GS Certified MUST HAVE list under $500

[AGordon84]

Also:
MK012s?
Little Blondies?

[JMM]

Warm Audio WA12
FMR PBC6a

[danly]

I'm a fan of the GAP FC4 stereo condensers. It was around $100 for a matched pair with a stereo bar.

[HeavyD1176]

I love my oktava mk012's and my casacade fathead. all are unmodded

[EricF]

Another nod for the Fathead (stereo pair with the Blumlein bar) and the MK012.

[aclarson]

Commonly refferred stuff with good price/performance ratio:

Mics:
Stellar CM-6
CAD M-179
MXL V67G
Oktava MK-012

Pres:
GAP Pre-73
WARM WA12
Lindell Audio 6x-500
Classic API DIY (API clones)
BLA B12A (I own and like this unit anyway)

EQs:
Lindell PEX-500
Alta Moda AM-25
Square State Solid State EQ One B

Compressors:
ART Pro VLA
FMR RNC
FMR PBC6a
Lindell Audio 7x-500
Golden Age Comp54
dbx 160a or xt

[Ximo]

The SM7B can be had for under $500.

Someone had to say it...

[AGordon84]

The warm wa12 has somehow never come across my radar. I used the GAP pre73 a lot but never seen this one. Does it have the superb transient response of the API stuff it's based on?

Thanks for the responses, though surely the SM7B is ubiquitous being one of Mikes mics and all :p

[chessparov]

Would include EV 635a

Doesn't come up much here on GS (except by owner/users!), but IMHO the Studio Projects CS (especially the CS5) line is a remarkable LDC multi-use value too.

Chris

[cakeshoppe]

For what it's worth, my Hakko FX-888 doesn't pass audio but it's saved me literally thousands of dollars, and the $80 price tag is well worth it over the radio shack soldering irons I'd used in the past. In my opinion, if you're trying to put together a low budget studio, you're missing out on a huge opportunity if you don't have a workable soldering kit and know how to use it.

Audio gear:
-if you're counting used gear, I picked up an Overstayer FET comp for a little under $500, and I'm really liking that.

-misterpatchbay.com again, used and not a manufacturer, but this should be the first stop of anyone considering a patchbay install

[OldCountryBuffet]

Disclaimer: I am only slightly above noob status when it comes to recording. It's been a hobby of mine for a few years but I don't have a very broad sample of gear to compare from. These are just a few of the pieces that I've found to be reliable and worth their cost.

ART Pro MPA II - It's not hard to find these for a bit over $200 and it's a great way of adding a pair of extra preamps to a recording setup. I'm happy with mine and the general consensus seems to be positive.

Avantone CK-6 - At about $180, this is a solid microphone choice. It's gorgeous, well built, and sounds good. Paired with the MXL 4000 in mid-side configuration, I'm laying down some great (for my standards) solo acoustic tracks. I haven't encountered a lot of discussion on this mic so, for all I know, there are better options for the money but I'm in no rush to ditch the Avantone.

Focusrite Scarlett 18i6 - I've gone through a handful of low-budget interfaces (Presonus Audiobox, Presonus Inspire GT, TASCAM US1800, TASCAM US800) and the Scarlett has been, without a doubt, the best of the pack. I am tempted to recommend the Scarlett 2i2 but, by comparison, the 18i6 just offers a significantly better value. The expansion opportunities are unlike anything I've come across in a sub $300 interface, and in a small package. As an added bonus, they include the Scarlett Plugin Suite that has one of my favorite compressors. Pound for pound, the Scarlett 18i6 gets my vote for best bargain in the interface category.

ART Tube MP - Heck, it's $30. There aren't a lot of options for adding cheap channels to your rig at this price point. Even when I added the Pro MPA II to my rack, the Tube MP still finds a way to be useful. If you're desperate, give it a shot. There's not a lot to lose and you may be surprised at what it is capable of. I like mine quite a bit.

GLS ES-57 - The original post mentions that the SM57 is an obvious choice (and I agree) but, in terms of value and low cost, this copy is a winner. I wasn't expecting a lot from a $30 mic but it does a great job on guitar cabinets. Another worth mentioning is the Audix i5, which costs the same as an SM57. There's almost always a place for this breed of mic, regardless of whether it's the genuine Shure or the ultra-affordable GLS knockoff.

--

My next $500 will probably be going toward some preliminary room treatment and a pair of competent monitors but the temptation to grab a compressor or a new preamp is fierce. It's probably best if I stay out of this thread for a while.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by aclarson

Commonly refferred stuff with good price/performance ratio:

Mics:
Stellar CM-6
CAD M-179
MXL V67G
Oktava MK-012

Pres:
GAP Pre-73
WARM WA12
Lindell Audio 6x-500
Classic API DIY (API clones)
BLA B12A (I own and like this unit anyway)

EQs:
Lindell PEX-500
Alta Moda AM-25
Square State Solid State EQ One B

Compressors:
ART Pro VLA
FMR RNC
FMR PBC6a
Lindell Audio 7x-500
Golden Age Comp54
dbx 160a or xt

Originally Posted by chessparov

IMHO the Studio Projects CS (especially the CS5) line is a remarkable LDC multi-use value too.

Chris

+1

...I'll add the entire line of KEL Audio mics, the Monoprice 8323 headphones, and the "little-mic-that-could", the Prodipe TT handheld dynamic...

[sterling5567]

+1 for Avantone. I have a CK-6 as well and it sounds fantastic on my voice. I've even used it as a room mic for guitar cabs in a pinch. Works just fine.

Sent from my SCH-R760 using Tapatalk

[jrides]

So a basically a list for flower pot guy to use to drive up prices?

Seriouely though, I would take rnp off the list. Its not a must have for that price range. If they were DMP3 priced then sure.

[Ace_TX]

didn't know about the monprice phones...what are the clonesof/similar to?

[jrides]

Wait. OP are YOU flower pot guy?
Would be slightly hilarious if so.

[AGordon84]

I don't know what flower pot guy is. My only intention is find more affordable gems and know what's out there.

[edva]

I would add Oktava 219/319 to this list, and a +1 on all the FMR stuff.

[chessparov]

IMHO the thing to watch out for on these kinds of threads are well meaning suggestions of "one trick poneys". Like there's an offbeat AKG microphone that's terrific-for less than $60!-used (cost vs. sound quality) for my voice, but YMMV.

Another (maybe 3 trick Pony) IMHO is Blue's Baby Bottle, cool vibe on me when tried, but have noticed some quite varying opinions among end users.

I think Sound On Sound mag has some good advice as far as starting out generally with neutralish mics/gear, and adding "mojo" later.

But then I LOVE mojo!

Chris

P.S. Also think it usually takes an intermediate (or better) home recordist to make good demo level recordings of mics like SM57/58 and SM7.

[ShadowAMD]

Can we stretch the budget a little for one thing?

Mojave FET 201, it is awesome (Second hand it would come in sub $500)..

Others:

Apogee Duet 2
Mbox pro (I got one new for less than $500.00)
Harley Benton 2X12 cab
GAP Pre 73
AT4040

[guitarboy94]

JJ Audio Modded DMP3 for sure!

[2manyrocks]

This website and the great folks that post here.

[jrides]

If you are not the ebay flower pot guy... then I will contribute a bit. (thought I know he is watching)

Scratch the RNP off the list, like I mentioned earlier.

Add
Klark Teknik DN500 DN405/410 (built like tanks originally cost thousands. A steal)
EV RE20 (it can fly)
A mic from M. Joly (Superb customer service)
Steinberg MR816x (Nice preamps and conversion for the money. Good latency)
SCA Rack w/ two T15's (if you cant solder) or C84 (if you can). Better than RNP

Trick Ponies
ART Pro VLA II (GR 5db or more and instant color)
PM1000 Channel strips (not 1 trick but they are colored, so I put them here)
The old IKEA Jerker (adjustable computer desk)
PBC-a (Its not for everybody, but if you like what it does, you really like what it does)
Little Labs VOG (My son. Comman the drums to do thine bidding)
A lunchbox (I finally got one, this time for good. I think. I hope. Maybe. I dunno)

[TurboJets]

ZED14 for the pre's
EHX 12AY7 tube mic pre
RNLA
EV N/D 767
MK012
4033
Groove Tubes DI box
AT or Whirlwind XLR to 1/4" impedance transformers
Stillwell plugs
Voxengo Elephant
Tape Sim plug like PSP Vintage Warmer or Cakewalk's Tape Sim
Damn good pickups on your guitar (i.e., Bill Lawrence, Lollar's or Kinman's...)
script-grade bud

[Joekkel]

Line audio cm3 sdc-mic...

[frans]

Cable tester, no kidding.

[col]

SM57
Audix i5
MD421
Beyer M201

[gravyface]

Originally Posted by col

SM57
Audix i5
MD421
Beyer M201

i5 on cabinet or snare or both?

[onespecial]

love i5 on cab. super easy. super consistent.