Good Dynamic or Cheap Condenser/Capacitor Microphone

[jmorales]

I am planning on purchasing a 200-300 dollar microphone and was wondering what you all think about dynamics versus condensers. I could get a good dynamic or a lower end condenser and I was wondering which you guys think would be better for recording male vocals and acoustic guitar.

[beebay007]

that's a good question. For your purposes, I would probably go for a condensor..

[jmorales]

I am planning on purchasing a 200-300 dollar microphone and was wondering what you all think about dynamics versus condensers. I could get a good dynamic or a lower end condenser and I was wondering which you guys think would be better for recording male vocals and acoustic guitar.

[cavern]

for $300 get an audio technica at 4033 and you'll be a happy camper for both of those application...

[danbronson]

The best dynamics tend to be around $3-400, otherwise I'd say go for a condenser. It just depends on the sound you want. You can get a nice mic either way.

The Blue Bluebird is a nice $300 mic.

[cavern]

Originally Posted by cavern

for $300 get an audio technica at 4033 and you'll be a happy camper for both of those application...

the at 4033 is actually $400..my mistake... the 4040 is $300 and would do as well...

[jmorales]

I am planning on purchasing a 200-300 dollar microphone and was wondering what you all think about dynamics versus condensers. I could get a good dynamic or a lower end condenser and I was wondering which you guys think would be better for recording male vocals and acoustic guitar. Also which brands and models would be best for these two applications.

[Jimbo]

I don't get it.

[jmorales]

you don't get it? i am wondering whether I should buy a higher end dynamic mic or a lower end condenser/capacitor mic

[MickeySmid]

Recording acoustic guitar and vocals at the same time with one mic?

A condencer!

Recording a acc-guitar on it's own

A condencer!

Recording a Vocal with no music in the room

A condencer!

Recording a Vocal in a room full of loud musicians

Perhaps a dynamic (less spill)

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If you record the guitarist while singing with 2 mics, you could use a dynamic on the guitar and a condencer on the voice. Use the recorded condencer loud and add the dynamic if you need a bit more guitar. But this is hard to do... cause you can get phase troubles. Still, if you take some time placing the mics, you can get it right. Also with 2 condencers, one large on the vocal and one small condencer on the guitar perhaps is most standard.

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About cheap condensers... I'll give you a tip, get a oktava mk-012 (or a pair!), it's a small d condencer. But it works really well on guitar... and on vocals also. Then you might have some money left for a dynamic.

Also check out the oktava LCD's, perhaps a modded one, OktavaMod - Shop I have heard great folk recordings made with those.

Having said this, I have also heard GREAT folky guitar/vox recordings made with dynamic mics.

[jmorales]

Actually my uses for the mics will be recording guitar by itself and then for another track recording vocals by itself again. I don't think i will record both at the same time, so is the cheaper condenser the best bet if I am going to record the two separately.

[MickeySmid]

Originally Posted by jmorales

Actually my uses for the mics will be recording guitar by itself and then for another track recording vocals by itself again. I don't think i will record both at the same time, so is the cheaper condenser the best bet if I am going to record the two separately.

Yes.

My vote is with a oktava mk-012 not modded. Actually a pair, so you can get the guitar in stereo. But a modded LDC's is also great.

Some cheaper LDC's have a top end that is not so nice, you know sssssss, watch out for that.

There are many great cheap LDC's, like the once mentioned here Audio Technica, very neutral mics.

[miqer]

Yeah, I've done vocals with a oktava mk-012 (not modded). About 167 euro for one. Get 1, for a stereo pair (card + omni). Grap that guitar stereo. Then use one for the vox. Might be above your buget with the weak dollar, don't know.

Also the LDC Audio Technica's will do great. A keeper.

[jmorales]

can you explain how I would capture the guitar sound in stereo? what microphone types can do this and which can't? thanks guys this is relaly helping me out

[danbronson]

mono = one mic, stereo = two mics

Put two mics on a source, then in your DAW pan the two tracks away from each other so that you hear a different sound from either speaker. That is stereo. All mics can do it, you just need more than one.

[jmorales]

ok i see. when you record stereo is it best to use the cheaper condenser, or more expensive dynamic? i know I'll need two, but what type will the two be or could it be one of each.

[Gone]

I see used AT 4050's going for about $300 pretty regular.
It would also make a nice second mic, as they are great in pairs.

A pair of 4050's, any kick mic, and a 57 is a pretty solid beginning of a mic closet and will allow you to do almost anything.

It is far from a low-end mic too.
You will use it forever.


Good luck!!


D

[danbronson]

Originally Posted by jmorales

ok i see. when you record stereo is it best to use the cheaper condenser, or more expensive dynamic? i know I'll need two, but what type will the two be or could it be one of each.

Rule #1 - there are no rules.

I don't know what 'good sound' is to you, so I can't tell you which is best. It's entirely a matter of preference.

For recording acoustic guitar on a budget, I can tell you that the Rode NT5 matched pair is a common choice.

[pan60]

i will take a great dynamic microphone over the onslaught of hum oh cheap (notice i did not say affordable ), yes cheap condenser microphones flooding the market.
Audix and Electro-Voice and even shure, and many many others make some very very amazing dynamic microphones.
dynamic microphones are much more affordable and will deliver the bang for the buck ratio.
so to quote Fletcher.
YMMV

[rackdude]

For an acoustic guitar, I'd use a condenser... but a SM7 is completely awesome for vocals for $300!

I'd say... get an Sm7 and add a naiant mic for $40. The naiants a cheap little condensor that sounds great on acoustic guitars and the sm7 is great on vocals. Just above your budget.

[donsimpson]

AKG C535 and C3000 are good choices.