Log in
Log in
Forgot your password ?
or
Create an account
or
Log in using a Facebook account
NotificationsNo new notification
< Back to Microphones
Enlarge
Microphones
Studio & Home Studio
Microphones
Products 5,461 5,5k
News 354 354
Articles 19 19
Media 117,577 117,6k
Tutorials Tutorials & Tips 4 4
Reviews 4,682 4,7k
Classified Ads Classifieds 5 5
Forums 210 210

Which mic?

  • 3 replies
  • 4 participants
  • 9,279 views
  • 0 follower
Topic Which mic?
I'm about to throw down some of my Christmas gift money for a better studio condenser than the functional but low-end one that I have now (an MXL 990). My question is simple: what should I get?

In the running:
Rode NT1a ($199)
Rode NT2a (is it really worth the $399?)
MXL 3000 (pre-amp built-in, I can get it new for $129, list is $399)
Studio Projects C1 ($240)
AKG Perception 200 ($159)
M-Audio Solaris ($299)

I want the best quality mic in this mid-price range for my male vocals (big range baritone-tenor, strong and clear) and acoustic guitar (high-end Taylor, steel-string, mostly strummed). I am a singer-songwriter playing modern rock (I don't know, think Radiohead, Counting Crows, and Coldplay). I can get a separate small-diaphragm condenser for the acoustic if it will really make a difference. But if one of these above is both a fantastic vocal mic and versatile enough to get the best sounds for the acoustic too, that would be best. I don't have all the money in the world.

I'll be recording into the system you see below, into Logic 7 through either my M-Audio USB Mobile-Pre, or my Line6 TonePort - lots of preamps to choose from. I'm also thinking of springing for the new Alesis iO/14 at some point.

So, which mic would you say?

--------------------
2.33 GHz MBP C2D, 2GB RAM
120GB 5400rpm internal, 250GB 7200rpm FW800 external (WD MyBook Pro)
Logic Express 7.2, Jam Pack 1, Jam Pack 4 (Symphony Orchestra), Reason 3, Reason Drum Kits 2, various refills, Line6 TonePort & GearBox, M-Audio USB Mobile Pre, Nomad Factory Studio Pro Bundle (Blue Tubes Bundle v3 & v2, Analog Signature Pack, BlueVerb DRV-2080, Essential Studio Suite, Liquid Bundle 2)
2
get an Audio Technica AT4033CL, its the best. i tell everyone to get it. it sells for about $400.

but the Rode NT1 and NT2 are really good for the price. the NT2 is better though.
3
get an akg c 3000
4
I've heard good things about the AKG Perception 200. The Rode stuff is usually pretty nice, I'd also bet the AT4040 is real good for the money. Not a big fan of the C3000 for a general purpose condenser here.