badhoon
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Which large diaphragm condenser vocal mic to buy?
Hi all
I'm looking to get a new decent (and fairly) budget large diaphragm condenser microphone and was wondering what others out there used?
The 3 I have my eye on are:
Rode NT1a
Audio Technica AT2020
M Audio Nova
Any thoughts, reviews, new suggestions etc you can share?
I've set myself a budget of £100 (which is about 165$ to my American friends).
ps - Looking at the XLR connection (not USB) versions...
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bitflipper
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Re: Which large diaphragm condenser vocal mic to buy?
2014/01/29 19:03:55
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The Rode is easily the best of those three. Buy from somebody local if you can, so you can return it if it doesn't suit your needs. The NT1-A is a bright mike. In my experience it suits baritone male singers very well, but some high tenors, hard-rock singers and female vocalists, not as much.
Make sure an LDC is really what you want. Depending on your voice and musical style a moving-coil dynamic might actually work better for you. But if you also want to use it for acoustic guitars, brass instruments or drums, then an LDC is a good all-around choice.
 All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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wst3
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Re: Which large diaphragm condenser vocal mic to buy?
2014/01/29 20:59:05
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like Bit said - LDC might, or might not be your friend.
Of the three you mention, the Rode is probably the most popular, but I think the A-T can give it a run for it's money. I was sadly disappointed with the M-Audio.
You might want to consider saving for a bit longer, I find that I use my Shure KSM-32 (around $500) almost as often as my TLM-193 (around $1500). Two very different sounds, to be certain, and two more price points too<G>! While I probably would not save till I could afford the TLM-193, I do find the KSM-32 to be a really versatile, and forgiving microphone.
Just keep in mind that as neutral as the Shure and Neumann microphones are, and they are very close to neutral, they still impart their personalities, largely because of the mass of the larger diaphragm. Neither the Rode nor the A-T are neutral, but that may be just the ticket for you? I'd call the Rode a bit forward, and the A-T a bit flattering, but these words are pretty useless till you get your hands on the microphones.
-- Bill Audio Enterprise KB3KJF
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badhoon
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Re: Which large diaphragm condenser vocal mic to buy?
2014/01/30 08:41:26
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Cheers for the advice guys.
I'm new to all this home recording lark and this will be a starter mic for me and will be used to record my vocals over acoustic guitar tracks for an album I'm putting together. My voice is pretty mid range like most so won't be going for really high or low notes. I have recorded using other people mics before and found that the LDC seems to suit my voice the best (well i like the sound of it the best anyway :) !)
I've read good reviews of the rode and the AT as a good beginners mic, and the price range is well within my budget to get started pretty soon.
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batsbrew
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Re: Which large diaphragm condenser vocal mic to buy?
2014/01/30 10:56:23
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i have and use a SHURE KSM44
i really really like it.
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AT
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Re: Which large diaphragm condenser vocal mic to buy?
2014/01/30 12:20:54
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As others have said, Shure has a good line of low cost mics, AT, Rode. At that price you can find a used Oktava 319/219, which are very good LDC (I use one). As others have said, too, it is best if you can test choices on your voice, even to get an idea of how the family sounds.
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batsbrew
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Re: Which large diaphragm condenser vocal mic to buy?
2014/01/30 13:47:15
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in that price range, i would look for a good used ADK Hamburg or Vienna.
i have the hamburg, and use it quite a lot.
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spacealf
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Re: Which large diaphragm condenser vocal mic to buy?
2014/01/30 14:16:25
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I don't know but I am using a Sennheiser mic - large diaphram condenser.
Being able to equalize might make a difference also if you can.
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AT
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Re: Which large diaphragm condenser vocal mic to buy?
2014/01/30 14:25:12
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https://soundcloud.com/a-pleasure-dome
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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badhoon
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Re: Which large diaphragm condenser vocal mic to buy?
2014/02/02 06:43:24
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Cheers for your recommendations fellas.
Although I'd like to throw another spanner in the works...
Does anyone have any knowledge of: MXL 990? sE microphones or AKG3000?
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AT
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Re: Which large diaphragm condenser vocal mic to buy?
2014/02/02 12:15:09
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One of the good things about lower cost mics is you can later have them upgraded. Michael Joly upgraded my Oktava 319 - and it sounds tons smoother. I know he does the 990, and I would expect that to make it a better mic. Amongst other things he puts his new capsule in. http://www.oktavamodshop.com/index.php?cPath=1 If you don't expect to be winning the lotto soon upgrading is a good policy. Buy the mic and when you can, get it upgraded. Not as good as buying a vintage Neumann but within reach of the home recordist. You might want to look at the Cad M179, which is a pretty good basic lcd. @
https://soundcloud.com/a-pleasure-dome
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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badhoon
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Re: Which large diaphragm condenser vocal mic to buy?
2014/02/02 15:52:27
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Just 'won' a MXL 990 for £60 (approx $100) on ebay - like new, with shock mount, leads and case - still winning a bid on an NT1A - but im quite happy with what ive got - will give an update once it arrives and i've tested it.
Cheers for the tip about Mr. Jolly AT - but I'm in the UK - will probably cost as much to send it there and back than it would to buy a dearer one...
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townstra
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Re: Which large diaphragm condenser vocal mic to buy?
2014/02/07 20:53:26
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I've been using a AT-2035 and have really like it considering the price.
Regards, Tracy Sonar Platinum, Harrison Mixbus 4, Melodyne 4 Studio, Slate Digital FG-X, ARC 2, Windows 10 Pro x64, Intel I7-4790@3.6ghz, 16 Gb RAM, GeForce GT730, Focusrite Scarlett 18i20, Behringer ADA8200, Prodipe Ribbon 8 monitors, Prodipe Pro5 monitors, Behringer B2030P monitors, Korg nanokontrol, Korg microKey, Samson Graphite MF8, rack full of channel strips and processors, lots of guitars, basses, and pedals. www.TracyTowns.com
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