12th February 2012
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#1 | | Gear nut
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 122
Thread Starter | Best first Condenser mic
I need to get a decent condenser for vocals, acoustic guitar, mono overhead/room mic. ATM I have an sm57 and two crappy pencil condensors which I got for £10 on eBay (they're practically unusable). I have about £300 I can spend right now but I could stretch that or wait if its going to make a considerable difference. One mic I've heard and am really impressed by is the CAD Trion 8000. There are some videos on youtube of it and it sounds really good, with lots of depth and clarity. Im not sure if I should spend it all on a nice mic or also get a pre-amp (All I have are the built-in ones on my Line 6 interface). So whats the verdict? Can I get a really nice sounding mic in that price range or not really?
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12th February 2012
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#2 | | Gear interested
Joined: Jan 2010 Location: Arlington
Posts: 21
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For the money I like the older Audio-Technica 4033.
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12th February 2012
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#3 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 558
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Shure KSM32
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12th February 2012
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#4 | | Jr. Gear Slut 2nd class
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,299
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Also Studio Projects CS series for your shortlist.
Chris
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12th February 2012
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#5 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,871
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Agree with the AT suggestion, all their 40 series is nice entry level. You should also try to get an Oktava to listen to, 219 or 319, might surprise you.
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12th February 2012
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#6 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 972
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Tlm103
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12th February 2012
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#7 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 564
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Another +1 for AT 40 series. Good all around-ers on a budget that work well on many different sources. The other suggestions would work nicely as well.
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What do you mean "make it cut through the mix"? I've been trying all afternoon to bury it with a stake through it's heart!  | |
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12th February 2012
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#8 | | Is A Tool
Joined: May 2009 Location: No Place
Posts: 167
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AKG C414. Excellent all arounder.
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12th February 2012
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#9 | | Gear nut
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 145
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There's some great deals on the SE Titan at the mo. It's a very good multipattern mic, was £999, now £250ish from DV. I've gotta pair, lotta bang for bucks.
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12th February 2012
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#10 | | Gear addict
Joined: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK
Posts: 313
| Quote:
Originally Posted by KIDBILL  Tlm103 | No! TLM102 - it's cheaper and way more versatile. But both of these are over the OPs £300 budget.
With that money, you should definitely also consider SE mics (in that price range, I think you're looking at the 2200T, or as stated above, you can get deals on Titans, T2s, Geminis etc. - Check out Red Dog Music for these deals; I got a Gemini III real cheap from them).
With respects to blowing the entire budget on the mic vs. splitting it between a mic and a pre, I can't think of any decent preamps for less than half your budget, and even then I can't think of any AMAZING pres in your budget. If you spent £150-£160 on a pre (which, in this price range you'll probably replace as soon as you've got some more cash anyway), you then only have £140 for a mic, and then you're in NT1A territory. I think you'd do a lot better with an AT mic (or pretty much any of those listed above) into your Line6 pre, than with an NT1A into a £160 pre.
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12th February 2012
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#11 | | Gear nut
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 122
Thread Starter |
Thanks for all the feedback guys : ) There's an AT 4033 second hand on eBay that I may bid on tomorrow and the sE titan sounds god although I can't find that many sound clips/demo's of it. If I have a little money left I'll spend it on blankets and shit to treat the recording space
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12th February 2012
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#12 | | Gear addict
Joined: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK
Posts: 313
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Originally Posted by StratMan2604 If I have a little money left I'll spend it on blankets and shit to treat the recording space | Word to the wise - I wouldn't treat your recording space with shit if I were you; it might put off clients
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12th February 2012
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#13 | | Gear nut
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 122
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by olliejohn Word to the wise - I wouldn't treat your recording space with shit if I were you; it might put off clients | It might inspire an amazing performance because of their eagerness not to have to stay in there for another take
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12th February 2012
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#14 | | Gear addict
Joined: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK
Posts: 313
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Originally Posted by StratMan2604 It might inspire an amazing performance because of their eagerness not to have to stay in there for another take | Hmm - I find that, when wanting an amazing performance, a nice clean environment with plenty of natural light usually works, but each to their own  | |
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12th February 2012
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#15 | | Gear nut
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 122
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by olliejohn Hmm - I find that, when wanting an amazing performance, a nice clean environment with plenty of natural light usually works, but each to their own | I'm defo more of a covering the walls in excrement kinda guy
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12th February 2012
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#16 | | Gear addict
Joined: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK
Posts: 313
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Originally Posted by StratMan2604 I'm defo more of a covering the walls in excrement kinda guy | Well, that's fair enough, but for the love of god, don't post in any of the "Show you studio" threads
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12th February 2012
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#17 | | Gear nut
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 122
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by olliejohn Well, that's fair enough, but for the love of god, don't post in any of the "Show you studio" threads | Well, as Karl Pilkington can tell you, walls (and caravans) covered in excrement can be quite artistic
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12th February 2012
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#18 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 738
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My first "good" mic was an AT4033 and I still use it. And not only does it sound good but it's also built like a tank.
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12th February 2012
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#19 | | Gear nut
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 122
Thread Starter |
What do you guys think of the 'blue' microphones?
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12th February 2012
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#20 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 564
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My limited experience with Blue has been great. I only have one (a woodpecker active ribbon), but am eager to try some others. I've read lots good things about them.
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12th February 2012
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#21 | | Gear nut
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 122
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by Go Nigel Go My limited experience with Blue has been great. I only have one (a woodpecker active ribbon), but am eager to try some others. I've read lots good things about them. | There's a blue bluebird on eBay for £200 right now so I could get that and then also another sm57... The sE titan deal sounds promising although Im sceptical because I don't know what it sounds like. The AT also looks pretty promising
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12th February 2012
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#22 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 159
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I have a cad trion 6000 which is a nice multipattern mic
And the mca sp1 is awesome at $45
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12th February 2012
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#23 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2002 Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Posts: 1,358
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I would recommend the AT4047 which has a little more beef on the low end. You may need it on some vocalists and you can EQ it out if not.
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12th February 2012
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#24 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Lugano, Switzerland
Posts: 1,919
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Originally Posted by Shannon Adkins My first "good" mic was an AT4033 and I still use it. And not only does it sound good but it's also built like a tank. | +1!
or try a Violet Design Black Knight.. It's an incredible mic for the price, it's totally made in EU and most important it sounds great!
Just my 0.02$,
Cheu
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12th February 2012
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#25 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 738
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Originally Posted by cheu78 +1!
or try a Violet Design Black Knight.. It's an incredible mic for the price, it's totally made in EU and most important it sounds great!
Just my 0.02$,
Cheu | I've heard good things about that mic. Especially on acoustic guitar. How sturdy is that neck, though?
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13th February 2012
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#26 | | Gear nut
Joined: Oct 2011 Location: We got lumps of it round the back
Posts: 127
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I'm a little rusty in this budget area, but I will second the AT 4033 advocates. I still use them.
Oktava and SE had good candidates last time I checked too - CAD M179 seems to be well accepted though I haven't had the pleasure yet, also the Shure KSM27.
Pre-wise... The Rane is supposed to be not too shabby. (MS1r?)
The Alice Mic Pak preamp is super clean and quiet (75dB gain, dual pre, ready for stereo or mic n' DI etc.)
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13th February 2012
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#27 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Paris, Amsterdam, London
Posts: 2,068
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Neumann tlm102 or the AT4033.... Sleeper mics!!!
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13th February 2012
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#28 | | Banned
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,618
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Originally Posted by Grant Ransom CAD M179 seems to be well accepted though I haven't had the pleasure yet | That's my first condenser and the first of many others. I wonder if it's a little too low end in the context of this thread, and a little too safe in terms of character. Certainly versatile enough.
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13th February 2012
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#29 | | Lives for gear
Joined: May 2008 Location: Memphis
Posts: 806
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Originally Posted by Stuart Coleco AKG C414. Excellent all arounder. | Agreed. Noticeably more detail than the AT mics. Got mine on ebay for $600. Might also want to check out some Charter Oak mics - top quality stuff.
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13th February 2012
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#30 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Oct 2009 Location: Barcelona, Spain
Posts: 678
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I had a 414 XLS and sold it, not a character mic IMO, I am very curious to try a 102, do you think it will work well with female vox?
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