your first condenser, how did it feel?

  • Thread starter Thread starter cordura21
  • Start date Start date

What did you feel when you got your first condenser?

  • Big difference

    Votes: 381 80.9%
  • Not so big difference

    Votes: 37 7.9%
  • Realized you could have get same results with dynamics

    Votes: 27 5.7%
  • other (please specify)

    Votes: 26 5.5%

  • Total voters
    471
My first real mic was not even mine, it was an NT2 that belonged to a friend who I was recording - he also had some Sennheisser dynamic which pretty well sucked.

Now I've got my own mics - SM57, AKG C451EB, and an NTK which I just bought yesterday (new from a shop for $800 AUD). I think I'll keep using the 451 on acoustic guitar, but I'll probably use the NTK for vox from now on. That is a very nice mic.
 
Received my 1st condenser a couple of days ago (MXL 990). I used to record acoustic guitar with a SM57 but could never get a decent result - despite endless tweaking with a couple of different mic pre's.

I set the MXL 990 up into a Behringer, left the EQ's centred and placed the mic 8" from the top of the soundhole. Recorded two minutes worth of acoustic guitar. The results weren't comparable - it was so much better.

I'm aware of the unconscious tendency to "justify" purchases immediately after they're made. But I've been doing a fair bit of comparative listening over the past couple of days and the condenser is superior (for acoustic guitar) without a doubt.

Haven't tried any vocals yet though.
 
My first was a Audio Technica 4050. I could never get vocals to sound "big". They were always buried in the mix. I tried for years and fought every mix to get any dynamics. I finally got the 4050. That was the key. I am convinced that vocals need the LD condensor. I had a sm57, MD421 adn some EV N/dym mics. All had the same "boxy" sound. I tried them on many vocalists too. The LD condensor is the key. [Sidenote: I am not sure, but, I read many places that the 4050 is a LD condensor. It is smaller that my Neumanns and Oktava. Maybe the sources all copied the info from the same source and it is wrong. I don't know for sure]
 
My first was a Rode NT3 not a great mic but better than anything I had recorded with till then..
 
acorec said:
My first was a Audio Technica 4050. I could never get vocals to sound "big". They were always buried in the mix. I tried for years and fought every mix to get any dynamics. I finally got the 4050. That was the key. I am convinced that vocals need the LD condensor. I had a sm57, MD421 adn some EV N/dym mics. All had the same "boxy" sound. I tried them on many vocalists too. The LD condensor is the key. [Sidenote: I am not sure, but, I read many places that the 4050 is a LD condensor. It is smaller that my Neumanns and Oktava. Maybe the sources all copied the info from the same source and it is wrong. I don't know for sure]


Yes the 4050 is a large D..The body may be smaller but the cap/diaphram is where you get your designation..
 
My pair of Rode NT-1s (Rodents) were a big step up from the Radio Shack Hi-ball I'd used before them. I just laughed at the sensitivity problems. Turn down the pre if you have a problem!

SheesH. :D

Now that I've used them for a while, sure they sound a little harsh. So what- they rock overall and the price was right.
 
i actually like the sm57 on acoustic for some things.

anyway, my first condenser was an oktava MK 319. i thought it was the greates mic in the world. as i've grown up i realize it's not, but i still like it a lot and it sorta has a nostalgic place in my heart.

the first mic i fell in love with was the NTK. i never got to use many of the 'holy grail' mics, but i wouldn't part with my NTK for anything i have actually used.
 
My first condenser was and is the v67g, since I just got it only a few weeks ago. :D

And man oh man, when I powered up my DMP-3 and my little recorder, put on my headphones and belted out one of my favorite tunes, I was blown away! It made my SM-58 sound like a fisher price kids toy! Finally, after much frustration trying to get a sound I liked out of my dynamic, I heard my voice the way it sounds in my head! And it sits in a mix so much better too!

Damn, condensers are the sh$#!
 
I just got my first one a few days ago a MXL V93M. When I plugged it in and put on the phones it was just in the house. Two rooms over my wife closed up a bread bag and it was like I could hear every crinkle of the celophane.
 
An even bigger difference, for me, was going from dynamic to ribbon. I record a lot of trumpet and went from dynamic to condenser to ribbon. The ribbon is so beautiful, especially on the trumpet. I was stunned the first time I used it.
Dave S.
 
lmao

Innovations said:
I just got my first one a few days ago a MXL V93M. When I plugged it in and put on the phones it was just in the house. Two rooms over my wife closed up a bread bag and it was like I could hear every crinkle of the celophane.

When I got my first ones (a coupla ECM's by B) I could hear my roomate snoring downstairs, like i was at his bedside :(.

It can be a pain, like, when a car drives by.

Other than that it feels great to have a condensor mic. Just more options I guess. It also feels good to actually know that phantom power wont fry my dynamic :D.
 
My first condensers

Were a pair of AT 853 Choir mics to record symphonic groups and to take into the field for nature recording on my portable DAT machine.

The first thing I recorded was in the middle of a field. Just some birds chirping, crickets, frogs etc. When I played it back in the house I felt like the walls had been removed and I was setting back in that field!:D :D :D

I was absolutely floored. The mics captured the sounds with such clarity--it was intense.
 
Thin.

I have an ancient pair of Radio Shack condensors that I've owned for 25+ years. They have a V/M switch inside, and take an AA size battery.

Anyway, I installed a battery in each, cuz I had to mic a live drum kit (overheads). In the V mode, they are pretty thin, but much more full sounding in M (music?) mode.

I don't hear anything different from the SM58 through the PA system.
 
my first was an AKG C2000b. I like it. I noticed how much clearer it sounded and how it picked up EVERYTHING... even weird nasal tones and stuff. And agreeing with the other guy. I noticed all the rooms in my house sound band.
 
Well, I just spent an hour or so with my first condensors, 2 Oktava MK012. All I can say is "Wow!". I don't know how they stack up against the big name brands, but in reality, it doesn't matter. The sounds I've gotten so far are such a step above using a Shure PG57 dynamic mic to record acoustic guitar :-)
 
" your first condenser, how did it feel? "

It felt like another idem that would grow legs and walk away if I didn't keep an eye on it... and if felt like it would break easy if dropped... and it felt like I was hooked and wanted more. :D
 
You see crazydoc... here's another one of those OLD threads that just popped up again on it's own because the forum is slow (few post). :p
 
DJL said:
You see crazydoc... here's another one of those OLD threads that just popped up again on it's own because the forum is slow (few post). :p
God, you are dense. This is a poll. POLL...... POLL.....

:confused: :confused: :confused: POLL :confused: :confused: :confused:

IT DIDN'T POP UP ON ITS OWN. SOMEBODY POSTED A VOTE TO IT.
 
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