Recommend Inexpensive Microphones for Home Studio Use

[kevinkr]

I'm setting up a home studio over the next few months and have been thinking about inexpensive microphones for this use while I gain experience. Budget is fairly tight at least initially.

Condenser mics tend to be available at lower prices, but there are some ribbons available as well.

Cardioid pattern seems to be popular as compared to omni types. I plan to keep arrangements simple and will probably record mainly with a single matched pair of mics rather than multi-mic, but I may make provisions to do a bit of both.

Behringer has quite a line of recording mics and I use the ECM8000 measurement mic for room response measurements and it performs quite well particularly for the money. Based on this experience I assume the other Behringer mics would be ok. (Also the euromixer which is a steal for the money.)

They make stereo pairs like the cardioid C-2 which can be had on eBay for around $50.

There is also the B-2 which runs about $100 a pair currently and has a midsize diaphragm and a significant presence boost which it is claimed usually obviates the need for additional EQ.

There are also several mics from Joe Meek which appear to be quite similar to the C-2 for about twice the money.

There is of course the usual suspects from AKG and Neumann but we are starting to talk of significant expense.

Most of the affordable types are condenser mics.

Nady has some inexpensive ribbons..

There is also information online about diy ribbon mics..

In the ancient past I recorded with crossed-coincident pair ribbons made I think by B&O.. (BM-5?) Good sound.

Recommendations that have worked for you are what I am looking for.

I will be using XLR/phantom power with either DIY mic amps or a Yamaha board that is currently available to me.

[Jay Pemberton]

The MXL 603 is a very good beer budget phantom powered cardioid condenser mike.

[kevinkr]

Looked at the MXL 603 seems these days that there is a bundle selling under that pn - stereo would run over $200 for a pair and this is a bit beyond the initial budget.

Any thoughts on the Behringer mics? In the long run I will probably invest in good mics but I need to see what opportunities will arise to do live recording and until I get some experience I want to do it on the very cheap.

I am going to use a cheap presonus blue tube pre initially and replace that with a homebrew I am currently in the process of designing.

Cheap is the word. If anyone has a decent set of mics they want to unload (cheap) talk to me.. *reelspin*

[kevinkr]

I'm still hunting but I seem to have possibly narrowed it down to a single Nady - the SCM900 and a number of different MXL types. The most likely candidates amongst the MXL types are the V57M, the V63M and the V990 or 990S. They're all large diaphragm condenser types and seem to be well regarded by most users, although reviews are mixed. Noise seems to be a big issue the V63M, and several are allegedly quite bright... There may be others yet...

The Nady actually has a transformer and active circuitry, the rest active balanced circuitry..

The Behringer C-2 was a contender until I found out it has unbalanced output and is also somewhat hummy. There is a mod to fix this on the web, but I would rather just buy something that works.

Strangely enough Amazon is a good place to search for microphones, cheap or otherwise and the deals are sometimes a bit better than on many of the vendors own websites.

[DaveInVA]

It depends on what you are going to be recording and what sound you are looking for but I've found for good all around use on the cheap I like the Apex 460 tube condenser mics. They are sold under several names and can usually be had at a pretty decent price. The nice thing is that there are a ton of mods for this model than can bring it to nearly world class levels and you can do them as you can afford it etc. They have adjustable pickup patterns and come with power supply, shock mount, windscreen etc
Here is a thread at studioforums about all the mods:

http://studioforums.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1526095781/m/2111089522?r=2111089522#2111089522


Dave

[jtwrace]

I really like http://naiant.com/ mics. I've been using the XM series for all my room measurements. The will even send you a calibration file with them. Excellent mic IMO especially for the money.

[braxus]

I've always liked Audio Technica and they are often suggested to others. I have a pair of dynamic mikes I've had since my teens which still work fine. I was going to buy a set of AT2020 mikes which you might consider, but they are about $100 each.

[vinyldavid]

I really really really like the Audio Techinica AT3035 mics.....if you have the money for a pair, you;ll like them.

Cheaper, I have used a MXL990 with good results....

[Kent T]

The Behringer microphones are very good budget buys. I love the Studio Projects B and C 1 condensers very well. The Russian Oktava mics are also excellent for recordists on a budget.

[bluegreengold]

a pair of cascade fathead ribbons and a preamp that can provide a lot of clean gain (such as a sytek mpx-4a) would be nice, but that's ~ $1000 total.

Cheap condensors sound really tacky. And expensive ones are kinda masochistic. If you are on a budget stick to used quality dynamics or new less expensive ribbons. But you need a preamp with good clean gain.

Save up and invest $1000. If you need something cheap, ie a pair of mics for $200, to get you through the time while you save up, it doesn't really matter what you buy, but I'd stick to used dynamics made by quality companies.

Anything in a studio environment can be recorded with dynamics and ribbons.

[Nate_Dennis]

I really like http://naiant.com/ mics. I've been using the XM series for all my room measurements. The will even send you a calibration file with them. Excellent mic IMO especially for the money. +1
I know Jon (through HR.COM) and he is a good guy. He will deal honestly with you and he builds his mics by hand. I bought some before I knew that I knew him and I love them!!! Every time I record acoustic I use two "XQ" mics. (unfortunately this model has "gone to heaven" and is no longer made, but his mics are great.)

Cheap condensors sound really tacky. . . . .Save up and invest $1000.

I really have to disagree. Nothing is more disheartening than to believe that one must be rich to do decent recordings. My Nady multi patern condensor does great things as do my previously mention naiants.

[celticguitar6666]

I have good luck with my Rode You can hear a butterfly fart with it and it's good for accoustic guitar and Voice. It's also battery operated or phantom power very quiet on both. My Oktava mikes are good also and both lines have something in the $200 range.
It also depends on what you are miking or milking. Ribbons can be very delicate.
Dwight

[RedGrant]

I'

In the ancient past I recorded with crossed-coincident pair ribbons made I think by B&O.. (BM-5?) Good sound.



Whatever happened to B&O?

[MichaelFrost]

There are so many mics to choose from these days... but for what it's worth here's my two cents on *inexpensive* mics.

Shure SM57 - Just over one hundred dollars and worth every penny.
Shure SM7 - fantastic and versatile, but much more expensive than sm57
Cascade Fatheads - inexpensive, dark, mysterious, wonderful.
Advanced Audio makes some great, inexpensive tube and FET mics - http://www.aamicrophones.com/index.htm

There are so many more worth checking out. Hope you find some mics that resonate with you!

mjf

[Warped Bezel]

Man, I missed a single solitary Shure 55S WITH A BOOM STAND by a few bucks before Paypal became mandatory.

Yes, I wanted that mic, no matter how beaten up it could possibly be.

Just wanted and wanted to use it too.

Just. Shoot. ME. *fit*

[tapehead ted]

what do you call those mics that you mount on a flat surface, and the bigger the surface the better the bass response? Radio Shack has some very capable ones.

Since they're mounted to a wall or the floor or a table or what have you, you lose some reflections. Some folks who can afford most anything use these when called for.

[cristo]

what do you call those mics that you mount on a flat surface, and the bigger the surface the better the bass response? Radio Shack has some very capable ones.

Since they're mounted to a wall or the floor or a table or what have you, you lose some reflections. Some folks who can afford most anything use these when called for.


PZM (pressure zone microphone).

[BlazeES]

Shure PG57
Audix f2
AKG P 4

[tapehead ted]

PZM (pressure zone microphone).
That's it! Really the Radio Shack PZM is practically and industry standard.

[Copyhat]

Whatever happened to B&O?

B&O Made a series of ribbon and condensor mics back in the 60's that are very well praised today; the most elaborate ones being the BM3 and BM5, which Neil Armstrong used back in the day. B&O stopped the production because of lower demand, and because they stopped making reel-to-reel decks (the Beocord 2400 de luxe had a mounting cup for the BM5 in the lid *bigthumbup*)

I would recommend Samson C02 pencil-style condensors. Very airy and perfect as drum overheads, hi-hat mic, acoustic guitars and maybe some ambience recording of vocals and drums.

[Ghitulescu]

Lot of people like to consider the Behringer series in various negative ways....
However, for non-critical users on a budget, they are the best one can get.
Of course, one can spend 5400$ on a studio mike alone, but then EVERYTHING needs to be studio-like (room, cables, gear etc.) and this is alltogether zillions times over the buget of a particular.

[Copyhat]

Lot of people like to consider the Behringer series in various negative ways....
However, for non-critical users on a budget, they are the best one can get.
Of course, one can spend 5400$ on a studio mike alone, but then EVERYTHING needs to be studio-like (room, cables, gear etc.) and this is alltogether zillions times over the buget of a particular.

Behringer is decent for the price, but I don't like the plasticy feel on some of their products. Their mixers are the best in the price class though.

[Ghitulescu]

Well, yes, the "plasticity" ...
How I get involved in Behringer stuff...

simple... I had some XLR S-VHS decks, so I thought nice to have lossless connection to my DVD-recorder. I went in a HiFi shop and guess what - the simplest (not even trafo enabled, just the simplest way of sending + to hot and the other shortcut to ground) cost me 16.95€. I was in need of 4 pieces, thus some 80€ just for the very stupid way of having 2 gears cnnected. So I bought the 1832fx, which at double the price got me all that I need, plus a few other bonuses.

Fuck the adaptor mafia!

[jumpskins]

i use audio technica at2020, its amazingly quiet and sensitive. sells for about 100GBP here.

[braxus]

Audio Technica 2020 is a good mike. Their 40 series is even better. I have been buying Rode mikes as of late. I just picked up a NT1A which seems decent for the $280 it cost. Their tube mike is also good. I have 2 of those.

[BlazeES]

Audio Technica 2020 is a good mike. Their 40 series is even better. I have been buying Rode mikes as of late. I just picked up a NT1A which seems decent for the $280 it cost. Their tube mike is also good. I have 2 of those.

Are you a closet crooner Brax?

[braxus]

Are you a closet crooner Brax?

Nope. I just like to record stuff live- like bands or solos. I would love to record some choir music, but haven't had the option to do so yet.

[Ricardus]

There is only one mic to get in the $300 price range (and that's as low as I would go for a condenser) and that is the Shure SM-27.

I have a pair of KSM-27's (their old designation) and they sound amazing. People still haven't caught on to just how good the KSM series from Shure really is.