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440 Forums _ Microphones _ What Makes A For A Good Condensor Mic?

Posted by: bcatcho Tue 8 Mar 2005, 18:44

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?

Posted by: swilder Tue 8 Mar 2005, 20:38

Man, your question is so broad and is sure to invite many and varied responses. I'm have a very utilitarian view about gear. I believe you just use whatever gear is necessary to get the sound you are going for in your head.

I have a good friend who does the most amazing things sith a sub-$100 condenser mic. I work with other people who cannot live without the $3000 Neuman mics. And then are the people who need nothing more than a few sm-57s and 58s.

it's not about gear, it's about how you use it.

So the question is, how do you want to use it. Are you looking for a mic that is clean and doesn't color the sound? Or are you looking for something with a ton of character?

What's your budget? If you have a small budget; would it be better to get one mic that can handle a wide range of applications? Or do you have cash to spend on a variety of mics that are well suited to specific tasks?

Do you have decent preamps and monitors. Every bit as crucial as good mics in my opinion.

Just my 2 cents

Scott

Posted by: bcatcho Tue 8 Mar 2005, 21:08

Ok lets start specifying this topic by answering some of your questions.

I want a mic that is vocally suitable for music thats comparable to the style of radio head. I assume when i want a mic i want it to be clean (but i didnt know some mics are made to enhance with character).

My budget is not large at all... sub $250 and the fewer mics i have the better on my budget.

I have used a basic art-preamp and frankly only because i was told to... im still not quite sure what they are good for. My monitors are M-audios and they are decent.

Thanks for the input, ill keep specifiying what i want to know... its just hard when you are a begginer because you really dont even know what you want to know, sometimes...

Posted by: swilder Tue 8 Mar 2005, 23:17

under $250???

The Rode NT-1A is $200 and a great sounding mic that is very versatile.

The Audio Technica AT2020 is $100. And they always make very usable mics

The Studio Projects C1 has been compared favorably to the uber-expensive neuman mics and is only $200

If you're willing to spend jus a little more (around $300) then you can step up to alot of really cool options. The Shure KSm-27, the Rode nt1000, audio technica at4040. The M-audio solaris has been getting good reviews too.

I like the rode mics alot. Great bang for the buck ratio.

Scott

Posted by: bcatcho Tue 8 Mar 2005, 23:22

Ok say i save up a bit longer and go for the 300 dollar options. What would a mic-preamp do to enhance the quality/flavor of the sound? or is that too broad? are there many different types of preamps for different applications?

Posted by: lepetitmartien Wed 9 Mar 2005, 01:59

C1 is awesome!
SE Electronics SE2200A is the next step, but not the same price.
I know only the NT-1, so I can't tell for the new version.
Mind also that the sound will be only as good as the couple mic/pre, it's stupid to use a very good mic into a crappy preamp.

Posted by: swilder Wed 9 Mar 2005, 16:23

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.

Posted by: swilder Wed 9 Mar 2005, 16:26

if you're recording straight into your computer, you can get mic pres that also go straight to usb or firewire.

M-audio, tascam, presonus, edirol, mark of the unicorn and others all make units that do this.

Posted by: bcatcho Wed 9 Mar 2005, 19:34

Ive been looking into the tascam us-122, if thats what you are talking about. The MOTU's seem to get recomended alot around here, but their price range might make it a bit out of reach for a student of my financial status.

Do you have any low end recomended MOTU to point me at?

Posted by: hotlunch Sat 16 Apr 2005, 01:33

Hey guys, about pre amps
I've been using a motu 828mkii (600$) and love it. Now I'm planning on getting a Berhinger ADA8000 (239$) and have a few cheap mics. Is it worth getting a better pre amp even though my mics are old and battered? Is it worth it for punk rock music? I know their are other variables...

Posted by: jbsound-com Mon 18 Apr 2005, 02:06

I agree with the above poster that the $300 range is where you want to go. I've owned a ton of budget mics, including the Studio Projects C1 and some Rode's. You want to go with either the Audio Technica AT4040 or the Shure KSM27. Your budget is basically keeping you with one mic right now...and you need a versatile one at that. Don't go for the idea that you can get 5 mics for $250 and be good to go.

Either the AT4040 or the KSM27 will be a versatile and well built mic that will last you a while. Neither are overly colored and they'll sound great on a wide variety of sources. I like the KSM27 in particular.

As for the preamp, that will make a HUGE difference, almost as much as the mic. I went from crappy onboard pre's to an M-audio DMP3 my first time around. There was a big difference...the dmp3 is a good sounding pre, especially for the money. I then toyed with some other pres that were slightly more expensive, until the day I brought an Avalon 2022 to the studio for a demo...WOW. Big Bucks, but great sound. I never looked back.

I do think the dmp3 is going to be about the best you can get in the under $400 range. After that there are some nice pre's by Presonus, the FMR RNP, and the Sytek pre that are going to be noticeably better than the dmp3. After those pres you might as well move up to high end pres.

I would suggest starting off with a Shure KSM-27 (or AT4040) and then eventually getting something like a dmp3 or presonus mp20. You'll have a good sounding signal chain at that point.