Mic under $300?!

[LiLAjBeatz]

Blue Spark... or Blue Baby Bottle if u find it under $300

[sabsjl]

Originally Posted by LiLAjBeatz

Blue Spark... or Blue Baby Bottle if u find it under $300

I was thinking of getting the blue spark, but I heard ppl having problems with the shock mount. Do you have that too?

[Phosphate]

What do you have already? It's important to remember to budget for your stand, shock mount, cables, pre-amp/interface.

[sabsjl]

Originally Posted by Phosphate

What do you have already? It's important to remember to budget for your stand, shock mount, cables, pre-amp/interface.

Sadly I don't have anything at all. I'm just starting out but like I said, my budget for the mic would be about 300

[jweisbin]

Studio Projects C1 is a pretty good condenser mic for under $200

some (fairly biased) reviews here:
Studio Projects C1

sounds good if you have a good preamp

[ironman187]

My suggestion, use that $300 to buy two mics. The blue spark (and a lot of the Blue mics, especially the budget ones, have crappy shock mounts and junk for pop filters) For a single mic that you can use for both guitar and vocals,I would suggest an Audio Technica 4040 it's a pretty good all around mic. If you could get two mics, I would suggest something like a pair of Nady CYM-2 condensers for XYing your guitar ($100.00) And something like a MXL 3000 Mic Bundle ($200) for vocals (comes with shock mount pop filter, and mic cable)

[brianellefson]

Plus 1 on the Studio Projects C1. I know a girl recording acoustic and vocals with one of those and she's getting really great sounds (oh, and getting the songs placed in television regularly, too).

Half of it is just knowing how to treat a mic and the signal once recorded. A great mic usually means less EQ work and fussing after the fact.

[prizebeatz1]

akg 535 all the way

[OmegaP]

It's a little over $300 at $349 new but the Studio Projects CS5 is super versatile. Also i would say the Cad E300,and a Cad M9 are good for the money. Cad makes good mics for cheap imo.

[guitarboy94]

Definitely get the Audio Technica AT4040. You'll find these in lots of pro studios, even though you can get them used for 200 bucks. You can record anything you want with these terrific mics.

[hopeless_opus]

+1 on the AT4040. Totally solid mic.

[dxavier]

SE Electronics z3300a

Great vocal mic. I have been using it lately with a 1960's Phillips Germanium Mic pre. Sublime. You won't see it in tons of U.S studios as only the Gemini II has made a big noise over there, but in the UK, many studios own SE Electronic mics.

Just bought another one and I am reaching for it more than the Neumann TLM49 these days

[SASMastering]

Do yourself a really big favour... push it the $99.00 and get an Audio Technica AT4033. It does not have the overblown bottom/ extended top of some cheap mics but everything in between is very good. It gets a 7/10 on vocals and a 9/10 on acoustic guitars, it takes eq very nicely and what is there is true and present, 2 position pad and 1 position roll off. It is robust and versatile on many instruments.

Then you have a professional tool in your hand and not flavour of the month.

cheers

[Bunjji]

I think two mics would be a better idea. I have an MXL V67G and I like it, but you could probably spend a bit more and get something better.

[jeronimo]

Advanced Audio Microphones

[Mortal Engines]

I picked up an AKG perception 220 for something like 169 bucks. It's a surprisingly good microphone for the low price.

[guitarkelton]

Originally Posted by Bunjji

I think two mics would be a better idea. I have an MXL V67G and I like it, but you could probably spend a bit more and get something better.

I have the MXL V67G and the Perception 220 and use both on vocals. It just depends on the voice, but they are both great mics as well. You can find the perception 220 on Amazon.com at $119 or $179. It goes between those two prices and I was lucky enough to buy mine at the cheaper price.

[futuresounds]

Get the V67G and get it modded by Michael jolly. I did that and I couldn't be happier. If you'd like to hear the results check out Divinerhyme.bandcamp.com. All recorded with that mic.

[TurboJets]

I have to agree on the AT 4040 and if you can find a 4033 online for $300 (sometimes you can) go for it. AT 40 series is a no bull great start.

[Axelrod]

Originally Posted by sabsjl

Hey guys! I'm planning to get my first mic and would like some help! What mic do you guys think its best that's under 300? I'm gonna record more of vocals and acoustic guitar. Thanks!!

Sennheiser MD421-U5. There is one on the classifieds right now i think for $220. They are killer, underrated mics that can do so much more than just toms. Also, they have a 5 position high pass filter which makes it even more versatile than most cheap condensers.

[cherrymusic]

Buy an Octava 219 off ebay ($80-$130) and then get Michael Joly, Williams or one of the other outfits to mod it...Heck some even sell do it yourself kits if you know how to solder good.

[brianellefson]

Originally Posted by jeronimo

Advanced Audio Microphones

Uh oh ... that's my favorite mic company right there ... can he get one in his budget? I have a CM12 that's been solid-frickin-gold on vocals but it was like $750. Haven't bought another AA yet but I will. Total sleeper company of microphone badassery.

[jeronimo]

Originally Posted by brianellefson

Uh oh ... that's my favorite mic company right there ... can he get one in his budget? I have a CM12 that's been solid-frickin-gold on vocals but it was like $750. Haven't bought another AA yet but I will. Total sleeper company of microphone badassery.

I have the CM47 and it is under $300 if I'm not mistaken.

Also, I forgot to mention SM7, 441, 421, RE20... all those mics can be found under $300... and I would take a great dynamic over a cheap condenser anytime!

[Speeddemon]

Originally Posted by jeronimo

I have the CM47 and it is under $300 if I'm not mistaken.

Also, I forgot to mention SM7, 441, 421, RE20... all those mics can be found under $300... and I would take a great dynamic over a cheap condenser anytime!

While I would recommend those last 4 too, I would not select them as a first mic for vocals and acoustic guitars only. An SM7 will most likely sound too dark for an acoustic, not to mention it needs a serious preamp to power it, as it needs a lot of gain.

For about $250 you'd be hard pressed to cover more ground than an MXL V67G + a Studio Projects B3.
The MXL handles the transformer-coupled 'dark mojo' character part, while the B3 handles the neutral, versatile, multiple patterns part. A CAD M179 would be even better, but a bit more expensive.

I got most of the mics you mentioned (no 441's yet; I want two of those someday), and my 'main' vocal mics are an AT4047SV and a Rode K2, but I'll hang on to my V67G as well. But if your only reference are cheap, Chinese mics (which the V67G itself is too ironically), you may find it a bit dark and grainy sounding.

[Dot]

I wouldn't recommend the SP C1 for acoustic gtr. The SP B1 is actually a much better mic for that application, and overall a better workhorse mic.

I'd even suggest, in your budget, you add a Rane MS-1S mic preamp.
Rane MS-1S Mic Stage - Microphone Preamplifier MS 1S B&H Photo

You can get the B1 and the MS-1S together, for around $300. And you'd have an an excellent chain for your recordings.

Although, you may find the more colored C1 sounds better on some vocals. I'd say start with the B1 and then pick up a C1 later.

[Eric Dahlberg]

The AT4040 and AT4033 are great options. They're a lot smoother in the top end than the Studio Projects and MXL mics are.

[jeronimo]

Originally Posted by Speeddemon

While I would recommend those last 4 too, I would not select them as a first mic for vocals and acoustic guitars only. An SM7 will most likely sound too dark for an acoustic, not to mention it needs a serious preamp to power it, as it needs a lot of gain.

For about $250 you'd be hard pressed to cover more ground than an MXL V67G + a Studio Projects B3.
The MXL handles the transformer-coupled 'dark mojo' character part, while the B3 handles the neutral, versatile, multiple patterns part. A CAD M179 would be even better, but a bit more expensive.

I got most of the mics you mentioned (no 441's yet; I want two of those someday), and my 'main' vocal mics are an AT4047SV and a Rode K2, but I'll hang on to my V67G as well. But if your only reference are cheap, Chinese mics (which the V67G itself is too ironically), you may find it a bit dark and grainy sounding.

That's the beautiful thing about this business, we all hear and like different things.

I've had a V67, don't know if it was a G or not, but mine, was faaaaaaaar from dark...

If I had to choose ONE mic to do a whole rock/metal/blues/jazz /reggae record... That would be a SM7...

[Bunjji]

Originally Posted by jeronimo

That's the beautiful thing about this business, we all hear and like different things.

I've had a V67, don't know if it was a G or not, but mine, was faaaaaaaar from dark...

If I had to choose ONE mic to do a whole rock/metal/blues/jazz /reggae record... That would be a SM7...

SM7 is $350 and he doesn't have an adequate preamp

[jeronimo]

Originally Posted by Bunjji

SM7 is $350 and he doesn't have an adequate preamp

I don't think he has a pre amp at all.... so what's the point?

Also he didn't mention he DIDN'T want to buy used.... SM7s are under 300 on the used market, and since they're as solid as you can get, they're pretty good buys used.

So, please, stop trying to be a smart a$$