Looking for condenser mic and I'm on a budget

[folkster]

Hey folks,

I'm really starting to get into recording and I need a descent condenser mic for under $150.00. I'm using the M-Audio fastrack pro for my input and using ableton or garageband to record. I recorded my j-45 with an sm58 and it sounded pretty good but I'm looking for a nicer mic that would work well with vocals and guitar. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Doug

[Herb Hunter]

People are very opinionated about microphones and I've observed that differences between one person's choice and another's is often exaggerated considerably.

The MXL 604 is the least expensive one I can think of that I would consider.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...icrophone.html

[sdelsolray]

Used ADK A6

[alohachris]

Aloha,

I agree with Sdelsolray 100% on the ADK A6. Check it out. Used, they're around $140 (new, only $249). Good on guitar & vocals. Most of Al Petteway's dreamguitars.com sound samples were recorded with a pair of these. Here's one (hit the media tab & arrow):

http://dreamguitars.com/detail/2179-martin_00045_41539/

I have a pretty nice mic locker now, with some great pairs for stereo recording of acoustic guitar & preamps that work with all of my mic's. But I often bypass mic's costing $2K more in favor of these A6's - it's just a really nice M/D condenser gem. Very open, transparent sound, IMO.

Also, a used AKG 535 live vocal mic (around $150). Surprisingly good on live vocals for many singers & definitely good for recording acoustic guitar.

Check out the Oktava MK-012, a very detailed S/D condenser w/ affordable price that can be upgraded to even better sound by Oktavamod's. Check out that site.

If you need a variable pattern mic for both vocals & guitar, then check out the CAD M179, one of the best in its class - an L/D condenser. Around $150 new.

Try out as many as you can before you buy. But also think about it in terms of mic/pre combo's. Some work together. Some don't.

Check out used mic's too. gearslutz.com is a good source.

A pair of S/D condensers is preferred, IMO for stereo recording of acoustic guitar. But try everything. And start saving.

And don't be put off by the aforementioned "exaggerated differences of opinions here." Who cares what others think? Let your ears make the final decision - especially on vocal mic's which are totally voice-specific.

Finally, DIY ROOM TREATMENT is the most important variable in home recording. If you want to maximize your mic's, ya gotta treat. Don't save it for last. Doesn't have to cost much. Take it seriously. Lack of room treatment is the reason why 95% of all youtube acoustic videos' quality sucks - even if the music is great. Check these out:

http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2009/...-on-the-cheap/

http://www.uline.com/BL_7900/Moving-...FQoBbAod1Bhyag

http://www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html

Think about it early in the game. It'll save you lots of time & money spent on upgrading mic's for "the sound." DIY, portable room treatment will make it easier for you to achieve "the sound" no matter the mic. Just make sure it's at least a condenser mic.

alohachris

[Herb Hunter]

Had you specified a price considerably higher than the $150 limit you posted, I'd have suggested the $383 Oktava MK-012. With Oktava's, one has to watch out for Chinese counterfeits.

http://oktava.com/sr_update/view/362...se_oktava_mics

[redavide]

Alohachris wrote . . . "Lack of room treatment is the reason why 95% of all youtube acoustic videos' quality sucks . . ."


There may be some other reasons . . .

-- bad sounding guitars;
-- cheap pre-amps;
-- lousy recording technique;
-- crummy mics;
-- overuse of effects;
-- and, of course, the big killer -- Youtube compression.

. . . and that's not even considering the actual playing of the instrument.

These things must account for more than the remaining 5% . . .

[fitness1]

I bought an Audix F9 a few months ago, and have found it as good as many mics I've had here at 3-4 times the price. You can pick them up new for slightly higher than your budget (like 10.00) but used much less. I was able to get mine new for 50.00 less than your budget, but haven't seen one at that price point in a while.

[RustyAxe]

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