Best Budget Mics - My Recommendations

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by drBill

Head basket does affect the sound. And most definitely the "pop-ability" of the mics in question.

Yep.
Tiz true.
That’s why I like the 58.

[drBill]

Just re-read a few pages, and in spite of the controversy, there's a bunch of good stuff here. Some of it now deleted.

Michael Joly..... Love him or hate him, he's been MIA from GS for a couple years now. Is it good riddance? Or are we loosing the creme de la creme due to inbred bickering on GS? Whatever......you decide for yourself. Jim Williams? Same deal. Love him. Hate him. Flameout in a blaze of glory.....

Both guys are still available in the REAL world though - reachable via email or phone, but they are seemingly persona non grata on GS. There seems to be no middle ground. Both of em are now effectively 6 feet under...... Two influential pioneering mic mod guys, gone from the scene @ GS due to the controversy that followed them around like a puppy.

Me? Even after 70+ mics - which include Neuman's, Gefell's, AKG's, Sennheisers, etc., a lot of low end mics, and a lot of low end MODDED mics (my favorites) - I still never seem to have enough. LOL (Token facepalm from my wife's perspective.....) So I usually end up back on these threads, scavenging.....looking for the gems in the rough.

M. Joly - the OP of this thread - was one of the first guys to introduce me to modding inexpensive mics and making them something unique and cool. Wait, no....first it was Jim Williams with his 414 transformer-less mod. Cool mod, but he's not doing them anymore from what I've heard. IMO, the guys couldn't be more different in their design philosophy, but that's what drew me to both of them. I like many styles of microphones. More mics = good mics in my book.

But both guys are now seemingly gone from GS unless they are still lurking.....

Luckily for us, even though Jim seems to have deleted all his DIY related posts as of late, you can now get his basic or advanced kits from : Microphone Modification Kits | Microphone Parts. Cool stuff.

Whether you feel Jim deleted his helpful DIY posts to garner sales or to spite us is IMO inconsequential. The guy is smart, and knows his stuff, and now his stuff is available in one fell swoop with hand picked parts for those of us willing to grab a soldering iron and DIY!!

Both of the offerings @ microphone parts are takes on the basic schoeps design. You have to PAY for the knowledge, but you get all the parts in a nice neat package - and for neophyte DIY guys, IMO, that's definitely worth the price of admission. Add a capsule and a donor mic and you can turn what I personally found to be the worst sounding mic I have EVER heard into something Jim and Matt McGlynn find decent - for I'd guess a total of around $250 or so - all in. As a disclaimer - I haven't done one of the mods yet. Has anyone here? I'd love to hear some comments about it.

I HAVE heard that M. Joly's modded version of the 990 kicks butt, but again, have not had one in my possession, so judge for yourself. I do find it amazing though, that both guys chose the same $50 mic to be the donor for a modded mic that would cost far less than the myriad of "average" low end mics, while having superior specs and sound. Fascinating. They must have seen something that I couldn't.....

Joly's been modding the 990 for awhile, but if owning a dumb looking MXL mic is not really your cup of tea and you want something a little more upscale than the currently available Joly modded MXL 990 version or a DIY version -- the same basic mic is coming out under the MJE moniker with a newly designed look - towards the vibe of a vintage M49. New angled headbasket (IMO one of the main issues with that mic as stock), new finish, new name, same Chinese lineage, but gutted and built to MJ specs. Some might call it "pre-modded" by the "mod master". It looks very similar to a mini M49 from what I've heard. Nickel headbasket & body, spider mount, in a nice case. Don't know the model name yet, but it's in the inexpensive mic pipeline as we speak.

For those guys wanting to DIY a Williams designed 990, get the 990/991 package at musicians friend, and then order a second kit from microphone parts. The 991 electronics are the same as the 990. Then you'll have a LDC and SDC mic.

Disclaimer - IMO the 991 is not the greatest SDC capsule out there even with the electronics in tip top shape. Personally I find a modded one "OK". Better with the capsule and enclosure around it machined by MJ to fix the setback and venting, but even at that, still not a mic I'd head towards unless you can find one of the K47H LDC capsule heads to go along with it. Those are awesome in my book. Huge sounding. (I had to get a pair )

So there you have it, two mod guys basing an upscale offering on the cheapest of the cheap - the 990. Who woulda guessed?

What's your pick?

So....what else are you guys finding these days when you're out looking for cool new mics?

[machoboy]

i recently bought an se electronics x1, audio technica at2035, mxl v67g, and ive used sm58 for years. I would say the x1 is the best of the bunch.

[acmeman]

So @drbill have you added The New "VintageVoiced" MJE-v250 to your collection yet? I'm tempted.

[drBill]

Originally Posted by acmeman

So @drbill have you added The New "VintageVoiced" MJE-v250 to your collection yet? I'm tempted.

You know, I've had my head buried so deep that I haven't really checked it out. I did get an email about it. Need to check it out. I'm not familiar with that mic - don't know if it's transformerLESS or transformered. Have you listened to the clips?

BTW, I have a lot of the MJE mics, but my favorites, or I guess I should say the most used, are his excellent re-ribboned 205 long ribbon, and then the oktava 219 PE, after that (my new favorite tom mic). Then it's a tie for third between the modded 1050 tube LDC and the omni modded Oktava 012's. They both get used about the same. They are all good and carry thru his basic philosophy about how a mic should sound, but definitely have personalities of their own. I'd guess if the price is right on the v250 it would be hard to go wrong.

All that said, I'm still interested in the M49 looking 990 revamp.

Cheers,

bp

[acmeman]

Transformer-less schoeps circuit. I've heard the clips and the v250 sounds virtually indistinguishable from the U87 (within reason). He's got about 12 left, going for a ridiculous $379.00. I'm interested in the M49/990 too.

I'm just not sure if I'm going to like the mid focussed nature MJ's.

[FaZz]

Hi everyone,
first of all, sorry for my bad english...I hope that my post is useful for anyone who decides to buy a new microphone
A year ago I bought two mics modified by Michael Joly (an Apex 460 and a Nady 1100) and I can not use them because they have a strong HUM noise, also Michael has never responded to my emails in which I made him aware of the problem. So I decide to took the microphone from a repair specialist who told me that in order to eliminate the problem must restore the original circuit. the specialist has also found several welds done poorly. also the head basket's structure is very fragile
it is possible that I am the ONLY ONE in the world that has the ONLY TWO microphones modded by Michael Joly that do not work properly?
Can I hope to find a solution here or should I consider lost $1000 and a lot of nerves???

[drBill]

Too bad. You're missing out on a couple of world class mics IMO. Weird that they both exhibit the same exact problem. Have you checked for and eliminated the possibility of ground loops? Your mic technician's assessment that they must be put back to stock in order to remove the hum is bogus. There are hundreds of those mics out that work perfectly while being modded.

On the email thing, I've never had Joly not respond about any technical problems with his mics. As a matter of fact, he fixed two ribbon mics that had his mods for free and paid shipping himself that I didn't even buy them from him. It actually ended up costing him $$ because the original owner abused them. But he wanted them right and working correctly.

Very strange that this is your first post and that MJ has never responded to you - ever, and that BOTH mics don't work. Seems like the perfect bad storm.... You actually might be the only one with two bad MJ modded mics.

Here's your solution. I'll do you a favor. He has always responded to my emails. If you PM me your name and email contact and when you had the mods done, I'll forward it to him and contact you back with his assessment. I'm happy to do it for you. He has a reputation for caring about his clients and his mods and always wants them working top notch. I'm sure he'll get them up and working for you. Then you won't have to be the only one in the world with two bogus mics.

Or perhaps you're just one of the MJ haters who signed up to take an anonymous pot shot. Understandable - he seems to be a lightning rod around here. Either way is good. But if you've got mics and want them working, I'll forward your info and I'm sure he'll get r done for ya....

Let me know if you want help with it...

bp

[ben_allison]

Originally Posted by FaZz

Hi everyone,
first of all, sorry for my bad english...I hope that my post is useful for anyone who decides to buy a new microphone
A year ago I bought two mics modified by Michael Joly (an Apex 460 and a Nady 1100) and I can not use them because they have a strong HUM noise, also Michael has never responded to my emails in which I made him aware of the problem. So I decide to took the microphone from a repair specialist who told me that in order to eliminate the problem must restore the original circuit. the specialist has also found several welds done poorly. also the head basket's structure is very fragile
it is possible that I am the ONLY ONE in the world that has the ONLY TWO microphones modded by Michael Joly that do not work properly?
Can I hope to find a solution here or should I consider lost $1000 and a lot of nerves???

Fake!!!

This is your first post, and it's slamming a builder? I call bs.

Michael has always responded to all of my emails, in a reasonable amount of time, and I haven't even bought anything from him.

[ricfoxx]

Originally Posted by FaZz

Hi everyone,
first of all, sorry for my bad english...I hope that my post is useful for anyone who decides to buy a new microphone
A year ago I bought two mics modified by Michael Joly (an Apex 460 and a Nady 1100) and I can not use them because they have a strong HUM noise, also Michael has never responded to my emails in which I made him aware of the problem. So I decide to took the microphone from a repair specialist who told me that in order to eliminate the problem must restore the original circuit. the specialist has also found several welds done poorly. also the head basket's structure is very fragile
it is possible that I am the ONLY ONE in the world that has the ONLY TWO microphones modded by Michael Joly that do not work properly?
Can I hope to find a solution here or should I consider lost $1000 and a lot of nerves???

I bought the modded 319 and I'm no fanboy but I will say that he dealt with me like a true professional.

Stop shilling you ffing tool!!!!

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Gearslutz.com

[MadGuitrst]

I have opinions on MJ both good and bad (mostly forum personality on the bad), but I have never, ever known him to do sloppy work or communicate with or handle his customers badly.

[drBill]

Originally Posted by drBill

Let me know if you want help with it...

bp

Well, it's been 3 days. Haven't heard a peep from FaZz. Kind of expected that, but wanted to give him/her the benefit of the doubt.

Seems odd that someone would ignore an opportunity to put a $1000 investment back into working condition. I suspect FaZz has never owned or heard an MJ mic, and this fabricated BS is in fact one of the noted MJ detractors here on GS.

But I'm happy to be proven wrong. FaZz - PM me and I'll get your info/problem to M. Joly - guaranteed.

[joelpatterson]

Maybe it could be time for a new style of badge, in certain instances...


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[ooohhh2]

I like to chime in. I have a modded MXL 990 from Mr. Joly, and I'm more than satisfied with it. I never posted any review of it however, because I'm not a pro, and this is my first decent mic. But I can tell that dealing with Mr.Joly was a joy. He always replied very fast and very kindly.
Since I have the modded MXL I rarely use an EQ, because it just sounds right on my vocal. No annoying sibilance whatsoever, and very low noise. Last time I used it as a room mic for drum tracking, and was literally blown away. So much low end, and no annoying frequency. I also have a cheap t.bone (SC450). The difference of them are like night and day. Couldn't believe my ears as I heard that. I wish I have the same ability to make 50$ mics to sound that expensive.
I know what I'll do when I have another couple hundred dollars left. They go straightly to Mr. Joly.

[trevjonez]

i have two of the MJE modded 990 mics and they are awesome stereo drum room mics. and do superb on male vocals imo compared to the mxl4000 i had been using prior.

i also picked up his pair of 609s mics and they are miles ahead of the stock condition mics.

looking at getting myself a set of the mk012 some time next year.

[tomgadd]

its a nice mic but died a few days ago.....imported from usa....so
big ****,,,,,gg
nevertheless its a nice sounding mic...adding a fun overdubbing
testing the 2003a with a song from netherland female singer
Trijntje Oosterhuis - Human nature...
first her original version shortened...next my overdubbed version with mxl 2003a...a clip just for fun checking the 2003a...
.......................

[drBill]

Originally Posted by drBill

Let me know if you want help with it...

bp

Originally Posted by drBill

Well, it's been 3 days. Haven't heard a peep from FaZz.

Originally Posted by ben_allison

Fake!!!

OK. Well, it's been a week now. Still nothing rom FaZz. No other posts on GS, no response to his $1000 waste of mics. No PM asking to get them fixed.

I think we can safely assume that Ben had it right.

Fake.

Just another Michael Joly Hater like all the others with no substance to back up the hate.

A waste of GS bandwidth.

BTW, for you MJ haters on GS. Talked via email with MJ today. He's in China now and his business has been growing at 12% a year thru the worst recession in history - even with zero GS presence for the last couple of years. I guess that sucks for the GS posse of haters..... He doesn't look to be disappearing anytime soon.

[Jimsi]

I miss M Jolly...

[chessparov]

FWIW am on good terms with the owner of a successful audio equipment company (shall remain nameless) who used to post a lot on various BBS's.

I can understand it's "not worth the grief", as a factor in backing off posting
and avoiding potential needless conflicts. Even when this particular individual was donating valuable expertise-(like-MJ and Jim Williams)-his participation was targeted sometimes!

Again, it's understandable all these guys have "better things to do"....

Chris

[memphisindie]

Often the wrong person was reprimanded on this board. When that became obvious, they scattered. It was fast too. It was a fine line not to cross. They still post on other boards, some of them, many have blown all boards off. Can’t blame them.

[PeteJames]

Best Sub £100 Multi-Purpose Mic?

If you had to have just one mic and it hard to be sub £100 or at maximum sub £150 what would it be?

[PB+J]

I'm far from an expert, but I have decent ears. I just bought a CAD M179 for 129 us dollars and I think it's a really good mic. It doesn't have any particularly grating characteristics that I can hear, it doesn't impart any dramatic specific character, but it has a continuously variable recording pattern which makes it very versatile. Compared to the other mics I tend to use--an AT 4033 and a much modified MXL 990--it's the one I like the best. The 4033 has a very distinctive character and sounds great in some ways, but the CAD m179 sounds better overall to me.

For what it's worth, the double bass in this little track was recorded with the CAD M179

When I Fall In Love

There's an eq boost at about 4200 to bring out string noise

[Wizards Machine]

I've been in pro music for decades and have used all sorts of mics from C12s to Beyers - and I must say that I have never been more astonished then when I plugged in my new MCA SP-1. For $69 I got the mic, shock mount and a nice pop screen with all the hardware. I am amazed. When worked a bit, it truly reminds me of a vintage C12. Just amazing. Have not checked into the mod, but what i might do is buy another and mod that.

[vitreouswindows]

The Wildwood Dreamland is my favourite not-costly mic. I've got two (from Paul at Odyssey Pro Sound) and my best descriptives are 'detailed and musical' - just a lovely texture.

The Dreamland is an omni mic, which works fine for me, but I did hope they might offer a cardioid version. Just recently I just learned from Paul that they will indeed be having a new cardioid model in stock soon. Haven't heard about pricing, but if it's in the same ballpark as the Dreamland (and I like it) I'll be getting a pair of those as well.

[e3p0]

Originally Posted by PB+J

I'm far from an expert, but I have decent ears. I just bought a CAD M179 for 129 us dollars and I think it's a really good mic. It doesn't have any particularly grating characteristics that I can hear, it doesn't impart any dramatic specific character, but it has a continuously variable recording pattern which makes it very versatile. Compared to the other mics I tend to use--an AT 4033 and a much modified MXL 990--it's the one I like the best. The 4033 has a very distinctive character and sounds great in some ways, but the CAD m179 sounds better overall to me.

For what it's worth, the double bass in this little track was recorded with the CAD M179

When I Fall In Love

There's an eq boost at about 4200 to bring out string noise

Love the M179. What was the signal path like for the bass? Sounds good!
-e