What's the most neutral sounding mic below 1000$?

[plautus]

Hi, I'm looking for a mic that sounds neutral but not overly bright like a c414/c212 or whatevr their name is or the austrian mics.
Hope u have advice for me!


currently im using a Rode Nt1. It's harsh and muddy sounding at the same time. I don't like it, never did.

 

[Papanate]

The One You won’t get.

 

[plautus]

no, these sound shrill

 

[gecko zzed]

What NT1 do you have? The newer generations are highly regarded.

 

[RFR]

Sorry, but you gotta figure that out for yourself. No persons recommendation is going to help.

For example, I love the AKG C414. Now granted, it’s a 70s mic and may be considered “vintage”. Also the fact I’ve owned it since the early 80s and have tons of hours on this mic. But this mic you consider to be overly bright. Maybe, or maybe not. I don’t find it to be overly bright at all.
Maybe the way I eq it, maybe the console I used, or maybe my high end hearing is shot. Could be many factors.

The point is you have to decide what is good or bad for your use.

That means ‘hands on’ try different mics out.

 

[plautus]

NT1 4th Generation. The mic u recommend is too bright

 

[RFR]

NT1 4th Generation. The mic u recommend is too bright

What mic? Who recommended what?

 

[PorterhouseMusic]

Maybe try something with a reputation of "neutral" but at a lower price? You might be surprised - I know I was: AT2035

 

[plautus]

AT2035 - too top boostewd

 

[plautus]

is the shure ksm32 good? some uituber siad this is S Tier and neutral sounding wiht a very soft high end ffrreq

 

[PorterhouseMusic]

Alright - I'm not playing around anymore. Let's get serious about this. The single most "neutral" sounding LDC at or under $1000.00 is.... wait for it.....

BOOM: AT4050

That's my final offering.

The microphone gods at ChatGPT have spoken.

 

[plautus]

AT4050 sibilant

 

[plautus]

the shure ksm32 is like im not getting enough oxygen. It lacks the full spectrum. Top and buttom is missing. feel choked

 

[RRuskin]

Electro Voice CS15. Not made any more but they are out there on the used market.

 

[plautus]

Electro Voice CS15. Not made any more but they are out there on the used market.

that is a podcast mic they sound boomy

 

[rob aylestone]

You are answering your own question. Mics are personal. You have criticised all my favourite mics by describing them as bright or shrill or sibilant. That is totally fine. You don’t like them. How about I tell you which mics I do NOT like because they are not clear, clean and bright, that I personally, have but rarely use. RE20, RE320, SM7B, U87, MK319.

There is also another possibility. As the mics you hate are very popular, maybe it’s not the mic, but your monitors?

Clearly, we cannot help, as our recommendations don’t work with you, your studio and your speakers. As you cross out each one, I would be wondering why a bunch of strangers keep suggesting things you hate. Statistically, there is more chance the problem isnt at our end. I’m not saying you are wrong in hating them, it’s a choice after all, but something is adrift here. I certainly would now stop even thinking about buying on strangers recommendations till you sort it.

 

[plautus]

You are answering your own question. Mics are personal. You have criticised all my favourite mics by describing them as bright or shrill or sibilant. That is totally fine. You don’t like them. How about I tell you which mics I do NOT like because they are not clear, clean and bright, that I personally, have but rarely use. RE20, RE320, SM7B, U87, MK319.

There is also another possibility. As the mics you hate are very popular, maybe it’s not the mic, but your monitors?

Clearly, we cannot help, as our recommendations don’t work with you, your studio and your speakers. As you cross out each one, I would be wondering why a bunch of strangers keep suggesting things you hate. Statistically, there is more chance the problem isnt at our end. I’m not saying you are wrong in hating them, it’s a choice after all, but something is adrift here. I certainly would now stop even thinking about buying on strangers recommendations till you sort it.

in other words u like shriller than life mics

I just want a natural sounding mic, nothing boosted