Hey all, I wanna start tracking vocals more seriously so I'm in the market for a good large diaphragm condenser. Price range is $200 to $300 (maybe a little higher for just the right mic), I'm not opposed to buying used, but I wanna stay clear of the "vintage" market because I don't really have the time to maintain old equipment and I'm also looking for a bright, hi-fi sound.
I will primarily be recording female vocals (although my vocalist has an amazing range, very strong in both the bass and treble range), but good sounding male vocals are important. I would also like it to serve double-duty for recording percussion, cymbals and misc (hi hats, crash, piccolo snare, wood blocks, etc). I like the idea of a mic that is sensitive all the way up to 20kHz (and also sounds good in that range), so that's something I'm interested in, but I'm not 100% sure that's necessary.
I was looking at the Audio Technica AT4040 (http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/9b6aac05c5aca887/index.html) and the Shure KSM32 (http://www.shure.com/americas/products/microphones/ksm/ksm32-embossed-single-diaphragm-microphone). Both seem nice (I would have to try and find used ones to meet my cost requirements), I have used the AT4040 for flute in a live situation and I was impressed with the sound and quality but I didn't get to put it fully through it's paces being live and all.
Any ideas guys?
I highly, highly recommend the AT4040. It's not a low budget mic. For the money, I don't think you can find better. I have been able to purchase 2 of the 3 I've owned via the used market, and I got one for $300 with an AT4041 (so 150 each) and another for $175. Go for one if you can, cause it's a great mic. If you can step up to the 4050, that's also worth doing.
I use a pair of AT4040s, and a pair of Beyerdynamic mics for recording drums. Using the Glyn Johns method, I get a very, very good drum sound to my ears. Not a lot of isolation between sounds though, but if you're going to just record a full kit, or just a couple pieces, it works really, really well. I've also used the 4040's for vocals (female and male), guitar cabs, bass, acoustic guitars, and nothing has ever turned out poorly.
Honestly. Of the 12 different </=$300 LDCs I've used, the AT4040 is the most versatile and the highest quality I've used.
Jacob
My opinion when it comes to mics is nearly useless, but given that, I have the AT3035 which is now out of production. I like it quite a bit. I think the 4040 is supposed to be an upgraded replacement for the 3035.
We've got a couple of Blue Bluebirds in our studio for vocals and I think they sound great. I'm not hugely experienced in such things but they might be worth a look. Plus, they look freaking awesome ;D (the included cradle isn't great though)
My personal condenser mic preferences:
Vocals - Rode NT1-A or NT1000
Guitar amp - Studio Projects B1
Quote from: jkokura on September 04, 2013, 10:41:05 PM
I highly, highly recommend the AT4040. It's not a low budget mic. For the money, I don't think you can find better. I have been able to purchase 2 of the 3 I've owned via the used market, and I got one for $300 with an AT4041 (so 150 each) and another for $175. Go for one if you can, cause it's a great mic. If you can step up to the 4050, that's also worth doing.
I use a pair of AT4040s, and a pair of Beyerdynamic mics for recording drums. Using the Glyn Johns method, I get a very, very good drum sound to my ears. Not a lot of isolation between sounds though, but if you're going to just record a full kit, or just a couple pieces, it works really, really well. I've also used the 4040's for vocals (female and male), guitar cabs, bass, acoustic guitars, and nothing has ever turned out poorly.
Honestly. Of the 12 different </=$300 LDCs I've used, the AT4040 is the most versatile and the highest quality I've used.
Jacob
cool, i had a feeling this mic was a strong contender for the price. My percussion recording would just be single instrument patterns or individual hits for sequencing and sampling purposes.
I haven't used a 4040, but I use the AT4033 all the time. It can get a little too bright up around 7k for some sources, but most of the time it's really nice. A couple of years ago I never would've put a condenser on a bass amp, but the 4033's become one of my go-tos.
good suggestions so far but make sure you budget for a vocal booth/room treatment if you haven't already done so.
Sent from my SC-02B using Tapatalk 2
You can get an SM-7 for under $300 used. Most studio vocals I've ever recorded used that mic. I know it's not exactly the same kind of mic you were looking for, but it's seriously one of the best things you can stick in front of male vocal chords at any price.
Quote from: midwayfair on September 05, 2013, 01:29:22 PM
You can get an SM-7 for under $300 used. Most studio vocals I've ever recorded used that mic. I know it's not exactly the same kind of mic you were looking for, but it's seriously one of the best things you can stick in front of male vocal chords at any price.
Not just used in recording. It's a standard in Radio Broadcasting and in TV overdub work as well.
Jacob
Quote from: midwayfair on September 05, 2013, 01:29:22 PM
You can get an SM-7 for under $300 used. Most studio vocals I've ever recorded used that mic. I know it's not exactly the same kind of mic you were looking for, but it's seriously one of the best things you can stick in front of male vocal chords at any price.
+1. The SM7 is a dynamic, but it's a great mic. I wouldn't put it on percussion, though - it's got lots of character, but not enough detail in the highs.
Quote from: gingataff on September 05, 2013, 09:54:24 AM
good suggestions so far but make sure you budget for a vocal booth/room treatment if you haven't already done so.
Sent from my SC-02B using Tapatalk 2
good tip and i would love to do this, but my vocal booth is my bedroom closet haha. i don't have the space for anything more complicated.
Quote from: lincolnic on September 05, 2013, 03:28:57 AM
I haven't used a 4040, but I use the AT4033 all the time. It can get a little too bright up around 7k for some sources, but most of the time it's really nice. A couple of years ago I never would've put a condenser on a bass amp, but the 4033's become one of my go-tos.
ya the 4040 also has a ~3dB bump at 7kHz and 12kHz that I thought was strange when i was looking at the datasheet.
Another model that's similar to the ATs that were mentioned is the AKG Perception 420. Might be worth checking out. I've got one that I like but personal preference is king. The Rode NT1A is also nice.
I have reasonable results from a sterling audio ST55.
It's the replacement for groove tubes gt55
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using Tapatalk 2
Forgot to mention that I don't like the KSM32 at all - I've tried it a couple of times and always found it harsh.
Sometimes negative feedback is important too!
Quote from: das234 on September 06, 2013, 12:46:43 AM
The Rode NT1A is also nice.
And apparantly highly moddable. I think that's something that DIYers like. You can easily get an NT1A and an AT4040 used for less than $300.
Jacob
I just got an AT2035... nice mic for the price, check out some reviews
A lot of people like the vg69 IIRC. But Jons recommendation is good too the sm57 is so versatile. Obviously it won't suit all voices but its always worth having for the money.
If you want you could always go cheap and get a clone gls es57. I have a pair and love those too. Qaulity may vary. One of mines better than the other.
Others include the octava mk12. Se mics are quite good too.
Full disclaimer: I work for Sennheiser so I am definitely biased 8)
With that being said, you should take a serious look at the Sennheiser MK4 condenser mic and compare to others. It retails for $299 USD.
What sets this mic apart from the competition is the following:
1) It is a "true" (not electret) condenser...more explanation below
2) It is handmade in Germany (not Asia or Mexico)
3) It carries a 2 year warranty in the USA.
4) It is made in the same factory that the Neumann capsules are made in (in medical grade clean rooms that are dust free to a few microns, the same they make ICs in or Heart Catheters). Sennheiser owns Neumann since the 90's in case you didn't know.
5) It has a 1" large diaphragm (larger the diaphragm, more sensitive)
5) It is really a lot of mic for the money and a supreme bargain for what it is.
6) All the expertise in making the "rolls royce" Neumann mics over the years go into this bad boy.
People throw around the term "condenser" all the time however there are several different types. The difference between a true condenser and an electret are as follows:
True Condenser = needs a bias voltage to energize a backplate and create the capacitor circuit. The diaphragm sits on the backplate which is tuned (drilled) to the frequencies that suit it best. The +48v phantom power helps make all this happen. Having a larger diameter diaphragm adds to the sensitivity. The best mics in the world all follow this principle (U87, U67, U49 etc).
Electret Condenser = also known as "pre polarized" or "permanently polarized" uses a thin layer of electret material. This material is a thin layer of usually mylar which is superheated and then charged with high power electromagnets. When the material cools off, it retains a charge.
Most microphones we experience in daily life today are of the electret principle and subsequently ubiquitous. There are featured everywhere we go: kids toys, telephone handsets, cellphones, automotive applications, voice recorders, digital cameras. They are typically made by the hundreds of thousands in some factory in Asia. This is where they get a bad rap because of the billions made each year in quantity, there has to be some variance in performance...
Electrets have small diaphragms and also use phantom power, but in a different way than "true condensers." The electret circuitry itself is a small preamp which boosts the minute signal up to at least a mic level. True condensers, use the voltage to polarize the backplate and make the whole "large diaphragm" concept work.
Not saying that there can't be some great electret capsules out there, however all the mics you find in the best studios are going to be true condenser (and usually predominately Neumann). So check the spec sheets, find out where they are made, and do a little research. It is so easy to throw the word "condenser" around but it could be a number of types (true condenser, electret condeser, RF condenser, and so forth).
For the money, you will not find another mic in the same price range that has all the features listed above like the MK4.
Edit: If you have a little more budget to spend, check out the Neumann TLM102 (around $700USD) or even the TLM49 (around $1500 USD).
I'll have to add that one to the list of mics I'd like to try... you don't have one I could borrow, do you?
I will mention that the AT4040 is also a true condenser, is externally biased, and has a 1" capsule. And honestly, I don't think it's a bad thing that it's made in Asia. Chinese manufacture sometimes gets a bad rap, but it's not all bad, and the Audio Technica stuff doesn't deserve any bad rap.
I do know that every Sennheiser I've used I've liked. The e609, the e906, and the MD421 are also studio standards.
Jacob
i'm fairly certain the at4040 is made in japan.
Quote from: rullywowr on September 07, 2013, 03:20:34 AM
Full disclaimer: I work for Sennheiser so I am definitely biased 8)
With that being said, you should take a serious look at the Sennheiser MK4 condenser mic and compare to others. It retails for $299 USD.
What sets this mic apart from the competition is the following:
1) It is a "true" (not electret) condenser...more explanation below
2) It is handmade in Germany (not Asia or Mexico)
3) It carries a 2 year warranty in the USA.
4) It is made in the same factory that the Neumann capsules are made in (in medical grade clean rooms that are dust free to a few microns, the same they make ICs in or Heart Catheters). Sennheiser owns Neumann since the 90's in case you didn't know.
5) It has a 1" large diaphragm (larger the diaphragm, more sensitive)
5) It is really a lot of mic for the money and a supreme bargain for what it is.
6) All the expertise in making the "rolls royce" Neumann mics over the years go into this bad boy.
*snip*
For the money, you will not find another mic in the same price range that has all the features listed above like the MK4.
Edit: If you have a little more budget to spend, check out the Neumann TLM102 (around $700USD) or even the TLM49 (around $1500 USD).
very interesting. without actually trying either of them, i think i like the frequency response of the MK4 a little more than the AT4040, mostly because the high end seems a little less EQ'd, it doesn't have the high-Q peaks at the 7kHz and 12kHz marks.
ps sounds like a cool job, i would love to work for an audio electronics company. are you based in Germany?