Pair of SDC's for around $750?

[Mulmany]

Go for the OktavaMod MK012. Just great for most applications, and you will save some money.

[HeavyD1176]

The oktava mk012's are great mics. I have an un-modded pair that i love on everything. I am too broke to mod mine but have still been happy with them on drums and acoustics.

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

Used AKG-451/460/480

[erosconpollo]

Okatavas are fine.

A choice that is rarely mentioned would be the sE Electronics SE4, pair with multiple capsules for around $700. I've not used them on drums but they sounded pretty decent pointed at guitars and choirs.

[CynicEidolon]

Get rid of the wife. Up the budget. =)

[cserrano]

I also recommend the modded Oktava Mk012's. I JUST sold my Beyer MC930's in the used gear section. I liked the Oktava better.

[The Listener]

Line Audio CM3 : CM3 - really THAT good? (many audio examples)

Rode NT55 (get omni & cardioid caps)

[Jungle Jazz]

You've already mentioned them, but the KSM141s would be a good option. You might be able to find a used pair for around $500, and with some calling around, you could probably get a new pair for within your budget. You could just get two individuals--you don't need the pair set.

[kafka]

Originally Posted by Bill@WelcomeHome

Used AKG-451/460/480

+1. I like the 460's, as well as the Peluso CEMC6's. They're pretty much polar opposites, as far as tone goes. 460's are a little gritty in the midrange, but have a fairly flat frequency response. The CEMC6's are a bit bright and more accurate in the mids, but EQ well if you don't like the top end. The CEMC6's are also hyper-detailed, so if you're looking for overheads, they might make it hard to tame the cymbals. The 460's would probably be a better choice for that application.

Personally, I prefer the hypercardioid caps on the CEMC6s to the stock cardioid's. They don't have much more proximity effect, if any, and the tighter pattern makes them easier to control. You can also get a wider stereo spacing with they hc's than the cards.

I don't think you can go wrong with either, but they're really complimentary mics without much overlap.

[Doc Mixwell]

Shure KSM141

Awesome Mic.

Detailed, Accurate, Smooth and musical.


Versatile. Refined

Best of all...Affordable



Love the Beyer's too, those are bold and warm. I typically favor that over "bright and light", so I would probably save for a bit to get em.


peace

[rmaier]

Originally Posted by Doc Mixwell

Shure KSM141

Awesome Mic.

Detailed, Accurate, Smooth and musical.


Versatile. Refined

Best of all...Affordable



Love the Beyer's too, those are bold and warm. I typically favor that over "bright and light", so I would probably save for a bit to get em.


peace

Couldn't agree more. I'm lucky enough to have both! They make a killer combination using the Beyers as a main pair and the Shures as outriggers. Either one is an excellent choice, with perhaps a slight edge going to the KSM141s in terms of versatility. Having said that, the Beyers sound really lovely and tend to be a bit more flattering on the sources I've aimed them at (mostly classical guitars).

[colehooey]

I have recently read a little on the sE Electronics sE4's. What do you guys think of those?

[Track 7]

Have you put up the KSM32's as overheads? They are excellent in that application. They also shine on acoustic guitars and most stringed instruments.

[drBill]

Originally Posted by Mulmany

Go for the OktavaMod MK012.

Ditto. Plus, MJ is coming out with a LDC K47H screw on capsule head that is OFF THE HOOK - so having Card, Hyper, Omni (my fav) and the New LDC make it for a desert island option. Soon they will be here.....

[colehooey]

Originally Posted by Track 7

Have you put up the KSM32's as overheads? They are excellent in that application. They also shine on acoustic guitars and most stringed instruments.

I currently do use the the KSM32's on overheads which I do like a lot. Just looking for another bit of flavor. I'd like to have the option of LDC or SDC for overheads. I feel like I'm gonna end up doing with the MC 012's, just a matter of waiting til I have the cash. Never fun!

[Malcolm Boyce]

As mentioned, the KSM141 is outstanding but... if you can get away with cardioid only... KSM137.

Both these mics keep accumulating new fans for the Shure condensers.

[RiF]

What do you guys think about the Rode NT5/55's?

[Baz]

Save for the Beyers. If there's one place they really shine is OH's...Ive seen them come up used in pairs for 750 or even less

[retrogradeorbit]

Originally Posted by colehooey

I have recently read a little on the sE Electronics sE4's. What do you guys think of those?

I have a pair matched set of sE4s. I only have the cardiod capsules. I like them very much and have no interest in getting rid of them. Have used them mainly on acoustic guitars and drums to much success. They perform very well. The only down side is part of the shock mounts can work itself loose over time with mic angle adjustments. But a fine phillips head jewellers screwdriver can tighten the shock mounts right up. But I need to tighten them every session. I might try putting some thread lock on them.

[wirenut]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the good ole Shure SM81. Great for overheads and also a staple for Hi Hats.

[dxavier]

Originally Posted by CynicEidolon

Get rid of the wife. Up the budget. =)

Cold............................but it is a good idea!!!!!

[dxavier]

Originally Posted by dxavier

Cold............................but it is a good idea!!!!!

Rode NT55
SE Electronics SE3 (Discontinued, so S/H) or SE4's (New)

[guitarboy94]

Little Blondies and stock Oktava MK012's are both very nice mics well under your budget. I own both and think they are both terrific on just about any instrument.

[sfoote]

I quite like the Avenson Audio STO-2 for this. I prefer them to the LIttle Blondies and KM184. I haven't tried the Beyers.

$500 for the pair

[Kumbari]

+1 for Beyer Mc930.
I even love to use them for live vocals. The Clarity is unbelievable over most live mics and used in conjunction with a noise gate it really lifts the standard. Works well in noisy situations eg rock, pubs etc. Just set the noise gate harder/quicker.
Also love it for acoustic guitar recordings and overheads.

[oretez]

Originally Posted by Mulmany

Go for the OktavaMod MK012. Just great for most applications, and you will save some money.

I have three mics M. Joly modified for me (though not a sdc) and while I do not go so far as to claim they perform the same as a benchmark $5k vintage mic (U47 for example) they all have great cost/benefit ratio (I came close to picking up one of his specials (LDC) a couple of months ago just because of the excellent value . . . just couldn't justify another mic at the time.

So my general advice is to either save up exactly what you want (& think you can afford in reasonably foreseeable future (there are mics I'd like that would have cost me $20k 20 yr ago might be worth twice that now (to a very small niche) but neither then nor now could I ever justify that) or pick up the OktavaMod. Knowing you are not buying it for it's potential resale value but as a workhorse mic that will remain useful no matter how many other mics you get.

There are a lot of times, particularly for jazz trios & quartets, when recording in 'remote' locations that I wish I'd picked up a pair of the ribbon mics M. Joly modified for me (it is quite likely that at some point I'll have him modify a pair for me) . . . I have used the solo mic as a mono overhead on percussion, as the 2nd mic on guitar cabs, as solo mic on horn section, with great effect in rooms in which I'm not particularly familiar. Ribbon topology helps in that case but in six years I've had it I tend to not worry about the quality of mic where ever I deploy it.

[colehooey]

Got a decent deal on some MK 012s through Front End Audio ($700 for the 6 capsule set). May have MJ mod em down the road, but for now I think they will suit! They'll be here Monday!

[drBill]

Originally Posted by colehooey

Got a decent deal on some MK 012s through Front End Audio ($700 for the 6 capsule set). May have MJ mod em down the road, but for now I think they will suit! They'll be here Monday!

congrats! I think you made the right choice. BTW, if you missed it above, there is a new K47H capsule head coming out from MJE for the 012 which is awesome.

[drbob1]

I've had both modded and unmodded MK012s in the house at the same time, thinking it wasn't a big deal. After a very brief AB, the unmodded ones went off to Michael. The difference is that big, takes a good mic and makes it great!