Best condensor for ~200 USD?

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

yeppers, +1

 

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.

 

Cad M-179

 

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

 

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

 

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 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, 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?

 

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.

 

Good point...

 

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.