M-Audio Microphones

I was using the Nova by M audio back in 09 and have been having my eye on it from about 2007. I just didn’t want to crack down and spend the money to actually get it but after I finally broke down and spent the money I was glad that I decided to spend it. It is a large diaphragm condenser mic that we where using in the studio. I actually tried using it at home and really didn’t like the way that it was sounding at the time because my home set up back in 2009 wasn’t equipped for it and I had no room treatments. If I had this mic at home now it would probably sound so much better because I have a dedicated recording room in my basement with padding on the walls to really help with the sound and provide overall better quality. So back in 2009 I decided to take this mic to the larger studio across town and just use it there. When used in a real acoustic environment the M Audio Nova really will give you a great quality recording and it will shine its best in that situation. I have also heard people say that they have used this mic in live settings which I don’t recommend because it’s a much better studio mic than it is anything else. OVERALL OPINION After using it for a year in the main studio, we decided to start using a different set up so this mic kind of got pushed to the side. Though we do still have it and probably will keep it for a back up mic. But the price of this mic is really appealing and if you find one used I can only imagin how cheap the price will be so it will be worth the price now. Also, I am not too sure if they are actually still making and manufacturing this mic so you may have to purchase it used. But either way its worth it.

The M-Audio Aries is a vocal condenser microphone that is suitable for both use in the studio and the stage. I have only used it in the studio, but it definitely has the look and the shape of a stage microphone. However, since it is a condenser microphone it does need to be treated with a little bit more care than a normal dynamic microphone would because it is more sensitive. It does also require phantom power as all condenser microphones do, so you need to have it plugged into a board that has phantom power if you are going to use it for live shows. OVERALL OPINION I've been using the M-Audio Aries for a few months here and there as a cheap option for laying down ideas. I believe that this is what the M-Audio Aries is best suited for and I don't think I would recommend using it for much else in terms of use in the studio. It has a pretty decent overall sound, but lacks a certain fullness that I would look for in a good condenser microphone. Although I can't say that I have any experience doing so, I would bet that even though this is a condenser mic, that it would be suited well for live shows, granted you have the phantom power to use with it. I say this because of the general make up of the mic, and how it is indeed a hand held mic. It is specifically designed for vocals and definitely looks like a vocal mic. The price of the M-Audio Aries is really cheap and is probably the main reason that people will be interested in this mic. While it isn't one of the better mics by a long shot of mics that I have used either in the studio or for live shows, it will get the job done in both applications, of course depending what you are trying to do.

- What type of microphone? (live, recording, mixed...) Recording. - What technology? (electret, condenser...) Condenser, tube mic. 10dB pad, and low cut filter. Omni, cardioid, figure 8 patterns. OVERALL OPINION - For how long have you been using it? A few months. - What thing do you like most/least about it? Looks great, has loads of patterns, comes with pro suspension, sounds AMAZING!!! - Did you try many other models before getting this one? I own an AKG C3000, Rode NT3, AKG D5 and i've compared this to an MXL 990 too. - What is your opinion about the value for the price? Amazing value. - Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?... Oh hell yeah!!!