Which Dynamic Microphones Are Most Similar To Condenser Microphones ?

[Happy Musicfan]

Which dynamic mics have the *widest frequency response* and *greatest sensitivity* ? -- Audix OM6 - The OM6 -- This one is wide, but not hot enough.

[Kiwi]

Why?

[Happy Musicfan]

I record in many different locations. Sometimes the room I'm in is untreated and sometimes there is no phantom power. It would just be nice to have a *totally* different type of dynamic mic from the standard ones which I already own (SM57 & SM58); one that is very condenser-like. It might be neat to try it on acoustic steel-string guitar & classical nylon-string guitar. (I hope you're not sour on the idea, Kiwi. )

[ghetto3jon]

the Heil PR40 can sound condenser-ish to me.

[Happy Musicfan]

Originally Posted by ghetto3jon

the Heil PR40 can sound condenser-ish to me.

Yeah, and it looks very condenser-ish. -- PR 40 | Heil Sound -- I'm just wondering if there are any with the typical dynamic mic size, shape & design.

[KickDrum]

I was thinking about getting a Beyerdynamic M201 for a while and I did a ton of research and in many of the reviews, I heard people saying that it had a more condenser-like top end. Just thought I'd share the findings of some of the research that I did. This is all second-hand information, as I haven't used one ever, but you might want to look into and research that one if you haven't already.

[TwardyLikeTank]

md 441, although maybe you'd be interested in one of the cheap condenser mics that have an on-board battery. rode m3? (sound on sound wrote a nice review of them, but they get 0 love around here.)

EDIT: I'm not sure if you'll be able to get a dynamic mic that is as fast as a condencer, (which might be what you mean by sensitive, I dont' know.) but I expect most dyanmics not built specifically for live use will have an extended top response compared to the sm57/58.

[TwardyLikeTank]

wait, that audix goes up to around 15K.. do you really miss that extra little bit of air? I think you might be better off buying a condenser with a battery, or a portable phantom power pack.

[superwack]

+1 on the MD441, Heil PR40 and PR30 but if you're looking for a more "traditional" dynamic package... check out the PR35 (I have the 30 and love it and have read the 35 is very similar)

PR 35 | Heil Sound

[edvdr76]

Try an SM7 and you can't go wrong!

[Happy Musicfan]

Originally Posted by superwack

+1 on the MD441, Heil PR40 and PR30 but if you're looking for a more "traditional" dynamic package... check out the PR35 (I have the 30 and love it and have read the 35 is very similar)

PR 35 | Heil Sound

That's it ! Now I just have to research the EV models to see if they can come close to those specifications. ---------- I really do want a sheep in wolf's clothing.

[recorder2]

A) Try a Cloudlifter or Fethead to get a dynamic to be more condenser-ish, and use the best quality shortest cables you can

B) Remove the screw-on pop filter of the dynamic mic (if it has one, i.e. SM58) and put a real gooseneck pop filter in front of the capsule (if doing vocals)

C) Use a clean, high input impedance, high slew rate preamp

[Happy Musicfan]

Any opinions on the Electro Voice ND767A ? -- http://www.amazon.com/Electro-Voice-.../dp/B000Z7LLR4 --

[Peller]

The most 'condenser-like' dynamic in terms of frequency response I know of is the old AKG D224E, which is more or less flat to 20kHz. But it's not particularly sensitive.

[JoaT]

Originally Posted by edvdr76

Try an SM7 and you can't go wrong!

After a few years in GS, I kind of expected this to be the first answer.

In fact, the first answer to any thread where words "dynamic" and "mic" are mentioned.

[junkshop]

Originally Posted by Peller

The most 'condenser-like' dynamic in terms of frequency response I know of is the old AKG D224E, which is more or less flat to 20kHz. But it's not particularly sensitive.

+1 on the D224. It's got to be one of the best dynamics ever made but it's not easy to find a working model.

[Xander]

EV N/D 468. Very clear representation of sources, especially compared to a 57. Blows it away on amps every time. Even works very well on acoustic guitar, and great on snare. Also easy to position.

[manzini]

Originally Posted by recorder2

A) Cloudlifter or Fethead... B) Remove the screw-on pop ... C) Use a clean, high input impedance...

+1

441 I had a few months ago, if you can afford is in another league.

But I sold it to buy other things. For me, too much money for only one tool.

These monts I make tons of recordings, and I do still ten times more in the coming months, having in common unsuitable environments or moments, without treatment or impossible to avoid noises. For women's voices and children, I have a SM7. But like the RE20 and 441, to take advantage, you need a clean high gain preamp.

But for men with low voice, throaty (casual, talented 1% not 99%) I have the same problem that you post.

I found an old Audio Technica ATM31R in a deserted auction for a pair of bucks: great surprice and good-madness results. The best (dynamic) of all. A simple little electret !!.

Low bass, low level, throaty, guttural voice-> Fat & clear. But it is so clear and detailed as a condenser and noise is also a problem.

I got an Advanced Audio DM20. Very very nice. High detailts and the bass voices work very well, but the noise (by example in a usual home) remains a problem (a bit). I received two days ago, only test and found amazing in each test-session.

Also test: Senn. MD441, SM7, Beta 58, Samson Q8, SM57, SM58, Rode NTG2, Rode procaster ... and Behringer ECM800, yes a very flat omni.

I will share my radar regarding&researching this problem, dynamics mics, avoiding radio-sound but for a low bass and clear recording with casual, not talented people and undesirable locations with 30/35dB of indoor noise:

- Beyer m99
- Heil pr 30
- Heil pr 35
- Beyer m201
- Coles 4104B
- AA DM20 (testing).
- Could be any Bass drum mic ?.
- Neumann kms 105/104.

This is not scientific, nor do I have a great experience, just work with it and this is my experience and my needs. I hope you share my radar is useful.

[manzini]

Originally Posted by recorder2

A) Cloudlifter or Fethead... B) Remove the screw-on pop ... C) Use a clean, high input impedance...

+1

441 I had a few months ago, if you can afford is in another league.

But I sold it to buy other things. Too much money for only one tool.

Mainly voices: speech, interviews, narration/cartoon/acting and infrequently school/learning time instruments: flute, harmonic and classic guitar.

I have to make tons of recordings at times and unsuitable environments, without treatment or to prevent noise. For women's voices and children, I have a SM7. But like the RE20 and 441, to take advantage

I make tons of recordings at unsuitable environments or moments, without treatment or impossible to avoid noises. For women's voices and children, I have a SM7. But like the RE20 and 441, to take advantage, you need a clean high gain preamp.

But for men with low voice, throaty (casual, talent maybe or not) I have the same problem that you post.

I found an old Audio Technica old ATM31R in a deserted auction for a pair of bucks: great surprice of madness and an old microphone Audio Technica old ATM31R

Big surprise, the best (dynamic) of all that I have or have had in this case.

Low bass, low level, throaty, guttural voice-> Fat & clear. But it is so clear and detailed as a condenser and noise is also a problem.

I got an Advanced Audio DM20. Very very nice. High detailts and the bass voices work very well, but the noise (by example in a usual home) remains a problem (a bit). I received two days ago, only test and found amazing in each test-session.

Also test: Senn. MD441, SM7, Beta 58, Samson Q8, SM57, SM58, Rode NTG2, Rode procaster,

I will share my radar regarding&researching this problem, dynamics mics for a low bass and clear recording with casual, not talented people and undesirable locations with 30/35dB of indoor noise:

- Beyer m99
- Heil pr 30
- Heil pr 35
- Beyer m201
- Coles 4104B
- AA DM20 (testing).
- Could be any Bass drum mic ?.
- Neumann kms 105/104.

This is not scientific, nor do I have a great experience, just work with it and this is my experience and my needs. I hope you share my radar is useful.

[chroma]

Originally Posted by Happy Musicfan

Any opinions on the Electro Voice ND767A ? -- Amazon.com: Electro Voice ND767A Dynamic Vocal Microphone: Electronics --

it's a great mic for vocals, but i wouldn't necessarily call it condenser-ish (comparing to my audio technica 4054)... it also has a VERY tight pickup pattern, which is great for vocals on stage but usually not so great for instruments.

it is better than the SM58 though, and far better than the beta 58, imho. then again the other two sound guys love the beta 58, and don't like the 4054 at all, so there's no accounting for taste.

[Jim Williams]

RE-20.
30~18k hz. Run through a fast, open, transformerless mic pre, it does have condenser qualities, more so than 441's.

Suprised no one mentioned it.

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

RE-20.
30~18k hz. Run through a fast, open, transformerless mic pre, it does have condenser qualities, more so than 441's.

Suprised no one mentioned it.

Possibly because no one ever runs it through appropriately "fast" or "open" transformerless mic pres?

I love an RE-20 on a lot of sources (including some vocalists), but in 30 years of using both mics I've never felt an RE-20 was more condenser-like than an MD441.

Though, to be honest I've also never thought either mic was particularly condenser-like.

[manzini]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Possibly because no one ever runs it through appropriately "fast" or "open" transformerless mic pres?

After your comments I search for 441 & grace m101, true p-solo ( I don't know more) and really only few posts vs ultracolours/mojoing preamps.

Excuse me the question. Why ? There is some reason ?

I sold my 441 only for get more tools and remember when run thru a Rane Ms1 modded with a THAT1510 and was clear and detailed. Selling it was a mistake because I thought I would find another dynamic mic "open" and clear, but more cheaper.

Md441 or SM7, dynamics in general, thru my little cheapest clean preamp (fast enough? or fast is for more fast than this) I find it preferable.

I'm still looking.

Now I don't have 441 and RE20, but a modern and little better/fast like Rane could be and interesting combo with a RE20.

Advanced Audio DM20 it's a transformeless version inspired on RE20, another animal, but it's is overly detailed. Beware it's not my advise only a comment, I got only few days ago, I am in the WOW-new-toy-phase. I would rather that someone else verify with real experience with DM20 comment my diagnostic.

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

...Run through a fast, open, transformerless mic pre....

Any advise about this ? (Ultra fast preamp from JLM, is in my wishlist, but now are little away of my budget)

[PMF]

The SM7 has been mentioned already.. an SM7B is good too... and try a beta 56A for instruments. It sounds quite crisp and has a lot bass too.

[johndykstra]

What a weird question.

One mic to rule them all, and in the darkness bind them.


Dunno. I was talking to a guy who said the Heil PR-40 was like an Sm7 but more "condenser-ish" in his description so......

what ever that means to you

[johndykstra]

I find the Sm7 to be the complete opposite of a condenser, and why I sometimes love it, and sometimes it's just all wrong.

[joeq]

Originally Posted by TwardyLikeTank

wait, that audix goes up to around 15K.. do you really miss that extra little bit of air? I think you might be better off buying a condenser with a battery, or a portable phantom power pack.

seriously, you can get a 2 channel phantom power unit for under $50

if you want something that sounds like a condenser, a condenser will sound exactly like a condenser.

[vincentvangogo]

Md441
akg d19

[vernier]

Was fooled by an EV once, forgot the model, three digits starts with a two. Anyway, black dynamic vocal mic, I thought was a condenser by it's sound.
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[Happy Musicfan]

Originally Posted by joeq

if you want something that sounds like a condenser, a condenser will sound exactly like a condenser.

Nope. I want to find the dynamic microphones which have the widest frequency response and maximum sensitivity *compared to the SM57 and SM58*.