Condenser mics

[Kap'n]

I might be in the market for a reasonably-priced condenser mic for vocals and acoustic guitar. A 414 is way out of my range.

Any suggestions?

[Wilko]

So I guess the U87 is out of the question...

[juniorspecial]

I have an AKG C1000S which I think is pretty good for vocals and acoustic.

[chuckocaster]

AT 3035's are pretty nice. what exact price range you looking at?

[photoweborama]

I have an MXL, it works fine for my stuff, but I really recommend an AKG C3000. Those things are SWEET!

[Kap'n]

what exact price range you looking at?

Probably a couple of bills, or thereabouts. I can't realistically expect much better than a SM57 or 58 for that, both of which I have, but I can't break the bank, since I bought the Yamaha AW16G multitracker.

[Gravity Jim]

At $200, I will second chuckocaster on the AT 3035. If you can go a bit more or can find one used on eBay or something, the AKG C3000 is a servicable mic, but I prefer the Shure KSM 27 and KSM 32.

[Kap'n]

Thanks folks. This'd be a studio mic. The 58's work fine for live vocals, and I'm not going to mic my guitar live.

[fetchzee]

I've seen really good reviews of these:

http://www.fullcompass.com/Products/...836/index.html.

Personally, I've been using one of the Samson LDCs and am really happy with it. It can't compete with one of the vintage condensers or anything, but it sounds good to my ears and hits the tape better than a 57 or 58...

[fezz parka]

The 3035 kicks ass. Great for male vox, guitar cabs, etc.

FWIW, I've been using the cheapass ($50) MCA SP-1 alot, especially for micing guitars. Great mic, greater price.

[Kap'n]

Thanks folks!

Did some recording of the band tonight. Vocal-less backing tracks all live. Used an SM57 on the guitar, a couple of PZMs behind the drummer, with a SM58 [I know...] on the bass drum. Bass went direct. I wuz pretty impressed with the sound, considering I barely understood enough of the multitracker to get it to record!
We overdub vocals this weekend, and we'll have some "live-esque" tracks to get some gigs!

[Henri Devill]

Try the GT44..its a small cap tube condenser..200 bucks

[DanTheBluesMan]

let me recommend some fine mics from down under, Rode.

I have a slew of them NT1, NT2, NT3 and a matched pair of NT-5

Of the bunch, the NT2 dual diaphragm multi-pattern is simply fabulous for under 500 bucks, great as an overhead, vocals, ambient room mic and mic'ing a cab. I think they go for 3 bills today.

NT3 for me beat the AKG1000C hands down for small diaphragm condenser, both on acoustic guitar and vocals. under 200 new

NT1 is an excellent entry level large single diaphragm condenser, on cabs, vocals and ambient room. The NT1A is one of the quietest mics in the world, and it can be had for 200 dollars. Stupid cheap when you consider it is quieter than mics costing many thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars.

The NT5s are still new in the box, unused, never got to record my friend and his acoustic. Sadness. They were 300.

I do not have experience with the NT1000 solid state or the NT tube mic, but I am sure both are excellent mics for a fraction of the cost of the top guns of big names like Sony, Neumann, Telefunken, Sennheiser, Shure

Rodes have a sound similar to Neumanns without the hefty price tag, the innards are made by the company in their own factory in Australia, not China like nearly every single other budget and even some high end companies.

Email me if you might be interested, just put Rode in the subject line.