Double Bass the same old question: mic for live, Help!

[tito mangialajo]

I'm on the eternal struggle. Again.
I search a good microphone to amplifying my bass live on a medium-large stage.
I hate pick-up but I know they are useful and easy to the soundman.
But I prefer a mic only. I play gut strings, my sound has enough volume and I don't want that a pick-up change my doublebass into a big electric bass.
Now I have mounted again and Underwood an sometimes I carry with me an Audix D4. The struggle is: dynamic or condenser? large diaphgram or little diaphgram? I need a great preamplifier too, to send to PA a better sound? Every soundman has his own idea, but I think that a doublebassist has a more accurate idea, tested on stage.
If my budget were 200/400 $, what is your suggestion?
I know (many soundman said me so) that a Schoeps (like Grenadier) is the best, but it costs to, to much.

 

[Ric Vice]

Tito,
As far as small diaphram condensers are concerned the DPA 4099 is a very nice microphone. Another possibility is the new Ehrlund pickup that has many of the good qualities of a microphone and really resists feedback. As for myself, I don't try to second guess a soundman, FOH is there specialty, mine is playing the instrument, and most of the time it works out.

Ric

 

[Marc Piane]

I know it gets dissed a bit but I've been using an AT pro35. I just did a show in a 750 seat house with mic only - no amp and the tone was great. The soundman even commented positively. You can get one for just over $100.

 

[Barcza]

I tired a lot of mic live, I recommend the DPA 4099, the Beyer M88 TG works also well.

 

[bolo]

I tired a lot of mic live, I recommend the DPA 4099, the Beyer M88 TG works also well.

Bought both. Kept both. The Beyer works nice thru my amp, blended with a Rev Solo. The DPA is on there for FOH.

Never tried the ATM. But I trust fingers too.