Mic question

ddann7 · 12th December 2006

I undestand that this mic is not top of the line by any means, however, do any of you have any opinons on the Digital Reference DR-CX1 condenser mic. Looking to buy my first condenser mic and i don't want to break the bank (even if I wanted I can't). Are there any other condenser mics in about this price range? main uses would be vocals, acustic guitar and ambience mic.

Thanks in advance.

**matt thomas** · 12th December 2006

what is that price range?

what do you want to use it for?

narco

ddann7 · 14th December 2006

It will be used mainly for vocals, acustic guitar and ambience/room mic. The price range is about $100.00

notbillcosby · 14th December 2006

I know a lot of people hate them, but as far as cheap mics go I've had pretty decent luck with Behringer. My friend had a B2 condenser that I used quite a bit with pretty listenable results, plus it could be switched from cardioid to omni. I think you can find those used for around $100... they make the B2 Pro now that adds a fig 8 pattern as well.

here
is a clip of a song i recorded for some local kids using the B2. He was on the couch with his cheapy model Fender acoustic, and the B2 was on omni (i think...) in front of him, compression and reverb added afterwards.

donsolo · 14th December 2006

Ick, try the Samson C03 for the $100. 3 polar patterns and a rolloff.

The Behringer one is really harsh in the top end.

Otherwise, there's the Audio Technica AT2020. Probably gonna sound better than the others.

cdog · 14th December 2006

Yeah, get a Shure Beta 58 or an AT2020 if you have to have a condenser.

Stay away from the off brand crap.

djbrough · 14th December 2006

Start with the MXL production pack. you'll get a 990 and a pencil mic for $99. For a newbie, it's a good start.

ddann7 · 14th December 2006

Thanks for all of the advice. I'll look into the Audio-Technica AT2020, the specs look very decent for the price.

chrisp2u · 14th December 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by djbrough

Start with the MXL production pack. you'll get a 990 and a pencil mic for $99. For a newbie, it's a good start.

Im unloading a pair of MXL 770's (which I've read are an updated verion of the 990, though I can't confirm that as I've never seen/owned a 990)... along with a Joemeek JM37 on eBay if you're interested...

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-Recording-Micr...QQcmdZViewItem
---
c

ddann7 · 16th December 2006

C

I'm very interested on that pair of MXL 770's, at the very least one of them. I'll keep you posted in the next couple of days. Has anyone used the this mic for ambience? if so, how did it work out?

Gilliland · 16th December 2006

Take a look at the Studio Projects B1. It's about $120. You can get them at Amazon or any of a million other places.

roxxon · 16th December 2006

Look at the CAD GXL 2200 and the GXL 2400.
They sound darn good for the money.

http://www.cadmics.com/gxl2200.htm

The AT 2020 is also a decent budget mic.

http://www.savedbytechnology.com/200...ica_at2020.htm

BrianEspo · 16th December 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by djbrough

Start with the MXL production pack. you'll get a 990 and a pencil mic for $99. For a newbie, it's a good start.

Yea, I would def. start with the MXL's. It was my first mic and I was satisfied with it.

ddann7 · 18th December 2006

A Million thanks for all the info & advice from all. Well, I decided to go with the MXL production pack, deafinatly a deal for the price and quality. Also picked up the single channel tube pre, which I been eyeing for about about a month (hence the low cost condenser mic quiestion). I'll keep all posted with the results

Blindside · 19th December 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by djbrough

Start with the MXL production pack. you'll get a 990 and a pencil mic for $99. For a newbie, it's a good start.

Two of my friends have this pack and at first I kind of stuck my nose up at it, but they have gotten some damn descent vocal sounds with crappy interfaces.

One of these friends has a Martin acoustic and I heard a track he recorded with the 990 and it sounded AWESOME with no processing whatsoever. I was amazed.
For $99 you can not beat it, although I have heard that MXL makes a condenser (green with gold grille) for $99 that sounds damn good too. Not sure the model, but ......

Chris Nighman · 19th December 2006

ddan7,
The DR-CX1 and the AT2020 are the same mic. I think they're great for the money. If you do a lot of acoustic guitar you might want to consider the AT2041SP. It comes with an AT2020(soundhole) and a SDC(neck). Thanks.

ddann7 · 21st December 2006

"The DR-CX1 and the AT2020 are the same mic"

Interesting, since there is a price difference.

Greg Jones · 30th October 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddann7

A Million thanks for all the info & advice from all. Well, I decided to go with the MXL production pack, deafinatly a deal for the price and quality. Also picked up the single channel tube pre, which I been eyeing for about about a month (hence the low cost condenser mic quiestion). I'll keep all posted with the results

Where do you find this for $99?

Everywhere I find online is selling it for $149.

Thanks!

lowfreq33 · 30th October 2007

Uh, Guitar Center?

12th December 2006	#1
ddann7 Gear interested Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 9 Thread Starter	Mic question I undestand that this mic is not top of the line by any means, however, do any of you have any opinons on the Digital Reference DR-CX1 condenser mic. Looking to buy my first condenser mic and i don't want to break the bank (even if I wanted I can't). Are there any other condenser mics in about this price range? main uses would be vocals, acustic guitar and ambience mic. Thanks in advance.

19th December 2006	#16
Chris Nighman Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Stow, Ohio Posts: 198	ddan7, The DR-CX1 and the AT2020 are the same mic. I think they're great for the money. If you do a lot of acoustic guitar you might want to consider the AT2041SP. It comes with an AT2020(soundhole) and a SDC(neck). Thanks. __________________ Chris Nighman Wired Product Manager - Audio Technica U.S. www.soundcloud.com/cnighman

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12th December 2006	#2
matt thomas Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Zealand/Switzerland/guitar case Posts: 7,949	what is that price range? what do you want to use it for? narco

14th December 2006	#3
ddann7 Gear interested Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 9 Thread Starter	It will be used mainly for vocals, acustic guitar and ambience/room mic. The price range is about $100.00

14th December 2006	#4
notbillcosby Gear Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 59	I know a lot of people hate them, but as far as cheap mics go I've had pretty decent luck with Behringer. My friend had a B2 condenser that I used quite a bit with pretty listenable results, plus it could be switched from cardioid to omni. I think you can find those used for around $100... they make the B2 Pro now that adds a fig 8 pattern as well. here is a clip of a song i recorded for some local kids using the B2. He was on the couch with his cheapy model Fender acoustic, and the B2 was on omni (i think...) in front of him, compression and reverb added afterwards.

14th December 2006	#6
cdog Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 3,437 3 Reviews written	Yeah, get a Shure Beta 58 or an AT2020 if you have to have a condenser. Stay away from the off brand crap.

14th December 2006	#7
djbrough Gear addict Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 398	Start with the MXL production pack. you'll get a 990 and a pencil mic for $99. For a newbie, it's a good start.

16th December 2006	#10
ddann7 Gear interested Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 9 Thread Starter	C I'm very interested on that pair of MXL 770's, at the very least one of them. I'll keep you posted in the next couple of days. Has anyone used the this mic for ambience? if so, how did it work out?

16th December 2006	#11
Gilliland Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 278	Take a look at the Studio Projects B1. It's about $120. You can get them at Amazon or any of a million other places.

16th December 2006	#12
roxxon Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: burnaby, b.c. canaduh Posts: 939	Look at the CAD GXL 2200 and the GXL 2400. They sound darn good for the money. http://www.cadmics.com/gxl2200.htm The AT 2020 is also a decent budget mic. http://www.savedbytechnology.com/200...ica_at2020.htm

18th December 2006	#14
ddann7 Gear interested Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 9 Thread Starter	A Million thanks for all the info & advice from all. Well, I decided to go with the MXL production pack, deafinatly a deal for the price and quality. Also picked up the single channel tube pre, which I been eyeing for about about a month (hence the low cost condenser mic quiestion). I'll keep all posted with the results

21st December 2006	#17
ddann7 Gear interested Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 9 Thread Starter	"The DR-CX1 and the AT2020 are the same mic" Interesting, since there is a price difference.

30th October 2007	#19
lowfreq33 Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,186	Uh, Guitar Center?