ImageHound
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Looking for budget condenser mic
Looking at a decent condenser mic for around 100 bucks, primarily used for vocals and acoustic guitar (possibly to mic a guitar amp). I have somewhat of a thin voice, so I would like a warm-sounding mic without it sounding too colored. I am looking at the At2020, Sterling ST51, AKG Perception 120, CAD GXL3000, and Behringer B-1. The AT2020 is at the top of my list due to excellent reviews everywhere, but I would love some feedback from those that have had experience with one or preferably more than one of the above listed mics for comparison.
Mathias
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Guitarhacker
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Re:Looking for budget condenser mic
2010/11/11 12:59:00
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Before you decide, have a look at the Gauge Mics.... Gauge web site . I had the opportunity last November to see these mics live. They were set up against other "industry standard" mics for a side by side comparison. At the time I had just spent around $400 on a nice Rode NT2-A. I have no regrets on the Rode, but I just wish I had known about the Gauge mics before I spent that much. I could have gotten a mic that sounded as good if not better in some aspects for less. On the site, they have a listen page and a compare page... and they compare their $150 ECM-87 against a $3000 U-87, a $1000 AKG-414, and a $1000 TLM-103. To my ears the ECM-87 really holds it's own against the more costly mics.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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Beagle
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Re:Looking for budget condenser mic
2010/11/11 13:21:19
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Herb - you've heard the comparisons, but you didn't purchase any of them, correct?
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Ron Vogel
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Re:Looking for budget condenser mic
2010/11/11 13:46:25
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I'm not keen on any of those mics to be honest. For about a hundo, the MXL V67G is damn good and would highly reccomend it.
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dlogan
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Re:Looking for budget condenser mic
2010/11/11 13:59:09
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I got the AKG Perception 220 new on eBay for not much more than $100. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality on vocals (haven't tried on acoustic).
I don't have one personally, but yYou do see the AT2020 mentioned a lot a good bang-for-your-buck mic in that price range so that would probably serve you well, too.
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Guitarhacker
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Re:Looking for budget condenser mic
2010/11/11 16:12:27
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Beagle you are correct. I heard them AFTER I had already bought my Rode NT-2A and spend about $400.
I think it was about 2 months between me buying the Rode and then seeing and hearing the Gauges. If I had heard them first, I would surely be a proud Gauge owner instead of the Rode.
I don't need a bunch of mics, and I have a SM-58 and the NT-2A. That is enough for me. If I had a situation where I needed a new mic I would get one of them. I think they sound really nice.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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savageopera
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Re:Looking for budget condenser mic
2010/11/11 23:39:34
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Check out the M-Audio Nova. Very warm and built like a tank...I love mine.........Ron
post edited by savageopera - 2010/11/11 23:43:12
Sonar Artist, HP Laptop, AMD A8700 , 1T+250g, M-Audio Fast Track Ultra ,Roland 88 Hammer action, Roland AX-1, M-audio 88es, Arturia minilabII......When I was young I wanted to become a mad scientist. I achieved everything except the "scientist" part.... http://www.soundclick.com/savageopera
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jimmyrage
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Re:Looking for budget condenser mic
2010/11/12 03:11:23
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The AT 2020 is a decent choice. I have two that I sometimes use for overheads. Good for vocals also. I've never used one on guitars but would probably sound good on acoustic. It's a pretty good all around mic. I don't think you'll beat it for the price.
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Beagle
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Re:Looking for budget condenser mic
2010/11/12 08:17:48
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savageopera
Check out the M-Audio Nova. Very warm and built like a tank...I love mine.........Ron
I have one of those. I actually really like it, tho I don't use it very often any more. it doesn't get the "attention" it deserves, IMO. it's well worth the price.
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NW Smith
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Re:Looking for budget condenser mic
2010/11/12 10:09:01
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I have been loving my Apex 460 Tube Condenser mic. It sells for about $200 and works very well for vocals and acoustic guitars.
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AT
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Re:Looking for budget condenser mic
2010/11/12 10:42:09
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The MXL 2003A has great word of mouth. It goes for $150 at B&H. I haven't heard it, but if Joly of OktavaMod sez it is good, it should be a great mic for the price. Everyone loves what he does w/ Oktava's and other mics, and the Oktava's are great w/o any mods.
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http://www.bnoir-film.com/ there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. 24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
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The Maillard Reaction
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Re:Looking for budget condenser mic
2010/11/12 20:05:42
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I have a Gauge ECM83 that seems very nice.
2 weeks ago I set a stage for friends local live sound company... we used 2 of his Gauge ECM83 mics as overheads for a jazz drummer. Sounded great.
best regards,
mike
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ImageHound
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Re:Looking for budget condenser mic
2010/11/14 00:03:22
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Thank you all for your responses - I can get the AT2035 for $95 right now - an update to the AT2020 with 80Hz roll-off, 10db pad, and shock-mount. I listened to a few mic's at Guitar Center today, and the AT2035 stood as my favorite in that price range. Very open sounding, very crisp (perhaps a touch too crisp) in the highs, but that could come in very handy for guitars. I thinks that's what I am going to go for. I have heard great things about the MXL V67G also, and that there is a guy who modifies them to sound just like a U87, but for now, I think I'm comfortable going with the AT.
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jimmyrage
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Re:Looking for budget condenser mic
2010/11/14 07:13:45
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Sounds like a great deal! Actually I've been wanting to check out some of the Gauge products everyone's been talking about but I don't know if they are available locally. I remember hearing about them a few months back. I'm not to far from a G.C. Maybe I'll check with them.
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