Author Topic: what mics should i start with (Read 6942 times)

Muddy Das · « **on:** April 06, 2011, 06:39:15 PM »

Hey....i am obviously a newbie and not sure what mics i should get...i plan on getting a sony pcm-m10, a naiant littlebox or art dual pre (most likely the art because of price) i am not going to do stealth taping...my budget is very limited i need to get as much bang out of my buck as possible $200...i will be honing my taping skills in a friends barn he has jam sessions there once a week i must say this is an awesome site i have learned so much here but just feel overwhelmed when it comes to mics there are just so many variables... thanks

Belexes · « **Reply #1 on:** April 06, 2011, 07:54:50 PM »

For $200, I'd look for some Studio Project C4's. They come with cardioid and omni capsules and are a great starter mic. I think they retail new $400, but often show up in the Yard Sale around the $200 range. Might be some for sale there now?

There are sets on Ebay right now.

Dkrogh · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2011, 07:59:52 PM »

I'm not sure what AT853's cost but those may be worth checking into as well. Along with, possibly, oktava mk012's.

zupanic · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2011, 08:05:15 PM »

for full-size "budget" mics, try AKG C1000S. I had them about a decade ago and got fantastic results. Ebay might get you a pair for $200, but new I think they go for $350. I sold them in 2002 and have regretted it ever since. They really excelled in smaller concert halls and theaters. They worked well in large venues unless you had to tape from the lawn or something stupid like that.
PM me for a mp3 sample.

newplanet7 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2011, 08:51:53 PM »

Studio Project c4's, ADK's can be had for a little more.

igene · « **Reply #5 on:** April 06, 2011, 10:12:05 PM »

http://cgi.ebay.com/Audio-Technica-Matched-Pair-AT2021-Condenser-Microphone-/150586844960?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230face720

12milluz · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2011, 10:41:37 PM »

Quote from: igene on April 06, 2011, 10:12:05 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/Audio-Technica-Matched-Pair-AT2021-Condenser-Microphone-/150586844960?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230face720

Nice mics, but I think you can find a non-matched pair for cheaper. I own multiple non-matched AT mics that are fine together. I don't think you need to spring for them.

I would just buy two here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/755006-REG/Audio_Technica_AT2021_AT2021_Cardioid_Condenser_Microphone.html

acidjack · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2011, 02:00:28 PM »

At that price I'd go with the Studio Projects, Oktavas or AT 2021s mentioned. I would not go for a smaller mic like the AT853 if you don't need a low profile mic for stealth purposes. The larger diaphragm size is a huge plus to the bass response for non-omni mics.

Personally, I would stay far, far from AKG C1000S.

eBay is your friend here... I'd certainly recommend buying used, whatever you decide to get.

Karma · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2011, 03:23:49 PM »

Quote from: acidjack on April 07, 2011, 02:00:28 PM

Personally, I would stay far, far from AKG C1000S.

HI,
Why? Can you be specific?

Sparky

igene · « **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 2011, 09:44:09 PM »

Hey,
Not that I'm hung up on these mics, but on a budget, IMO they sound better than most under $300. (NEW)
Here's the best deal on 2 I could find (NEW) >

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Audio-Technica-AT2021-Condenser-Mic-Pair-Drum-Guitar-/300544796726?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f9dda836

and it leaves you money to get shock mounts and a T bar....

good luck.

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2011, 10:49:11 PM »

I would say the SP C4's are good starter mics. And I too would stay away from AKG C1000's

acidjack · « **Reply #11 on:** April 09, 2011, 12:37:05 PM »

Quote from: Karma on April 07, 2011, 03:23:49 PM

Quote from: acidjack on April 07, 2011, 02:00:28 PM

Personally, I would stay far, far from AKG C1000S.

HI,
Why? Can you be specific?

Sparky

Why stay away from the C1000s? IMHO they sound horrible. I've got some recordings with them from a guy I used to patch out of. Other than having "AKG" on the nameplate I didn't see much to like about them for our applications, especially not compared to some of these low-cost Chinese built mics with less fancy nameplates.

But to each his own and all that, of course. There are just other mics I like better in that price class... well, a lot of other mics, including CA-14.

su6oxone · « **Reply #12 on:** April 09, 2011, 01:50:07 PM »

Get any of the suggested mics in this thread. Honestly, if you stick with taping you're going to upgrade anyway so just get something that does the job while you save up to get some high end mics later on.

illconditioned · « **Reply #13 on:** April 09, 2011, 02:28:51 PM »

A used pair of Studio Projects C4 (SP C4) are the best deal, and offer great sound at a great price.

I've used lots(!) of low end gear, and SP are one mic that I keep using.

When you upgrade, you'll probably still end up keeping the SP pair as a backup, or as a pair to loan out, leave installed in a venue, etc.

Richard

yltfan · « **Reply #14 on:** April 09, 2011, 04:39:26 PM »

Nakamichi cm300s

Muddy Das · « **Reply #15 on:** April 09, 2011, 07:23:18 PM »

wow guys thanks for all the suggestions i will probably get the sp c4 ...and oh yes i see e-bay is a freind of mine

bergerdml · « **Reply #16 on:** April 12, 2011, 02:10:12 AM »

Quote from: esoxhunter on April 06, 2011, 08:05:15 PM

for full-size "budget" mics, try AKG C1000S. I had them about a decade ago and got fantastic results. Ebay might get you a pair for $200, but new I think they go for $350. I sold them in 2002 and have regretted it ever since. They really excelled in smaller concert halls and theaters. They worked well in large venues unless you had to tape from the lawn or something stupid like that.
PM me for a mp3 sample.

I have a pair of AKG C1000s that I've used for 10+ years and made lots and lots of great recordings with them. I don't know the other models discussed here, so I can't say how they compare specifically to other inexpensive mikes like the ones being discussed. But one of the great features of the C1000s is that they can take a 9V battery so you don't need a phantom power supply to power them. I used to use them to feed DAT walkmen, an SBM-1, and an Edirol R-09, none of which provide phantom power.

Here is a show I taped with them:

http://www.archive.org/details/Spin1994-06-13.flac16

David

porkchop101 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 12, 2011, 09:31:24 AM »

Heya! Im also a bit of a newbie using inexpensive mics, so my.02 may not be as valuable as some others on here, but here's what I would do if I were you. Compile a list of the mic suggestions you get on here, as well as what you can find through the broader interwebz and other forums (gearslutz is a good one) and go to the LMA and run a search of the various mics you're thinking about, and listen, listen, listen. Looking through these forums, you'll find that mic choice is very subjective, and what you like might be different from what others like. I started off with a pair of samson c02's which run about 130 new for a matched pair. I thought I pulled some great recordings with those, and they helped me learn what I was doing for next to nothing, but I would be very surprised if very many people (if any at all) around here suggested them. Truth be told, imo, no matter what mics you go with for 200 or under, you're likely going to have a burning desire to upgrade in no time. That all being said, I do agree that spc4's are a really great choice, much better choice than my first pair of mics, largely because you'll have the opportunity to experiment with different caps starting of, which would have helped my learning curve tremendously. Another pair of mics with similair features in your price range are the avantone ck1's. But, for real, dont take anyones word for it, listen to some shows before dropping any dough. Happy Taping!

bergerdml · « **Reply #18 on:** April 12, 2011, 02:44:23 PM »

Quote from: porkchop101 on April 12, 2011, 09:31:24 AM

Heya! Im also a bit of a newbie using inexpensive mics, so my.02 may not be as valuable as some others on here, but here's what I would do if I were you. Compile a list of the mic suggestions you get on here, as well as what you can find through the broader interwebz and other forums (gearslutz is a good one) and go to the LMA and run a search of the various mics you're thinking about, and listen, listen, listen. Looking through these forums, you'll find that mic choice is very subjective, and what you like might be different from what others like. I started off with a pair of samson c02's which run about 130 new for a matched pair. I thought I pulled some great recordings with those, and they helped me learn what I was doing for next to nothing, but I would be very surprised if very many people (if any at all) around here suggested them. Truth be told, imo, no matter what mics you go with for 200 or under, you're likely going to have a burning desire to upgrade in no time. That all being said, I do agree that spc4's are a really great choice, much better choice than my first pair of mics, largely because you'll have the opportunity to experiment with different caps starting of, which would have helped my learning curve tremendously. Another pair of mics with similair features in your price range are the avantone ck1's. But, for real, dont take anyones word for it, listen to some shows before dropping any dough. Happy Taping!

Absolutely. Spot on advice

ben_r_ · « **Reply #19 on:** July 08, 2011, 03:53:30 PM »

Quote from: porkchop101 on April 12, 2011, 09:31:24 AM

Heya! Im also a bit of a newbie using inexpensive mics, so my.02 may not be as valuable as some others on here, but here's what I would do if I were you. Compile a list of the mic suggestions you get on here, as well as what you can find through the broader interwebz and other forums (gearslutz is a good one) and go to the LMA and run a search of the various mics you're thinking about, and listen, listen, listen. Looking through these forums, you'll find that mic choice is very subjective, and what you like might be different from what others like. I started off with a pair of samson c02's which run about 130 new for a matched pair. I thought I pulled some great recordings with those, and they helped me learn what I was doing for next to nothing, but I would be very surprised if very many people (if any at all) around here suggested them. Truth be told, imo, no matter what mics you go with for 200 or under, you're likely going to have a burning desire to upgrade in no time. That all being said, I do agree that spc4's are a really great choice, much better choice than my first pair of mics, largely because you'll have the opportunity to experiment with different caps starting of, which would have helped my learning curve tremendously. Another pair of mics with similair features in your price range are the avantone ck1's. But, for real, dont take anyones word for it, listen to some shows before dropping any dough. Happy Taping!

As with most other audio equipment, this is very true!

Bdifr78 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 08, 2011, 08:42:05 PM »

I bought the C4s, a UA5, and a JB3 in May of 05 to get started. In August of that year I upgraded to my KM140s and a V3.

I certainly would recommend the C4s for the money, but be ready to start saving for that first big upgrade.

paulbaptiste · « **Reply #21 on:** July 10, 2011, 12:57:20 AM »

Another vote for the avantone CK-1's. come with card/omni/hyper patterns/t-bar/mounts. Great sound for the money; and i do believe you could still buy a pair of subcard caps from Busman Audio (from the BSC1 line of mics)to fill out your capsule collection. Also like the Nak 300's. Keep an eye on ebay, or here, maybe even get a 3pack at the right price and get em modded/cut down for low price actives. The C4's are also great for the money.

illconditioned · « **Reply #22 on:** July 11, 2011, 03:23:14 PM »

Quote from: Bdifr78 on July 08, 2011, 08:42:05 PM

I bought the C4s, a UA5, and a JB3 in May of 05 to get started. In August of that year I upgraded to my KM140s and a V3.

I certainly would recommend the C4s for the money, but be ready to start saving for that first big upgrade.

I've got two sets of C4's, purchased here for approx $200/pair. These are great to start out with, and you can always keep them as a loaner/second (third?) pair when you upgrade. Once you get used to the sound (which is very good), you can take your time to find the next upgrade.

Richard

Muddy Das · « **Reply #23 on:** July 11, 2011, 07:32:44 PM »

thanks for all the advice..i bought a pair of C4's from here now i am saving up for the rest of my rig

newplanet7 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 11, 2011, 10:22:16 PM »

Quote from: Muddy Das on July 11, 2011, 07:32:44 PM

thanks for all the advice..i bought a pair of C4's from here now i am saving up for the rest of my rig

And what might that be?
Did you decide to go for and all in one pre/adc/recorder or separate components?
Do tell

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #25 on:** July 12, 2011, 01:11:41 AM »

Quote from: newplanet7 on July 11, 2011, 10:22:16 PM

Quote from: Muddy Das on July 11, 2011, 07:32:44 PM
thanks for all the advice..i bought a pair of C4's from here now i am saving up for the rest of my rig
And what might that be?
Did you decide to go for and all in one pre/adc/recorder or separate components?
Do tell

Muddy Das · « **Reply #26 on:** July 12, 2011, 07:05:51 PM »

well since inquiring minds want to know..i have an m-10 so i want to get a littlebox but funds are low right now with the festival season here...my wife has a gig coming up (she plays sax) so a friend gave me a artdual pre-amp and some generic cables to use...oh and i am picking up a pair of dead muppets at all good leaving tomorrow after work