Topic: Mic upgrade recommendations (<$1k)

[AlphaQuam]

I'm looking to upgrade my mics and was hoping I could get some informed opinions.  I currently have Rode NT5s and while they are decent I'm getting bored with them... it's time to upgrade.  I just feel I need a mic that offers more clarity and separation in the mids/highs, maybe a bit warmer/smoother.

I'm looking for sub-$1k mics (pair) that have switchable caps/patterns.  I'd like to keep it under that price including an extra set of caps.  I run into a UA-5 > JB3.  The UA-5 is only d-modded at the moment... but I'd like to w/p-mod it in the future (of course depending on what mics I purchase).  Would it be worthwhile to save a couple hundred on mics to go for the UA-5 mod?  Or do you think maxing out on mics is the key?  I'm cool with buying used.

Thanks for any help/suggestions...

[jesse]

lots of people diggin' the ADK TL's >wmod UA-5 including myself.  I keep telling myself that I'll eventually end up with some TL's, but my budget says try the studio projects C4's while I'm waiting.

[fozzy]

ADK TL's or AKG 414's if you want LD's can be had sub 1k and give you multiple selectable patterns.   If you don't want LD's your choices become limited, you could probably find a full set akg 391's or get a set of MG, AKG, Neuman's w/ just one set of caps and save up for more patterns.

[AlphaQuam]

Thanks for the help guys.  Not sure if I want to dive into the LD scene yet.  Any thoughts on MBHOs?  Such as KA200N/603s...

[fozzy]

Thanks for the help guys.  Not sure if I want to dive into the LD scene yet.  Any thoughts on MBHOs?  Such as KA200N/603s...

have a few MBHO tapes i like, should be included in the list above, don't know the market on `em though.  They are also nice b/c they offer an active setup.

[caymanreview]

fwiw, you wouldnt be able to add actives to the set of mbho's FS here without replacing the bodies with the 603a's

[muj]

I'm looking to upgrade my mics and was hoping I could get some informed opinions.  I currently have Rode NT5s and while they are decent I'm getting bored with them... it's time to upgrade.  I just feel I need a mic that offers more clarity and separation in the mids/highs, maybe a bit warmer/smoother.

I'm looking for sub-$1k mics (pair) that have switchable caps/patterns.  I'd like to keep it under that price including an extra set of caps.  I run into a UA-5 > JB3.  The UA-5 is only d-modded at the moment... but I'd like to w/p-mod it in the future (of course depending on what mics I purchase).  Would it be worthwhile to save a couple hundred on mics to go for the UA-5 mod?  Or do you think maxing out on mics is the key?  I'm cool with buying used.

Thanks for any help/suggestions...

someone on r.a.p is selling a pair of t.h.e mics
http://tinyurl.com/55csw

right around your price range,and what you want as far as sound goes.