Topic: Which Mics to Get Next? (UpgradeC)

[DMBprez]

Okay,

So I'm running SMK-H8K's and am thinking about upgrading.  What's a good next step?  I'm in the ~$300 range.

I looked at the Avatone CK-1's, can anyone tell me more about these?

[jeromejello]

you might be able to get a pair of akg blue lines (300 series) for around that used...

[Belexes]

For just a little more you can get Busmans, which are modded Avatone CK-1's with 4 capsule choices.

[rastasean]

hold out for DPAs. I don't have any so when you get them, let me borrow them. 

[Todd R]

Here's an option to consider (and for once on ts.com, a suggestion that is under the requested budget  )

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=131347.0


/shameless self promotion

[SmokinJoe]

I'll agree with ToddR, those SC-T's are a bargain.  I just bought a pair of these myself last night, and I wouldn't have done that if I didn't like them.   Another old standby is Studio Projects C4s.

Nothing inherently wrong with CK-1's. I just don't consider them a huge step up from what you have,  unless you send them to Busman for upgrade, and then you are over your budget.

The folly of asking us for opinions on mics is like asking a bunch of friends "what kind of ice cream should I get".  You will get a bunch of answers what WE like, not necessarily what YOU like.

You best friend is you own ears and spending an evening or two listening to lots of samples on archive.org, preferably with those mics running into the same preamp you have.

[lastubbe]

Without question, IMO, AT 4041's.

Here's a new pair on ebay for $349. 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Audio-Technica-2-PACK-STEREO-AT4041-AT-4041-2-MICS-NEW_W0QQitemZ380214700611QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item58868fea43

Dollar for dollar, the best sound out there.

[taperj]

I used to run AKG perception 170's and was surprised at how good they sounded. You can get them at B&H for about 115$ each.

sample: http://www.archive.org/details/is2008-12-06.flac16.aud

Not sure how they stack up to the other suggested alternatives.

[Fried Chicken Boy]

I'll second both the Busmans and Audio-Technicas; not familiar with the SC-T's.  That IS a great price on a pair of 4041's but I would also consider AT3031's if you can find them (out of production, unfortunately, but great mics, too).

[bluelawn]

Without question, IMO, AT 4041's.

Here's a new pair on ebay for $349. 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Audio-Technica-2-PACK-STEREO-AT4041-AT-4041-2-MICS-NEW_W0QQitemZ380214700611QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item58868fea43

Dollar for dollar, the best sound out there.

I deff. agree.
check the 3/4/10 UM show on archive, i ran AT4041s on the stand next to you into a P-mod UA-5 > JB3, so it should be a pretty good comparo-
picked up my/our pair for $300 almost 10 years ago & haven't been able to justify "upgrading"

[lastubbe]

Seth, I sampled you UM Ballroom this morning, and you definitely killed it!

One of my all-time favorite auds is Don Wright's AT 4031's of Phish 12.7.95.  I patched out of Don that night, and did a few dozen dat>analogs for people on Phish.net after the show and people were blown away.

Highly underrated mics.