Topic: what mics should i start with

[Muddy Das]

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]

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]

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]

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_]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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