NEED A MICROPHONE!

Optimus Prime · #1 11-09-2002, 08:27 AM

Need one or a couple of nice sounding microphones. I use a SM57 for the cabinet micing. Other than that I want a condensator mic for singing and instrument micing purposes.

Any suggestions on nice sounding mics. Money is an option since mics can cost all up to many thousands of dollars.

Polaris20 · #2 11-09-2002, 10:17 AM

AKG C2000 is what I'm going for, for recording acoustics and vocals better.

bammbamm · #3 11-12-2002, 02:46 PM

AT-4033sm
Great all around mic.

Bamm

Optimus Prime · #4 11-12-2002, 03:08 PM

How much is that Audio Technica Michrophone?

They are rather expensive right!?

track7 · #5 11-12-2002, 04:46 PM

rode nt1, simply superb for the money, nt2 even better if you can stretch a bit further.

Optimus Prime · #6 11-12-2002, 05:14 PM

Yeah, I have thought about giving Rode a chance. The NT2 is out of sale. There is NTK which is a tube mic, heard it'd sound kinda sweet. But then I heard about Audio Technica, they seem to be very serious in the making.

But I think Rode is the choice for me.

Does anyone have anything more to say about Rode?!

JESTER700 · #7 11-12-2002, 05:20 PM

AT4033 (or better yet) 4050 if you can swing the $300 and up.

If not, a Chinese large diaphragm like a Rode, Studio Projects, Carvin, Marshall, etc. are good buys these days.

For acoustics & room miking a nice small diaphragm works great, but they're not usually great on vocals -
Carvin 90e - $125-ish
Shure SM-81 - $300-ish
Cheaper Shure models like the SM94, beta Green 4.1, and whatever they call it these days are usually good. Oktavia also has good deals, as well as Marshall.

Optimus Prime · #8 11-13-2002, 05:06 AM

I have heard only good things about AT mics. But are they worth the big bucks?!?

welshpete · #9 11-13-2002, 06:36 AM

There have been some good suggestions here.

The big factor is cash. If you are in the states I have no idea how the prices compare to over here. If you are on a strict budget, look at the the Rode and AKG's (C2000/C3000 are good).

I will be the one person who will give you bad news about AT mics. If you buy anything from lower down the range they are unlikely to last. Start at something like the AT3525 and you will be ok, but for the same price you are not far off getting a REALLY good AKG or saving a few quid and starting with a Neumann.

Also - are you mainly looking for a vocal mic that you can use on other things? or for something you can use for everything?

Some of the better vocal mics will be seriously damaged if you chuck them in front of things with high spl's.
Most condenser mics which are used for vocals will be good for acoustic, drum overheads and acoustics piano only. Some of the sturdier models will stand up to miking a guitar cab (and will make mincemeat of your SM57) but keep the volumes under control.

If you can stretch to it, my advice would be and AKG C414. They are fine for vocals, but are much more rugged and can stand higher SPL's than most mics of their kind. You will see them in front of guitar cabs everywhere (....like on stage with Mister Vai I would venture...)...but they may be a bit more pricey than you are looking for.
Give us a clule to budget and i will have a scout...

Cheers
Pete

Optimus Prime · #10 11-13-2002, 01:07 PM

Yah Pete, the budget is rather limited. I'm actually in Europe, things are very expensive here as you probably know.

I'm using a computerbased Digi001 system with a Joemeek preamp. That's about it. The SM57 is mounted in a soundisolationbooth where I have my cabinet. I wanted something of a vocal (female and male), acoustic guitar, sticking it infront of a little jazzkit kinda mic and to record samplingstuff.

A friend of mine uses the Rode NT2 for all homerecording purposes and it sounds pretty sweet. Rode mics aren't that pricey eather. So I have thought about giving them a chance. But then again I wouldn't want to buy the wrong thing just to sell it after a couple of weeks.

My budget is around $400...

welshpete · #11 11-13-2002, 01:55 PM

OK. I would say the Rode NT2, or maybe the AKG C4000...

Alternative is to try and find a 2nd hand valve mic...but from somewhere you can test it....

Pete

Optimus Prime · #12 11-13-2002, 04:22 PM

Ok... Any suggestustions on a good valve mic?!?

Thanx Pete!

welshpete · #13 11-14-2002, 06:33 AM

One word.
Neumann.

If you can get one...

Pete

Soup Kitchen Studios · #14 11-14-2002, 06:57 AM

I just ordered a couple mics from american musical supply but I haven't got them yet. Should get them by Friday.

They're a GT Electronics AM62 Multipattern Tube for $349.98 and a GT Electronics AM51 Cardioid FET Mic for $199.95. These are great deals on these mics, as they usually sell for about 75% more. I think the AM62 lists for something like 1500 bucks. ******* has them at the same price too, it's a clear out deal.

Any comments or experience with these mics? Also what are some of your favorite (yet affoardable) mic pres? I picked up a Joemeek MQ3 to go along with the mics, it's cheap but it's all I can affoard at the moment. It's going into a MOTU 828. Any ideas how the joemeek will compare with the 828's built in pre's?

musicdr · #15 11-14-2002, 09:29 AM

I'm having excellent results with the AKG3000.Great vocal,acoustic instrument mic.Reasonable price.