Best condensor for ~200 USD?

[Platypus]

Looking for something to blend with my SM57 a bit back from my guitar cab to fill out the sound a bit. Any suggestions?

 

[sinasl1]

try a CAD Trion 7000 ribbon mic. I really like it- I put them both up close though. The CAD gives you warmth and fatness.

 

[Platypus]

Thanks for the suggestion.

Anyone try the MXL4000? going for 200 at MF right now, seems like a steal?

 

[Creamy]

I'm looking for the same thing. AT4040's are in the price range and people like it for clean sounds.

 

[gkoelling]

The AT4040 is a great mic but you might have trouble finding one within your budget.

Take a look at the AT3035. It comes out of the same factory as the AT4040, was deisgned by the same engineers and was also designed specifically for digital recording.


Good luck in your search.

 

[isfahani]

try a CAD Trion 7000 ribbon mic. I really like it- I put them both up close though. The CAD gives you warmth and fatness.

yeppers, +1

 

[Gi-gi-giggity]

Sorry for the minor hi-jack, but can anyone comment on the differences between the Trion 7000 and a Sen 421? (though I know it's a bit more $$)

Thanks.

 

[Unburst]

Cad M-179

 

[Zero Point]

Studio Projects have a C-1 mic for about 240.00 that is a clone of the Neumann u87. Personally, I think I'd rather try one of the new Shure K's.

-Z

 

[Platypus]

Another question while I'm at it.. what is a good 'starter' position to begin messing around with the mic in conjunction with a dynamic? My dynamic is angled a bit away from the cone of my speaker and off axis right now and I really like the tone. I'm looking for something to add some fatness/warmth as well as tighten things up a bit.

Any other opinions of the CAD M-179, AT3035 or MXL4000?

 

[bostonwal]

ADK Vienna or Hamburg. Used around $150 to $175. Otherwise around $250.

 

[chaeridley]

Fatter and tighter may be a cabinet or amp or guitar problem. Make sure those are decent first. Usually a 57 in the right spot will do the job...

 

[Platypus]

Fatter and tighter may be a cabinet or amp or guitar problem. Make sure those are decent first. Usually a 57 in the right spot will do the job...

It sounds perfect in front of me.. just doesn't translate the same on the recording.

 

[gkoelling]

It sounds perfect in front of me.. just doesn't translate the same on the recording.

It might be a question of using the right mic for your amp.

The SM57 has been an industry standard for years but in my experience not all mics are suited for all amps.

Several years ago I had a Custom Vibrolux. I tried a 57 to run it through the PA but it sounded awful, too much presence and very nasal. I swapped it for an ancient AKG and the amps true tone came through.

Later I tried the same 57 on a Classic 50, 2x12 and it worked beautifully.

 

[Platypus]

It might be a question of using the right mic for your amp.

The SM57 has been an industry standard for years but in my experience not all mics are suited for all amps.

Several years ago I had a Custom Vibrolux. I tried a 57 to run it through the PA but it sounded awful, too much presence and very nasal. I swapped it for an ancient AKG and the amps true tone came through.

Later I tried the same 57 on a Classic 50, 2x12 and it worked beautifully.

So is one mic really better than two? Most setups I've seen use two mics. I figured the condenser mic would be good to capture a bit of the room.

It's not that the 57 isn't doing the job, I really like the way it sounds, but there's just something missing about the way it sounds live versus when I record that I can't put my finger on.

I guess a good example would be that you can barely hear the reverb in any position I've tried with the SM57 when I'm close micing but if I move it back you can pick up on it.

 

[gkoelling]

So, don't place the mic as close if it sounds better when you back it away from the amp a little.

I'm not trying to be an ass but it seems as if you've found a sweet spot for the mic while recording that amp. Why not use it?

 

[Platypus]

So, don't place the mic as close if it sounds better when you back it away from the amp a little.

I'm not trying to be an ass but it seems as if you've found a sweet spot for the mic while recording that amp. Why not use it?

Sorry, I should clarify. It sounds sweet where I have it close mic'ed but it doesn't capture that reverb sound.. if I go farther back I get the reverb but then I lose the good tone I had before, loses tightness and authority and sounds shallow.

 

[gkoelling]

Ah! I missed that. Maybe a large diaphram condenser would help.

You should be able to find the AT3035 for around $200.00.

A.T. also offers the AT2020 for about half that. It's also a large diaphram condenser but doesn't have quite the same specs as the AT3035.

Also, I believe you may experience phase cancelation if you use two mics too close to each other, so you may want to just use one.

 

[gkoelling]

In front of you?
Bend down and put your ear as close to the speaker as the mic is, how does that sound?

Good point...

 

[guitarplayer]

I bought a used Rode NT-2 for around $200 and it does a pretty good job. Most would say it's not a "great" mic but it's pretty detailed and clean, good price and easy to find clean used ones. I've been reading good things about the M-Audio Sputnik which I have my eye on but they sell for around $400-$500. Hope this helps.