Topic: Under $1k - Outdoor Jam Band Mic Recommendations

[HeliumDolphinVideo]

Hey Everyone,

I have a budget of about $900 and need recommendations for a new set of mics for festival season. I'll be taping jam, funk, and rock bands from the FOH area. I have a oade concert mod R-44. Wish I had the $ for Schoeps, but not this year.

I've used Busman BSC1's and been happy with their performance but they don't seem to be available anymore. Any help would be awesome!

Thanks!

[caymanreview]

for 900 you have alot of options if your willing to consider used. i think there are some akgs in the yard sale currently for less than your budget!

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

I've been using the Beyerdynamic mics for a while and really like them.

$700 for a pair of MC930's here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beyerdynamic-MC930-STEREO-SET-Small-Diaphragm-Condenser-Microphone-Mic-PAIR-Case-/391311096995?hash=item5b1bf57ca3:g:8IcAAOSweuxWSema

[down2earthlandscaper]

I have Busmans and like them a lot. When I was researching mics I came across these as a serious contender http://www.pelusomicrophonelab.com/microphones/CEMC6SK.html
A pair came up in yardsale a couple of months ago and I snatched them up. Love these mics.
Here is a sample, recorded in a somewhat challenging room.
https://archive.org/details/um2016-03-11.cemc6.flac16

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Second on the Peluso's too.

I could have sworn I saw a set of Busman BSC2's in the YS recently. ...just checked, they sold...but if you can find those they  work good for FOB and you'll get multiple caps which is also handy.

[down2earthlandscaper]

I'm listening to this Umphreys's McGee show right now. Damn. These Peluso's are impressive mics.
https://archive.org/details/um2016-03-11.cemc6.flac16

Ya, the BSC2 set was really tempting...

[rocksuitcase]

Beyer makes some great mics for what we do (the rec from Fatah Ruark above). That said, your budget is enough to consider many items. Also of use to us would be tell us what recorder9s) you have as that determines if you can use XLR connectors, 1/8th inch jack connectors or microdots. The deck type also tells us if you need a battery box or if the deck supplies phantom power. I have no experience with the peluso's named above, but they would certainly do. You say FOH and outdoor. so remember you will need good windscreens as well, which add up cost wise. I just spent $70 for a pair of Big Ass Shures for instance (for our AKG 460/ck61's).

I would suggest checking out Gutbuckets threads on mic configs. He uses a lot of DPA's with a couple of naiant's and you could afford used DPA's if you went that route (cable also an issue as the DPA's use the microdots) You could also go the used AKG active route as they allow you to have different capsule choices. kindms picked up our AKG actives (with ck61 cardiod caps and naiant PFA's) used for about $600 iirc.
I will finally add, I own a pair of Beyer M201E's which I used infrequently until this year. they are dynamic mics so do not require phantom power and also hypercardiod which many here dislike, but can be nice for outdoor environments with crowd noise. I'll link to the Beyers and a recording made with them:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/M201TG
https://archive.org/details/gd1983-06-22.beyerm201.holbrook.burke.81511.sbeok.flac24

edit to correct brand name

[jagraham]

If you're running all open you could get some used naks from the YS or EBay. Would be less than 1k and you could get batteries and accessories with the extra funds.

[IowaClint]

AKG 461's I think are still for sale in the yard sale. 

[MakersMarc]

And I think there's still a pair of 481s for 800, that's a lot of bang for the buck, and you can always add caps. Loved mine, great outdoors.

[jbell]

AKG 461's

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=176924.0

[acidjack]

The default answer would be AKGs, and I think that's probably right. Pelusos and Beyers are great too. One advantage with AKGs is you could just get capsules + cables/PFAs for a nice compact setup.

[barrettphisher]

Sorry ADK A51 TL's all day baby!  Four Pattern LD mics that can be found used for around $500 in the yard sale.  Don't be afraid to go LD. 
Barrett

[Nick's Picks]

I'll throw in w/an AKG recomendation.   you could find some Neumann 184's in that range too...and those would be super nice outdoors (and in)

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

Sorry ADK A51 TL's all day baby!  Four Pattern LD mics that can be found used for around $500 in the yard sale.  Don't be afraid to go LD. 
Barrett

This^^^

[Gutbucket]

Like AJ mentions the default answer is AKG. Lots of options there.  I like Nick's idea with the Neumann 184s if you can find them for that price.  These both have sort of the same general flavor to my ear (not overly darkish). I just usually like the sound of Neumann better (flavored, but usually sort of smoother in the highs).

Lots of tapers love the Busman's and the Peluso's and Beyer's.  I'm just not as familiar with them sonically.  Also maybe Milab's used.

Sorry ADK A51 TL's all day baby!  Four Pattern LD mics that can be found used for around $500 in the yard sale.  Don't be afraid to go LD. 
Barrett

Truth! Probably the best bang for the buck IMO. Very clean and neutral. But big and heavy!  Easier to do if well blocked, harder to run lower profile if very FOB.


But.. If I had to choose only two of the mics from my locker for "outdoor festival season taping jam, funk, and rock bands from the FOH area" I'd skip the TL's, Gefells and other stuff I have in there, revert to a pair of DPA miniature omnis (4060 or 4061) spaced 3' apart on a TV antenna, and aim to place that right in the heart of the sweet spot FOB.  But that's based on my experience and preference and does not reflect the more typical taper mindset around here.  It is compact, nearly invisible, and near weather-proof, but the 3' spread can be a challenge, and it's a "you are there" type presentation, which includes the enthusiasm of all those around you, so its important to choose a good sounding, enthusiastic spot.

Vive la différence!

[HeliumDolphinVideo]

Great recommendations! Thank you everyone. I really appreciate it. I'm not opposed to the yard sale, so I might go the AKG route. But I want to go listen to some ADK A51 TL & Peluso recordings before I jump to any purchases. Gutbucket's Omni idea is intriguing but all too often the FOH is a shitshow of distracting talkers and shouters where I'm going. I've tried the Busman BSC1's before and liked them but they are not available new anymore.

[HeliumDolphinVideo]

Beyer makes some great mics for what we do (the rec from Fatah Ruark above). That said, your budget is enough to consider many items. Also of use to us would be tell us what recorder9s) you have ...

I would suggest checking out Gutbuckets threads on mic configs. He uses a lot of DPA's with a couple of NAIANT's and you could afford used DPA's if you went that route (cable also an issue as the DPA's use the microdots) You could also go the used AKG active route as they allow you to have different capsule choices. kindms picked up our AKG actives (with ck61 cardiod caps and NAIANT PFA's) used for about $600 iirc.

Thanks Rocksuitcase! I have a oade concert R-44. The AKG actives are what I've heard the most recordings that I've liked with. I'm not very familiar with the NAIANTs. Will check them out. Thanks for the links!

[old and in the way]

You should not forget the Berliner cm33 . There have been excellent pulls with these mics and at 400.00 for a stereo matched pair you'll have 500.00 left over

[voltronic]

Sorry everyone, but I can't help myself...

You should consider the Line Audio mics.  2 models available: wide cardiod and omni.  They punch WAY above their price, are tiny and weigh almost nothing.  250 EUR  a pair shipped from No Hype Audio in Belgium, which is about $280 US currently.  Hit the Team Line Audio link in my signature for more info.

[BonoBeats]

As Gutbucket said, the ADK TL's are great, BUT not exactly low profile for running FOB. I typically run them either from the section, or for local club gigs when I can run on stage without any issues.

Any number of great sdc mics available within your budget, from used AKGs all the way down to Line Audio, and several in between. Listen to tapes from a few contenders in the Archive and buy with confidence.

[Benderman11]

I'm a big fan of the oktava Mk-012's.  Especially if you have Michael Joly mod them which you can always do later.

[rocksuitcase]

Naiant should not be in all caps.  In fact in my logo it's stylized as all lowercase!

I apologize. always write it in large caps in our text files, so glad to know correct way.
I do stand by that the OP should look at them for his purchase   

[2manyrocks]

Dpa 4060s or 4061s just have that clear sound and they are so easy to carry.

[rocksuitcase]

Dpa 4060s or 4061s just have that clear sound and they are so easy to carry.

Helium, I mentioned this earlier. You can afford them with $900.
new: http://www.dpamicrophones.com/microphones
used should be able to locate some.  4061's: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=176082.0

[Nick's Picks]

I ran w/the DPA4071's for a while.  they are an omni w/a roll-off on the bass...they were spanky good.  crystal clear and I could use them indoors. 
ran them on a 3' spread (antenna) worked like a charm

[rigpimp]

Buy some Line Audio's.  You could probably get a pair of cardiods and omnis and stay within your budget.  The omni's would be good for those windy days outdoors.

[Jhurlbs81]

I'd look at a MBHO active set up- cards/subcards with a PFA.

[cybergaloot]

Buy some Line Audio's.  You could probably get a pair of cardiods and omnis and stay within your budget.  The omni's would be good for those windy days outdoors.

I like my ADK TLs but also like my Line Audio CM3s. $150 each for the CM3s is just hard to beat! Much smaller and much easier to tote than the TLs.

[Nick's Picks]

i've got a stereo pair of MBHO 440's (cardioid) in the yard sale for 450...fyi.

[Jhurlbs81]

i've got a stereo pair of MBHO 440's (cardioid) in the yard sale for 450...fyi.

I'd seriously consider these, OP.  Fantastic small mics.  Check out some MBHO tapes on the archive.

Jesse

[rocksuitcase]

i've got a stereo pair of MBHO 440's (cardioid) in the yard sale for 450...fyi.

I'd seriously consider these, OP.  Fantastic small mics.  Check out some MBHO tapes on the archive.

Jesse

Great mics, solid seller, well within your budget OP. (hell, you could also find a 2nd  used set of actives AKG, DPA etc)

[Nick's Picks]

you'd have a hard time finding something that was "absolutely superior" w/o spending $2k

[Fried Chicken Boy]

I'm listening to this Umphreys's McGee show right now. Damn. These Peluso's are impressive mics.
https://archive.org/details/um2016-03-11.cemc6.flac16

Yep, that is a damn fine recording.  Nice setlist as well, love the cover of ELP's "From the Beginning".  No doubt a nod to Keith Emerson.

As far as mic recommendations, the other suggestions in this thread are good ones: AKG, Beyer, Peluso, Line Audio, MBHO are all solid SDCs.  I would also throw the Audio-Technica AT4051 into the ring.  Different capsules available for it and, generally speaking, AT mics are woefully underappreciated.  An excellent bang-for-the-buck microphone line.