what would be your choice of a condenser microphone under 200usd?

[karlgustav]

looking for something afordable (under 200 usd) and reliable.
something that would record well DB (and would work for vocals,guitars,percusion etc)

so your input is much more then needed,as I start from zero.
have recorded before with rode tube mic,but thats out of the range for me.

Oktava?Audio Technica?Rode(NT1A),AKG....?
me out here.

[mje]

I have been told that the Oktavas, in general, have better electronics than the mass of bargain priced Chinese-made condensor mikes. I have three Oktava MKK319 large disphragms that sound very good. (I don't need three; it's just that a deal came up. I should really sell one.)

However... I also have a pair of Samson CO2 small-diameter condensor microphones that I think are great general-purpose recording mikes, and are more sonically neutral than the Mk319s. I think they cost something like $100 for the pair, with a neat case, shock mounts, and windscreens, from Sweetwater. I like to use them for stereo recording.

[fingers]

At $99 each these are hard to beat.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...one?sku=270620


I have two that I bought as backups in my studio and I end upo using them as much as mics that cost 3 times as much.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I have two of These, and I really like them a lot. I use them as a stereo pair for piano recordings and use their "big brother" (the Solaris, about $300) for bass, but they sound great on bass as well.

[christ andronis]

I've been having fun with this!

[thesneakyjesus]

I am a recording guy, and know a lot of pros in the sound world.
The most versatile mic I've ever heard that works excellent on upright is the AT4040

I think you could find one used for that price, if not, just save up man. It does male voice, drum over hears, guitar cab, and acoustic guitar awesome.

[Jake deVilliers]

These large diaphragm condensers are truly remarkable.

http://www.apexelectronics.com/index.php?tmp=4&id=80

When we got the first one we spent an afternoon A/B-ing it with a friend's U-85, and the differences are really slight.

I wouldn't try to mike a bass onstage with it, but it makes a great vocal mike if you don't have drums or monitors, ie for bluegrass.

[karlgustav]

thank you for sugestions so far,there are some wich I didnt know about before....(and then my life was easyer )
has anyone tried Rode NT1A ?

and buying a used mic,what risks should I consider?how easy do large diagram mics get "old" in a sence of loosing sound.

I'd be going strait into a M-audio Firewire 410 (wich has a phantom,so I'd get away without a preamp) but if I'd concider a pre...wich then?

[Chris Fitzgerald]

The firewire 410 has two built in preamps, so you won't need anything else. I use M-Audio pres all the time, and they're fine.

[fingers]

+1 on the AT 4040. I brought up the AT2020 because new it is 1/3 of the price (the AT4040 retails at $299) and I A/B the two in my studio and could only tell a slight difference. The AT4040 is a great mic though.

[robbielink]

For a good but very inexpensive all-purpose DB mic I like the Audio Technica Pro 37R cardioid condenser. You can usually find them for around $90. It gets a good, clear sound on the bass - especially if you can stand it back 5 or 6 feet from the instrument. I use it mainly for live performance and for home recording. Obviously, there are many fine recording mics out there but for the price this one does extremely well.

[karlgustav]

can someone explain me the basic sound and quality differences between AT4040 and AT3035
what does "fixed charge back plate and permanently polarized condenser" and "externally-poralized condenset" mean in real life? please explain it to me like I was a 6 years old

AT4040:
ELEMENT Externally-polarized (DC bias) condenser
POLAR PATTERN Cardioid
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 20-20,000 Hz
LOW FREQUENCY ROLL-OFF 80 Hz, 12 dB/octave
OPEN CIRCUIT SENSITIVITY -32 dB (25.1 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
IMPEDANCE 100 ohms
MAXIMUM INPUT SOUND LEVEL 145 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.;
155 dB SPL, with 10 dB pad (nominal)
NOISE 12 dB SPL
DYNAMIC RANGE (typical) 133 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO 82 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa

AT3035:
ELEMENT Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser
POLAR PATTERN Cardioid
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 20-20,000 Hz
LOW FREQUENCY ROLL-OFF 80 Hz, 12 dB/octave
OPEN CIRCUIT SENSITIVITY -32 dB (25.1 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
IMPEDANCE 250 ohms
MAXIMUM INPUT SOUND LEVEL 148 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.;
158 dB SPL, with 10 dB pad (nominal)
NOISE 12 dB SPL
DYNAMIC RANGE (typical) 136 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO 82 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa


and any more opinions on APX415, NT1A or Luna/Solaris?
and buyng used mic? anyone have had bad experience with that?

a...and then there are these cheap tube mics like MXL V69 and APEX460 ...whats up with that...I tought tube mics are twise of that prize.

this is gonna be a long night for me.....

[mje]

Originally Posted by karlgustav

...
what does "fixed charge back plate and permanently polarized condenser" and "externally-poralized condenser" mean...

The first is what's more commonly referred to as an electret microphone. It has a polymer that's been heated in an electric field and retains a charge. Some electrets are battery powered, and some require external power.

The second is a traditional condensor microphone. It has a thin metal diaphragm that must be charged by a power supply, and typically requires a preamp that can supply 48VDC power.

Both types need some power for their internal preamplifier circuits. The traditional condensor also needs power to porlarize the diaphragm.

[karlgustav]

so...in sound that means?

[thesneakyjesus]

cheap tube mic for less than about $900

is like a 6 string electric bass for less than $300

it's a cheap gimmic for people that think OH TUBE! must be good.


Buying used mics is something I've never done, but if you buy locally (craigslist type of deal) you should try it out.

The M-Audio mic pres as going to be fairly transparent and color free. Not the hugest headroom, but nothing that is in a usb or firewire device is really. A good external pre is usually more than or equal to a really nice mic.

Above all, buying pro audio gear is like buying upright bass gear.

The more you invest, the better it gets. It's hard to really come by a huge deal, but it does happen.

Bang for buck though, I'd say stretch that $200 to $300 and get an AT 4040

Call chuck levins www.chucklevins.com

Tell them that guitar center has the 4040 for $299, and tell them that you want it for $270. They'll probably do it. They beat any price that you find (they're the largest warehouse on the east coast, and the nicest guys in the world).

[the_home]

AKG C1000S has some nice features, not the least of which is variable polar patterns and self power (9 volt) if your board lacks phantom power. They are easy to find around $150 new.

Pretty transparent, as well.

[flatback]

Originally Posted by thesneakyjesus

cheap tube mic for less than about $900

is like a 6 string electric bass for less than $300

it's a cheap gimmic for people that think OH TUBE! must be good.


Buying used mics is something I've never done, but if you buy locally (craigslist type of deal) you should try it out.

The M-Audio mic pres as going to be fairly transparent and color free. Not the hugest headroom, but nothing that is in a usb or firewire device is really. A good external pre is usually more than or equal to a really nice mic.

Above all, buying pro audio gear is like buying upright bass gear.

The more you invest, the better it gets. It's hard to really come by a huge deal, but it does happen.

Bang for buck though, I'd say stretch that $200 to $300 and get an AT 4040

Call chuck levins www.chucklevins.com


Tell them that guitar center has the 4040 for $299, and tell them that you want it for $270. They'll probably do it. They beat any price that you find (they're the largest warehouse on the east coast, and the nicest guys in the world).

I don't Know if I agree I keep finding companies like this one making good products
http://cascademicrophones.com/cascade_v55.html
the fathead from these cats looks real nice...And I heard from a guy over at Lucas Sound (and they can afford anything) that Cascade is hard to beat for the money...

[ToneRanger]

Originally Posted by the_home

AKG C1000S has some nice features, not the least of which is variable polar patterns and self power (9 volt) if your board lacks phantom power. They are easy to find around $150 new.

I've had good results with these, but I'm a big fan of Rode. The NT-1 is excellent.

[fingers]

I love the AKG C1000s. I own four. They are a very versatile mic and at $199 retail they are hard to beat. I don't think they sound great on DB though.

I am a fan of Rode also. I have a NTV (discontinued I think). It is a great mic. I use it on DB all the time. It is a large diaphragm condenser with an external tube preamp. I've had it far a while but I am SURE it was more that $200-$300.

[Anonymous75966]

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

These large diaphragm condensers are truly remarkable.

http://www.apexelectronics.com/index.php?tmp=4&id=80

When we got the first one we spent an afternoon A/B-ing it with a friend's U-85, and the differences are really slight.

I wouldn't try to mike a bass onstage with it, but it makes a great vocal mike if you don't have drums or monitors, ie for bluegrass.

+1: they're not fantastic mics, but they are very good for the price. My live recording / reinforcement mic is an Apex pencil stuck through the afterlength of the strings - good isolation and it sounds, well, better than a pickup.

Originally Posted by fingers

I love the AKG C1000s. I own four. They are a very versatile mic and at $199 retail they are hard to beat. I don't think they sound great on DB though.

-1: I've never liked the C1000 - kind of midrangey and peaky to my ears, although they're an OK reinforcement mic (but not for bass). I think the non-name brand cheap condensers give them a run for their money.

Oktavas will smoke both of these if you can find 'em.