What Makes A For A Good Condensor Mic? Options

[bcatcho]

So what makes for a good condensor mic (for vocals)? I'm looking to add more studio quality sounds to my makeshift home studio... (really im recording out of a 11' by 14' bedroom onto an MXL $60 condensor mic).

Does the setting that the mic is in have a greater effect on the sound than the actual mic does?

[swilder]

Have you ever gone swimming and when you got out of the water you thought everything was fine. But then all of a sudden some water drains out of ear and wow! everything is better and clearer. More intelligible.

A good mic pre will have better frequency response, less noise and most of all give you a true representation of the sound coming from the mic. Once again, they can be pretty transparent, or add a ton of character to the sound.

M-audio is a good place to start, great bang for the buck. Presonus also makes some great products that won't break the bank. Of course, if you have the $$$, you can step up to Avalons, GML or Universal Audio. Or if you're really serious you can try to find a vintage Neve or get one the neve clones.