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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: tonyvt on January 07, 2018, 09:39:54 AM

Title: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: tonyvt on January 07, 2018, 09:39:54 AM
I've decided to get back into taping after a close to 7 year hiatus. Just ordered a Tascam DR-70D from Musicians Friend which was on sale for $219 and am looking for recommendations for an inexpensive ($350 or less) pair of microphones. Most of my audience taping will be in small to medium sized rooms and I have a preference towards cardioid and hyper cardioid capsules.

These are in the running so far:
Studio Projects C4
Avantone CK-1
AKG P170
LyxPro SDPC-2


 
Title: Re: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: goodcooker on January 07, 2018, 09:56:10 AM

I like the Avantone mics - the cardioid and hyper capsules both sound good. Have a look in the Yard Sale section here. You can often find a good deal on something buying used.
Title: Re: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: jbell on January 07, 2018, 10:28:30 AM
People have really liked the Line audio cm3 and they are small profile!

http://www.lineaudio.se/CM3.html
Title: Re: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: heathen on January 07, 2018, 11:25:50 AM
AT4031
Title: Re: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: buckster on January 07, 2018, 01:21:51 PM
A few years ago I was looking into a budget rig and the Avantone's CK-1 and Studio Projects C4 were on my short list too.  I got a good deal and went with the Studio Projects and have been quite happy. 
Title: Re: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: wforwumbo on January 07, 2018, 02:07:12 PM
A month ago I bought a pair of AT4031s on here to get myself into the live taping game for the first time. I just upgraded to Schoeps, if you want I’ll sell you my AT4031s for what I paid for em - $150. They were formerly owned by jcable77 and ashevillain, would be great to keep em in the taper community.

Edit: the Line Audio CM3s were also on my short list of mics. If you like the open/wide cardioid sound they’ll definitely fit the bill for ya too.
Title: Re: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: illconditioned on January 07, 2018, 02:17:03 PM
A month ago I bought a pair of AT4031s on here to get myself into the live taping game for the first time. I just upgraded to Schoeps, if you want I’ll sell you my AT4031s for what I paid for em - $150. They were formerly owned by jcable77 and ashevillain, would be great to keep em in the taper community.


Now this is community :)
You will not go wrong with these.

Title: Re: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: heathen on January 07, 2018, 02:28:48 PM
$150 for a pair of AT4031s...that is the way to go!
Title: Re: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: vanark on January 07, 2018, 03:19:03 PM
This is such a great community.
Title: Re: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: HealthCov Chris on January 07, 2018, 05:46:00 PM
I had the Studio Projects C4’s for a few years and loved them.  They have interchangeable caps (card, omni, and hyper) for cheap.  You can probably find a used pair around $200.  Gerry uses them with cards in an ortf SRS mount regularly.  Here is one from last week.  Pretty tight.

https://archive.org/details/rre2018-01-02.flac16
Title: Re: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: MakersMarc on January 07, 2018, 06:41:45 PM
A vote for a pair of used Busmans there may be an unsold pair of used a couple of pages down the Yard Sale. Should be within your budget and I think they're very good sounding.
Title: Re: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: voltronic on January 08, 2018, 06:25:40 AM
Enthusiastic vote for the Line Audio CM3.  They sound very similar to the Schoeps MK 21 for a fraction of the price.  You would need to move into the true top tier of mics to do better (Schoeps, DPA, Gefell, Neumann, Senn MKH). 

Order from this excellent Belgian dealer below.  JP is a super nice guy and quick to respond.  At current exchange rate, a pair costs $288 including USA shipping.  At the time I bought mine, they cost me around $360 and I still consider that a screaming deal.

http://www.nohypeaudio.com/lineaudioproducts.htm (http://www.nohypeaudio.com/lineaudioproducts.htm)


Check out the "Team Line Audio" link in my signature for many examples of what these (and the omni OM1 versions) can do.
Title: Re: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: MakersMarc on January 08, 2018, 10:51:28 AM
Enthusiastic vote for the Line Audio CM3.  They sound very similar to the Schoeps MK 21 for a fraction of the price.  You would need to move into the true top tier of mics to do better (Schoeps, DPA, Gefell, Neumann, Senn MKH). 

Order from this excellent Belgian dealer below.  JP is a super nice guy and quick to respond.  At current exchange rate, a pair costs $288 including USA shipping.  At the time I bought mine, they cost me around $360 and I still consider that a screaming deal.

http://www.nohypeaudio.com/lineaudioproducts.htm (http://www.nohypeaudio.com/lineaudioproducts.htm)


Check out the "Team Line Audio" link in my signature for many examples of what these (and the omni OM1 versions) can do.

Voltronic, does the cm3 have the known incompatibility with some decks that the Om1 has?
Title: Re: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: Life In Rewind on January 08, 2018, 11:29:29 AM
I have Avantones and AUDIX M1280 - but all I run lately is the CAD C9 - great little mics that are cheap!

http://cadaudio.com/products/product-application/c9s

Probably the last set of mics I'll buy in this pursuit.
Title: Re: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: voltronic on January 09, 2018, 07:27:12 PM
Enthusiastic vote for the Line Audio CM3.  They sound very similar to the Schoeps MK 21 for a fraction of the price.  You would need to move into the true top tier of mics to do better (Schoeps, DPA, Gefell, Neumann, Senn MKH). 

Order from this excellent Belgian dealer below.  JP is a super nice guy and quick to respond.  At current exchange rate, a pair costs $288 including USA shipping.  At the time I bought mine, they cost me around $360 and I still consider that a screaming deal.

http://www.nohypeaudio.com/lineaudioproducts.htm (http://www.nohypeaudio.com/lineaudioproducts.htm)


Check out the "Team Line Audio" link in my signature for many examples of what these (and the omni OM1 versions) can do.

Voltronic, does the cm3 have the known incompatibility with some decks that the Om1 has?

I really don't know what kind of incompatibility you're talking about.
Title: Re: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: 2manyrocks on January 09, 2018, 11:10:54 PM
Cm3 works fine with the 70d.  They have a wide card pattern.  Cards or hypers might be more suited to small, reflective club situations, but cm3s are certainly pleasant sounding in the right situations.
Title: Re: Seeking inexpensive pair of microphones - Requesting advice
Post by: tonyvt on January 12, 2018, 02:32:59 PM
Thanks to everyone for all of the suggestions and recommendations. I ended up scoring a used mint pair of Studio Project C4's on Reverb for a great price. This set includes omni, cardioid and hyper cardioid caps. I mostly tape bluegrass shows in noisy rooms and was hoping to get something that would provide hyper caps.