Hi
 
I've been a Sonar X3 user for a year and a half.  I've been using my trusty Peavey PVM 38 dynamic microphone for over 20 years of home recording.  All the way back to my 4 track cassette days up until my present Sonar days.  It still works fine but I'm thinking about upgrading to a more professional mic.  I'm considering this:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CV12?utm_source=MSN&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=none&utm_term=Bing_PLA_All_Products&device=c
 
My Peavey still works fine, but what I'm looking for in a better mic would be a cleaner sound with less tendency to clip on louder passages on vocals.  Last year I bought a cheapo Apex condenser mic (going by recommendations that condenser mics are ALWAYS better for recording) but it SUCKS!!  I paid less than $100.00 for it, but I don't want to take a chance of throwing $500.00 away on this mic if it is not going to give me a noticeable difference in the sound.  Many retailers will not take back microphones after purchase, so I need to make sure it will meet my needs.  Another thing I'm wondering is if the mic would be too "professional" for the DAW I'm using.  I only paid $200.00 for Sonar X3 Studio and this mic is $500.00.  It seems a bit off balance that the mic would be the most expensive part of my studio and that I only do this as a hobby  Has anybody ever used this kind of mic?  Your thoughts?
 
Thanks
John B.

The CV12 is supposed to be copied off of the famed AKG C12. I have heard many good things about the CV12, and am actually planning on buying one myself. I think you would be happy with this mic.

Condensers are very sensitive at a distance and pick up everything including reflections from walls, ceilings, floors, pipes, mirrors, furniture, cars passing outside, the lot. For a good condenser, you need a good sound-damped room
 
After much cash spent on Neumanns, etc., I got a Shure SM7B (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM7B). It is a dynamic, not a condenser and ideal for non-ideal recording environments.
 
It is absolutely pop-proof, I only need a popshield to stop artists spit hitting it. (!?!)
 
And it has switches on the back to set the frequency response. I prefer Flat with Bass Rolloff set to ON. Some like the Presence boost setting which gives you the classic Shure SM58 rock mic upper frequency boost. Two-in-one.
 
It admittedly does have a low output, but unless I am recording a weak voice, my very basic Cakewalk/Edirol UA-25EX interface has always had plenty gain to spare.
 

If you go with an SM7B, I highly recommend a Cloudlifter CL-1 to go with it.

If I could only have one mic, it wold be my ElecrtoVoice RE-20. It's great for vocals, but also for kick drum, guitar amp, and almost anything else.  Being dynamic, it does not need phantom power and it can take a lot of level.  It comes with a bass roll-off switch which I engage for everything except kick drum and bass guitar amp.  (I might also leave it off for a bass singer in a Gospel quarter or operatic situation.)  This mic is also the gold standard for radio and narration.
 
It is rugged and not really expensive as far as professional mics go.
 
I'd rather have something else for string quartets and other special situations,  but, honestly, in a world of virtual instruments, those situations don't come up that often; and if I only had the RE-20, I'd make it work.
 
You will get 1,000 suggestions here and I will bet they are all good; but that one is my workhorse.
 
One footnote: Craig Anderton mastered my most recent album and there was only one song that he thought did not need any additional vocal EQ.  It was the track I did with the RE-20.

I really like my Heil PR40. Anyway, check second hand if you want to save some money.
Best of luck.

I'm not the only one on the forum who is a fan of this mic. It can be found new at about $300.

It's truly fantastic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnq0JrOvfUo

lawajava
I'm not the only one on the forum who is a fan of this mic. It can be found new at about $300.

It's truly fantastic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnq0JrOvfUo

The CAD Equitek E100s is the sweetest creation I've ever had the pleasure of acquiring... and, the only high end mic made in the US...
 
I have a dozen decent $100-$400 mics.  Gave them all to a friend... The E100s made me do it with a smile
 
lowest noise level, clarity, warmth, essence... it'll blow ur mind... Nothing comes close to this mic.
 
Beat out the Neuman U87 mic, which costs $2700 IN BLIND TESTS
 
Detailed Review, specs, construction, and everything, including it's awesome floating iso system...
Watch this:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlnQqAW_eog
 

Johnbee58
Another thing I'm wondering is if the mic would be too "professional" for the DAW I'm using.  I only paid $200.00 for Sonar X3 Studio and this mic is $500.00.  It seems a bit off balance that the mic would be the most expensive part of my studio and that I only do this as a hobby  Has anybody ever used this kind of mic?  Your thoughts?

Sonar, all versions, is as professional as any other DAW. These days all the major DAWs are equally capable of professional results to the extent that it's impossible to tell by listening which was used to produce a particular track. The only difference between a Studio and Producer version of Sonar is a few functions and which plugins are included. Studio's audio engine and the stuff that matters for sound quality is the same as in the Producer or Platinum versions.

What do you intend to use the microphone for? Just vocals? You're right about very cheap condensers generally not being very good, but there are lots of quite acceptable ones in your price range. Also lots of good dynamic mics, including the industry standard and not expensive SM57 and SM58.

As for any "balance" between the cost of the DAW software and studio hardware, there's nothing to consider. Two completely different things.

jpetersen
Condensers are very sensitive at a distance and pick up everything including reflections from walls, ceilings, floors, pipes, mirrors, furniture, cars passing outside, the lot. For a good condenser, you need a good sound-damped room
 

 
I have to agree with Jay. If you don't make an effort to control your room, any condenser might sound different than you expect, as it'll be picking up reflections bouncing off walls, ceilings and floors. The more sensitive your mic, the more of your room you're going to hear.