S
silver_addict
New member
If you only had $300 (give or take $50) to spend on a mic, which one would you get? This is my situation and I'm wondering if anybody had any suggestions. Thanks.
O
OneArmedScissor
New member
Well gee, thanks for making it so easy for everyone by elaborating so much.
V
voxman
New member
man if i had that kind of money and i didnt need a new mixer, i would buy a sennheiser md-421 in a second, mostly because i loved the sound i got out of one on my guitar cab, and it adds a little something to the kick drum sound.
Sonixx
New member
a used 4050
M
manning1
Banned
for 300 bucks if i was starting out with a daw , and assuming i was not a established studio with a big mic locker...i would buy a variety of mics.
1. a good old used ev dynamic for 50 bucks in mint shape.
2. a used old radio shack pzm for 40 bucks that i do the mods to.
as posted on the net.
3. an old sure 545 like jimi used to have if i could find one.
sometimes you find them for 40 bucks in swap shops if your incredibly lucky.
or maybe an older 57 in mint condition for 40 bucks. recently i saw
2 for 40 bucks.
4. a cad gxl LDC new for 50 bucks or a v67. if its good enough for harvey its good enough for me.
hmm - i only spent 200 bucks. with the 100 bucks left over maybe look
at building two tapeop diy mics for 20 bucks a piece.
maybe a beyer soundstar mic as well as recommended by harvey.
thats 7 mics for 300 bucks. not too shabby. lots of variety.
just an idea.
1. a good old used ev dynamic for 50 bucks in mint shape.
2. a used old radio shack pzm for 40 bucks that i do the mods to.
as posted on the net.
3. an old sure 545 like jimi used to have if i could find one.
sometimes you find them for 40 bucks in swap shops if your incredibly lucky.
or maybe an older 57 in mint condition for 40 bucks. recently i saw
2 for 40 bucks.
4. a cad gxl LDC new for 50 bucks or a v67. if its good enough for harvey its good enough for me.
hmm - i only spent 200 bucks. with the 100 bucks left over maybe look
at building two tapeop diy mics for 20 bucks a piece.
maybe a beyer soundstar mic as well as recommended by harvey.
thats 7 mics for 300 bucks. not too shabby. lots of variety.
just an idea.
O
OneArmedScissor
New member
Lol out of curiosity, why are you guys going into any detail at all when the guy didn't even say what he wants to use it for, or what mics and other stuff he already has?
D
Dot
New member
I'd list more information about what gear/mics I already had, what type of music I was working on, and what sources I was recording. That's what I'd do if I expected to get usable info from anyone.
Warhead
Jai guru deva om
I would buy a gun and go rob someone's mic locker at gun point.
War
War
K
krs
New member
Warhead said:
LMFAO...That's a great frikkin idea
H
Harvey Gerst
New member
Well, he's in a group that does kind of experimental punk/acoustic stuff, he lives in Utah, and he's 18.OneArmedScissor said:
Right now, he uses Cakewalk to record, and he's looking to improve his setup. He's probably looking at how to improve his guitar sounds (electric and acoustic), and his vocal recordings. He probably has a couple of inexpensive mics, none of which cost over $100 each.
B
Big Kenny
New member
Then by all means, five sm57's
O
OneArmedScissor
New member
Big Kenny said:
+588283487234782 bajillion
T
tdukex
Man of the Muse
AT4040. SP C3. MXL V69. You can do a lot with one good mic.
D
DJL
Self Banned
Get a Sennheiser MD421.silver_addict said:
noisedude
New member
I'm enjoying Manning's answer, particularly because it's a route I've gone down myself. I have the Beyer Soundstar and a Shure 545D ... but part of me wishes I'd saves my money for something shiney and brand-new.
If you're desperate to unload it all on one mic then by all means follow these guys' advice - but if you want variety then don't think for a minute that things like these old dynamics aren't 'proper' mics ... they are!
If you're desperate to unload it all on one mic then by all means follow these guys' advice - but if you want variety then don't think for a minute that things like these old dynamics aren't 'proper' mics ... they are!
M
manning1
Banned
noisedude. it always amazes me how newbies overlook particularly the old ev dynamics. there is garbage out there of course. but years ago i heard great tracks done with the ev's in big studios. always impressed me.
years ago i made a huge mistake. i felt sorry for someone setting up a little studio and sold a few shure 545's to him dirt cheap. big mistake. they had a texture i liked. also i experiment a lot with old speakers using them as mics in things like kick drums and guitar amps. people throw them away all the time.
not on vocals of course. but sometime with a little filtering after the fact
ive had some great textures out of using spkrs. particularly on guitar amps.
when i find another throwaway spkr. i'm like a kid with a new toy.
ive used the neumanns etc, and find i get more FUN out of seeing what i can do with cheap speaker junk. its like rummaging through the jungle.
you add a circuit here or there and suddenly the sun shines. and you get something you like. i know its heresy , but once i even used a pair of akg phones as a mic. i musta got lucky with the placement. or it was karma
with this particular guitar amp, had a track better than using one of my more expensive mics. a senior engineer taught me , drilled into me actually many thousands of times just experiment continually and use your ears.
years ago i made a huge mistake. i felt sorry for someone setting up a little studio and sold a few shure 545's to him dirt cheap. big mistake. they had a texture i liked. also i experiment a lot with old speakers using them as mics in things like kick drums and guitar amps. people throw them away all the time.
not on vocals of course. but sometime with a little filtering after the fact
ive had some great textures out of using spkrs. particularly on guitar amps.
when i find another throwaway spkr. i'm like a kid with a new toy.
ive used the neumanns etc, and find i get more FUN out of seeing what i can do with cheap speaker junk. its like rummaging through the jungle.
you add a circuit here or there and suddenly the sun shines. and you get something you like. i know its heresy , but once i even used a pair of akg phones as a mic. i musta got lucky with the placement. or it was karma
with this particular guitar amp, had a track better than using one of my more expensive mics. a senior engineer taught me , drilled into me actually many thousands of times just experiment continually and use your ears.
noisedude
New member
Experimentation is key because there's nothing that shows in a recording more than enthusiasm. The best engineers haven't found a way to put enjoyment into a record that has none ... take any boyband.
I've had some fun clamping a pair of phones over an acoustic guitar ... but that's another story
I've had some fun clamping a pair of phones over an acoustic guitar ... but that's another story
M
manning1
Banned
a weird effect ive found is some spkrs as mics seem to compress the signal in a nice way.
J
John Mayes
New member
DJL's recommendation is a good one I think. That would cover a lot of bases. The SM57's are a given, and one should always have some of them, especially on a tighter budget.
Some good other mics that would cover a lot of bases in the condenser world (this is a limited selection as they are ones I've tried)
Large Diaphragm:
Rode NTK (little bit out of your price range but maybe a used one..)
Studio Projects TB1 (at the upper end of your range, but nice and pretty neutral sounding)
MXL V69 (has a cool darker thicker sound that works great on some stuff, also within your price range)
AKG 3000B (within range and has a cool midrange sound)
AT4040 (very smooth sound, works well on many apps)
Rode NT1 (I think they are a little harsh sounding, but lots of people like em for the money)
MXL V67g (I don't like them, but lots of people think they are the shizzit for the price)
I'm sure I left some out, but in the price range these can all be good choices. I didn't include the Small Diaphragm condensers as if you just have one mic and want to record vocals the vast majority of the time they don't do wonderful in the app.
Some good other mics that would cover a lot of bases in the condenser world (this is a limited selection as they are ones I've tried)
Large Diaphragm:
Rode NTK (little bit out of your price range but maybe a used one..)
Studio Projects TB1 (at the upper end of your range, but nice and pretty neutral sounding)
MXL V69 (has a cool darker thicker sound that works great on some stuff, also within your price range)
AKG 3000B (within range and has a cool midrange sound)
AT4040 (very smooth sound, works well on many apps)
Rode NT1 (I think they are a little harsh sounding, but lots of people like em for the money)
MXL V67g (I don't like them, but lots of people think they are the shizzit for the price)
I'm sure I left some out, but in the price range these can all be good choices. I didn't include the Small Diaphragm condensers as if you just have one mic and want to record vocals the vast majority of the time they don't do wonderful in the app.