Microphones on a budget

[Johnny Tightlips]

First off, apologies if this topic exists elsewhere. Did have a look but couldn't see anything.

I was wondering if anyone can give me some recommendations on decent dynamic mic's around £60 - £80, give or take a bit. It's mainly going to be for studio work, but would be good if it was also suited for live work.

I'm been told the Shure SM58 by some people, but have read a lot of reviews that says it's a very outdated mic now. I realise what I should be doing is trying mic's out for myself and finding one that I feel most comfortable with, but I don't really fancy standing in the middle of a shop in Cardiff shouting my head off!

In terms of my vocals, my voice is very loud. I mainly sing in either a clean style or in a growling death metal style (very much like a lot of the bands in the Finnish scene, i.e. Ensiferum, Moonsorrow, Wintersun, Norther, Children of Bodom etc...).

Any help would be greatly appriciated!

 

[JeffTD]

For studio, I wouldn't really even consider using a dynamic... for live, you can't beat an SM58 - those things take a beating and sound great!

 

[trym^^]

i like the studio projects mics. maybe check out the b1.

 

[Johnny Tightlips]

Would a condensor mic be better for recording vocals in the studio then?

 

[trym^^]

definately. although i read somewhere that some producers like to toss it around the controlroom to catch vibes and ideas and bla.

 

[Tachy]

For my taste in the studio I prefer recording vocals into condenser mics.

 

[Johnny Tightlips]

I think I might give that a try then. Looking at the reviews etc.. for the B1, it seems to be highly thought of.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[trym^^]

some teachers at the sae swear on these microphones and
do a/b comparisons with their students to show them that
these mics eat neumanns for breakfast. thats what i was told haha.
if you can afford it then go for the c1.

 

[_RiseInside_]

growls sounds great with a dynamic mic in studio. i don´t see where´s the problem

 

[LSD-Studio]

For studio, I wouldn't really even consider using a dynamic...!

dude,
you haven't heard the sm7, have you?

(k, it does not fall into that price range, tho..)

 

[JeffTD]

Shit, the SM7 is dynamic - I completely forgot about that.

I take that original statement back - for that price, I wouldn't consider a dynamic.

 

[kev]

well dude, picked one up from sound control b/new @ £80 , next week i picked another up- £15 + £10 shipping from china new on ebay!

 

[Razorjack]

well dude, picked one up from sound control b/new @ £80 , next week i picked another up- £15 + £10 shipping from china new on ebay!

SM7 for £80? I doubt that, a 57 maybe but not an SM7. The SM7's go for around £250-300.

 

[Andy Sneap]

do not buy chinese mics off ebay, they're fakes

 

[kev]

i recently scored these jems too!

http://cgi.ebay.com/A-PAIR-JEM-7V-I...36QQihZ013QQcategoryZ2384QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

it was only 99p this time, my deals are getting better and better

SM7 for £80? I doubt that, a 57 maybe but not an SM7. The SM7's go for around £250-300.

ah, originally talking about sm57 - my bad

 

[JBroll]

I'd say try a 57 or 58 and yank the little transformer out - either way, you can make up for the 10db gain loss and the sound is incredible (you'll hear SM7 comparisons all over the place, may not be 100% accurate but that transformerless 57 can slay). You might be able to sell off the transformer as an outboard unit if you use some 'creative advertising' on eBay, get a quick buck (euro) or two that way...

Oh, and will second the chinese mic thing - bogus, and outside the jurisdiction of any court that would care.

Jeff

 

[GeertSamuel]

some teachers at the sae swear on these microphones and
do a/b comparisons with their students to show them that
these mics eat neumanns for breakfast. thats what i was told haha.
if you can afford it then go for the c1.

don't forget that when you study at sae or are a teacher there you get studio projects with a discount of like 40%!!

 

[LSD-Studio]

try SE mics, great value!!

 

[Johnny Tightlips]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I've gone for the Studio Projects B1 after hearing lots of good things about it.

Thanks again!

 

[trym^^]

interesting ... i always thought sae is a plain cashmashine and that proves it.
schools and capitalism don't work well together.