which budget mic?

[kidvybes]

Back in the mid 90s it wasn't true - the mics were just off-the-peg OEM mics. I've read the Røde website before, but it was a couple of other people in the industry who told me how Røde currently operate ... and no, neither was who you think they were.
Like I say, it makes no difference at all ... but there is definitely a case for saying Røde are being a little misleading on their cheaper products. I guess they are trading on the insecurities around China

...as I said, I'm unaware of any of the Chinese microphone manufacturers utilizing "surface-mounted" circuitry, which can be found in the NT-1A as well as the higher-end K2...if you know otherwise, please advise...
...I have some very capable mics from SP, MXL, SE, Cascade and ADK...none share the quality build/materials (nor surface-mount circuitry) found in my Rode mics...SE would probaly be the closest of the bunch...I also have an original NT-2 which has the Chinese (797AUDIO) capsule and body, but entirely upgraded PCBs (including upgraded caps/components) manufactured/assembled by RODE in Australia...
...as I have learned, it was only when RODE discontinued it's relationship with 797AUDIO in China, that Behringer came in and purchased the same capsules and bodies, but with Chinese PCBs, for what became the B-2 mic...this information was verified by a member of the staff at 797AUDIO in an email exchanged a couple of years back...those "other people in the industry" you spoke of probably had reason to critique RODE (competitors likely?)...

 

[vbibber]

Thanks ljmaxx! Just what I was looking for. I thought it sounded fairly good for mics that cheap. What pre-amp, soundcard, mixer did you use?

 

[ljmaxx]

Thanks ljmaxx! Just what I was looking for. I thought it sounded fairly good for mics that cheap. What pre-amp, soundcard, mixer did you use?

The signal chain was as follows: C01's --> Symetrix 528E x2 --> An Akai DPS16. Good luck!

 

[cafr]

Richie,

Thanks for this. It really helped me understand the difference. And I mean it.

Yo Cafr! First of all, *all* microphones under $1000 are mass produced, and most of the ones over $1000 as well. The Rode is also built in China, at least the capsule, although I understand the project is under way to move production to Australia. Rode- "world known"?- It's known the world over as a company that builds cheap mics that are worth the price that is charged for them. Of course, location and tariffs are an issue. In the U.S., the Rodes are more expensive relative to Studio Projects than in Europe, and in Australia, I have no idea how the prices compare. We're not talking about a Lexus here. We're comparing a Hyundai Accent to a Ford Focus. Even the Classic II is on the high end of mid-priced mics, a Mitsubishi Eclipse or a Toyota Celica. Your Lexus- now that's Neumann, B.L.U.E. Bottle, Brauner, Microtech Gefell, Schoeps, DPA.
Frankly, the price of a Rode NT1a wouldn't pay for the pop filter and the shock mount of a high end mic. But yes, we mostly work for a living (I do), and we have to set priorities. Any project studio that is worth anything is a combination of cheap stuff that works, mid-priced stuff that works, and a few carefully chosen items that really are top of the line.
I've got about $6000 sunk into mics, and that doesn't even scratch the surface of what I would own if I had unlimited funds. A B.L.U.E. Bottle with all the capsules is close to $10,000 U.S., and I would really like a pair, but it's not worth being served with divorce papers. When comparing a couple of mics like a Studio Projects C-1 and a Rode NT-1a, there isn't much difference. Both mics are *very* cheap by the real standards of the industry. Both are good for recording something some of the time. Both are reliable. Both are backed by excellent customer support, and both are essentially Chinese. The only real difference is which mic sounds better to you on whatever you want to record.-Richie

 

[benjikan]

Samson C01

I own one and use it as my demo mic. It stays up on the stand so I don't have to set up and break down my higher priced mics. Sounds pretty good going through a tube pre-amp...I'd give it a 7 out of 10...I also purchased the suspension which is as good as the Neumann which costs 10x more...
I think most people are being pretty harsh in regards to its quality. Even though it is a 3/4 inch capsule, it is quite sensitive. I do not use the high pass on my pre amp. The mic seems rounder when you allow it to go down as much as possible.

I recorded this song for my niece last Christmas using two Samson C01's on acoustic and vox. They were given to me as a Christmas gift so I thought I'd give them a try. It may give you some idea on the C01's. Good luck.


http://www.recordingproject.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=10939&highlight=twinkle+twinkle+star

 

[dgatwood]

Hi there!

I have a behringer mic 100 pre-amp and I'm looking for a budget condenser mic to make some homerecordings. The mic is going to be used on vocals, acoustic guitar and perhaps acoustic bass and cello. Most important are the vocals though. I have a rather high voice for a man and I want it te be recorded in a nice way. I don't want to spend much, so I am talking really budget. Some mics I'm looking at:

MCA SP-1
Samson C-01
Behringer C-1
MXL 990
Superlux HO 8

The Superlux appears to be out of production. The MXL/MCA might be okay. Don't touch any Samson or Behringer mics, IMHO.

I'd add to your list the AT2020. It probably isn't an ideal mic for voice, but it should work well for the other stuff you mention.

 

[chipwits]

I don't follow. The SP B-1 is $99 and the Rode NT-1A is $199. Certainly in the same price bracket (cheap), but the Rode is still twice as much. I own one of the original NT-1's and think it is just fine. Some folks prefer the sound of the SP C-1 to the NT-1A, but I think they're fairly similar.

Just did some listening at thelisteningsessions.com. Forgot that I had liked that Rode NT1-A months ago.. after listening to it again today I chose it out of all those mics again. To me the $100 mics don't sound as good as say a AKG C414. But the Rode NT1-A to me sounds better than the AKG C414.. Only $199.. I am gonna buy one. Sounds better than the $1k nuemann to my ears.

They are compared at:
http://www.thelisteningsessions.com/session5.htm

Curious as to what others think about this mic compared to many costing 5 times as much.

james

 

[studiomaster]

I really really love the sound of the AT3035. it goes well with most of the mixes i make...a very smooth and clear mic. and only $199..same price range with the NT1-A and SP C1.

 

[lancebug]

I think for a first good all around mic the CAD M179 cant be beat. Very much a swiss-army knife sort of mic. It sounds decent to awsome and a wide range of things, unlike say the MXL V67, which is a good mic, but only good on specific things and really not good on others. It has continuously variable pattern selection from omni through figure-8, which gives it a lot af tonal flexibility. Here is a place on ebay that ships globally for $150 usd. The M177 is the same mic in fixed-cardioid and is usually $20-$40 cheaper. The M179 can also be heard at thelisteningsessions.com next to the others mentioned here.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CAD-M179-Dual-D...ryZ41466QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[BigRay]

rode aint no lexus, bud..actually, at the price point he is looking at (basically anything under say...600 per mic) there aint NO lexus.
maybe a saturn or a geo prism. or a kia.

I hate to sound snobbish but I would like to know an answer to the question.

All right, we know of Studio Projects mics and that they are pretty good for the money. They are made in China and probably of quality you expect from mass produced [junk] products.

Why would you buy a SP mic when you could get a 'world known' Rode mic for just about the same price but for better quality?

But I guess this is kinda like why buy a Lexus when you can get a Toyota for less even though they are made by the same company.

 

[Big Kenny]

thread was started last Dec. it was pretty well covered then

 

[scrubs]

Just did some listening at thelisteningsessions.com. Forgot that I had liked that Rode NT1-A months ago.. after listening to it again today I chose it out of all those mics again. To me the $100 mics don't sound as good as say a AKG C414. But the Rode NT1-A to me sounds better than the AKG C414.. Only $199.. I am gonna buy one. Sounds better than the $1k nuemann to my ears.

They are compared at:
http://www.thelisteningsessions.com/session5.htm

Curious as to what others think about this mic compared to many costing 5 times as much.

james

I don't own any $1000 mics, but my opinion of the NT-1 (original; I've not used the 1-A) is that it's a good mic for some sources, but isn't very versatile. On deeper, smoother voices, it can add a nice "sheen" that works well for some songs. For higher, harsher voices, it is just plain nasty. I never really liked it on acoustic guitar either.

When the NT-1 first came out, it was the first LDC under $500 (IIRC), and was impressive for it's price. It really put condenser mics in the hands of home studio guys for the first time. The hype died down, though, with competition from Audio Technica, Shure, & others, who introduced better options in a similar price bracket.

 

[sound125]

When the NT-1 first came out, it was the first LDC under $500 (IIRC), and was impressive for it's price. It really put condenser mics in the hands of home studio guys for the first time. The hype died down, though, with competition from Audio Technica, Shure, & others, who introduced better options in a similar price bracket.

Well said.