the best of the cheap condensers

astralblessing · audio school Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 3

i have stepped into the world of digital recording with an m box and protools.
could anyone out there give me some recommendations re: cheap condenser mics?
thanks.

Meriphew

What's your budget?
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tiger vomitt

ive never tried any studio projects stuff. i almost got an mxl mic last week but i didnt.

here's the one's i have either tried or owned, all of varying cheapness- rode nt1 (own, $200), nt2 ($400?), nt5 pair (own, $300), groove tubes gt-55 (own $300), groove tube gt-66 ($400?), akg c1000 (yuck, $$??), akg c3000 (yuck, $$??)

there are probably a few others. the best of em all is the one i got most recently, the gt-55. very nice mic for the money IMO!

i like the nt1 also, if a decent set of HP and especially LP filters are on hand Wink

. i didnt like the nt-2 much at all. it's even brighter than the nt1 but not in a good way.

the gt-55 is very bright but it's a nice brightness. with some bright mics, it's like yes, it is very treble-y but the treble itself is very harsh and icky and stands out in a mix like screeching nails on a blackboard. the gt-55's top end is kind of silky even, i like it. and if it's too much, a LP filter as high as 16k does the trick. it's a really good vocal mic, allthough i havent used it anything else yet besides recording me banging on a washing machine (used it in a hiphop beat the other day). the gt-66 is the tube version of the gt-55 but i felt it was too crunchy to be used seriously with close mic'd vocals.

i also have an akg c4000b but i wouldnt recommend it for vocals. it's good on some other things tho.

tmix

My suggestion.
Stick with the Marshall v77 or v79 or the studio projects line like the b-1 ,b-3 or tb-1 if you like tubes.
These consistantly get thumbs upfrom users. I have a B-3 and love it agood multi patterned large dia mic that is versatile.
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helstab · george martin Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1328

Oh god the Studio Projects B3 is GREAT!. If you have it throw it on the kick. It sounds great on this thwappy bass drum I have right now. Great on cymbals also. I love it. I want another one. Get the one with the Green dot on the box.

-MAtt
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heylow

Bear

The Oktava mk319 is a good mic for the price ($100). Also look at the Studio Projects "B' line (which others have mentioned), and the one MXL mic I used sounded good for the money ($79). There're some affordable Rode's, too, but you'll probably pay around $200 for those.

Fortunately, though, there's a lot to pick from in the cheap condenser category these days. Just hit up pages like music123.com and musiciansfriend.com to get a general idea of what's in your range and how much it will cost new.
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astralblessing · audio school Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 3

i was thinkin' of spending around 200.
we have a couple of 57's that have served me well over the years, but we need something that can decently capture room sounds and acoustic instruments in a "live" situation.

bedbug

I've only used an Oktava 219 and two Marshall 603s. Like 'em both. Good for different situations, but I've got a particularly soft spot for the Oktava.

astralblessing · audio school Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 3

thanks for all yr help!
we're going to try the oktava 219 and see what happens! i'll keep buying lottery tickets and hope for a neumann Wink

toothpastefordinner

I have to toss in my two cents here- I've owned the cheaper oktava mics (319, 012) before and i think my $200 AT4033 blows 'em away.... I even went thru and picked out the nicer ones at guitar center, but you may be better off spending a tiny bit more and getting something way better.

When I sing into it, it sounds like I think my voice should sound. I talk into it, and it sounds like my voice. I hadn't had any experience with that wonderful feeling before getting that mic... Oh, my induction into the world of expensive mics, so nice, yet so.... expensive.....

bassballjg

The best inexpensive condenser I have used is the AKG C-1000.They are highly versitile and durable.I use them on amps,vocals,drums and percussion(especially snare and overheads).I think of them as the '57 of condensers.Also check out Audio Technica,the 30 series and the venerable 4033,a superb for the money all around large diaphragm.

phantom power

I'm with the 4033 guys, if you can afford it. It works on everything and really shines on kick, acoustic guitar, and some voices. Also you might look around for a used CAD e100 ($125-$150). It can pull off alot of cool things that the comparably priced c1000 can't (but the c1000s are great on some guitar cabs). I'm rambling.........at4033. -AE

Dot

Here's an article I wrote on putting togther a mic collection on a budget for a project studio.
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cbcmusic

I'm also for the AT4033 ($300 new), last I heard they've been discontinued... is that true?? For drums, I have it in front of the kit about 2' off the ground and get killer toms and kick, seriously. Of course, my killer toms might be different than your version of killer toms, so uhh, like, you know, keep that in mind.

That mic is pretty versatile, drums, guitar, voice, toilet flushes, you name it.
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