Best Condenser Mic For Under $200...

StratMan86956 · 28th December 2005

Well, I thought i wanted a C1... until i asked what people thought of it. Seems like it's an arguable topic. (Although I'd get it for $160 brand new.) Anyways I was just wondering what you guys thought the best Condenser Mics for under $200 are. I'm fairly new to recording... too poor to afford a pre right now. I'll be recording with a Fostex VF16 if that has any relevance. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

tINY · 29th December 2005

Do you want a Large or Small Diaphragm mic? What are you recording?

The AT3035 is a nice condenser mic, but it won't be that great for recording vocals.

-tINY

jsrockit · 29th December 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by tINY

Do you want a Large or Small Diaphragm mic? What are you recording?

The AT3035 is a nice condenser mic, but it won't be that great for recording vocals.

-tINY

Why is that?

A LaMere · 29th December 2005

If just one condenser... I'd pick a large-D of some type... others might choose differently though.
There are a lot of decent choices that could get you started. There are a lot of brighter choices at2020, C-1...
and some "less-bright" choices including the 3035 which would be my vote if I could only pick one. As a project studio/home studio owner I've listened to/owned a lot of mics in this price range. The 3035 has a bit of a bass boost but also has a low-frequency cut on the microphone. It lacks the cut your head off, sibilant high end of a lot of mics in this price range and also has a 10db pad for louder sources...

If you don't have an sm-57 yet at that budget with no true pre's... I'd vote for picking up a 57 and something else...

an at2020 and an sm57 will cost you about $200 and no one will argue with the quality of these two selections.. don't underestimate the sm57 on vocals through a decent pre. It might surprise you. Good luck with it!!

Radius · 29th December 2005

The C1 is a fantastic mic. I've used it on electric and acoustic guitars, vocals (male and female) , drums, bass cabs, etc.

I bet those Heil Sound dynamics in that price range are the bizness as well, but I've only heard sound clips of those.

warhead · 29th December 2005

The Joemeek JM37-DP is actually a great little mic for under $200. It's got good presence to it, and the Chinese are figuring out we don't like that harsh and essy bullshit I guess...cause it's not a problem with this one.

This question must be getting asked a lot lately because I know I've mentioned that CAD M179 like 10 times this week so I won't mention it this time.

Oops.

War

tINY · 29th December 2005

Whoops - Fat fingers. I meant that the AT3031 wouldn't be too great for recording vocals (but phenominal on acc gtr, mandolins, hand percussion, etc).

-tINY

Rand0mRoll77 · 29th December 2005

don't mean to hijack the thread but it kind of relates to my situation??

what would you reccomend preamp wise for under like 400$

I have a AT3035 and just bought a shure sm57...mainly for guitar but I guess I could try it out on vocals as well...I usually record rappers...

Right now preamp wise I just have a cheap yamaha mg10/2 100$ mixer...and an edirol ua-5 that I use for remote recording but it doesn't work very nicely with adobe audition usb wise so I don't really use it in my project studio...

I will also be getting one of those RNC FMR compressors soon too because right now I'm just using compressor plugins and those are kind of a pain in the ass...

turk sanchez · 29th December 2005

I have to chime in and say that I could not stand the 2020. I tested it on vocals and drums thru my Great River pre and it sounded like poo...seriously.

If you want to know what that mic sounds like, just plug in a 57 and high pass it at 400 and boost at 3k with a wide q about 6 db.

I used to have a Studio Projects b1...it was decent...WAY better than the 2020 and only $79.

This is coming from a big fan of AT mics too...I use all kinds of AT mics at work all the time. There have even been times I used a 4050 over a u87 on vocals. I also picked up a 4040 for the project studio and have been really impressed with it...especially for the money. Save another bill and get a 4040...it is 100 times better than a 2020.

Boby Stoica · 29th December 2005

I must admit, 2020 didn't impressed me either. Even at this price, I think it sounds small and has no qualities to keep it.. It's clean, indeed, but next to even a 4033, it doesn't have mid-range cream, the highs are a bit plastic sounding, less depth and the lows are not deep. And I don't think the 4033 is very good choice in general - but having it side by side with this 2020 made me think that it was quite cool.

So - I would say - considering the price, it's good to get these 2020 only to get the job done and move further (quick) with some superior stuff.

jsrockit · 30th December 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rand0mRoll77

don't mean to hijack the thread but it kind of relates to my situation??

what would you reccomend preamp wise for under like 400$

I have a AT3035 and just bought a shure sm57...mainly for guitar but I guess I could try it out on vocals as well...I usually record rappers...

Right now preamp wise I just have a cheap yamaha mg10/2 100$ mixer...and an edirol ua-5 that I use for remote recording but it doesn't work very nicely with adobe audition usb wise so I don't really use it in my project studio...

I will also be getting one of those RNC FMR compressors soon too because right now I'm just using compressor plugins and those are kind of a pain in the ass...

Groove Tube The Brick or the FMR Audio RNP

Pohaku · 30th December 2005

For under $200, I'd look for a used AT-4054 or 4055. Have the same capsule as the 4050 in a hand-held body. Cardioid only (but so is the AT-2020). The 4054 is rolled off and the 4055 is not. They were replaced by the AE5400 (which has a roll off switch). Great mic and @$160 on e-bay. Originally the performing version of the AT-4050. With a little extra money you could get a SM-57 too and still be in the ballpark.

aussie_techie · 30th December 2005

what are you actually trying to record and what other mics do you have?
start with some dynamics

StratMan86956 · 30th December 2005

Ok... sorry about the vagueness. I need a good microphone to record everything... mostly guitar (both acoustic and amped) and vocals. I do have access to a Beta 58a but it's not mine. I used it to record guitar and it sounds pretty good... Granted I am a pain in the ass newbie. Thanks again.

aussie_techie · 31st December 2005

i would get a beta57 and then save up a bit more for a good LDC

TYY · 2nd January 2006

The 3035 is pretty neutral, but is real grainy sounding; not very nice, but usable. I have a pair of these, but rarely use them anymore. Not very flattering on vocals, a bit edgy (NOT hyped) on acoustic guitars. Grainy cymbals on drum overheads. Works fine on bass, also not bad on electric guitars.

The 4050 is MUCH better sounding (also have a pair of these) and have 3 patterns as well. The 4050 is also a neutral sounding and versatile mic, and sound much more "real" and smoother than the 3035. You can find them for $250 used if you keep an eye out.

There is also the 4040, which I believe is the cardioid-only version of the 4050, which you could probably find for significantly less (probably at your $200 budget) This one might be your best bet.

rush · 5th January 2006

I picked up an MXL 990/991 combo for $99 at GC .. for the price they're awesome .. I'm looking at picking up a AT4060 or a blue mic now though

mltamisin · 5th January 2006

Modify an MXL 2001. My brother did one and it sounds killer.

Brian Middleton · 5th January 2006

You should be able to find a 4040 used in your budget range, and for a nice smooth all-purpose condenser you won't find better without spending a lot more.

silencethevoice · 7th January 2006

I currently have , in my lowly budget selection of mics, a pair of C1000s, pair of MXL 993s, and a studio project C1. I also am using a Brick pre, as well as the RNP.. If I had to pic one mic it would be C1, mainly cause it could do vocals (too some degree) as well as other things like guitar cabs, acoustic guitar, etc. But the MXL 993s are not bad, I have used them coupled to my RNP for drum overheads with nice results... The only one I will not recommend are the C1000s, as soon as I can afford a replacement, those suckers are gone.. Good luck with your purchase!

Ryan

ddageek · 8th January 2006

Well I payed $150 for my c414eb and $100 for my km184 both in pawn shops (okay those are rare finds at these prices) used At4040, 4050 or 4047 would all be lots of fun and maybe a 30 series small diaphram! Pre wise FMR or buld a seventh circle yeah the chassie and Psu sort of kill your budget, but look at it this way,the next seven are going to be really cheap!

monobeat · 8th January 2006

check ebay for mk 1 CAD e-300's. should make you happy.

Zoe-Ruth · 23rd January 2006

i'm in your same shoes my friend! i just started recording a bout a year ago and am also quite poor. i will say though, from the very beginning i have used a Rode NT1A and it has always sounded wonderful. many would disagree, but i think that Rode is a really great company. they give you great quality for the $. for me, the NT1 picked up a very dynamic range in my voice and it also sounded great on acoustic guitars and electric guitar rigs. you can get it for $199 and i promise it's a mic that you can use for a lot of things for a long time (very durable!).
at the moment i have finally saved up around $1500 to buy a higher end mic but i doubt i will ever stop using the NT1A.
don't let some of the agressive snobs on this site make you feel like an idiot!
some people just like to gloat. it doesn't mean that they know what's best for YOUR purposes.
good luck!
Zoe

28th December 2005	#1
StratMan86956 Gear interested Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 5 Thread Starter	Best Condenser Mic For Under $200... Well, I thought i wanted a C1... until i asked what people thought of it. Seems like it's an arguable topic. (Although I'd get it for $160 brand new.) Anyways I was just wondering what you guys thought the best Condenser Mics for under $200 are. I'm fairly new to recording... too poor to afford a pre right now. I'll be recording with a Fostex VF16 if that has any relevance. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

29th December 2005	#6
warhead Jai guru deva om Joined: Feb 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 12,253	The Joemeek JM37-DP is actually a great little mic for under $200. It's got good presence to it, and the Chinese are figuring out we don't like that harsh and essy bullshit I guess...cause it's not a problem with this one. This question must be getting asked a lot lately because I know I've mentioned that CAD M179 like 10 times this week so I won't mention it this time. Oops. War __________________ Warren Dent, Owner - ZenPro Audio: Gear Now & Zen

30th December 2005	#12
Pohaku Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2003 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 1,036	For under $200, I'd look for a used AT-4054 or 4055. Have the same capsule as the 4050 in a hand-held body. Cardioid only (but so is the AT-2020). The 4054 is rolled off and the 4055 is not. They were replaced by the AE5400 (which has a roll off switch). Great mic and @$160 on e-bay. Originally the performing version of the AT-4050. With a little extra money you could get a SM-57 too and still be in the ballpark. __________________ Yeah I'm an attorney, but everyone needs a day job.

5th January 2006	#17
rush Gear maniac Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 190	I picked up an MXL 990/991 combo for $99 at GC .. for the price they're awesome .. I'm looking at picking up a AT4060 or a blue mic now though __________________ If you're a fatalist, what can you do about it?

5th January 2006	#19
Brian Middleton Gear addict Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Dorchester, Mass., USA Posts: 393	AT4040 You should be able to find a 4040 used in your budget range, and for a nice smooth all-purpose condenser you won't find better without spending a lot more. __________________ If you think music should be free, make your own.

29th December 2005	#2
tINY Gear Guru Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 10,233	Do you want a Large or Small Diaphragm mic? What are you recording? The AT3035 is a nice condenser mic, but it won't be that great for recording vocals. -tINY

29th December 2005	#4
A LaMere Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,146	If just one condenser... I'd pick a large-D of some type... others might choose differently though. There are a lot of decent choices that could get you started. There are a lot of brighter choices at2020, C-1... and some "less-bright" choices including the 3035 which would be my vote if I could only pick one. As a project studio/home studio owner I've listened to/owned a lot of mics in this price range. The 3035 has a bit of a bass boost but also has a low-frequency cut on the microphone. It lacks the cut your head off, sibilant high end of a lot of mics in this price range and also has a 10db pad for louder sources... If you don't have an sm-57 yet at that budget with no true pre's... I'd vote for picking up a 57 and something else... an at2020 and an sm57 will cost you about $200 and no one will argue with the quality of these two selections.. don't underestimate the sm57 on vocals through a decent pre. It might surprise you. Good luck with it!!

29th December 2005	#5
Radius Gear interested Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 18	The C1 is a fantastic mic. I've used it on electric and acoustic guitars, vocals (male and female) , drums, bass cabs, etc. I bet those Heil Sound dynamics in that price range are the bizness as well, but I've only heard sound clips of those.

29th December 2005	#8
Rand0mRoll77 Gear interested Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 27	don't mean to hijack the thread but it kind of relates to my situation?? what would you reccomend preamp wise for under like 400$ I have a AT3035 and just bought a shure sm57...mainly for guitar but I guess I could try it out on vocals as well...I usually record rappers... Right now preamp wise I just have a cheap yamaha mg10/2 100$ mixer...and an edirol ua-5 that I use for remote recording but it doesn't work very nicely with adobe audition usb wise so I don't really use it in my project studio... I will also be getting one of those RNC FMR compressors soon too because right now I'm just using compressor plugins and those are kind of a pain in the ass...

29th December 2005	#9
turk sanchez Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Austin Posts: 960	I have to chime in and say that I could not stand the 2020. I tested it on vocals and drums thru my Great River pre and it sounded like poo...seriously. If you want to know what that mic sounds like, just plug in a 57 and high pass it at 400 and boost at 3k with a wide q about 6 db. I used to have a Studio Projects b1...it was decent...WAY better than the 2020 and only $79. This is coming from a big fan of AT mics too...I use all kinds of AT mics at work all the time. There have even been times I used a 4050 over a u87 on vocals. I also picked up a 4040 for the project studio and have been really impressed with it...especially for the money. Save another bill and get a 4040...it is 100 times better than a 2020.

29th December 2005	#10
Boby Stoica Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 281	I must admit, 2020 didn't impressed me either. Even at this price, I think it sounds small and has no qualities to keep it.. It's clean, indeed, but next to even a 4033, it doesn't have mid-range cream, the highs are a bit plastic sounding, less depth and the lows are not deep. And I don't think the 4033 is very good choice in general - but having it side by side with this 2020 made me think that it was quite cool. So - I would say - considering the price, it's good to get these 2020 only to get the job done and move further (quick) with some superior stuff.

30th December 2005	#13
aussie_techie Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 2,709	what are you actually trying to record and what other mics do you have? start with some dynamics

31st December 2005	#15
aussie_techie Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 2,709	i would get a beta57 and then save up a bit more for a good LDC

2nd January 2006	#16
TYY Gear addict Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 406	The 3035 is pretty neutral, but is real grainy sounding; not very nice, but usable. I have a pair of these, but rarely use them anymore. Not very flattering on vocals, a bit edgy (NOT hyped) on acoustic guitars. Grainy cymbals on drum overheads. Works fine on bass, also not bad on electric guitars. The 4050 is MUCH better sounding (also have a pair of these) and have 3 patterns as well. The 4050 is also a neutral sounding and versatile mic, and sound much more "real" and smoother than the 3035. You can find them for $250 used if you keep an eye out. There is also the 4040, which I believe is the cardioid-only version of the 4050, which you could probably find for significantly less (probably at your $200 budget) This one might be your best bet.

5th January 2006	#18
mltamisin Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,173 1 Review written	Modify an MXL 2001. My brother did one and it sounds killer.

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7th January 2006	#20
silencethevoice Gear interested Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 18	I have some cheapies.. I currently have , in my lowly budget selection of mics, a pair of C1000s, pair of MXL 993s, and a studio project C1. I also am using a Brick pre, as well as the RNP.. If I had to pic one mic it would be C1, mainly cause it could do vocals (too some degree) as well as other things like guitar cabs, acoustic guitar, etc. But the MXL 993s are not bad, I have used them coupled to my RNP for drum overheads with nice results... The only one I will not recommend are the C1000s, as soon as I can afford a replacement, those suckers are gone.. Good luck with your purchase! Ryan

8th January 2006	#21
ddageek Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,673	Well I payed $150 for my c414eb and $100 for my km184 both in pawn shops (okay those are rare finds at these prices) used At4040, 4050 or 4047 would all be lots of fun and maybe a 30 series small diaphram! Pre wise FMR or buld a seventh circle yeah the chassie and Psu sort of kill your budget, but look at it this way,the next seven are going to be really cheap!

8th January 2006	#22
monobeat Gear maniac Joined: Nov 2004 Location: berlin, germany Posts: 150	check ebay for mk 1 CAD e-300's. should make you happy.

23rd January 2006	#23
Zoe-Ruth Gear Head Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 61	i'm in your same shoes my friend! i just started recording a bout a year ago and am also quite poor. i will say though, from the very beginning i have used a Rode NT1A and it has always sounded wonderful. many would disagree, but i think that Rode is a really great company. they give you great quality for the $. for me, the NT1 picked up a very dynamic range in my voice and it also sounded great on acoustic guitars and electric guitar rigs. you can get it for $199 and i promise it's a mic that you can use for a lot of things for a long time (very durable!). at the moment i have finally saved up around $1500 to buy a higher end mic but i doubt i will ever stop using the NT1A. don't let some of the agressive snobs on this site make you feel like an idiot! some people just like to gloat. it doesn't mean that they know what's best for YOUR purposes. good luck! Zoe