Best mics for $500/pair?

[kirk97132]

So, I've only got $500 to spend.  I need mics.  What would y'all recomend?  Thanks Kirk

[anodyne33]

I'm a fan of the AKG bluelines. SE300b and CK91/92/93/94

My Grimace show in the kickdown was done with 391s and a stock UA5.

[TNJazz]

A lot will depend on what preamp you're planning to use (and possibly what you're recording to).

There are a LOT of mic pairs available for $500, and a few of them actually sound good...

[grider]

AKG 461's if you can find them, or used ADK a51TL's with switchable pattern but large diaphram

[thegreatgumbino]

Studio Projects LSD2

[JiB97]

if this set stays under $500, it would be a really nice deal:
http://cgi.ebay.com/PELUSO-MATCHED-PAIR-CEMC-6-MICROPHONES_W0QQitemZ280032064049QQihZ018QQcategoryZ64449QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[stober]

Yeah those  Peluso's are probually the best mics out there in that price range.They are alot better than the akg391's imo.I ran the 391's about six years ago and liked them but they werent for me.I have heard alot of Jon Buffington's(stiringthesause) recordings and they sound great.I was very impressed with those mics.For the price you definatly cant' beat them imo.

[kirk97132]

Running a HDP2[no mod] for now. no external pre ( can't spring for that yet ).  Was looking at a new pair of matched Rode NT5's but thought that this would be the place for feedback

[dnsacks]

second vote for the studio projects lsd2 -- REALLY like the convenience of an all-in-one stereo mic and am still shocked with the sound I get out of this mic.  Plus, the ability to run mid/side and blumlein make for a lot of fun.  Currently running an oade t+mod ua5 behind it, the tascam p2 would be a nice accomanyment, especially if oade modded.

[Wiggler]

I'd go with the Peluso first choice Studio Projects second.
I would not even consider the Rodes to me they sound harsh and brittle.

[stirinthesauce]

I have heard alot of Jon Buffington's(stiringthesause) recordings and they sound great.I was very impressed with those mics

Thanks man!  That really made my day 

I'll throw another vote in for the Peluso's.  Now the adk's are real nice and so is the LSD2 if you want to go with a LD.  But for an sd at that price point (well maybe $100 more new) you can't beat the Peluso's.  For an uncolored, transparent mic, with plenty of cap options, you would have to make a MAJOR price jump to beat these.  I keep buying more gear but I have yet to replace my Peluso's.  These will stay in the arsenal.  My next set of mics will be in addition to, not replacing my Peluso's.

Search my name, Jon Buffington, on the archive.  Or search Peluso.  Let your ears be the judge.



Now these Avenson's I have are simply sick and are close to your budget but they aren't very versatile since they are only omni's.  Any one want to listen to what these sound like, try my M'utet show on the archive.  Thanks goes to Dirk for steering me towards these.

[kirk97132]

I gotta cap the price @ $500.  I just ain't got any more cash I can afford to spend.  And as for mod's to the P2 Oade isn't moding anything they didn't sell yet.  Or at least that's how it looks on their website.  That would have been my first chice to get the P2 souped up.  kirk

[Gizby]

Running a HDP2[no mod] for now. no external pre ( can't spring for that yet ).  Was looking at a new pair of matched Rode NT5's but thought that this would be the place for feedback

A couple of people in the NT6 thread were saying the NT5s were good for upclose miking but somewhat crap for anything at a distance. FWIW, I'm hoping to get my hands on a LSD2 someday when I have the cash.

[taper420]

I know they're not that popular here, but I really like my sennheiser me66 shotguns, and if your lucky, on your best day, you could get a used pair for $500.....

but really you should take some of the suggestions you've gotten and take a listen to a bunch of show sources that use those mics...maybe bring em home and give em a test on the day of a show (some music stores will let any serious buyers bring home mics for demos)....

cause in the end what your gonna get here is our opinions based on our tastes which may not be the same as yours
....so go get some headphones and clear some space on your harddrive

[Nick's Picks]

I'll 3rd the LSD2 suggestion.  even over the Peluso's.