A New Condenser Microphone

[Arjen W.]

Hi everybody, first post here! I posted this thread in the Opeth forum initially, but so far people haven't responded or paid attention to it, so might as well try it here!

I'm in need of a new condenser microphone to record mainly acoustic guitars and some vocals. I would like some advice on what microphone is the one I want. It's just for homerecording but I do want decent quality. The price range I'm thinking of is about €100-€400 ($150-$500).

I don't have great knowledge about condenser mics, I've heard good things about Rode mics though. A store near hear has the NT2000, NT1000, NT1A and NT2A, among others. What exactly are the differences between these mics, sound and quality-wise? Does anyone have other mics to recommend for this job in this pricerange?

Of course I'll also need a pre-amp that isn't too expensive, about €50-€100 ($60-$140) max. I was thinking about a cheap small mixer, but I heard the cheap pre-amps defeat the purpose of a quality mic. So, any advice on this, or tips on good, cheap pre-amps (if they exist)?

Big thanks in advance!

 

[_RiseInside_]

forget rode, forget studio projects. Go audio technica. 4033 for example.

 

[Arjen W.]

forget rode, forget studio projects. Go audio technica. 4033 for example.

What's wrong with Rode? I'll steer clear of SP, but Rode does have a good name isn't it? Can you tell me why the AT4033 is better, the pros and cons?

 

[_RiseInside_]

I´m sure you can achieve great results with the 40 series audio technica mics - 4033, 4050, 4040. It´s the series i know. I have two rodes. AT is better built, less cheaper sounding and retains its 2nd hand value better. also rode suffers a bit of cheap mic harshness/sibilance.

 

[006]

However, the pair of RODE NT2-A's that we have here work really well for eveyrthing we've tried them on, including vocals and acoustic guitars.

For acoustics you really want a matched pair of condensors, helps a lot in really capturing the sound with a bit more natural sound to it than a couple of random condensors. RODE's NT5 kit comes with two matched condensors (intended for acoustics really), two mic clips, two windscreens, and a carrying case for the same price as 1 (one) RODE NT2-A. If you want a good cheap 2 ch. preamp to use these with, check out the Presonus BlueTube Dual Path or the M-Audio DMP3. Both units have received great reviews (moreso on the DMP3) and I've not perosnally heard a bad word about either of them. I have heard a few recordings of vocals done through the DMP3, as well as some acoustic guitars and it sounds fine.

I recommend this stuff because it's in your price range and because you want decent results while still being confined to the home project world. If you were wanting pro sounding production on acoustics, I would say the AT4033/4044 + Soundelux U95 and a pair of Avalon VT737sp's...but those are not in your price range.

Just my thoughts.

~006

 

[evildonkeymaster]

forget rode, forget studio projects. Go audio technica. 4033 for example.

4033 is decent 4040 is better but you are kidding yourself if you think all the SP mics are bad if you have ever A/B'd a Studio Projects C3 and a 4040 you will be floored at how much better the C3 sounds.

No C3 or 4040 on this page but lots of good things to take a "blind listen test" to. Try listening to the 4050 through the Neve or John Hardy pres (bug bucks) then through the Studio Projects VTB-1 pre (99.00) makes spending 2,000.00 on a pre hard to do. Not saying that the SP VTB-1 sounds better then the hardy or Neve pre just that it is not that bad in comparison.

Biggest shocker here is how the TLM103 actually sounds worse then the SP C3 and the 4047 IMO.

Later

 

[006]

Well, we did a miny shootout here at the studio one day when we were bored and had many hours of editing to do between my TLM103, our RODE NT2-A, Sure KSM44, and the Studio Projects C1 we have. We have other condensors (AT4040, Royer R-121 (ribbon), Josephson C12 matched pair, etc. but not used in the "shootout"). And the results were that the cheaper mics were actually pretty damn competitive with the more expensive ones. That said, yes I still prefer my TLM103 over the C1 and NT2-A, but only for certain things now. Before I would reach for my 103 first, now if it's certain things I'm mic'ing up, I know which ones sound better for the sources. Doing a shootout with your own mics really opens your eyes, and ears. In this case, we had to totally recover from shock after hearing how much better the C1 sounded on certain things, and the NT2-A on certain things. Just like anything else in the world, price doesn't mean quality. I don't care what it is.

The Neumann cost a lot of money, well in comparison to the others in the shootout. And it didn't sound as good on a few things as the cheaper mics did. Studio Projects is actually a pretty nice mic maker. Their stuff outisde of the $150 range is great and very useful. RODE's stuff is great too.

All said and done though, it all comes down to personal preference. Yes this mic sounds better to me on acoustic guitars becuase it's very bright and clear, but to my boss he may like a more wooly sound that has less crispness right off the bat. Generally speaking though, we were just plain shocked.

~006

 

[Arjen W.]

Alright, this really helps, thanks a lot! Feel free to carry on.

 

[Jacob Hansen]

I've been more than happy with my Oktava MK-12 / MC-012's. I bought a pair for about $270. They are great for acoustic guitars, but I have also used them for other things like drums (OH, HH, SN bottom, etc.). Go get a matched pair! Don't buy black chinese copies, tho.

 

[Arjen W.]

I see, I haven't heard of Oktava before. So a matched condenser pair is the best way to go? Anyway, thanks for the input.

 

[006]

For acoustics? Yes, a matched pair of condensors always gets the best results.

~006

 

[Arjen W.]

And how about vocals? I assume one would just use one of the two mics? I've never heard of recording vocals with a matched pair. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

And how about vocals? I assume one would just use one of the two mics? I've never heard of recording vocals with a matched pair. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

I recorded vocals with 2 mics at the same time (not a matched pair), it's kind of useful for soft singers (so as not to say weak) that don't want to double track as it helps fatten the sound (just like 2 mics on a cab) but since most singers move while singing, that can create some very slight phase issues. I don't think I'll do it again to be honest (unless I have to record Enya ).

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

I've been more than happy with my Oktava MK-12 / MC-012's. I bought a pair for about $270. They are great for acoustic guitars, but I have also used them for other things like drums (OH, HH, SN bottom, etc.). Go get a matched pair! Don't buy black chinese copies, tho.

Oh oh, didn't realize before but seems like we have another top notch metal producer here !!! Welcome to the forum Jacob !!! kickass:

 

[Arjen W.]

I recorded vocals with 2 mics at the same time (not a matched pair), it's kind of useful for soft singers (so as not to say weak) that don't want to double track as it helps fatten the sound (just like 2 mics on a cab) but since most singers move while singing, that can create some very slight phase issues. I don't think I'll do it again to be honest (unless I have to record Enya ).

Alright, so one would just use one of the two mics. Thanks!

 

[LynchpiN]

Hey Jacob!

Haven't said it before, but thanks a lot for the info on the Invocator album! Just heard the new Beyond Twilight yesterday, freaky stuff