Help with mic choices - Harmony Central Musician Community Forums

twin_68 · 11-02-2009, 12:40 PM

I'm looking for stand-mount condenser microphone. It will be primarily used for vocals and the occasional acoustic guitar. I've read countless reviews and watched as many youtube video demos as I could find. My problem is I had no idea you can't test mics in the music stores due to health code regulations. How else are we supposed to judge the sound and quality of something so critical in the recording process? So I'd like to ask opinions on a couple of mics that I've narrowed down to. Each mic is around $300 which is my budget.

Blue Microphones Bluebird: http://www.bluemic.com/bluebird/

Mxl V69ME: http://www.mxlmics.com/products/Stud...v69/v69me.html

Audio Examples-Bluebird: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnCb6...eature=related
MXL V69ME: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkgl9nILI60
PS.. I understand that mic preamps and compressors can make a big difference in sound quality but these examples are all I have to go on so far.
Thanks in advance for your advice.

twin_68 · 11-06-2009, 09:53 AM

Wow...thanks guys. Guess I'll try another forum.

Krank'N · 11-06-2009, 08:39 PM

Sorry but from my experience ,you cant get a good LDC for $300 (unless some crackhead is selling an AKG414 out of his trunk! I suggest you scan ebay -find a shure SM7 (dynamic but large diaphragm)for vocals and an AKG c1000 (or another SDC)for the acoustic that are quite common there for less than new.

twin_68 · 11-07-2009, 12:09 PM

Krank'n thanks for the info, will take into consideration..although ebay scares me. When It comes to music equipment, I'd rather buy what I can afford new so I can have a warranty and an option to return the item if necessary.

Timmylikedthing · 11-07-2009, 12:19 PM

Try buying an oktava MK319.

Then you can send it to Michael Joly at Oktavamod and have a stellar mic.

Seriously, a modded 319 would smoke both of those mics.

If you bought a used russian mk319 and sent it to Mr. Joly, you wouldn't need a warranty. He's good. I have a pair of MK012's he did and they are amazing mics now.

CaViTaTioN · 11-07-2009, 12:27 PM

thread hijack...I am looking for good drum overheads. I have a good kick drum mic (d6), couple of 57s and 609s. I realize the best lower price overhead (ie lower price yet still out my current totally ghetto price range) is the Rode NT5. That is still too expensive for my current budget. Are there any decent overheads under that price that can tide me over or should I just keep saving my $?

richardmac · 11-07-2009, 02:50 PM

Health code? Heh heh. I just got back from Guitar Center (Clearwater, FL) and the audio sales guy sang into three different mics for me so I could hear the difference. BTW, the AKG C1000 is not as good as the Rode NT1-A. I own both of them. Both are around 200. The Rode is better. But a weak preamp makes the Rode sound harsh.

Timmylikedthing · 11-07-2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaViTaTioN

thread hijack...I am looking for good drum overheads. I have a good kick drum mic (d6), couple of 57s and 609s. I realize the best lower price overhead (ie lower price yet still out my current totally ghetto price range) is the Rode NT5. That is still too expensive for my current budget. Are there any decent overheads under that price that can tide me over or should I just keep saving my $?

Buy a used pair of oktava mk012's. Russian ones.

Then save for the mod. You'll never out grow those. Your overheads will sound great and your acoustic guitar just as great.

I prefer the modded oktavas to the NT5's. I preferred the unmodded oktavas to the NT5's as well.

nerol1st · 11-08-2009, 02:50 AM

Timmylikedthing

I have heard a set of modded 012 mics. Fucking awesome, honestly I thought they were in the ballpark of a pair of KM184 mics.

CaViTaTioN · 11-08-2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmylikedthing

Buy a used pair of oktava mk012's. Russian ones.

Then save for the mod. You'll never out grow those. Your overheads will sound great and your acoustic guitar just as great.

I prefer the modded oktavas to the NT5's. I preferred the unmodded oktavas to the NT5's as well.

I keep hearing about the oktavas actually. as much as my wallet says mxl or (ugh) behringer I will probably keep on saving and shoot for something good. thanks for the suggestions

11-02-2009, 12:40 PM	#1
twin_68 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 9	Help with mic choices I'm looking for stand-mount condenser microphone. It will be primarily used for vocals and the occasional acoustic guitar. I've read countless reviews and watched as many youtube video demos as I could find. My problem is I had no idea you can't test mics in the music stores due to health code regulations. How else are we supposed to judge the sound and quality of something so critical in the recording process? So I'd like to ask opinions on a couple of mics that I've narrowed down to. Each mic is around $300 which is my budget. Blue Microphones Bluebird: http://www.bluemic.com/bluebird/ Mxl V69ME: http://www.mxlmics.com/products/Stud...v69/v69me.html Audio Examples-Bluebird: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnCb6...eature=related MXL V69ME: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkgl9nILI60 PS.. I understand that mic preamps and compressors can make a big difference in sound quality but these examples are all I have to go on so far. Thanks in advance for your advice.

11-06-2009, 08:39 PM	#3
Krank'N Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 387	Sorry but from my experience ,you cant get a good LDC for $300 (unless some crackhead is selling an AKG414 out of his trunk! I suggest you scan ebay -find a shure SM7 (dynamic but large diaphragm)for vocals and an AKG c1000 (or another SDC)for the acoustic that are quite common there for less than new. __________________ 77 Gibson RD Standard 83 Gibson V 90 Gibson Explorer 98 Dean ML 01 Gibson V 05 Dean Z Marshall DSL 100 Marshall 1960A /1960BX way too many pedals

11-07-2009, 12:19 PM	#5
Timmylikedthing Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: D-Tizzle, Ohizzle Posts: 408	Try buying an oktava MK319. Then you can send it to Michael Joly at Oktavamod and have a stellar mic. Seriously, a modded 319 would smoke both of those mics. If you bought a used russian mk319 and sent it to Mr. Joly, you wouldn't need a warranty. He's good. I have a pair of MK012's he did and they are amazing mics now. __________________ I used to be Timmylikesthing, until HC nuked my account.

11-07-2009, 12:27 PM	#6
CaViTaTioN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,034	thread hijack...I am looking for good drum overheads. I have a good kick drum mic (d6), couple of 57s and 609s. I realize the best lower price overhead (ie lower price yet still out my current totally ghetto price range) is the Rode NT5. That is still too expensive for my current budget. Are there any decent overheads under that price that can tide me over or should I just keep saving my $? __________________ My eBay stuff: http://cgi.ebay.com/Crate-VTX200sh-Solid-State-Guitar-Amp-NR-Ex-Condition_W0QQitemZ180435368828QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ LH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2a02c93b7c www.myspace.com/bloodgoat2008 www.myspace.com/cavitation

11-07-2009, 02:50 PM	#7
richardmac Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,060	Health code? Heh heh. I just got back from Guitar Center (Clearwater, FL) and the audio sales guy sang into three different mics for me so I could hear the difference. BTW, the AKG C1000 is not as good as the Rode NT1-A. I own both of them. Both are around 200. The Rode is better. But a weak preamp makes the Rode sound harsh. __________________ --- Richard MacLemale My Website at www.richardmac.com

11-06-2009, 09:53 AM	#2
twin_68 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 9	Wow...thanks guys. Guess I'll try another forum.

11-07-2009, 12:09 PM	#4
twin_68 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 9	Krank'n thanks for the info, will take into consideration..although ebay scares me. When It comes to music equipment, I'd rather buy what I can afford new so I can have a warranty and an option to return the item if necessary.

11-08-2009, 02:50 AM	#9
nerol1st Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Auburn NY Posts: 6,615	Timmylikedthing I have heard a set of modded 012 mics. Fucking awesome, honestly I thought they were in the ballpark of a pair of KM184 mics. __________________ Criteria for being a successful contributor to the HCAF: 1. Must talk like a 4 year old, the more letters you replace the better. Examples would be brootz, failzor, teh, map and other. 2. Must have an extremely closed mind, resort to name calling if necessary. Carrying on normal conversation = "fail". Some other things that are pluses (but not limited to): 1. Alcoholism (big plus). 2. Excessive use of emoticons especially and .

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