I want a boring mic

[johnnyjellybean]

Originally Posted by plexisys

I pretty much have my mic envy under control (famous last words). Plenty of high end mics.

When it all said and done, the SM57 is probably the most versatile mic ever made. I'm looking for another flavor that's just as, or as, close to versatile as a SM57. Something that I can just kind of throw up on anything.

Suggestions?

Fathead II

[allencollins]

121

[joemeek]

C414 (older than ca. 15 Years)
421

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by plexisys

I'm looking for another flavor that's just as, or as, close to versatile as a SM57. Something that I can just kind of throw up on anything.

Suggestions?

Sennheiser MD 421 is the universal mic. that will do most things. Good for anything from vocals to drums (even kick), excellent for brass, etc.

The other good mc. in this area is the Beyer M201.

The old AKG D202 was also a goodie, but well discontinued now.

[jbsg02]

i always thought the 414 was pretty boring, but got the job done a lot of the time

[synthoid]

Shure KSM44.
-synthoid

[u b k]

441


gregoire
del
ubk
.

[plexisys]

I've got most of the ones listed so far. Keep them coming.

[AnthonyRochester]

Well if you already have these mics, what's your problem?

[drummerboy1533]

The AKG C1000 ........OH CRAP,you said boring,not "who the f**! brought THIS in here!"

[plexisys]

No problem. Like I said I have a pretty good mic locker including enough high end mics. I think I'm just getting tired of using the same "generic" mic and want to see what others are using as a mid priced go to dynamic mic.

I don't spend much time trying out equipment until I see what others say about them. If I value their opinon or the results of their work I'll check out the products. I'm kind of a tried and true gear user. I don't really chase to many gear trends as that's a great way to go broke. I tend to wait until the product is well establised.

I don't own any mic that's been a new product in the last 10+ years. I am planning on a Brawner at the start of the year but other than that I'dont think I've tested any new mic designs in 10 years. The newest mic I've just bought is a Wagner U47w.

IMHO U-87 most over priced and rated mic. Does it work? yes. Is it an amazing mic? no.

[Trev@Circle]

Beyer 201

[Niv]

my best character mic ever used is a shure c606 (25 dollars?). it doesn´t crawl towards "industry standard" (music for housewifes dreaming of a more bitchy life), just really makes a great garage tone. warm in the lower mids but also agressive in the upper.

[Teo Macero]

Originally Posted by drummerboy1533

The AKG C1000 ........OH CRAP,you said boring,not "who the f**! brought THIS in here!"

lmao

[numrologst]

Beyer M88
Soundelux 195

[Tom Hakala]

SM7B is my throw up mic on almost everything AT4050 is also very versatile. It's a true workhorse. It's my overhead mic, kick mic, acoustic guitar mic (sometimes SM7B does it or I use them together..), OMNI is very good on some clean guitar amps, next to drummers knee if I only have one mic to use for a kit... And if my SM7B doesn't do it for the vocalist I'm working with then it's time for AT4050. So basically I could do a cool sounding album only using SM57's, At4050's and SM7B's.
Many mics can outshine AT4050. I remember I was room micing a guitar cap and no matter how good the position but AT4047 was better. But the point is AT4050 never really sucks. Other workhorse that I'm interested in is KSM32.

So to answer you question:

AT4050
SM7B
KSM32 (altho I haven't tried it myself...)

[Kiwiburger]

The AT4050 should be a very safe but boring choice. I think my Rode NT2000 is fairly safe & boring too.

But to get really boring, maybe you should look at an extremely flat measurment mic. Then again, if the source material is really exciting, this might be too exciting for you. A dull dynamic mic might give you the required snooze factor.

[greatgreatriver]

414 - to my ears are flat sounding and a little boring but in a good way, I love that mic on drum OH.

[Yetti]

SM7b is boring....pure vanilla.

[kellyd]

M147. The only thing not boring about this mic is the price.

[Karloff70]

Originally Posted by numrologst

Beyer M88
Soundelux 195

+1 Beyer M88

[James Meeker]

AKG 414 fits the bill. Pretty boring, very versatile. Way more versatile than a SM57.

[weownyoursoul]

Originally Posted by Niv

my best character mic ever used is a shure c606 (25 dollars?). it doesn´t crawl towards "industry standard" (music for housewifes dreaming of a more bitchy life), just really makes a great garage tone. warm in the lower mids but also agressive in the upper.

I have one of those. It's awful but still my first choice for a really grimy, lo-fi distorted gtr sound.

[Sounds Great]

If you want a really good, but boring mic, perhaps an M149. That is how it came off to me.

[Rick Sutton]

I keep an AT4033 on a stand all the time for quick generic use. Also use several Senn e935 (Ebay approx $100 each) and they are useful.

[big country]

if you learn to master the 57 your butter

its not a bad sounding mic

probly like that with any mic

learn it ...

dominate the mic (; corner it show the mic who is boss

[voiceactor]

I have a nice, not so boring but it could be if you coaxed it into it, U47 clone for sale on ebay. It's a CM-47SE from aamics. It's also in the classifieds and sounds great on just about anything.

[theblue1]

Originally Posted by plexisys

I pretty much have my mic envy under control (famous last words). Plenty of high end mics.

When it all said and done, the SM57 is probably the most versatile mic ever made. I'm looking for another flavor that's just as, or as, close to versatile as a SM57. Something that I can just kind of throw up on anything.

Suggestions?

I love my SM57's. I'm not entirely sure they're the most versatile mic ever (although if you include nail-hammering at trade shows, they may be ) but the point is taken.


My favorite 'boring' mic in my collection is my big ol CAD Equitek II. It looks like a Foster's Lager can painted charcoal grey with a grille screen inserted into it and it's pretty darn flat. It doesn't seem to magnify/boost/emphasize much of anything. And, for that reason, it can be a really well-rounded tool for capture of good sounding sources.

[Chaellus]

U87 boring as ****