Topic: $1500, what mics would you buy?

[bagtagsell]

Just curious.  If you had v2/MME what mics would you pair with it.  Limit is $1500

[Brian Skalinder]

If no actives required / desired, I really like the MG M200 or M210 + SMS2000.
If actives required / desired, Neumann AK40/KM100.
LD, gotta fluff the AKG C414B ULS even though I haven't used 'em a whole lot yet - I really like the recordings I've heard.

[F.O.Bean]

I agree, either the MG 2000 series or ive always like the 480/v2/mme combo
for SD's

cant beta the LD 414's for price either

[SonicSound]

Check out LD - Shure KSM44's 

[keepongoin]

Check out LD - Shure KSM44's 

i prefer the ADK TLs to those ones.

[SonicSound]

Check out LD - Shure KSM44's 

i prefer the ADK TLs to those ones.

And what is your experience with the 44's?

[OOK]

MBHO 648's or 603's are a nice compliment to the warm sounding MME.....I use the 648?KA200

[leegeddy]

Just curious.  If you had v2/MME what mics would you pair with it.  Limit is $1500

Neumann SKM140.

marc

[creekfreak]

2 years ago I would say a set of mk41's (about what I paid for mine new) but no way you can touch them for $1500 now....Many good options mentioned above, can't go wrong with the MG's, 480's, Neumann. MBHO's would sound nice also

[John R]

km84, if you can find them.











<<<------

[admkrk]

km84, if you can find them

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41466&item=3778161844&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

too late for these

[BC]

Neumann SKM 140 set

[scb]

what would you be taping?   and from where?  usually fob?  section?

[nickgregory]

if you dont need actives...the MGs are the best option in that price range..that being said JK labs has started making active sets for the mgs, but that will push the price point up quite a bit

[bagtagsell]

90% of time from they section
MG's, worried about getting other caps.  They are so rare.  A new prices are wicked crazy.
I want to do SD.
Don't care about actives.

[F.O.Bean]

90% of time from they section
MG's, worried about getting other caps. They are so rare. A new prices are wicked crazy.
I want to do SD.
Don't care about actives.

that said, either km184/140 or akg 480

for the price, you could prolly snag a set of 480+61 used and then get the other two sets of caps for about that if you can find them used

if found used, the 480's+all caps would be about 1400 give or take, so thats def an option

the only problem is finding all of the caps used

[Brian Skalinder]

I gotta say if you want to use a variety of caps, I'd go AKG.  I prefer the sound of the Neuman AKx/KM100, but don't care for the AK50 hyper caps - they roll of the bass too much for my tastes and sound a bit thin.  And as you said, the MG caps new are *expensive*.

[F.O.Bean]

I gotta say if you want to use a variety of caps, I'd go AKG. I prefer the sound of the Neuman AKx/KM100, but don't care for the AK50 hyper caps - they roll of the bass too much for my tastes and sound a bit thin. And as you said, the MG caps new are *expensive*.

well said, i agree 100%

[stlram]

480's with  two sets of caps. Hell, you might be able to even swing 3 caps.

[Chris K]

for $1500, i would get the jk labs active setup for the akg ck6X caps for sd

for ld, akg 414b-uls

but thats me 

[marc0789]

Just curious.  If you had v2/MME what mics would you pair with it.  Limit is $1500

481's with an extra set of caps.
used skm140 set

I'd say that to my ears, the neumanns will sound a touch better into a v2>mme....little more color. but I like the akg hypers a whole lot more than the neumanns, and the extra set of caps is going to cost a buttload more than the akgs would, taking you out of your price range. If you don't need to be super lo pro, I'd go with the akgs.

[Todd R]

for $1500, i would get the jk labs active setup for the akg ck6X caps for sd

Exactly what I was going to say.  JKLabs ECMS-22 (~$850 new including active cables) + AKG ck63 hyper caps + ck62 card caps (or ck62 omnis if you prefer).  The ECMS-22 just allows the active cables and provides power to the caps, no gain -- a good compliment with the V2/MMe setup I'd bet.  I love this set up with my V3.  Probably about 1500-1600 total for the JKLabs box, actives, and 2 sets of caps if you go new, a bit less if you can get the cap sets used.

Absolutely the best option for people who (1) want small diameter mics (2) want to have hypers in the arsenal and (3) don't like the sound of schoeps.  DPA is out due to no hypers, neumann hypers are too thin sounding.  (Nick Gregory -- time to chime in to fluff the Gefells.   Sorry, not enough experience on my end to comment on those.)

[silentmark]

Neumann 140's, but of course I'm biased ...

[muj]

here is a nice deal,i took this post from rec.audio


"
2 KA-04 Bodies. Name badges removed. $500.00/pair


2 KR-3H hyper caps (matched). $450.00/pair


2 KR-2C cardiod caps (matched). $450.00/pair


Bodies and hypers purchased new May '03.
Cards purchased new Feb '04.


All function flawlessly. Cosmetically they're in excellent condition or
better (except missing name badges on bodies).
Jeff Lies
Omaha, NE
402-445-0620"

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=fs:+ka-04&hl=no&lr=&scoring=d&selm=1106822480.629451.38800%40z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com&rnum=1


www.theaudio.com

nick georges had a review on them

[stlram]

I would stay away from the 414's. I've used them and in the right situation they work great but it really has to be the right situiation. The large diaphram seems to has a poor off axis high frequency repsonse, thus not making them ideal for TS recording. They are too big for most FOB's and not really stealthable.

IMO the 480 are a much better sounding mic.

The recommendation for the JKLab is the best recommendation but you'll have to back order and wait 6-12 months.

The 184's are nice sounding and you won't be disappointed. They are also compact so they are very stealthable but ultimately the 480 are a bit better all around. To me the 140's are about they same in sound as the 184's so again I would give the nod to the 480's.

Ray

[thoman8r]

90% of time from they section
MG's, worried about getting other caps. They are so rare. A new prices are wicked crazy.
I want to do SD.
Don't care about actives.

They are not *that* rare.  You may have to be a little patient, but I'd be willing to bet a pair of bodies and caps pops up for sale about once a month.

Besides, they are worth the wait.  And for $1500, that'd probably almost cover a second set of caps as well.

Dave

[nickgregory]

(Nick Gregory -- time to chime in to fluff the Gefells. Sorry, not enough experience on my end to comment on those.)

damn I am getting predictable...I love the MGs, but all of the comments are right, they dont come up for sale as often as AKGs and with the recent price increase on MGs, the caps are absurd ~$950 for a pair...that being said, I prefer the sound..to the point where I am purchasing a similar setup to what Todd runs for his AKGs for my MGs so I have the active cable option...all depends on what your ears like...to me the MG 200s (card) have a great combination of detail and warmth that none of the other mics give you, the 210s (hyper) are the best hyper cap, hands down...not thin sounding at all as alot of hyper caps can be, and the 270 (omnis) are just fantastic...flat...make great tapes...

Also as to the comment of 6-8 month wait on JK Labs, that isnt accurate, if your interested send Jon an email and he can give you a better view.

The AKGs are great mics as well, just different strokes for different folks is all....

[nic]

The recommendation for the JKLab is the best recommendation but you'll have to back order and wait 6-12 months.

more like 3 months.

[Todd R]

The recommendation for the JKLab is the best recommendation but you'll have to back order and wait 6-12 months.

more like 3 months.

Yeah, I exhanged a few pm's with Jon at JKLabs before I got Lee's used ECMS box.  At the time, Jon was saying 8-10 week turnaround.  Def check with him if you're interested, but I doubt highly it'd be 6-12 months.

[Nick Graham]

with the recent price increase on MGs, the caps are absurd ~$950 for a pair

You think that's absurd...try $1400 a pair for Neumann caps, and that's before the price increase goes into effect next month.

I really did love my KM140s...but for just a couple hundred more I grabbed some used AKGs + ck61, ck62, and ck63 caps. Not many mics with that much versatility for under 2 grand.

[krebsy]

I really did love my KM140s...

...and they continue to be loved...    just got out with 'em for the first time this weekend.  Nice!!!  5 min setup rocks!!

but yes, new prices on neumann stuff are totally out of control.  I'll be holding on to my 391/93's for awhile!! 

[Craig T]

If I was going with SD mics at that price, I'd go AKG 48x.

[spyder9]

A nice used set of Neumann KMR81i short shotguns.  I'll upgrade those coveted babies someday.

[silentmark]

with the recent price increase on MGs, the caps are absurd ~$950 for a pair

You think that's absurd...try $1400 a pair for Neumann caps, and that's before the price increase goes into effect next month.

I really did love my KM140s...but for just a couple hundred more I grabbed some used AKGs + ck61, ck62, and ck63 caps. Not many mics with that much versatility for under 2 grand.

Traitor ... 

[John R]

with the recent price increase on MGs, the caps are absurd ~$950 for a pair

You think that's absurd...try $1400 a pair for Neumann caps, and that's before the price increase goes into effect next month.

I really did love my KM140s...but for just a couple hundred more I grabbed some used AKGs + ck61, ck62, and ck63 caps. Not many mics with that much versatility for under 2 grand.

they're not that expensive yet, except 50's

[F.O.Bean]

with the recent price increase on MGs, the caps are absurd ~$950 for a pair

You think that's absurd...try $1400 a pair for Neumann caps, and that's before the price increase goes into effect next month.

I really did love my KM140s...but for just a couple hundred more I grabbed some used AKGs + ck61, ck62, and ck63 caps. Not many mics with that much versatility for under 2 grand.

they're not that expensive yet, except 50's

50's are their most expensive capsules, but theyre the worst sounding IMO, YMMV