$300-$400 studio mic

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keneds
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2014/09/30 23:17:52 (permalink)

$300-$400 studio mic

i've been kicking around upgrading my vocal mic, I've been using a cheapo MCA SP-1 for a few years ( the $40 mic ) and I have the desire to move on to something else. I've been reading mic reviews for a few days now and just when I think I'm locking on to a choice I get second thoughts from the up and down opinions posted on this site and others. I think I narrowed it down to the Audio-Technica 4040, the sE electronics sE2200 or the Blue Bluebird. Very confusing stuff.

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    ampfixer
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/01 01:04:47 (permalink)
    I bought an AKG C-214. It's great for lots of stuff, including vocals. It is essentially 1/2 of a C-414. I also picked up an EV 320E dynamic mic. It's good for vocals and kick.

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    #2
    Splat
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/01 04:42:46 (permalink)
    Shure SM7B

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    Guitarhacker
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/01 07:34:54 (permalink)
    I upgraded from the Shure SM-58 I have had for years as a stage mic to a condenser. With the budget I had, I opted to get the Rode NT-2A condenser mic.
     
    Since I have limited funds for my studio gear "habit" I have to use this one mic for literally everything.   I use it on acoustic guitar, mandolin, both male and female vocals, and even on my guitar amp.   Personally, I think it does a fine job on all of it. Sure it might be missing some subtle flavors of some of those things but to my ear... it works fine.
     
    You should be able to grab a really nice all around mic in the $400 price range. I know, I did. 
     
    Also, be sure to get a pop filter with the mic.

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    #4
    keneds
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/01 08:56:22 (permalink)
    Thanks everyone, yeah, I just thought I'd put it out there for some input in the decision making, I know there are tons of threads on this topic. :)

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    keneds
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/01 09:00:38 (permalink)
    Also, I dont have an outboard mic preamp. Running the VS-700R for an interface. I read somewhere that the SM7b prefers a preamp to boost the gain.
     

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    batsbrew
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/01 10:13:50 (permalink)

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    AT
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/01 10:21:39 (permalink)
    The sm7b is a dynamic mike and does take a lot of gain for quiet sources.  The Roland preamps should be fine for most uses - the sm7b is used by radio announcers, on drums and bass, those kind of things.  If you have a wispy-voiced vocalist look elsewhere.  Otherwise it is a great value at that price range.
     
    One place I'd suggest is look at http://oktavamod.com/  Joly started out modifying Oktava mics (you could pick them up cheap 10 years ago - I have 3 and the 319 he modded sounds as good as most FETs).  He's branched out and puts his own capsules into standard Chinese bodies and many people are as pleased with those as I am with my mod.  The "Hulk" is right at your price limit.  He voices all his mikes to be mid forward, sorta like a U87, which might not be the best mike on everything, but doesn't sound wrong on anything.  It should be more... flexible .... than the shure.
     
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    gswitz
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/01 12:31:23 (permalink)
    Are you going to use it for live performances?

    StudioCat > I use Windows 10 and Sonar Platinum. I have a touch screen.
    I make some videos. This one shows how to do a physical loopback on the RME UCX to get many more equalizer nodes.
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    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/01 13:09:29 (permalink)


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    keneds
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/01 17:02:30 (permalink)
    gswitz
    Are you going to use it for live performances?

    Strictly studio use. SM58 works for me on the dive bar circuit. 😜

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    keneds
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/01 17:06:36 (permalink)
    mike_mccue
    How about one of these?
     

     
    http://www.beesneezmicrop...rdioid-microphone.html

    They want $100 to ship to the U.S. thanks anyway.

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    dubdisciple
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/01 17:25:33 (permalink)
    Blue Baby Bottle
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    SvenArne
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/01 18:13:49 (permalink)
    KEL Audio Song Sparrow! It's marketed as a chick mic, but it really is an allrounder, so long as you don't absolutely need the spiky highs condenders in this price range are known for. Silky on acoustic guitar as well!





    #14
    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/02 08:34:34 (permalink)
    KEL is out of business.
     
    They figured out that Chinese Contract mics are pieces of junk and so the owners have started a new business based around their intention of making their own mics at their own domestic factory.
     
    "We learned a lot by initially manufacturing in China," Dueck continues, "But now we can create exactly the kind of product we want, when we want. We're a small company but now there's no more waiting in line behind the big guys manufacturing out of the same plant. To guarantee consistency, we've used Western parts as much as possible including components from Canada, Germany, Brazil and the USA. All final manufacturing is done in Winnipeg, right down to the name plates on the front of the mics."
     
     
    BLUE makes some nice hi-end mics in USA, and it seems as if people bring a sense of optimism to the prospect that the cheap Chinese Contract mics BLUE also sells are somehow elevated by the relationship.  
     
    Most $400 LDC mics are designed to get $400 dollars from the customer... and they sound like $150 microphones.
     
    The $499 Oliver is actually designed to sound like a $1000-$2000 microphone. It's got better guts than a lot of $1300 famous maker brand mics.
     
    If I was ready to buy the BeesNeez mic I linked to, I would ask them if they could back off the shipping price and see what happens. The company is very accommodating. Tell them some guy told you to tell them that this will be your first really good mic and you need a break to get over the sticker shock.  That mic is made entirely by BeesNeez, they manufacture the capsule (which sells for $345), the metal work, and as much else as possible in their own building and the quality control reflects the fact that they are a family owned business that loves making microphones, and getting great microphones into the hands of musicians.
     
     
     
     
    Like I say I'd buy a pair but I already have about 3x as many mics as I have input channels... heck I may still buy a pair.
     
    :-)


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    SvenArne
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/02 09:33:13 (permalink)
    @McQ: Huh, I was not aware..!

    I'm certainly happy with my 3 chinese-made KEL mics, and I must've tried most of the usual suspects in this price range by now. The Sparrow is real special IMO! There might be consistecy issues, I dunno. So the BeezNeez Oliver is wholly Australian-made? Interesting!





    #16
    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/02 09:55:41 (permalink)
    It is my impression, based on knowing a few mic importers first hand, that the best companies try their best to hide the horrors of trust and bust Chinese contract manufacturing by eating a lot of rejects that cost more money to return than to send to the trash bin. If the import company is doing a good job, they get some good mics into the hands of customers, but to do consistently so they may literally have to check each one as if they are a customer. That is a very difficult process to scale when the Q.C. only happens at the the end of the line once the product has been shipped across an ocean, and so there is a powerful diseconomy of scale factor that impacts the import companies' effective Q.C.. They have to make hard decisions like choosing to continue to sell price point stuff while building the cost of the excessive waste into the pricing structure, slacking up on Q.C., or folding and finding another pathway to great Q.C.
     
    edit spelling
    post edited by mike_mccue - 2014/10/02 11:30:48


    #17
    keneds
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/05 00:18:37 (permalink)
    dubdisciple
    Blue Baby Bottle


    Thank you. I picked one up today and I must say ........wow, it suites my voice very good. I'm happy. 😝

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    dubdisciple
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/05 00:32:20 (permalink)
    keneds
    dubdisciple
    Blue Baby Bottle


    Thank you. I picked one up today and I must say ........wow, it suites my voice very good. I'm happy. 😝

    Glad that worked out for you. I think they make great mics for the price.
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    wst3
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/05 09:11:07 (permalink)
    late again... things do happen fast here!

    I love the Baby Bottle, I also have a Dragonfly and need to get a second one. There are quite a few other Blue microphones I have used, and would not hesitate to buy when the time is right.

    No one mentioned the Shure KSM family, the KSM-32 would have been an interesting alternative. It is a very neutral microphone, especially compared the the Baby Bottle, but sometimes that's a good place to start too.

    With respect to Mike's comments - I think he has described the marketplace well. In the sub $1000 market (number purely a demarcation, I'm not sure exactly where it falls) there are a lot of not-so-great microphones, unfortunately. Some sound bad the day you buy them, some age poorly. But there are exceptions to the rule, the thing is you need to find a way to audition them to at least rule out the first group, and then you need folks you trust to rule out the second<G>!

    My LDC collection is modest, and it was built over quite a few years, and most of them were purchased used. The thing about used microphones is they are a gamble if you do not know their history. AND, sadly, good microphones hold their value - you are not going to get a $1500 microphone for $500 on the used market unless you get very lucky. BUT, a $1500 microphone that you buy for $1000 has probably been well cared for, and will last as long as you choose.

    One company that flies under the radar is Michael Joly. He makes his own microphones, but he also modifies inexpensive microphones, sometimes to the extent of replacing even the capsule. His MJE-384K is at the top of my list. He provides WAV file demos, which I find quite useful. I've seen what he does to the Oktava microphones he modifies, and he offers return privileges.

    You can't go wrong with the Baby Bottle, I know you are going to have a lot of fun with it... so go make some music now!

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    #20
    brconflict
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/21 10:19:38 (permalink)
    A good place to spend some time: http://recordinghacks.com/microphones
     
    I have the AT4040 and love it. It's very clinical/flat, but works very well. If you can get your hands on a used AT-4047S/V, that one is less sizzly on the top, more like a U47, from which it's inspired.
     
    A used Avantone cv12 (new is $499) is an excellent c-12 type tube mic, great for vocals. I've shot it out with a real AKG c-12. It does a pretty good job, and is even slightly warmer than the older c-12.

    Brian
     
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    #21
    SvenArne
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/22 15:46:00 (permalink)
    brconflict
    A used Avantone cv12 (new is $499) is an excellent c-12 type tube mic, great for vocals. I've shot it out with a real AKG c-12. It does a pretty good job, and is even slightly warmer than the older c-12.




    Word on GS is that the Stellar CM-5 is basically the same mic (Modded Apex 460) but with better upgrades. Only $400!





    #22
    johnnyV
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/27 00:56:18 (permalink)
    Anybody tried one of these??  
    I too am in the market for a LDC mike. I have a few small Diaphragm mikes that I'm more than happy with for instruments, But my old Audio Technica ?? is sounding sad and I need a new vocal mike. This one has appeal because it could also be used live which is possible for me as I often do small intimate gigs. 
    http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM27
     

     
    I haven't shopped for one of these type of mikes for over 10 years. Boy has the market changed. As your all saying it's flooded with Chinese knock offs that all "look" like the real deal. I made the mistake of buying a MXL  LDC for $90  and  it sounds like a cell phone. 
    I'm sticking with what brands I already own. AKG, AT, Rode Shure etc. Anyhow my budget is not great and $300 sound about my speed. 

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    #23
    johnnyV
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/27 01:01:38 (permalink)
    This one also has my attention, I've had good luck with Audio Technica. This is sort of like my old one that is dying after 10 years of abuse ;)  It smells real bad too! 
     
    http://www.tomleemusic.ca/index.php/recording/studio-microphones/82436.html

     

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    SvenArne
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/27 07:09:21 (permalink)
    AFAIK the SM27 is the same as the old KSM27 but with slightly improved specs. The KSM27 was, I've heard it said, a single-capsule KSM44, so perhaps the SM27 is a single-capsule KSM44a?





    #25
    bluzdog
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/27 11:09:54 (permalink)
    My first LDC was a KSM 27. I paid $300 new. It served me well but as my mic collection grew the KSM 27 became idle. I sold it on ebay. It wouldn't be my first choice today if I had $500 to spend on a mic.
     
    Rocky
    #26
    johnnyV
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/27 11:12:52 (permalink)
    Well if that's the case then I think I'll go that route. I had a chance to demo a KSM44 while doing sound for the April Vetch band. They brought the mike , She plays fiddle and sings and had a few other musicians. It was the best balanced sound I've every achieved from a 1 mike set up. But they are $1,000 so not something I can afford or justify owning. 
    I'll need to get to a store where I can demo these with my own headphones first. 

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    #27
    batsbrew
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/27 12:18:42 (permalink)
    still recommend the Hamburg.
     

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    #28
    Starise
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/27 13:33:19 (permalink)
    I have the AT 4033a . I've heard many good things about the AT 4040....isn't that the one with two diaphrams? 
    The bluebird would probably be the last one I would consider. The se 2200 is also a very nice mic. Just looking at your choices, if it were between those mics I would go with the AT 4040.

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    #29
    SvenArne
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    Re: $300-$400 studio mic 2014/10/27 13:54:17 (permalink)
    In response to the OP I recommended the KEL Song Sparrow. Apparently, KEL has ceased production of their budget mics, so this mic will be hard to find. So I will recommend the very similar
    MXL 2003a (the 'a' is important, or so I'm told). It is also sold as the Cr24.

    I've owned or frequently recorded vocals with many LDCs in this price range: sE2200a, Røde NT1a, NT2 and NTK, MXL V67G, Oktava 219 and 319 and the AKG c214. I strongly feel that the MXL2003a is superior to all of them regardless of who is singing!

    The mic does lack the high-freq lift of most of the mics I mentioned, but I've never missed the excess (IMO) highs!





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