Low/medium budget open taping mic recommendation

[thomasdk7]

Hi

I currently have a DPA 4061 -> CA preamp -> iRiver setup that works very well. But I'm looking to expand my taping experience with a larger setup that can be used for open taping at small to medium sized indoor venues. Capacity around 250 to 1500 people.

I would like to keep the setup simple, lightweight, and portable. One stand and battery driven is prefered. I have an extra iRiver which I will use as recorder. The preamp will depend on what mics I choose. I have already tried CA11 (card) -> CA preamp -> iRiver on a stand, but I feel that this setup is missing some detail and getting some larger and better powered mics will help.

My budget is around $400 - $600, and I'm hoping to buy some quality stuff in the yard sale.

Any recommendations?

Regards
Thomas

[OOK]

There is a Oade HDP2 in the yard right now for 400$....add 100$ to you buget and you can pick up a pair of mics for 300$...you might even score some bussmans at that price....or a pair of studio projects c4 for 200, which would keep you within budget....  I would definately grad the oade HDP2 tho....great starting point there....

Peace OOK

[Hypnocracy]

If you are going 16bit with the iRiver...why not upgrade the A/D with the Denecke AD20 in the yard...CHEAP preamp nice sound...to get phantom power you would need a PS/2 or some other battery supply...or go with a battery powered microphone...Nak's are in that range and battery powered....I like the old K3 Sennheiser with the card cap they are battery powered too...here is a pair on eBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/pair-Sennheiser-K3U-ME40-condensers-/310370502773?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4843860875#ht_2917wt_1139

[F.O.Bean]

If you are going 16bit with the iRiver...why not upgrade the A/D with the Denecke AD20 in the yard...CHEAP preamp nice sound...to get phantom power you would need a PS/2 or some other battery supply...or go with a battery powered microphone...Nak's are in that range and battery powered....I like the old K3 Sennheiser with the card cap they are battery powered too...here is a pair on eBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/pair-Sennheiser-K3U-ME40-condensers-/310370502773?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4843860875#ht_2917wt_1139

I agree w/ the Denecke AD20. But since running my Busmans a few times, and comparing them to Schoeps, I would DEFINITELY suggest you get the Busman Audio BSC2's and a Naiant TinyBox w/ Output Transformers. You already have a recorder so that would set you back around $1k. If you cant afford the BSC2's, then look into getting his older, full-bodied BSC1's. And the sweet thing about the Busmans is that you can get Cardioids/Omnis/Hypercardioids/subcardioids. Just take a look at my sig.

OR, you could swing the Busmans BSC1/BSC2 and buy that Digi-Mod UA5for $100 in the ts.com Yard Sale right now

[acidjack]

Keep the iRiver.  It works.. if it ain't broke...

Get a P48 tinybox ($199) from Naiant (www.naiant.com or "Jon Stoppable" on this board)

In the $399 range for used gear, look for Busman BSC1 (the 2s are $900 new and probably out of your range used), Avantone CK1, Studio Projects C4s (these can be had for about $199 used if you're lucky), Rode NT5s (I think a new set is like $400-450), AKG 391s, etc.  Any decently-built small diaphragm condenser that you see guys on this board using can certainly do the trick.

Then get Ted Gakidis or Darktrain [is Robb selling cables right now?] to do a cable to run the mics into the tinybox.

Done.

[thomasdk7]

Hi guys

Thank you for all your feedback, it is really helpful.
I have found that a UA-5 / iRiver combo is both an affordable and reasonable solution that can be used with most microphones. I think I will go for that.

Being based in Europe makes buying mics from US an expensive affair, considering the 20% tax, toll, shipping cost and handlingfee. I have listened to a lot of different recordings and also searched the EU market for prices and availability. I have listed a selection of mics and their prices. Since many of you have experience with a broad range of different mics, I would like to hear oppinions on the price / performance of these (or similar) mics.

Studio Project C4 MkI: $335 new
Oktova MK012: $410 new
Avantone CK1: $435 new
Studio Project C4 MkII: $500 new
Audix ADX 51: 542$ new
AKG C 391 B: $700 new
AT 4041: $760 new
Beyerdynamic MC-930: $1085 new
Neuman KM184: $1180 used

I kind of like some of the recordings I found with the Avantone CK1's. I also found some great recordings with the AT4041's. The Beyerdynamic / Neuman is out of my budget, but I included them so you have an idea of the price range.

Best regards
Thomas

[F.O.Bean]

I have always liked SP C4's and Oktava's for being budget mics!

[bryonsos]

I'm currently clearing out some gear, but I doubt I'll let my Avantones go any time soon. Fantastic mics, especially at the price point IMHO. Those and the Oktavas would be where I would go.

[rjp]

While they don't seem to get much mention on TS, and are fixed cardioids (no interchangeable capsules), I've had very good results with the AKG Perception 170. I don't know about European prices, but in the US they're dirt cheap at $100 apiece.

Interestingly, they're finally offering a matched pair: http://www.akg.com/site/products/powerslave,id,1269,tmpnodeid,11,_language,EN,pid,1269.html

Finding the matched set in stores might not be easy. In any case, my non-matched pair sounds very nice. If I get other mics, it will be for different patterns.

[ScoobieKW]

I'm currently clearing out some gear, but I doubt I'll let my Avantones go any time soon. Fantastic mics, especially at the price point IMHO. Those and the Oktavas would be where I would go.

I also love my Avantone CK-1s. They were modded by Busman and sound great. I'd also suggest looking at the Busman BSC1s (there were a pair in the yardsale last time I looked) Multiple capsules, great sound.