to know. How much do I need to spend to really hear a differnce. Does anyone know? or are most of you around here just like me? recording with budget mics. I would like to hear from some people that are useing both the budget and the high end mics.
Thanks,

Rich

 

[ozraves]

Richard--

I'm not entirely sure you're getting full mileage from the mic you've got.

Anyhow, what kind of mic preamps do you have?

Listening to your voice, I'd suggest saving a little longer and holding out for something better.

--Steve, Mojo Pie

 

[chessrock]

I posted a thread a while back where I sort of compared a bunch of mics in the $500 price range.

I used to own a C1, and I thought it was a great mic for the money. Very similar to the Rode NT2 which I also used to own, which says a lot since the NT2 is/was almost twice the price.

Still, I happen to think there are some VERY good values in the $500-700 range. Since this mic shootout, I've been working a lot with the BLUE Dragonfly, which I think is an exceptional value in it's own right, and it's gotten a lot of mileage in my humble studio.

From my memory, other than the Dragonfly, I was most impressed with the Audio Technica 4047, the Rode NTK, and the Shure KSM32. Any and/or all of these would be a very nice "next step up" from something like a C1. It's all a matter of taste, and they're all very different, so they would also compliment what the C1 does.

I'm not necessarily trying to toot my own horn or anything, because actually, the guys who responded to my thread on this subject had a lot to add, and their discussions shed even more light on the $500-700 microphone range. It's really a good thread.

Here's the thread, anyway, in case you're interested:

http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=64683&highlight=4047

 

[DJL]

I have a Studio Projects C1, and am ready to move to the next level. What would you sugest my next mic purchase be? Somewheres in the $700 range. Let me just say, that I think the C1 is a great mic, I would just love to move to the next level. I should also mention that my style of music is acoustic rock/adult contemp.
thanks,
Rich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My tunes
www.mp3.com/Richard_Bischoff

The pretty one that sounds better to YOU than your C1... before spending $700 on a mic, don't you want to test drive the mic for yourself before buying it?

 

[chessparov]

Tele, I'm sure the NTK is a very nice mike for many singers.
You may also want to compare the Studio Projects TB-1 to it.
(the B series is totally different sounding than the C)

What would you think of considering any classic dynamic microphones, including ribbons?
There are some great choices like;
Shure SM-7 (need a good strong pre for this one-like the ribbons)
Beyer M88
EV RE20 (or PL20)
Sennheiser 421
Sennheiser 441
Beyer M160
Beyer M260
Beyer M500
etc...

Chris

 

[Innovations]

Since you very satisfied with the C1 maybe the logical next choice would be the T3, as that would take you to the 'next level' in two areas. First it being a tube microphone and second it being multipattern. At the same time it will display many of the qualities that you like about your C1

 

[Beezoboy]

NO. . .

Chessrock is completely right. . . I think

Get a different flavor of mic to complement the C-1. Seriously the more I use the C-1 the more I like it. Even next to my U-87. Is it as good as the U-87? No. Is it very close? Yes.

But neither the U87 or C-1 sound like a Sennheiser 441 or Beyer m-260.

Personally I would go for one or both of these two. Or how about and SM7 and a 441. That would be a good combination.

Beez

 

[DJL]

You might find it more useful to think of expanding your microphone choices, rather than trying to go "to the next level" with just one mike.
<snip>
Chris

Very well said chessparov and read what Beezoboy said too "Get a different flavor of mic to complement the C-1." Plus, test drive the mic's.

Good advise IMO.

 

[ozraves]

NO. . .

Chessrock is completely right. . . I think

Get a different flavor of mic to complement the C-1. Seriously the more I use the C-1 the more I like it. Even next to my U-87. Is it as good as the U-87? No. Is it very close? Yes.

But neither the U87 or C-1 sound like a Sennheiser 441 or Beyer m-260.

Personally I would go for one or both of these two. Or how about and SM7 and a 441. That would be a good combination.

Beez

I think the SM7 is a good call. Otherwise, I'd kind of suggest holding out for a Blue Mouse or a Brauner Phantom C or a Soundelux U195. Whichever sounds best with the source...

Steve, Mojo Pie

 

[acorec]

I think that the info you just gave me is good to know. How much do I need to spend to really hear a differnce. Does anyone know? or are most of you around here just like me? recording with budget mics. I would like to hear from some people that are useing both the budget and the high end mics.
Thanks,

Rich

The thing about expensive mics is that they have very sensative diaghrams. The "detail" will only come out if the mic pre-amp is capable of not loading the mic down. The most important thing is matching the impedance so that the mic and pre work together in the frequency ranges that are ideal for THAT mic . It is a hit or miss afair at best. This is why you can try many pre-amps and find one that is "magic". It could be a cheap, expensive, or anywhere in between. Some companies will sell a mic/pre-amp pair that are optimized by "profiling" the mic, electrically and changing components (like resistors/capacitors/op-amps) on the pre-amp. This is the ideal way of getting the maximum freq response and "detail" from a given mic. The mic and pre-amp are now matched sets. Most people don't have the money or skill to do this. So, a $700 mic means nothing without the "right" pre-amp. This explains why so many people disagree on the "best" pre-amp for a given mic. My 2 cents worth..........

 

[kid klash]

Personally, I'd be looking at preamps at this point rather than mics.

You say you want to move up to the next level... it appears that you like your C1... and clarity and detail appear to be what you're after...

I think if you like what you're getting with the C1, the best way to improve upon it is to add the clarity and depth of a better preamp.
Ther are "clean" ones, "vintage" ones, "tube" ones, you name it, and someone has a preamp to fit the description. For $700, you've got lots of choices.

 

[Telefunken]

Ok I havent been able to log on since yestarday.
Wow! I really appreciate all the input from everyone. It is amazing how many differnt opinions there are though about mics and pres. I may end up talking to a place about renting some mics for a few days, just to see what it is for sure that I am after,

Thanks to all for the input.

Rich

 

[DJL]

<snip>
I may end up talking to a place about renting some mics for a few days, just to see what it is for sure that I am after,

Thanks to all for the input.

Rich

Now your on the right track.