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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: orechall on June 28, 2005, 02:42:07 PM

Title: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: orechall on June 28, 2005, 02:42:07 PM
well folks I wanted to get some advice on what mics I should purchase.  I have a particular fondness for the AKG 460's even though they are no longer made.  I am looking at a budget of 2k to spend on mics alone.  I just recently purchased a Sony TCD-D10 Pro II that is in excellent shape and was hardly used.  I thought i would also mention that I called Pro Digital and they even were able to set me up with the digi cable for the D10 along with the DCP-80 and SLA battery combo.  So with feeling like I have accomplished something in getting that.  I wanted to get some advice on mics and what is recommended.  I will be taping local stuff here in town (Birmingham) which will be more of the bar scene and larger venues when i go over to Atlanta.   Also with regards to the AKG's is there a particular setup that has proven to be more effective than others.  Thanks again guys for the advice.
Title: Re: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: Nick Graham on June 28, 2005, 04:33:50 PM
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=45133.0

Here's a used pair of 460s with ck63 hyper caps for $900, can't beat that.

Title: Re: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: KLowe on June 28, 2005, 10:53:09 PM
I am looking at a budget of 2k to spend on mics alone. 

I'm a newbie of 6 months duration.  But with that kind of budget.
AKG 480's all the way.  Everything I have heard from 480's sounds spectacular.  There is a mofro show from N.C. recorded in a bar on  by 480's that sounds crystal clear.

My .02

Kevin  (ATL taper)
(who is jealous of your mic budget)
Title: Re: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: dgodwin on June 28, 2005, 11:07:24 PM
I would bet that you could get a nice pair of 460's with CK 61, 62, and 63 capsules, plus the Jim Williams mod on the body.  That's what I hope to get at some point.   For 2 grand though, I'd be tempted to get something with an active setup (ie: neumann skm 140)
Title: Re: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: goose on June 29, 2005, 03:21:18 AM
I would say that if you like 460s, you will generally like the akg sound.  I would forego the 480s for 460s with JW modification.  While it will not sound like 460s, (mod 460s will be clearer) you should like the sound.  Also, 460s offer the possibility of low profile cable/caps.

You may also like the new offering from peluso, with many available or soon to be available cap options.

Good luck, PM with any questions or details.
Title: Re: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: goose on June 29, 2005, 02:00:44 PM
Here's a used pair of 460s with ck63 hyper caps for $900, can't beat that.
Not trying to kill a sale or anything, but you can do A LOT better than that for 460s with one set of capsules.   Generally 480s, which replaced the 460s in the product line, don't even fetch that money - I sold two pair of 480s for $750 each, and I have purchased two sets of 460s each with one set of caps, for less than $500 per pair.  Keep your eye out for a good deal if you want to go that way.  I have seen many people pay WAY too much for stuff without keeping their eye out for a deal.  Good luck.
Title: Re: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: BC on June 29, 2005, 02:25:25 PM
at a bit above $2K you can get DPA's  (no interchangeable caps though)

Don't know how much schoeps run for but I would think at $2K you are close. 

Personally for under $2K I would pick up the Neumann SKM140 stereo kit.

Title: Re: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: Nick Graham on June 29, 2005, 02:38:22 PM
Here's a used pair of 460s with ck63 hyper caps for $900, can't beat that.
Not trying to kill a sale or anything, but you can do A LOT better than that for 460s with one set of capsules. Generally 480s, which replaced the 460s in the product line, don't even fetch that money - I sold two pair of 480s for $750 each, and I have purchased two sets of 460s each with one set of caps, for less than $500 per pair. Keep your eye out for a good deal if you want to go that way. I have seen many people pay WAY too much for stuff without keeping their eye out for a deal. Good luck.

I sold my 460s with ck63 caps for $650...

So yeah, that is a little high. For whatever reason I was thinking the mics in the Yard Sale were 480s.


Don't know how much schoeps run for but I would think at $2K you are close. 


You might be able to get the wooden Schoeps box for $2k  ;)

Cheapest you'll find a CMC6/MK4 set is $2700
Title: Re: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: orechall on June 29, 2005, 02:53:55 PM
thanks everyone for trying to help me out with your input...I guess I am on the quest for a cheaper set of 460s...Let the hunt begin....until then I will be patching in.
Title: Re: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: ac on July 01, 2005, 07:59:56 AM
You got $2k... DPA's for sure... I have been running them for about 6 months and have not looked back. Other caps can come in time.

Also great for $2k budget -- ADK TL (Approx $1k stereo set + mult. pattern). Just grabbed a pair of these a couple of days ago.

Neumann SKM140. KM 184 or KM 185(Hyper) are also great.
Title: Re: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: creekfreak on July 01, 2005, 01:28:09 PM
You got $2k... DPA's for sure... I have been running them for about 6 months and have not looked back. Other caps can come in time.

Also great for $2k budget -- ADK TL (Approx $1k stereo set + mult. pattern). Just grabbed a pair of these a couple of days ago.

Neumann SKM140. KM 184 or KM 185(Hyper) are also great.

1k for TL's? ouch.....
Title: Re: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: ac on July 01, 2005, 03:18:39 PM
Approx $1k stereo set
Title: Re: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: creekfreak on July 01, 2005, 05:15:54 PM
did they go up a ton in price? I paid $700 for a stereo set with all the trimmings
Title: Re: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: Nick's Picks on July 02, 2005, 07:48:19 AM
i'll 2nd the SKM 140 kit.

and not to continue fluffing peluso mics...
but for just over a grand you could get a stereo pair with evey capsule they make, plus shockmounts.

if you heard them, youd consider this option.
Title: Re: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 03, 2005, 09:17:22 PM
Here's a used pair of 460s with ck63 hyper caps for $900, can't beat that.
Not trying to kill a sale or anything, but you can do A LOT better than that for 460s with one set of capsules. Generally 480s, which replaced the 460s in the product line, don't even fetch that money - I sold two pair of 480s for $750 each, and I have purchased two sets of 460s each with one set of caps, for less than $500 per pair. Keep your eye out for a good deal if you want to go that way. I have seen many people pay WAY too much for stuff without keeping their eye out for a deal. Good luck.

I sold my 460s with ck63 caps for $650...

So yeah, that is a little high. For whatever reason I was thinking the mics in the Yard Sale were 480s.


Don't know how much schoeps run for but I would think at $2K you are close.


You might be able to get the wooden Schoeps box for $2k ;)

Cheapest you'll find a CMC6/MK4 set is $2700

DAMN, last i looked into the schoeps line(early 02/03) they were only 1800 a pair
Title: Re: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: ac on July 05, 2005, 01:35:19 PM
I paid $900 w/ tax + Cables. If you go to most large companies like Sweetwater, Sam Ash and such your gonna pay $1k +. I got mine through Sweetwater from my boy Eric who sends me demo gear to try out. I generally only buy through him because of that. I just sent back the Edirol R-4, holy shit that recorder rocks. Highly recommended...
Title: Re: need some advice on what mics to purchase
Post by: Nick's Picks on July 08, 2005, 11:10:48 AM
doesnt it?
I bought my review unit