...which microphone?

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Voice

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I'm looking to start recording on my PC next week. I've got the software, know how to use it and have an appropriate soundcard (Live Drive Platinum). However, I dojn't know what kind of mic to buy. I'm looking for a condenser mic in the same price range as the SM58, but that I can use for recording acoustic guitars as well as vocals (live and "studio"). I've asked around and people seem to recommend the Audio Technica ATM41HE and the AKG 880. Which is better? Any recommendations? I need help!

Thanks again.
 
Yo VOICE:

For the bucks, you might want to look at the Yorkville Apex 430 which goes for 185 pezzutos minus 25%. Yorkville also has a 420 model that has the three polar patterns whereas the 430 is minus the switches.

I was using an AKG3000 until I plugged in the Yorkville and tested it. Nice clear sound. I will use mine mostly for vocals but it should work for other applications.

It's a nice piece of gear for the money.

Green Hornet
 
Studio Microphones

Sorry to burst your bubble but there's no such thing as a "studio" quality mic in the price range of a Sure SM58 (around $100). Generally, good studio mics run from many hundreds to thousands of dollars. I have, however, run across an unbelievable deal. The Oktava MK319 (hand made in Russia) can be purchased at Guitar Center for under $200 and it is an incredible mic. Many have compared it to Neumans which cost over a thousand dollars. I purchased 2 and still cannot believe how sensitive they are. You can check out this mic at www.oktava.com. Don't forget that studio mics require 48 volt phanthom power. If you don't have phanthom power available on your system, you can get it from any good mic preamp (which you really should get anyway). I am using a Behringer UltraPro Tube Mic preamp (Around $150) for additional sound enhancement and to add tube "warmth" that is lost in digital recordings. If I can be of any further assistance, please feel free to email me.
 
Just a quickie: I totally agree with sleepy - the MK 319 is an awsome mic for the money, you could compare it to a U87, but it costs 10x less
 
Someone's gotta say it...

...from the sound room, only. Where the heck is RE?
 
from another soundroon (under construction), what the hell is RE?
Religious Education?
Right Earfull?
Rotten Ears?
Rinus Erectus?
 
Fellows,

Please dont start another long draged out thread on Oktava mics and the GC, I purchased an Oktava MK-319 from GC and it is a great mic. I recommend it to all


Carter
 
PPPPPPPpffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffft

OK now ---- we are talking about a bloody cheap microphone here, which works unbelieveably well for the money. Why all the bickering?
If you buy one from GC - open the friggin thing up and do some quality control yourself, replace welding points etc. If this mic was made with the same components in the US ? Europe, you'd pay 1- times as much.
 
Do you have a mic pre or mixer? Cause that soundcard is appropriate in some situations (most all of them not involving recording, but to each his own) but it won't provide the 48 volts phantom power all condensors need (unless they take a battery too) so, they won't work plugging it straight into the card. Even it did work (didn't need phantom power), it would almost most definately sound like shit straight into the card. The card isn't made to have something like that plugged straight in.

Jake
 
Nobody mentionned it in this thread but it is usually mentionned in all threads on mics: Rode NT1. Just do a search for more opinions.

I was able to find one used in pretty good shape for $225.

I find it works very well with voice and acoustic guitar.
 
Man- that's sad considering they (Rode NT-1) go for $179 new at Guitar Satan.... :)
But not that sad. I bought two at $199 ea. and haven't regretted the purchase.
They may not be able to compete with mics costing 50% more or 1000% more,
(I really wouldn't know anyway; I'm a home recordist. I don't run a pro studio or have the cash for a bucket full of great mics) BUT:
They're a great learning tool because of their price, their output level and their sensitivity.
 
I guess I should have mentionned this is $225 Canadian dollars. These days this probably means about $140 USD. Sorry about that.
 
Re: Studio Microphones

SleepyJohn said:
Sorry to burst your bubble but there's no such thing as a "studio" quality mic in the price range of a Sure SM58 (around $100). Generally, good studio mics run from many hundreds to thousands of dollars. I have, however, run across an unbelievable deal. The Oktava MK319 (hand made in Russia) can be purchased at Guitar Center for under $200 and it is an incredible mic. Many have compared it to Neumans which cost over a thousand dollars. I purchased 2 and still cannot believe how sensitive they are. You can check out this mic at www.oktava.com.
Click to expand...

Um, gotcha! 8-)

Actually, there ARE pro-quality studio microphones available for $100 if he hurries! Guitar Center has Oktava/ASM MK219s for $99.99 this month.

These microphones are internally identical to the MK319, but have a different housing. The housing difference allegedly produces a more "open" vocal sound, but I think that this is probably not worth the additional $100, particularly considering the WIDE difference between individual Oktava microphones.

The really appropriate Oktava page is www.oktava.net, and the www.oktava.com URL is for The Sound Room, which is a retailer of Oktavas that may have better QC, but are not authorized to be sold as Oktavas.

Oktavas have monumentally awful quality control, so it is a good idea to get a bunch of them and try them out in the Guitar Center recording studio with headphones attached to the board, at least. Find some you like and get them. If they are out of stock, get a rain check (Guitar Center WILL issue them if you insist, though the salespeople usually say they don't exist!).

DEAL OF THE CENTURY, but buyer beware!
 
Sound Room Facts...

Sure, you may get an Oktava MC-319 from GC for 200.00.
You will also get a 90-day warranty. And if it dies during that period, see if Russia will repair it for you. (Wink.)

Through the Sound Room, you are getting the MC-319 re-tweaked t optimum specs. Like Carol Shelby used to do to the Cobra. And..You will get a 2 year warranty on it.

So as a happy Sound Room Customer...This is not something to blow off. it's worth the few extra bucks to get it from Taylor Johnson & The Sound Room.

DJ
 
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be carefull about the Oktava debate, it already got heated in another thread that got shut down because it was getting ugly.
 
Re: Sound Room Facts...

Dougie Johnson said:
Sure, you may get an Oktava MC-319 from GC for 200.00.
You will also get a 90-day warranty. And if it dies during that period, see if Russia will repair it for you. (Wink.)

DJ
Click to expand...

Not to start a flamewar here, but that's simply false.

I'm holding the MK219 guarantee right here, and it's for eighteen months.

Repair is by McKay in the UK.

The Sound Room is charging over twice as much for the MK219 as I paid at GC, not a few dollars.
 
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