When looking for an awesome deal....

[danny83]

...in the less than $2000 range for a mic and preamp setup. What would you guys recommend? I don't know much about higher end mics and preamps, but I do know that my AudioTechnica AT3035 Cardioid mic into a US-122 interface isn't cuttin' it anymore... I record primarily acoustic guitar and vocals.

I'd appreciate any suggestions and/or help to educate me! Thanks in advance

 

[roadwarrior]

Well as you know, opinions are like noses.....we all have one. After a lot of research however, I must say I would NOT even hesitate to buy the following if I was in your shoes and recording exactly what you are. My #1 mic choice is the Rode K2 tube mic. Others will likely slam me for saying it, but frankly I've owned more than my share of Neumanns and AKG's over the years enough to say, that the Rode is quieter, has a sweeter and more airy higher register, and super dynamic range and bottom end. Along with infinetly adjustable pattern from it's power supply. All top flight in all regards. ($699) from Sweetwater. Then as far as preamps, and I know this is like discussing religion, however my 1st choice in that price range would have to be the venerable "Great River model ME1NV. I don't consider ANY offering out there in that $1075 price equal or better than what the GR brings to the table. Tweaky high end manufacture quality and parts and execution throughout. With over 70db of super quiet gain it's at the TOP of it's game. So there you have it. Leaves you enough for some Mogami cables and you're all set. I prefer Sweetwater as a vendor as well. Best delivery and service. Those 2 items will deliver boutique performance for reasonable dollars..

 

[danny83]

Thanks for the recommendations! I found the Rode K2 for $699.00, but the GR MEQ-1NV I only found for $2600.00! Where did you see it for $1075.00?

 

[drpfeffer]

here you go 1075$..

http://www.mercenary.com/greatrivmp1.html

 

[BigRay]

Gefell M296 and DAV BG-1

Excellent combination. Def in your budget. I also love the pendulum and john hardy pres.

if you are looking for a clean, rich sound...the DAV...if you want a bit of sparkle..the M1 ...

 

[Gnash5150]

Try the AT4050! It sounds oh so good on acoustic! I can't say enough about this mic! This signal path will change your life! AT4050, Great River pre, FMR RNLA. Heaven! I use an Art pro channel's eq section in this chain. The Pro Channel is $300. There's your 2 grand! Enjoy!

 

[danny83]

Gefell M296 and DAV BG-1

Excellent combination. Def in your budget. I also love the pendulum and john hardy pres.

if you are looking for a clean, rich sound...the DAV...if you want a bit of sparkle..the M1 ...

You may have to talk the newbie talk for me....dav, pendulum, john hardy pres, and m1 went right over my head...are those mics?

I did find the Gefell M296 though, but the sale price: $1,699.00 is that right? Here's the link

http://www.macmidimusic.com/prod.itml/icOid/465

 

[riffy]

In this range there are good bit of choices out there. I would concur with Roadwarrior about the K2. I love mine. It's simply an excellent tube mic & happens to be only 700 beans. Since you're recording acoustic guitar I would also recommend a nice small diaphragm mic also, I like my Oktava Mk012's - they're inexpensive, adaptable with removable capsules and work very well, AT makes a good one too. The K2 captures the acoustic guitar very too BTW.

You probably want a (2) channel preamp? I have heard real good things about Sebatron products - Sebatron VMP-2000e -1,200.00. The Summit 2BA-221 is an excellent little 1/2 rack preamp & line module that is a tube mix type pre that is very flexible. The Grace 101 I hear really makes K2 shine. Alot of guys like the Toft stuff although mostly for its eq portion.

this would equal
Rode K2 - 700.00
Oktava MK012 (or equivalent) - 175.00
Sebatron VMP-2000e - 1,200.00

total = 2,075.00

or go with a single channel preamp and buy a nice sturdy stand and a Stedman pop filter. Spend some time some higher end forums and check out the prices and reviews at http://www.frontendaudio.com/ and http://www.soundpure.com. There are too many choices when you start to reach these allowances. Good luck.

 

[BigRay]

Yeah, the m296 aint cheap, but it is amazing on acoustic guitar.

For a cheaper option(and STILL sounding incredible)

the beyer m130/m160 pair(1000 usd, ribbon pair, Mid-Side)
DAV BG-1 preamp(2ch, 680 usd)
and oktava pair......

would sound phenomenal. do a search here on all of those items...

I know, I own 2 of the 3.

 

[Warhead]

The John Hardy personal mic pre is worthy of your consideration.

Hearing an sE Electronics SE3 on your acoustic, and maybe an ADK Hamburg on vocals would go a long way towards your goal. Both of those mics exceed their competition in that price range.

War

 

[chris-from-ky]

I tell you, there are some good suggestions here.

Mics:
Microtech Geffell M930
Soundelux U195
AT 4050
Beyerdynamics m160
Shure KSM 44

Pres:
Great River ME-1NV
Hardy M1
Speck MP5.0

Any of the possible combos would be an upgrade and a good one. Question: What's your converter? The US-122? Consider using the AT 3035 with a highend pre and converter?

 

[chessrock]

When looking for an awesome deal....
...in the less than $2000 range for a mic and preamp setup.

Awesome deal?

Ebay. In most cases, there is absolutely nothing wrong with used mics. Also keep in mind that when buying used, it is easy to simply re-sell something if you don't like it, and recoup at least 90% (if not 100% and sometimes more) of your initial investment. In particular, try to find auctions that end during odd hours of the day; i.e. very early in the morning or late in the evening when folks are in bed ... or perhaps in the late afternoon when people are traveling home from work. You're not as likely to get in to serious bidding wars that way.

Another possibility; now I'm not normally one to advocate Guitar Center, but they often have these "end of year" blowout type deals in December and early January, and sometimes they'll unload some good mics for cheap.

Oh yea, and one more thing: Keep your eyes out for studios that might be closing in your area. Check the local classifieds, etc. Hell, you could even just start radomly calling studios and ask them "are you planning on going out of business any time soon? Because if so, I was wondering if you'd be willing to unload some of your gear on me for cheap."

They'll love you for that.

.

 

[ittam]

I would invest more for the pre`s than the mic`s at this stage and go from there,
your botlenec is the tascam and its pre`s, I quess.
Matti

 

[tdukex]

The acou guit samples I've heard of the Speck Mic Pre 5.0 have been very impressive.

If I was shopping I'd be looking at a dual preamp though, not a single. Davisound, DAV, and Hamptone all have very high quality dual preamps < $1,000.

 

[phaqu]

API makes a modular system. Its a power supply with either 4,6 or 10 spaces. You can install "cards" ( mic pres, eqs, compressors) as you need them. 512c (damn good pre) $500 or so used. "Lunch Box" power supply $400 or so used. Other companies ( OSA, Purple, A Designs) are makeing their own cards to fit the power supply. I heard John Hardy is making a 500 series type card to. For a new mic, I would try out Geffell. The last one I heard I thought kicked ass. But used is always a good way to buy.