Mic Opinions

[hill56871]

Hi All,

I have a new AKG Perception 100, my first large-diaphragm condenser. I am running it through a new MPA Gold (I'll upgrade the tubes soon) and am generally very happy with the improvement from using a Beta 58A without the mic pre. I will be buying a second condenser to do vocal and acoustic guitar playing at the same time. I'd like to use the perception on Guitar, and get a better condenser for vocals. Best I've heard for the money--I can consider $500 or under--is the NT2A. I hear the NT1A is a bit brittle at the top end for vocals. I hear that the Bluebird is not much better than most other $200 mics, though it looks better. After reviewing a bunch of online forums and asking around I have the sense that large-diaphragm condensers for $200 and under are about the same with respect to sound quality.

Have any of you A/B'd some of these mics and formed an opinion? I'm alson wondering if I should be getting one with multiple polar patterns since I will be using two mics in close proximity. I appreciate any thoughts.

--Adam

[CR78]

sE Electronics 2200a: IMO, best under $300(new) large diaphragm mic.

I picked up a couple of used(like new) on EBay for around $150 a few months ago.

Google for reviews.

[quadrant6]

I've also heard and read great reviews of the SE2200a

Might also want to put the Audio Technica AT2020 on your list

[ohiowa]

i've heard good stuff about the sE stuff. but i've done a number of tours with and recordings with a shure ksm 27 and have been pretty pleased with it. did a recording at a small studio and ended up using the 27 over the studios Rode NT1a for vocals. There you go, might want to check out ADK and pacificproaudio as well.

[evernaut]

You'll get better results recording acoustic gat with a small dia condenser like the Rode NT5 or any number of good alternatives.

I've used the perception on vocals and I really like it for a budget mic - it sounds nicer on my voice than the cheaper Rodes do. I feel lately though, that it really is worth saving up and getting a really good mic at some point...like the AKG C 414. Man I want one (or two) of these so much...

[evernaut]

After reviewing a bunch of online forums and asking around I have the sense that large-diaphragm condensers for $200 and under are about the same with respect to sound quality.

Have any of you A/B'd some of these mics and formed an opinion? I'm alson wondering if I should be getting one with multiple polar patterns since I will be using two mics in close proximity. I appreciate any thoughts.

--Adam

I've pretty much found that to be true, although the Perception punches well above its weight compared to the competition. ADK make great low cost mics - check out the Vienna for a good ldc. Marshall make a very highly regarded pencil mic in the MXL603, Oktava MC012 ( also a pencil mic) is also fab for the $$

Also, bear in mind that any half decent mic can sound like crap through a shitty pre in a bad room. I had the good fortune to do a lot of tests on mics at home and then at a state of the art studio with Grace preamps, horribly expensive acoustic treatment, Genelec monitors, you name it...and a lot of these Chinese mics were surprisingly good.

The 414s mopped up though....best mic I've ever used.

[hill56871]

Thanks, all of you, for suggestions. Now I've got a few more mics to put on the list. I am lucky to have a buddy with a 414 that I can borrow to A/B against cheaper mics. I especially appreciate the suggestion about using small diaphragm condensers on acoustic guitar.

Cheers,

--adam

[leedsquietman]

studio projects C3 is also a good one.