low low end. one all-rounder mic?

[donnylang]

Originally Posted by guitarboy94

This isn't really true anymore. Cad M179, MXL 2003a, MXL V67, Kel Hm2D are terrific condensers under 150 bucks. I'd take any of these over a cheap dynamic mic for recording vocals. EV's are nice,though. And I suppose in the 50 dollar price range can't be beat. Still, you can get an MXL V67 used for 50 bucks. If that's all the cash I had, that's the mic I'd be going for. Later on, for 200 bucks, that mic can be modded into a world class mic.

Have you used a 635a before? If I could only have once mic on a budget, it would be this one. One cheap condenser on every source is gonna stack up in a weird way in my opinion (I've done it before). The 635a can be used on everything with nice results ... it's nothing like an SM57.

[cargojon]

Originally Posted by guitarboy94

This isn't really true anymore. Cad M179, MXL 2003a, MXL V67, Kel Hm2D are terrific condensers under 150 bucks. I'd take any of these over a cheap dynamic mic for recording vocals. EV's are nice,though. And I suppose in the 50 dollar price range can't be beat. Still, you can get an MXL V67 used for 50 bucks. If that's all the cash I had, that's the mic I'd be going for. Later on, for 200 bucks, that mic can be modded into a world class mic.

I have an MXL V67G that I absolutely love....

[mutetourettes]

ello again everyone - can anyone confirm that the beyerdynamic M201 is ok with phantom power? I've been very cautious, but i'd like to be able to use it with phantom on (it's all or othing on my mixer) so, is it ok?

[misterlong]

Should be fine. Its a dynamic.
long

[heva]

No problem: I still use Beyer M101's (the 201 omni's), they don't care about the phantom power.

[tallboy79]

Originally Posted by bigwebb83

can't beat the SM-57 for all around IMO. I heard somewhere (may or may not be true) that lenny kravitz uses a 57 for everything from guitar amp mic to vocal mic in the studio.

Also Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) apparently recording the whole of his first album using just this mic and in my opinion, that album sounds great!

[legato]

ello again everyone - can anyone confirm that the beyerdynamic M201 is ok with phantom power? I've been very cautious, but i'd like to be able to use it with phantom on (it's all or othing on my mixer) so, is it ok?

Does this mean you now have a condenser, too?




Henk

[mutetourettes]

Originally Posted by legato

Does this mean you now have a condenser, too?
Henk

not really, i caved in and, for the process of treating my room, bought a behringer ecm8000 measurement mic that needs 15v. i'm going to play with using that as an overhead for full-kit setups (like i said i wouldn't be doing )

currently my full recording setup is:
beyer m201
ecm8000

into
soundcraft notepad 124 (phantom is all or nothing)

into
akai z4
nakamichi tape
toa multitrack tape

with audiotechnica atm40
and a hifi amp and speakers...

I also have the old mavis channel strip which I'm rebuilding and isn't wired up yet, but should be an interesting alternative to the soundcraft.

so yes indeed, this is the low end

now, if i could just knock out a couple of bon iver songs....

[misterlong]

I have been noticing how hideous the 57 sounds on stuff, including all the stuff on which I always advocated their use. however, when it comes to mix, they have a habit of just managing to sit there!
Who would know!!
long

[Gretsch 6120]

Originally Posted by mutetourettes

Hi, well the best laid plans, i was looking at some nice stuff, but cash has a way of suddenly disappearing.

so now I'm looking for max bang for my very threadbare buck, and will be recording onto nice tape (nakamichi now, and revox r2r when i get the damn thing fixed) and then dumping some bits 2496 into PC for editing and footling about with.

alongside doing some diy bass trapping my room, i'm intending to get a soundcraft 124 (£60) for preamp duties. now, how about a CHEAP mic... I can't even decide between dynamic, SDC, slightly LDC.. i'll be recording voices, guitar amps, some acoustic instruments and various individual drums and cymbals (but not a kit).

I'm looking at the tbone sc140 SDC, behringer C3 LDC (which is actually a pretty small diaphragm), tbone mb75 (sm57 clone) and behringer xm8500 (58 esque) dynamics.

all four seem to be well regarded, considering their dirt-cheapness. We're talking under £40 here.

the sc140 has a Joly upgrade path, and I'm also considering it's potential for room measurement..

the behringer c3 has a nice multipattern potential, if i can find a decent shockmount to work with it for cheap (tbone ssm6?).

the mb75 is a blatant sm57 clone, which i'm told does a reasonable sound-alike job...

the behringer xm8500 is even cheaper, and i'm sure someone was singing its praises way back there...

I think I'm right in thinking that any of these could do all the jobs i ask, with a little care. What would your thoughts/experience be, dearest cheapslutz, on the all-rounder-ness of these, accepting the regrettable financial restriction?
Cheers for any suggestions.

Preface: Admittedly I neither own nor have tried any of the mics you listed here. HOWEVER, I have fairly extensive experience with inexpensive LDCs of various makes and models, and have been engaged in the low end arena for well over a decade.

Anyway, here are my suggestions in no particular order:

Studio Projects B1 used….I can personally vouch for this mic…it’s the best bank for the buck I’ve personally owned in terms of budget LDC’s.

MXL v67 is pretty good too but not as versatile as the B1 IMO….that was my first LDC circa 2000, and it ran me upwards $300 at the time…it was a bargain then…a great vocal mic for $100..not the best but a good value…takes EQ okay too.

A Stock Oktava 219….purchased two of these in 2002 for $65 each from musiciansfriend, Later on I had Michael Joly’s PE mod done on one of them and kept the other one stocked. These are great mics, but the stock version is a bit problematic IMO…..IF—and that’s the contingency here—you plan on getting it modified not too far in the future this would be my first choice because the PE modded 219 is just about the best thing since sliced bread IMO.

Everyone raves about the CAD 179, and I’ve yet to read or hear about it “sucking.” After all these years of reading and researching I have to believe that this is a quality mic—especially when many of the reviewers are respected engineers themselves. Although I don’t currently own or need one, if I were in your position I wouldn’t hesitate to pick on e of these up. It’s probably comparable to the SP B1, but most people who have owned and tried both seem to think it’s even a little better (less peaky), which isn’t an issue enough for me to go out and buy one at this point because that’s what limiters and compressors are for.

You mentioned a sm57 knockoff. SHS Audio makes the best one I’ve heard (OM 450). I own 2 sm 57’s and a sm 58, and have been using them for almost a decade and a half now…starting out for live applications….some years ago I worked at a music store that was a dealer for both Shure and SHS. We did an A/B blind test between the respective 57 and OM 450, and in that setting it was impossible for us to tell the difference. They sounded pretty much identical. I buddy of mine actually owns a couple of the OM 450’s and uses them for tracking too. They sound fine IMO. The OM-450 can be had for around $60 and comes with a mic cable as well.

Best regards,

Chris

[misterlong]

Originally Posted by Gretsch 6120

A Stock Oktava 219….purchased two of these in 2002 for $65 each from musiciansfriend, Later on I had Michael Joly’s PE mod done on one of them and kept the other one stocked. These are great mics, but the stock version is a bit problematic IMO…..IF—and that’s the contingency here—you plan on getting it modified not too far in the future this would be my first choice because the PE modded 219 is just about the best thing since sliced bread IMO.


Chris

+1 although I have experience of the 319 which I reckon is very useable stock but the best thing since sliced bread when joly-modded!

long

[Ron Vogel]

Originally Posted by Waxavub

MXL MCA SP-1 Studio Condenser Microphone With Clip*-* Large Diaphragm Condenser Mics

$90 for a pair

Best mic value ever

They really are pretty decent...a lttle dark, and sometimes whine with certain phantom power supplies. Kind of a hi-fi 57/58.

Other than that I'd say SM57. It can be good on almost anything, but a good pre and placement is key.

[Gretsch 6120]

I forgot to mention Kel mics too. The Kel mics get a lot of praise all over the place. If I were in the market for a budget all around type of mic, Kel would be on my short list.

[Rabianski]

Originally Posted by Waxavub

MXL MCA SP-1 Studio Condenser Microphone With Clip*-* Large Diaphragm Condenser Mics

$90 for a pair

Best mic value ever

It's a small diaphragm mic in a large diaphragm body

Luckily, the grill is black otherwise it would look funny...

[Justsomeguy]

Originally Posted by mutetourettes

not found in uk - apex, sterling ??

Apex stuff in the uk is rebrannded under the original badge of Alctron (google alctron uk and lifelong music comes up that stocks theme) also, the T.bone mics are the same thing as the apex/alctron stuff just rebadged under the T.bone brand. I picked up the Apex 205 (under the alctron badge, HRM8 or something) for £79 and it's pretty awesome but would not recommend as a first/all round mic, but certainly worth keeping a eye on in the long run

it's a tough one as i've been where you are and completely understand how no matter how hard you try and save money has a way of disappearing very quickly nowadays.

the MXL mic's under £100 get mixed reviews but, to my understanding, there are some very usable ones.

My views on Audio technica stuff won't really help as i'm personally not a fan but i know a lot of people really like the AT2020

if you can stretch your budget in any way to between £70 - £100 my advice is to pick up an sE2200a used on ebay. this was my first "upgrade" mic to replace a samson CO1 and PG58 and still have the same one after 10 years (and picked up another one a couple of years pack to have a pair). Great all rounder and even though i now have a lot more mics the 2200a still sees a lot work

[mutetourettes]

thanks for the apex tip. and yes, my budget did indeed get borked and i ended up buying a beyer M201, which I'm pretty happy with. As was suggested to me above I'm really going to try and just stick with this mic and be happy with that, for as long as i can manage, and trust that I'll gently learn somethng that way!

By the time I'll be looking for an LDC I'll check then what's around, no doubt many of the recommendations right here will still be most valid..

oh and bizarrely my current craving is for an old beyer talkback mic, just so it'll always be sat there.. course that would need a bigger mixing desk for it to poke out of... I still didn't get a big(ger) desk, which was a discussion I had elsewhere.. there is no end to this madness

[Puffer Fish]

Originally Posted by mutetourettes

... there is no end to this madness

Quite right!

[lpedrum]

Prodipe TT1. I think everyone should buy this mic if for no other reason to say "I just paid $27 for a mic and I can't believe how good it sounds." The TT1 is another reason I love Gearslutz--would have never been hipped to it otherwise.

[binarymilton]

some friends of friends of friends recorded their album using nothing but four Behringer B1s. Recorded to a Zoom multi-track.

The album's since had a ton of press in the folk/roots scene (it's a folk album), and reviews in the mainstream press and broadsheet newspapers (The Times etc).

this is it here:
Blackwaterside | Folk Police Recordings