Recommendations for a Condenser mic

[smooth55]

I'm starting to look around for a budget friendly condenser mic. I'm trying to look for mics that I can actually get my hands on because I have a strict try before I buy policy. Basically, I'm looking to record an acoustic guitar and male vocals although I may also do some flute (very different source, I know) stuff too. My budget is under $200 but I'd prefer to stay at or below $150.
I've been recommended the AKG 120 or 220. Are there any others that I should look at in my testing/research?
Thanks,

[jemaholic]

Check out the Studio Projects C-1. I can't tell the difference between it and my AKG 414's.

[rty13ibz98]

Originally Posted by smooth55

My budget is under $200 but I'd prefer to stay at or below $150.
I've been recommended the AKG 120 or 220.

stay away from those cheap perception series akg's! they sound as cheap as they are priced.
the best mic in the $100ish range is the mxl v67g.
the best mic under $200 is the apex 460.

thses mics can grow with you as they can be modded into some beastly mics if you want to put a bit more into them, but they are known to be great out of the box. i own both and can attest to the quality, sonically and buildwise.

do a search for them, they are among the most popular low end mics in the industry. these regularly get used on sessions for high dollar industry recording studios, not just home and project recordists. the c1 is a popular mic, but i have not used one. i was looking into the c3 or t3, but there are other mics that precede it in priority.

after that, get yourself a nice preamp like the GAP pre-73. so popular that it is sold out worldwide. NEVE!!!! on a budget.


rich

[smooth55]

Thanks for the advise. I'll have to check out the C-1 although I'd probably have to go used on that because of budget.
The MXL looks interesting as well, but I've heard very mixed reviews about some of their cheaper mics. Still, I've got to give it a go with that flashy color scheme
Thanks and if you think of any more, write 'em up for me as I'm probably going to take my time researching what'll work best in my situation.

[rty13ibz98]

you won't hear many mixed reviews on the v67. just a great little mic. trust me, i have used the crappy mxl's and the v67(and v69) is not one of the them.

rich

[smooth55]

Just a quick update but I ended up getting the AKG Perception 220. I poured over reviews and thought about going higher than my initial price range and get something like the AT40 series. I ended up getting a pretty good deal on the AKG so I went with it.
So far, it sounds great on my voice and guitars. We'll see down the road but I'm liking it thus far and the build quality seems as good as the sound quality I'm getting.