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Condenser for Vocals
- Thread starter PNS128
- Start date
- Jun 19, 2004
- 4,782
- 83
- 42
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist, Schroeder Cabinets
Get a used SM58 while you're saving up for a good mic - condenser & under $100 don't belong in the same sentence, IMO.
You don't nessasarrily need a condensor mic to record a good vocal. What type of vocal are you recording and what kind of music?
You can get a good recorded vocal with the right compresor settings and good performance mic that you like the sound of live. I've had good results with a shure sm 58 and my sennhieser 945e.
You'll find with condensor mics that unless you have a room that is treated and doesn't have any bounceback in the room or noise in the room it will be big hassle to record.
I made the mistake of buying a $600 baby bottle condensor mic. (Which is about the cheapest recording condensor you can get that is still good) I say mistake because although it records nice, after I found the right compressor settings I likes the vocal I get recorded off my $200 sennhieser better. Also, I don't have to worry about contructing a temporary isolation chamber as the mic only picks up what is right in front of it.
Of course if you don't start with a decent vocal in the first place no mic is going to make the vocal sound good.
already tried SM58, and it sounded decent, not spectacular. we're in a pretty good room, not much unwanted reverb and such. we tried using an Audio-Technica AT2020 condenser (w/ pop filter obviously), and it sounded much better. is it a good mic to consider buying?
- Jun 25, 2007
- 4,531
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- Artist:TC Electronic RH450 bass system (original test-pilot)
Not a condenser, but the Fathead ribbon mic is about 150 bucks and something you would want to keep.
I am happy with the MXL V63MBP mics for about 70 bucks. The ones i have are the older model that can also be powered by a 9v battery and have worked well in all the applications i have used them for. For vocals I generally set up 2 mics, a dynamic vocal mic up close (SM 58 or whatever the vocalist has or prefers) and the condenser about a foot back @ eyebrow level, and record to multiple channels.
- Jul 19, 2000
- 2,015
- 2,227
- Disclosures
- Owner/President, Gollihur Music LLC
I have an Apex large-condenser that sounds really good for vocals; I have the one with Omni/Cardioid patterns, but the Cardioid only can be had for around $100, I think.
I bought an Apex condenser for stupid cheap.. Sounds pretty good with guitar and vocals. I haven't tried it on bass yet.
For some reason a good old SM57 just works best for my voice. Any band I'm in keeps trying different things, but it always comes back to a 57. It just handles my voice best.
I'm a cheap date vocal wise apparently.
I'm a cheap date vocal wise apparently.
- Jul 19, 2000
- 2,015
- 2,227
- Disclosures
- Owner/President, Gollihur Music LLC
Has anyone tried the Karma large diaphragm condenser? I have their 7-pc drum mic set, and it's simple (and effective) - and cheap. ($79 for 7 high SPL condenser mics, clips, and an aluminum case to keep them in? Unreal.)
First off, an SM58 is NOT a condensor mic.
The SM87/Beta 87's are small diaphram mic's. You can get a the regular 87 for about $160 or so. I have a Beta 87a. Same pattern as a SM58, but it is a condensor. Much better for the way I sing.
Condensor for under $100 - JUNK!!!
The SM87/Beta 87's are small diaphram mic's. You can get a the regular 87 for about $160 or so. I have a Beta 87a. Same pattern as a SM58, but it is a condensor. Much better for the way I sing.
Condensor for under $100 - JUNK!!!
Fat Heads are sweeeeeeeeeet mics (I've got a pair), but they need a lot of clean gain to work well. If the preamp isn't up to the task, I'd look elsewhere. At $100, it's going to be a crapshoot whether it's going to be an improvement over an SM57/58.
meh for $100 i would say the at2020 is worth it. You have to have the full picture to consider a mic purchase. Yea a $100 mic isnt a great price point for a condensor, but a neumann will sound assy if you plug it into a computer soundcard. If your signal chain lower quality a low cost mic isnt a terrible idea. I will say Id rather plug a sm58 into a 1073 than plug a c12 into a behringer pre.
