Is it at all possible to buy a quality vocal condenser mic for $100-150?

I can't even really afford that but I know I need something better than the overhead condensers that came with my Samson drum mic kit. Any suggestions? Cheers.

@Quazelar... Thanks. My problem is I know quite a bit about dynamic mics and brands but I've never really gotten a chance to explore condensers and ribbon mics so I'm at a loss. I guess I should mention I'm a male with a deepish voice but I do cross into higher register stuff and would be using it for everything from soft mellow acoustic to screecher/growler metal. So basically I need a general purpose mic suited to the male voice. Perhaps if I had some suggestions on even mics outside of that price range I could research and compare budget mics that emulate their more costly counterparts. Big order I know but I don't really know where to start looking and I can't afford to make a mistake with this purchase. Cheers.

I know...you don't want to buy the wrong condenser mic.
I got rid of my Equitek E200 because it was dark sounding on my voice (overstatement).

I still think soliciting comments/ recommendations from this forum is a good approach.
Getting a reasonably good condenser at your price point may may be a quite subjective assesment given our different vocal timbres, etc.
Next best ideal is to head to a local music store that will allow you to actually try a few on the house demo setup which is what I've done prior to purchasing.

I'm sure some others will chime in with some thoughts.

Good luck on the quest...

Beepster

Sucks to be broke.

 
 I know the feeling and when you have GAS... you're always broke...

Anyone know of any budget mic shootout type articles on sites like SOS? Maybe I should ask Mr. Anderton next time I see him poking about.

Nah, it's all helpful. Gets my gears turning. Pleased to meet ya. :-)

If you truly need the qualities that a condenser microphone offers (sensitivity, omni options, wide frequency response), then you need to invest in a good one. There are a number adequate condensers around for $100 (AT-2020 comes to mind), but they are just that - adequate - and you'd be better off with a good dynamic mic.

I hear ya, bit but I just want something better than my Samson C01's. All my dynamic mics just don't have that clarity I'm looking for. I also have a one of those Blue Ball powered dynamic mics which is cool but it's kind of distant sounding for vocals. The C01's are ALMOST where I want them but they have this weird almost phasing quality to them. Like I'm singing into a little tiny high speed fan or something. It actually sounds kind of cool but obviously is unwanted for a traditional vocal track. I'll check out that 2020 too. Cheers.

Thanks, Jules. I've heard some of your CHC work so that's actually very helpful. That's the kind of clarity I'd like. You've got a great voice BTW.

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones
 
J

That's a crazy site, dude. Thanks. On a side note I realized I have an AKG C 525 S I bought used AGES ago I had forgotten about. I thought it was broken but I just figured out it requires phantom power. I can't remember if I tried that way back when but I'm about to test it. Maybe I'll luck out. I'm also gonna go through all my old dynamic mics and see how they sound with the mic pres on my Scarlett. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. Cheers guys.

AHAHAHAHA! The AKG works! It's like getting a free surprise microphone! It's pretty echo-y though so I'm not sure what I'd use it for but I'll use it for something. It makes my voice sound kind of creepy. Hooray!

Oh it's a totally different mic than the Audio Technica. I don't think it's really meant for vocals. I just tried to record a track with it and it was pretty crappy. Might be better for micing amps or drums. It doesn't seem to like low Old Man River style vocals. I just tried out my Shure C606 dynamic and man it sounds really good with the Scarlett mic pres. The Shure C series is a budget line (I paid $30 brand new for it) but it's almost as good as a 58. In fact I'd say in some ways it's better especially in the clarity department. I think they may have stopped making them because they were TOO good. I had to do my old trick of putting a sock over it to cut out sibilance and I think it might just be the one that gets used for this specific track. Man I love this little mic. Still gonna test all my others. Aside from the Samson and Blue mics I haven't tried any of my other mics with the Scarlett.

offnote


the AKG PERCEPTION 220 is absolutely amazing for the price.

"Well, that's just like, you're opinion, man" ~J. Lebowski to Jesus, The Big Lebowski

bapu, are you high or stoned?