Condenser mic for home studio use...

stones@rocheste · 17th May 2006

I am outfitting a small home studio for hobby use--no $ made here, trust me. I'm looking for a decent condenser mic at $300. Does such a thing exist? Or should I just stick with the Shure Beta 58A I've been using the last few years and call it a day? Thanks for the advice.

Kiwiburger · 17th May 2006

You will get dozens of recommendations at this price level. I'm far from convinced that most home studios need a cheap condensor mic.

Do you have excellent acoustics? A condensor mic will bring out the full effect of your room, whether it's good or bad.

Are your vocals harsh or sibilant? A condensor mic will maximise harsh, essy sounds.

Cheap condensor mics sound cheap. The cheap ones are usually made in China and re-branded. Not that that should necessarily be a bad thing, but generally these Chinesese mic's are very bright and harsh. You will need an excellent parametric eq to notch out the problems that these mics bring to the party.

For many vocalists a good dynamic mic that rejects unwanted sound and blurs harsh transients can be just the answer. However - you need an excellent mic preamp to get the best out of a dynamic mic. To a certain extent, because of the hotter, brighter output, you can get away with a lesser preamp with condensors.

If you want just one condensor mic, get a good versatile one. Maybe an AT4050.

Reza · 17th May 2006

Everything Kiwiburger said is spot on.

I'd get an SM7B and a great preamp!

MWP · 17th May 2006

For a starter hobby mic, IMHO I'd recommend the Rode NT1. You can find them on ebay used for about 100$. They were one of the first mics I bought. I still use them on certain vocals and drum overheads. At this price you could use the extra money to invest in a decent mic preamp. I haven't heard the new Rode NT1A.

MWP

Harley-OIART · 17th May 2006

MXL 2001 (with ROYER Labs Mod *do a search*)

tINY · 17th May 2006

Look at the Kel Audio mics

Look at the Sure 85 and 87 models (maybe the 81 as well)

Look at the Electrovoice RE510

Look at the Studio Projects C4 pack.

Look at the Audio Technica 4041.

I've used most of these mics and some of them a lot. They all have their place. I don't consider any of these cheap mics (though a few are quite inexpensive). All of them should be under of close to your $300.

($300 US gets you more than $300 CD or AU....)

-tINY

retarded · 17th May 2006

In the low budget range, Studio Projects B1 is the best IMHO. Another alternative could be Oktava MK319, which is also a nice mic.

nass · 17th May 2006

IMO an Audio Technica AT4040 (300$) is a good mic but as Kiwiburger said, acoustics and isolation are a must because condensers are very sensitive and they pick up things you don't want to have on your track (correct me if i'am wrong plz).

Cheers

17th May 2006	#1
stones@rocheste Gear interested Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 17 Thread Starter	Condenser mic for home studio use... I am outfitting a small home studio for hobby use--no $ made here, trust me. I'm looking for a decent condenser mic at $300. Does such a thing exist? Or should I just stick with the Shure Beta 58A I've been using the last few years and call it a day? Thanks for the advice. __________________ Joe Stoner

17th May 2006	#2
Kiwiburger Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,075	You will get dozens of recommendations at this price level. I'm far from convinced that most home studios need a cheap condensor mic. Do you have excellent acoustics? A condensor mic will bring out the full effect of your room, whether it's good or bad. Are your vocals harsh or sibilant? A condensor mic will maximise harsh, essy sounds. Cheap condensor mics sound cheap. The cheap ones are usually made in China and re-branded. Not that that should necessarily be a bad thing, but generally these Chinesese mic's are very bright and harsh. You will need an excellent parametric eq to notch out the problems that these mics bring to the party. For many vocalists a good dynamic mic that rejects unwanted sound and blurs harsh transients can be just the answer. However - you need an excellent mic preamp to get the best out of a dynamic mic. To a certain extent, because of the hotter, brighter output, you can get away with a lesser preamp with condensors. If you want just one condensor mic, get a good versatile one. Maybe an AT4050. __________________ My carbon footprint is bigger than yours.

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17th May 2006	#3
Reza Gear addict Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 409	Everything Kiwiburger said is spot on. I'd get an SM7B and a great preamp!

17th May 2006	#4
MWP Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 206	For a starter hobby mic, IMHO I'd recommend the Rode NT1. You can find them on ebay used for about 100$. They were one of the first mics I bought. I still use them on certain vocals and drum overheads. At this price you could use the extra money to invest in a decent mic preamp. I haven't heard the new Rode NT1A. MWP

17th May 2006	#5
Harley-OIART Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,129	MXL 2001 (with ROYER Labs Mod do a search)

17th May 2006	#6
tINY Gear Guru Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 10,234	Look at the Kel Audio mics Look at the Sure 85 and 87 models (maybe the 81 as well) Look at the Electrovoice RE510 Look at the Studio Projects C4 pack. Look at the Audio Technica 4041. I've used most of these mics and some of them a lot. They all have their place. I don't consider any of these cheap mics (though a few are quite inexpensive). All of them should be under of close to your $300. ($300 US gets you more than $300 CD or AU....) -tINY

17th May 2006	#7
retarded Gear Head Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 69	In the low budget range, Studio Projects B1 is the best IMHO. Another alternative could be Oktava MK319, which is also a nice mic.

17th May 2006	#8
nass Gear interested Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Paris Posts: 7	IMO an Audio Technica AT4040 (300$) is a good mic but as Kiwiburger said, acoustics and isolation are a must because condensers are very sensitive and they pick up things you don't want to have on your track (correct me if i'am wrong plz). Cheers