What mic to buy next?

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CPotter82

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I have about $200 to spend on 1 or 2 new mics for my little home studio. All I have right now is 1 Audio-Technic Pro4L (unidirectional). My mic uses include the following: Guitars (acoustic and possibly micing the amp for my electric), Cello, Flute, Congas, and Vocals. My current mic works pretty well for vocals and flute, but that's about it. Any suggestions?
 
Hi CPotter82:

I recommend the MXL 2001, made by Marshall Electronics Company. It is a quality large capsule condenser, for the money, and a large condenser is better for acoustic instruments and vocals.

Read the January 2000 review here : www.mars-cam.com/mxl/review.pdf

Don't pay more than $169 . . . that's the going rate. I bought the MXL 2003, its big brother, and am very happy with it. The difference in the two is diaphragm size and thickness and switchable features on the 2003.

Oh, and unless you have a mixer providing
48 volt phantom power, save the rest of your $200 to buy the power supply.

Regards,
PAPicker
 
My response to: Good all-around mic (sm57) post:

Maybe sice it's going to be an all around mic, you should go for the Oktava MC012 (from
The Sound Room only www.oktava.com , of course) for the same price as the MC319. It
will be ETREMELY versetial do to all the 3 polar patterens it comes with.

Just do the vocals in omni. What's even better is when you have enough money to buy a
large diaphragm mic, just purchase the M1 for $350US and Vwha La! You now have one
of the best large diaphragm mics out there on a reasonable budget! But don't let the
price make you think it can't hold its own and sometimes even beat mics 2, 3, or even 4x
its price range.
 
jnorman:

Man. I agree with a lot of what you recommend for certain applications. However, you should remember that people have posted their "about budget"; I say go ahead and give or take $100US or so, but an r-121 on a $200US or so budget?

Actually, I'll even take the time now to ask you what I've been meaning to ask you. What's you're recommendation for matched-paired, "all-around" ribbon mics? Anotherwaords, what's your favorite ribbon as an "all-around"; "general purpose"?

I eventually will buy a matched-pair of ribbons. I just have too many other wants/needs which are adding-up quickly to buy more mics right now.
 
i have tried everything on flutes, and never was pleased with anything until i got my hands on some ribbon mics (at the suggestion of james walker, an LA studio flutist who has played on most of john williams soundtracks). for flute and cello, a ribbon mic will give you a much smoother, warmer sound than a condenser. i use royer r-121s, but the little beyer m160s are not too expensive, and are much sweeter than condensers for these instruments.
 
I haven't tried a ribbon mic, so I really can't comment if it's better than a condenser mic. But, I've recorded my sax player with both dynamic and condenser mics.
The dynamic mic works fine when he's blowin' the baritone sax, and sometimes for the tenor sax. But when he's blowin' the alto sax, soprano sax, or the piccalo, it's GOT to be the condenser.
And, like I said, I don't know if a ribbon mic would make it any better. All I know is that the condenser just sounds extremely good and delivers all those subtle and tender notes like a champ. I can't imagine it sounding any better than it already does. But hey, I'm not Quincy Jones, so what the hell do I know?
Anyway, for home recording, the condenser is so versatile and can be used in so many ways, that it just seems to be the logical choice for getting great sound and not breaking the bank.
Just my 2 cents.
 
Not to upset rec.engineer, but Guitar Center has the Octava MC012 for $150. The MC319 is $200. I know the Sound room ones are supposed to be the cream of the crop, but $150 is CHEAP! I just ask myself if it's worth double the money for a "possible" difference in quality. What I thought was I'll just get all the ones they have on hand and plug every one in and listen for the best one myself. It's part of their green tag sale this month so hurry up.

I also saw at Sam Ash the Cakewalk Peavey Studiomix combo for $399. That's a crazy value. Man I've got to get ahold of some extra cash fast! In my town Guitar Center and Sam Ash are across the street from each other, which makes for interesting deal hunting.
 
Rode NT-1... The price just went down to under $200... Its a sweet deal...
 
MADCAP:

I appreciate the comment. I have one thing to say... Don't do it man!

CPotter82:
If your not going to go for an Oktava from The Sound Room, then drop the Oktava suggestion; follow the temptation of S8-N, not MADCAP's; please!
 
Basically, that's like having two stripped down Toyota's instead of one fully loaded Cadillac.
Pretty good deal, though.
I hope it works out well for ya.

[This message has been edited by Buck62 (edited 02-26-2000).]
 
Thanx for all your suggestions, I ended up catching a sweet price on an SM57 and an SM58, half price it came out to $110 for both of them (there's a local place that's going out of business). I figured if I can get two good mics for that cheap it's better than paying twice that for one really good one. Thanx again!

Chris
 
You don't like SMs? Keep in mind I'm working with tapes, so I'm not expecting crystal clarity. Since we're into car analogies, that would be like putting a $4000 stereo system into an old pinto.
 
Just went with the NT-1 and damn, that's one sweet mic. It picks up a mouse click in the next room no problem. I'm thinking of getting
another one for my stereo mic pre.....
 
I think your analogy is a bit extreme.
We're talking about a condenser mic that costs less than 200 bucks, and will deliver MUCH better results... not 4 thousand dollars.
Micing an acoustic guitar (as you mentioned in your post) ain't gonna sound half as good with an SM 57 or 58 as it would with a Rode NT-1 or an AKG C3000.
You wanted good advice, and you got it.
You chose not to follow it.
Now you've got "three" dynamic mics with limited sound reproduction, instead of one good dynamic mic, and one good condenser mic.
SM's are good mics, for sure. But, guitars, cellos, flutes, congas, and vocals are gonna sound 10 times better with a condenser mic.
Sorry, but a month from now you'll be kicking yourself. Tape machine or digital, it doesn't matter. Your recordings will only be as good as what you put into it.

Read the post above this one...
...the Doc is a musical genius who knows what he's talkin' about...
 
Point well taken, but I don't regret getting the SMs... part of the reason I didn't go with a condenser is because I don't have phantom power and I probably wouldn't have enough cash to buy a power source on top of the $200 condenser. So I'm sorry if I insulted you all by not following your advice, but I felt that was what I had to go with at that time. This summer I'll save up and get myself an NT-1 or C3000 and whatever power source I need for it. Again, thanx for all the advice; it has been taken to mind and will help me with my next purchase for which I will probably have a much larger budget.
 
How much does a phantom power supply cost? And is the C1000 really good for vocals and drum overhead, possibly guitar amp also? I'm planning on getting a C1000...unless someone could talk me into getting another condenser at or about $200 that is better.
 
Sorry if you took things the wrong way. I'm not insulted or anything.
Just trying to give the best advice that will be more helpful in the long run.
Many here on this website (myself included) have bought equipment that we think suits our needs for "right now", only to sell it or trade it in for what we should have saved up for in the first place... losing money in the process.

That's why many of the regulars here will suggest that you buy the better, more versatile equipment right from the start.
Once you become a recording junkie, you want all the nice toys you can get your hands on.

BTW, a phantom power supply costs about 50 bucks at Sam Ash.




[This message has been edited by Buck62 (edited 02-28-2000).]
 
Ok, I understand what you're saying. A major point I neglected to mention is that I'll probably need these mics for coffee shop gigs and such, so I would think the MXL 2001 for example would be a little unconventional. Also I'll be going to Berklee Coll. of Music next fall anyway, where they have 11 pro-quality 24 track studios with pretty much any mic you could think of, so I'm not gonna worry too much about my own studio until I get my own place after college.
 
Hey, I can tell you you made the right move as far as business aspects. Iam not Mr. Recording , I do the business. If a person goes out and gets a deal, and a deal you would never get on brand new gear(results from going out of business), has an chance to get product below wholesale then do it. You need a good condenser mic right?

You might decide to sell those one day,(even through you will maybe have a 45% chance of find the same deal depending on the location, more than likely you wont),you can put those mics on ebay and start them at $50 and they will sell for $80 or $90 bucks. Thats enough to buy PP and a Conde. MIC! Its the right move. Its the right move, gear at SALE prices are the best way to go. Because if you can sell it and make money then you NEVER lose.
Now on the other hand then if those mics where full cost its not wise get the best.
You can save up and get the stuff you need ON SALE!
 
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