MXL or Rode?

[JBR]

Hi guys, im looking for a vocal mic in the $250 - $400 range, atm i've been thinking an MXL-V69 or maybe a Rode NT1000? Its going to be just for my vocals atm. My voice is sort of cross between Alex Band (The Calling Lead singer) and Bon Jovi? Any suggestions?

Thanx, John :)

[BudgetMC]

Take a look at the MXL 960. Rumor has it that it as much like the V69 but with a transformerless design that gives it a bit more open high end. Whatever the case, I've got one, and with a tube swap (very easy to do) it is a very good mic... and not just for the money.

[JBR]

Thanks for the reply! Do u know of a good website that shows how to do a tube swap? I mean i'd hate to spend 200 bucks and get it wrong :P.

[Corran]

Unplug the old one, plug in the new one

Unless it's one of those cheap mics with a soldered-on tube...

[JBR]

Originally Posted by Corran

Unplug the old one, plug in the new one

That simple? Well that certainly makes things easy .

Btw everyone feel free to mention other brands, those are just the two i've been looking at

[the Set Surgeon]

Honestly, it depends if you have a pre-amp and if you do what kind it is. If you have a pre with some tube color than you could save the $$'s and grab a R0DE NT-1A. It's almost as nice as the AKG C414B XL-II. Seriously. I've spent time with both. If your pre isn't tube then I would recommend the MXL V69ME. It sounds so nice, especially with a tube swap.

[JBR]

Atm I am using an SM Pro Audio IN5 that a friend gave me at the start of this year, but I will be looking for a mixer and maybe an upgrade on my mic pre hopefully in the next few months after I buy a Mic.

[BudgetMC]

Originally Posted by JBR

Thanks for the reply! Do u know of a good website that shows how to do a tube swap? I mean i'd hate to spend 200 bucks and get it wrong :P.

The swap is mongo-simple. As Corran said, just unplug & replug. It's a good idea not to get fingerprints on the new tube, but not a huge deal if you do.

I swapped in a NOS Mullard CV 4024, and couldn't be happier. Others have said that they prefer an RCA Black Plate 12au7. All a matter of taste.

Lots of discussion about this mic over at the home recording bbs... Harvey Gerst is a big advocate.

Home Recording dot com BBS - Powered by vBulletin

[JBR]

Thanx for the info on the tube swap, I think I'll give that a go! Does anyone have any opinions on the Rode NT1000?

Also does anyone have any Preamp recommendations to go with the MXL 960?

[Tapeworm]

Originally Posted by JBR

Thanx for the info on the tube swap, I think I'll give that a go! Does anyone have any opinions on the Rode NT1000?

Also does anyone have any Preamp recommendations to go with the MXL 960?

I bought a 960 when they were on sale for 150.00. I was surprised by just how good it was (you need to buy the shockmount seperately). I used it on two different sessions so far. I ran it thru an RNP and never touched the EQ once while tracking or mixdown. Very open, clear and full without being brittle or harsh.

Special note - The 12ax7 that comes with it is too hot for this mic. On one particularly loud note it went into a slight warble due to overload. I have a Mullard 4024 on the way.

[JPeters86]

All I can say is that I've got a pair of MXL 990s that I really adore. Picked them up for a very sweet price, nothing to loose. Nowadays, they're used in just about every session.

[Corran]

990s?!?!

What do you use them for? No offense but I thought that mic was the worst sounding thing I've ever bought. I sold it a week after I got it.

[JPeters86]

Originally Posted by Corran

990s?!?!

What do you use them for? No offense but I thought that mic was the worst sounding thing I've ever bought. I sold it a week after I got it.

They find all kinds of uses. Even recorded some violin with it when I ran out of Neumanns. I don't think they sound bad, I even think they can sound quite good one some things.

[Corran]

Huh, well if it works for you then but I just wasn't feeling it...

[Newcleardaze]

Hello JBR,

I'd suggest looking into the Audio Technica mics. The AT4033 would be my first suggestion, next in your price range would be the AT4040. Audio Technica's mics sound well above their price point, and best of all, either of the two I mentioned will serve you for years on many sources... if you get deeper into recording, they'll still be very useful in your mic locker next to higher end mics. They are still phenomenal mics for what you're looking for as well. The smae could be said for the BLUE Bluebird. I personally don't find the same is true for the lower end Rode and the MXL mics.
Next to these (AT & BLUE), in my experience, the others sounded a bit thin, but that's just my ear. I like the Rode mics as well, but prefer their tube mics... if you can find a used NTK (should be able to get one under $400), then that would be the way to go. I'm not a fan of MXL.
Again, it's just my opinion... of course the best thing would be to get down to a local music store and try and listen for yourself... and completely ignore the sales people who are more interested in selling the gear that makes THEM money or benefits the stock they have.

That's my 3 shillings :)

[BudgetMC]

Don't have any direct experience with the AT mics, though there has been a lot of good chatter about the AT 3035 from folks like River who seem to know what they are talking about. I do have a BlueBird in my locker, and it's a fine mic. That said, the MXL 960 doesn't give up squat to the BB... in fact, I've found the BlueBird to work better on acoustic guitar while the MXL comes out more frequently for vocal duties. Of course, different mics work for different sources/vocals. YMMV... yadda yadda yadda.

Simply put, IMHO, the 960 with a tube swap is comparable to mics at a much higher price point.

[Newcleardaze]

I've also heard really good things about the AT3035, but it's one I havn't heard. I've found the AT mics to have more warmth than most of those mentioned, but then what I may perceive as warmth, others may perceive as dull, just as what I perceive as brittle, others ears may hear as clean or pristine.... heck if I were in JBR's position, I'd be looking at the Shure SM7B (if JBR's pres have enough gain) or at a Heil Pro 40... I've had better luck with these condenser mics in an untreated room, but they can sound a little dry to someone at first, although they mix FANTASTICALLY.
But as I said before, it's all about ones ear and opinion.
Aint buying a new mic fun though???

[DamnYankee]

Originally Posted by JBR

Hi guys, im looking for a vocal mic in the $250 - $400 range, atm i've been thinking an MXL-V69 or maybe a Rode NT1000? Its going to be just for my vocals atm. My voice is sort of cross between Alex Band (The Calling Lead singer) and Bon Jovi? Any suggestions?

Thanx, John :)

This is the microphone world's best kept secret: the Neumann BCM-104...

Neumann BCM 104 Microphone - eBay (item 110247550607 end time May-04-08 09:45:04 PDT)

I absolutely LOVE this mic and I'm glad I bought one last year. The BCM-104 features the same Neumann K04 capsule as the top-of-the-line, $16,000 Neumann Solution D mic.

If you're patient, you can pick one up on Ebay for $400-$500. I paid $425 for mine. SHHHHHH...don't tell anyone!!!!

[JBR]

Thanx for all the replies even though I havent been around as much as I'd have liked.

I'll deffinitely give the MXL with a tube swap a go, even if its not exactly what I want I'm sure I can find a use for it somewhere.

I also like the look of the Neumann BCM 104, it says on the net that the store i generally go to stocks these so I think I'll wander down and check em out sometime in the next few days :)

[toxostoma rufum]

Listen to the BCM 104 vs a CAD 179 here:

VO Mic Tests

No comment.

[JBR]

Originally Posted by toxostoma rufum

Listen to the BCM 104 vs a CAD 179 here:

VO Mic Tests

No comment.

Thanks a lot!! that was very useful and saved me a lot of time that was going to be spent testing different mics :)

[rcm]

A used Shure KSM32 is my absolute fave condenser in your price point.

The best low cost chinese condersers I have used are the MXL V67 and V69, both surprisingly good especially when paired with a great mic pre.

[thefunkybeat]

I don't have a mic suggestion, but I must say that Rode has bad ass customer service. I bought a used Rode NTK tube mic with no 7 pin cable to connect it to the power supply. I went and bought the parts to make one myself ($70), called Rode to confirm the wiring that I should be using... and they f*kin just sent me a brand new cable... for free... no questions asked.

Blew my fricken mind.

[JBR]

So far it seems like the MXL with a tube swap will be the best way to go, but I've heard good things about studio projects mics. Would a Studio Projects C3 be just as good if not better than any of the previously stated mics?

*EDIT* Also what do people think of SE Electronics Mics, I'm also looking at the SE Electronics SE2200A

[Corran]

Originally Posted by thefunkybeat

I don't have a mic suggestion, but I must say that Rode has bad ass customer service. I bought a used Rode NTK tube mic with no 7 pin cable to connect it to the power supply. I went and bought the parts to make one myself ($70), called Rode to confirm the wiring that I should be using... and they f*kin just sent me a brand new cable... for free... no questions asked.

Blew my fricken mind.

Yes---people might not like their mics but the service is unbelievable! I stupidly broke my NT-4 (not an accident, I was unscrewing the capsule but unscrewed the bottom and ripped the wiring) and they straight up sent me a new mic, free. Can't get better than that.