Budget Mike for Korg MR-1000

[Bodymusic]

Hi

Looking for a few recommendations for a decent but not too expensive mike for recording live concerts into a Korg MR-1000. Many of these gigs (experimental, free Jazz), I am not too far from the musicians, often only a few feet. Sometimes they are partially amplified with horrible active PA speakers, other times mercifully not. The room's acoustics are usually not ideal, with no attempt by the organisers to treat any of the walls.

I won't be able to do any post eq of the recordings if I stick to DSD but there is the option to convert to PCM.

My immediate available budget is low, about £100-£200 (currently $150-$300), but I will consider saving up for something a little above that, should this be a wiser course of action.

Thanks!

[Shadow_7]

Not many options at that price point. Given that it needs 2 mics / stereo pair to match it's recording abilities.

I'm using an Avenson STO-2 stereo pair. Decent on some things with proximity. But not much low end and if you've got some distance from the source, less than ideal.

I'm wanting a Crown Sass-P MK II. But I have considered swapping in Oktava MK-012s, Rode NT-5s, or Beyer 930's. Lots of stereo pair options for < $1K USD. But not many pairs for < $200 USD. For that price point, a pair of Shure SM58's might be a good starting point. With proximity. Or just a single good mic and extract the single L or R channel in post.

For DSD you pretty much have to convert to PCM to do anything with it.

[Bodymusic]

Thanks. There's a few there to think about.

Quite like the look of the Beyer 930. Not sure or not if it would match well with the Korg MR1000. It's a high-gain-before feedback design, has switchable pre-attenuation of 15 dB and is phantom powered (11 - 52 V).

[Corran]

I've been suggesting the MXL 603 pair a lot lately, mostly because they are very good for a lot of things, and the capsule swapping allow more flexibility than a fixed omni. I do use my Earthworks omnis more often for critical work but hey they are out of your price range.

After buying a lot of mics I will say I wish I would have bought the MXL's sooner. There's a lot of potential and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Not to mention Joly's new mod makes them almost identical to a 184. Use them for a while and then when you have some more cash get 'em modded!

[Bodymusic]

Thanks, i'm going to have to think about that one- definitely cheaper than the Beyer. They seem to have recently released a 604 too.

[Corran]

The 604 has a pad and HPF. You may want them, but I don't think they're worth the extra money myself. But I record mostly classical music and certainly don't need pads...

[DSD_Mastering]

We've gotten great results from the Cascade X-15 or the Fat Head II stereo pair.


Regards,

[Bodymusic]

Well doing a quick price comparison, the MXL 603 is on sale from Turnkey for around £140 ($200), the Beyer 901 £227 ($326) for one mike.

The Cascade X-15 only appears available Stateside, $399 (£277), plus import duty of 20%-30% most likely.

Will be using it for this kind of gig:

YouTube - steve noble,alan wilkinson,pat thomas,john coxon@ flim flam

(we get to hear some interesting stuff here in London!)

[Bodymusic]

Just came across the Oktava MK-319. Any thoughts on this one?

[Corran]

The 319 is a great mic - just not for what you're doing I think. It's more for vocals and such. However a pair would technically work and you could do much worse.

Might want to also consider just buying a pair of Naiant X-Q omnis and calling it a day until you can buy some really nice stuff. They'll get you along pretty well for just basic stuff.