Good Mics Around $1000, PLEASE HELP!!!

tefna5@aol.com · 10th November 2005

Hello all. I am in desprate need of some advice. I am looking for a good all around mic for around $1k. I have attempted to do a few shoot outs between a few i have had my eye on: Mojave audio MA-200, Rode K2, Neumann TLM-103, Soundelux U-195, Blue Blueberry; but GC is always too freakin loud, and pushy. I never once really got a good idea of how any of these mics sounded. Does anybody own any of these mics? How do you like them? Does anyone have any suggestions, as to what i should purchase? By the way, I am looking for a mic that could rise above ultra crunchy, layered guitars.

dokushoka · 10th November 2005

Its very difficult to go wrong with an Audio Technica 4050.

PHILANDDON · 10th November 2005

I have some experience with the TLM 103, which I used to own. It would be good for your purposes, I think. It's got very high output, very low self-noise and a fairly big presence peak. Another $1000 and under mic you might consider is the AKG C414BXLII, which I also owned. Like the TLM 103, it's designed to cut through the mix, but unlike the TLM 103, it's got multiple pick-up patterns, bass roll-off, and attenuator. You might also consider the Audio Technica 4060; it's supposed to be great (tube circuitry, I think); I've never used one though.

DirkB · 10th November 2005

Mic's I own in that range (or below) that I have used on lot's of recordings, basically use on every project and will definitely never let go of:
- U195 (vocals, ac. guitar, front of kick)
- R-121 (guitars, mono room)
- MD441 (male rock vocals)

I never liked the Rode mic's too much, although I have not heard the K2. The NT1000 was a piece of shit though...

Good luck,
Dirk

warhead · 10th November 2005

I would suggest a serious listen to the sE Electronics Z5600A. What a damn nice all rounder, very balanced sounding but more exciting than real life (not a "flat" mic). Free demos are available inside the USA actually.

War

tefna5@aol.com · 10th November 2005

I'm a little concerned about output. It would be nice for it to have a pad so i could put up against cranked guitar amps. this is why the tlm scares me a little.

tefna5@aol.com · 10th November 2005

do you own the SE? I dig the stuff with a little colour.

jomo1234 · 10th November 2005

Definitely check out the Charter Oak mics.....

warhead · 11th November 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by tefna5@aol.com

do you own the SE? I dig the stuff with a little colour.

I have one in my place right now using it and learning its characteristics. It has a real nice sort of sheen to it but is not peaky etc. No tizzy shit either, just a cool presence.

War

MixingStick · 11th November 2005

I know alot of people like to rip on the TLM-103, but I have had very good luck with it on female vocals. In the same price range I would definitely check out the U195 also.

RCM - Ronan · 11th November 2005

Audio Technica 4060 is an awesome mic in that price range. get that and a 57 and there is nothing you can't handle

neve1073 · 11th November 2005

the royer 121is wonderful and it is around 1k---but it isn't really an allrounder.

Don S · 11th November 2005

Let's stick to budget here! There are several I can think of.
Used U87
Used 414EB
Used tlm170
Used 147 tube
A pair of KSM32,s
Gefell UM70T
All for now!

Don

brownmouse · 11th November 2005

gefell m-930
aea r-84
soundelux u-195

all of these are 'must haves' for me.
there are pro audio dealers that will allow you to listen to them in your studio so you can make your own decision (which is the best way to go!).

joshua

Rolff · 11th November 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don S

Let's stick to budget here! There are several I can think of.
Used U87
Used 414EB
Used tlm170
Used 147 tube
A pair of KSM32,s
Gefell UM70T
All for now!

Don

Don S is right on with the suggestion of the U87, 414, and UM70.

The 87 and 414 are two of the most common studio mics and have proven themselves for years. I have used both for anything and everything including overheads, vocals, trombone, tamborine, banjo, etc.... All with excellent results.

While not nearly as well known, the Gefell UM70 is also in the same league as far as application.

Watch it on ebay or the like....make sure you get a decent mic and not one that hasn't been cared for over the years. Many will look nice only to find that the capsule is crusty and needs serious attention in cleaning and worse!

I wish you the best in your pursuit! Choose wisely weedhopper!

Rock on!
Rolff

True North · 11th November 2005

We did a bunch of blind listening test mic shootouts on M&F vox. We tested over 20 mics ranging in price from $300 to $7000. Two of the top three were in your budget range.

Charter Oak SA538
Rode Classic II (on the used market about $1100 to $1300)

I am not saying these are going to be the best mics for you. As always make an arrangement with your retailer to try before you buy and test thoroughly. I would definitely give the above a try, cheers!

thermos · 11th November 2005

Also check out a AKG 414 buls with the Jim Williams mod. It surprizingly sounds very similar to the 414eb I have here. Its worked perfectly on every male voice I have had in here (except for mine). Thus I will be selling it soon......

Slaytex · 11th November 2005

I'm actaully about to drop ~$1000 on a AT4050 & 4047. I do alot of M/S micing and have had awesome results with these 2. Also extremely versatile.

BobSchwenkler · 11th November 2005

Is there a UM70T model? There are the UM70S, UM70, or M71, all based on the M7 capsule. Any of those could be a good choice. You should also think about listening to or buying a Neumann KM84. And just because they are SD mics doesn't mean that they don't work fine on vocals. They are not bright or harsh sounding mics though, so if you want something more "exciting" sounding there are better choices. If there was ever an all-rounder mic though, this one is it for me.

The U195 is the only other one I have used of your list. It has a relly cool low end to it. But it is too bright with a harshness to the high end that I have not been able to find a place for in most of my recordings. So it is getting sold to make space for another KM84.

Of the mics I mention here, the one that would probably best rise above crunchy guitars would be one the the Gefell models.

jho · 11th November 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by tefna5@aol.com

I am looking for a mic that could rise above ultra crunchy, layered guitars.

If this is the main purpose for this mic then I wouldn't go with any that have been suggested. Just my 02

Well, maybe. The Royer could fit the bill (and is also a surprisingly good vocal mic too...turned around the opposite side)

Jason Poulin · 11th November 2005

I like the TLM103

Great results as an all around mic.

snare, guitar, vocals.

Jason

Reggie Love · 11th November 2005

You might get a pair of Gefell UM70s for under US$1000 on a good day and you 'd love 'em. Just had some feedback fron a customer for a second hand pair of these babies and he is delighted with them. Agree with the Gefell M930 as a nice choice, the UM70 might be a tad more versatile though.

10th November 2005	#1
tefna5@aol.com Gear interested Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Santa Cruz Mnts., CA Posts: 6 Thread Starter	Good Mics Around $1000, PLEASE HELP!!! Hello all. I am in desprate need of some advice. I am looking for a good all around mic for around $1k. I have attempted to do a few shoot outs between a few i have had my eye on: Mojave audio MA-200, Rode K2, Neumann TLM-103, Soundelux U-195, Blue Blueberry; but GC is always too freakin loud, and pushy. I never once really got a good idea of how any of these mics sounded. Does anybody own any of these mics? How do you like them? Does anyone have any suggestions, as to what i should purchase? By the way, I am looking for a mic that could rise above ultra crunchy, layered guitars.

10th November 2005	#4
DirkB Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Netherlands Posts: 1,720	Mic's I own in that range (or below) that I have used on lot's of recordings, basically use on every project and will definitely never let go of: - U195 (vocals, ac. guitar, front of kick) - R-121 (guitars, mono room) - MD441 (male rock vocals) I never liked the Rode mic's too much, although I have not heard the K2. The NT1000 was a piece of shit though... Good luck, Dirk __________________ -progress takes away what forever took to find- Dave Matthews

10th November 2005	#5
warhead Jai guru deva om Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 12,238	I would suggest a serious listen to the sE Electronics Z5600A. What a damn nice all rounder, very balanced sounding but more exciting than real life (not a "flat" mic). Free demos are available inside the USA actually. War __________________ Warren Dent, Owner - ZenPro Audio: Gear Now & Zen

11th November 2005	#11
RCM - Ronan Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 4,403	Audio Technica 4060 is an awesome mic in that price range. get that and a 57 and there is nothing you can't handle __________________ Ronan Chris Murphy+ http://ronansrecordingshow.com Six Day Recording Boot Camps in Los Angeles July 16-21, 2012

11th November 2005	#12
neve1073 Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,275	the royer 121is wonderful and it is around 1k---but it isn't really an allrounder. __________________ =================== "Let's be discrete"

10th November 2005	#2
dokushoka Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Francisco / L.A. Posts: 1,092	Its very difficult to go wrong with an Audio Technica 4050.

10th November 2005	#3
PHILANDDON Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 219	I have some experience with the TLM 103, which I used to own. It would be good for your purposes, I think. It's got very high output, very low self-noise and a fairly big presence peak. Another $1000 and under mic you might consider is the AKG C414BXLII, which I also owned. Like the TLM 103, it's designed to cut through the mix, but unlike the TLM 103, it's got multiple pick-up patterns, bass roll-off, and attenuator. You might also consider the Audio Technica 4060; it's supposed to be great (tube circuitry, I think); I've never used one though.

10th November 2005	#8
jomo1234 Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 1,375	Definitely check out the Charter Oak mics.....

11th November 2005	#10
MixingStick Gear nut Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 101	I know alot of people like to rip on the TLM-103, but I have had very good luck with it on female vocals. In the same price range I would definitely check out the U195 also.

11th November 2005	#13
Don S Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,373	Let's stick to budget here! There are several I can think of. Used U87 Used 414EB Used tlm170 Used 147 tube A pair of KSM32,s Gefell UM70T All for now! Don __________________ www.symphonicsound.com "The secret of life, though, is falling down seven times and get up eight times." Paulo Coelho

11th November 2005	#14
brownmouse Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,399	gefell m-930 aea r-84 soundelux u-195 all of these are 'must haves' for me. there are pro audio dealers that will allow you to listen to them in your studio so you can make your own decision (which is the best way to go!). joshua

11th November 2005	#16
True North Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario (Canada) Posts: 3,213	We did a bunch of blind listening test mic shootouts on M&F vox. We tested over 20 mics ranging in price from $300 to $7000. Two of the top three were in your budget range. Charter Oak SA538 Rode Classic II (on the used market about $1100 to $1300) I am not saying these are going to be the best mics for you. As always make an arrangement with your retailer to try before you buy and test thoroughly. I would definitely give the above a try, cheers! __________________ "In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey" - Beck, Loser "I do use compressors/limiters but not for controlling dynamics, I use EQ for that!" Jp22 (damn I miss him) "Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance." -- Will Durant, historian (1885-1981) "I try to get a boom out of the bass drum, in one of my albums, my CD, boom, I try to get that big boom, I could not get a big boom, I paid bucks, and could not get the boom" - Recording Expert, Tad Donley

11th November 2005	#17
thermos Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 3,631	Also check out a AKG 414 buls with the Jim Williams mod. It surprizingly sounds very similar to the 414eb I have here. Its worked perfectly on every male voice I have had in here (except for mine). Thus I will be selling it soon......

11th November 2005	#18
Slaytex Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Charlotte Posts: 1,034	I'm actaully about to drop ~$1000 on a AT4050 & 4047. I do alot of M/S micing and have had awesome results with these 2. Also extremely versatile. __________________ Clayton Yunt Full Volume Sound Full Volume Sound

11th November 2005	#19
BobSchwenkler Gear maniac Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 286	Is there a UM70T model? There are the UM70S, UM70, or M71, all based on the M7 capsule. Any of those could be a good choice. You should also think about listening to or buying a Neumann KM84. And just because they are SD mics doesn't mean that they don't work fine on vocals. They are not bright or harsh sounding mics though, so if you want something more "exciting" sounding there are better choices. If there was ever an all-rounder mic though, this one is it for me. The U195 is the only other one I have used of your list. It has a relly cool low end to it. But it is too bright with a harshness to the high end that I have not been able to find a place for in most of my recordings. So it is getting sold to make space for another KM84. Of the mics I mention here, the one that would probably best rise above crunchy guitars would be one the the Gefell models.

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11th November 2005	#21
Jason Poulin Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sudbury, On. Canada Posts: 1,780	I like the TLM103 Great results as an all around mic. snare, guitar, vocals. Jason __________________ If it don't sound like a record... don't press record

11th November 2005	#22
Reggie Love Gear addict Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Knebworth Posts: 338	You might get a pair of Gefell UM70s for under US$1000 on a good day and you 'd love 'em. Just had some feedback fron a customer for a second hand pair of these babies and he is delighted with them. Agree with the Gefell M930 as a nice choice, the UM70 might be a tad more versatile though. __________________ Patience, n. A minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue.