Behringer B1, cheap but good? Options

[visualmusic]

Just checking out affordable condenser mics for recording vocals and acoustic guitar. I've heard the Behringer B1 is a good deal, and the Rode NT-1, which is twice as expensive. Anyone used either or both?

BTW, I'm recording through a M-box plugged into a PB Ti G4 1Ghz.

Thanks for the help!

[lepetitmartien]

I've got a C1, great stuff. (well, Studio Project should offer me a pre with all the advertising I'm making for them

I like the NT1, but some don't like it.

I've still not tried the Behringer, but I'd be cautious. Think about the precision/quality there must be in a condenser mic (as in any mic) and you'll start to think about the reason the price goes ever lower. I can be good, it can be crap.

Get at least the NT1 or NT1-a (lower noise, multi pattern = more versatile)

You'll can later grow to a better pre/converter.

Now, a 96 kHz is not better than a 48 or a 44,1. Converters are dependable of:
- analogue stage just before (in the converter)
- chip used (a lot of converters use the same ones)
- bit depth (it's better a 24 than a 20 or a 16, lower noise by simple maths but a good 20 can outgrow a bad 24 anytime)
- frequency (you need 48 for video work, else 44 or 96 are ok, remember dithering from 96 to 44 or 48 to 44 will be more destructive than anything else if done badly. It can not be done in low end softwarethe right way, it shows! Now 96 takes a lot of space on drives, use 44 instead but work at 24 if you can.
- clock (good clocking gives regularity in the frequency = better transients)

Now make a few experiments with the same material and verify the way you do things is the better sounding. If your converter sounds better at 20/44 than at 24/96 (just a figure) which one do you choose? Trust your ears!

Also you need a good audio chain and material to hear the benefits of 96kHz (it'll show on vocals and classic instruments, if you compose DnB or rock pop, it won't be that important)

Now most decent converter should be able to work correctly if not at their best at 24/44 or 24/48 just try to be coherent (don't change the bit depth all the time, try different settings to see the best etc.). try not to have to dither too much and with the right plug in (ie in OS9 better to dither in PT than Cubase)

Also, think that a pre on a 450$ converter box will never match a pre costing 450$ itself

Chose a mic you can still use in 5 years time, you will change of converters and have a decent pre before that.