Your nominations for best mic value...

[Duardo]

that the MF e-609 is from sennheiser's "emotion line" which is their cheapie product line if i remember correctly.
The other e-609 is from the evolution series i believe.

Actually, the Emotion line was AKG's budget line (or one of them), and the Evolution line is Sennheiser's. The silver E609 is part of the Evolution line; the "Emotion" part is a mistake on Musician's Friend's website (and that microphone isn't only available there).

As for the best values, that's hard to say...that's kind of like asking "what's the best color"? Without knowing what the microphone will be used for, it's hard to say...just like red may be a great color for a sports car, but not for your house...

Having said that, I'd nominate:

Under $100:
•Shure SM57...incredibly versatile, especially when coupled with a good pre

$100-$300
•Audio Technica 3035...probably the most versatile large-diaphragm
condenser in that price range
•Earthworks SRO...dead-on accurate small-diaphragm condenser, great on
acoustic instruments and probably one of the most underrated microphones
out there

$300-$600
•Audio Technica 4050...very versatile like the 3035

$600+
•Royer R121/R122...extremely versatile "malleable" microphones

I don't even think I'd necessarily call these the "best" microphone out there, but as far a providing a great value, I think they're hard to beat.

-Duardo

 

[tigerbomb]

<$400 category:

CAD M-9 has been very surprisingly good on my voice.

 

[cavedog101]

arrrgghhh my bad.....AT4033......its these late sessions...clears the brain.....clears it so well its non functioning

 

[cominginsecond]

I'm going to say the ECM8000s. For $70 I got the best overheads I have ever used, out of MXL 603s, AKG C1000s, and Oktava MC012s. Plus they're great on tamborine, shaker, and decent on acoustic guitar.

 

[sjoko2]

Best value microphones:
Lawson - everything they make. They only sell direct, if they didn't do that they would be 2 x as expensive.

Next, t.h.e. microphones - you might have never heard of them (yet), but their whole range is fantastic and very good value for money http://www.theaudio.com

 

[Rossi]

SP B1 - amazing mic, very versatile, great quality.

Beyer M300 - vocals only, but cool mic if you can find one.

 

[DJL]

Mr. Microphone - works on everything and it's fun for the whole family. "Hey good looking, we'll be back to pick you up" LOL.

 

[chessparov]

Just got to top DJL's last post.
The BEST microphone value is the (drumroll please!)...
The "Karaoke TV Star" microphone on sale now at selected Wall- Marts for around $16. Get this-yes it even includes AUTOTUNE!!!
Along with other cheesy special effects.
And it was normally sold for a whopping $70 before the sale.
Didn't make this one up BTW .

Chris

 

[jdier]

For the under $300 I have been very pleased with my Studio Projects C3.

 

[DJL]

LOL

Just got to top DJL's last post.
The BEST microphone value is the (drumroll please!)...
The "Karaoke TV Star" microphone on sale now at selected Wall- Marts for around $16. Get this-yes it even includes AUTOTUNE!!!
Along with other cheesy special effects.
And it was normally sold for a whopping $70 before the sale.
Didn't make this one up BTW .

Chris

 

[Newbie dude]

Wait a Minute.......I was just looking over this thread and something caught my eye. where can you get a studio projects B1 for eighty bucks?

 

[kidvybes]

Wait a Minute.......I was just looking over this thread and something caught my eye. where can you get a studio projects B1 for eighty bucks?

...just jump into your time machine and go back 3 years, when this thread was still alive ...or buy one used here (when available) or on the "bay"...
like here from our own "Warhead" (Front End Audio):
http://cgi.ebay.com/Studio-Projects-B1-Large-Diaphragm-Condenser-Microphone_W0QQitemZ7396719692

 

[BigRay]

300-600 AT 4050, Studio Projects c4s
600 and up...Anything Gefell
100- Mr. Microphone

Only if you have had experience with the mics, please. I might use the list later to pick some aditional mics out.
Try under $100, between $100-$300, $300-$600, and over $600.

My nominees are:
Under $100
Sennheiser e609, Musicians Friend
MXL 603 Real good deal
MXL V67 is a great deal at $89, not the best, but not the worst.

$100-$300 range
A used Sennheiser MD-441 cannot be beat in that price range as a versatile utility mic.

Thats my only candidates for now. Feel free to add yours, and to dispute the claims of others.

 

[Innovations]

under $100, some that haven't been mentioned:

Behringer C2. Considering that you can get FOUR of them for $100 plus two stereo bars and four stand adapters. Heck, throw away the microphines and call it a great deal on the other stuff.

Audio Technica ATR55. A shotgun for well under $100 can solve a lot of unusual recording problems, and most shotguns are considerably more expensive, definitly adding to the value rating.

 

[reshp1]

Since this thread was resurrected...

The Nady/ShinyBox/Apex ribbons are incredibly good for their price. Almost a no brainer must have if you're recording on a budget.

I really like the Groove Tubes GT66 in the $400 category too.

 

[timboZ]

Under $100
Joe Meek JM27 matched set.

 

[Supercreep]

I love my V67G.

B1s do a smash up job at OH, I prefer them to the 603.

I have no experience with higher priced stuff.

 

[junplugged]

we all have the same bunch of mics, the end.

 

[homestudioguy]

<$400 category: CAD M-9 has been very surprisingly good on my voice.

At $299 it get my best vote for a tube mic in that under $300 range.

 

[Jacobi1211]

Under $100:

MXL 991
SM 57
Audix f15

$100-$300

Audix D6
AKG C2000B


I really really like the 991... i got it in a package with the 990 for $100 a few years ago, and i really want one or two more but i can't seem to find them anywhere by themselves or as a matched pair... and i really have NO use for another 990... anyone have any suggestions???

Jacob