Condenser Mic

[Edhardt]

Hello
Can anybody point me in the direction of a good, cheap condenser mic? I am looking to record just vocals with it. Packages are also good. I am new to mics and am trying to find something cheap, but good. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

[Pure-Metal-UTA]

A few months ago, I got a really good condenser mic
The TASCAM TM-78.
It came with a non-dedicated USB interface, Cubase LE and a Mic cord.
It came about $300 Canadian.
I don't know if you can get the mic on its own, but even if not, it's still a really good deal.

[loansindi]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigatio n?q=usb+condenser

Nearly every one of these will serve you well.

[Edhardt]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Forgot to mention (for future posts in this thread, if any) that I do not need any software or an interface, and I have phantom power. Packages that have the mic and maybe the pop filter and shock mount are more so what else I'd need.

[Edhardt]

At 7/14/09 01:03 AM, loansindi wrote: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigatio n?q=usb+condenser

Nearly every one of these will serve you well.

I noticed most of those are USB mics...should I be getting an XLR one instead? I have an interface and mixer with phantom power if an XLR mic would serve better somehow...quality wise I'm assuming?

[Khuskan]

USB mics tend to be a bit dogey, as you're bound to using the DAC included in the hardware with no other option.

If you buy a cheap USB microphone, the DAC technology is going to be skimped on and you're not going to be recording a sound as high quality as the actual analogue microphone can actually record.

Spend as much money as you can on the DAC (DI box) part that you can afford, it will make cheap microphones pull their weight.

[modem]

Audio Technica AT3031s sound amazing for the price. I use a couple of them as a stereo pair when I'm out recording samples or field, etc. Not afraid to carry them around, only $150/ea.

Musician's Friend

[Bitqrusher]

The Audio-Technica AT2020 is brilliant on a cost/quality basis, it is versatile and sounds pretty good. I've had people in the studio ask what mic it is because it sounds so good without processing.

I've also heard good things about the Rode NT-1. Another good quality budget mic, but a fair bit more pricey.

Both are XLR mics, the AT2020 has a USB variant, but as Khuskan said in so many words; You probably arent going to be able to record using its full potential.

Hope this helped.

[statueofdiveo]

BLUE SNOWBALL.

Look it up. $89 and I love it.

[loansindi]

At 7/14/09 04:34 AM, Edhardt wrote: I noticed most of those are USB mics...should I be getting an XLR one instead? I have an interface and mixer with phantom power if an XLR mic would serve better somehow...quality wise I'm assuming?

If you've got an interface then look at anything from companies like audio-technica, MXL, Shure.

Depending on the quality of the interface you may be better served with a traditional mic. Or not.

[Edhardt]

At 7/14/09 06:40 AM, Bitqrusher wrote: The Audio-Technica AT2020 is brilliant on a cost/quality basis, it is versatile and sounds pretty good. I've had people in the studio ask what mic it is because it sounds so good without processing.

I've also heard good things about the Rode NT-1. Another good quality budget mic, but a fair bit more pricey.

Both are XLR mics, the AT2020 has a USB variant, but as Khuskan said in so many words; You probably arent going to be able to record using its full potential.

Hope this helped.

Thanks. I liked these 2 most out of the ones suggested in this thread, because I would like an XLR mic.

[Edhardt]

At 7/14/09 11:53 AM, loansindi wrote:

At 7/14/09 04:34 AM, Edhardt wrote: I noticed most of those are USB mics...should I be getting an XLR one instead? I have an interface and mixer with phantom power if an XLR mic would serve better somehow...quality wise I'm assuming?

If you've got an interface then look at anything from companies like audio-technica, MXL, Shure.

Depending on the quality of the interface you may be better served with a traditional mic. Or not.

What do you mean by traditional mic, like a dynamic mic?

(Sorry I don't know if it's possible to multi quote in replies....atleast I'm not sure how to haha. I've been lurking on here for awhile and never really had a reason to post till now)

One last question, I have been using (as strange as it sounds) the included mic that comes with the korg r3 for recording vocals (it's like a desk mic). And it sounds perfectly fine; so what is the difference if i use that or a nice condenser mic...something with the quality I'm assuming?

[loansindi]

At 7/14/09 03:17 PM, Edhardt wrote:

Depending on the quality of the interface you may be better served with a traditional mic. Or not.

What do you mean by traditional mic, like a dynamic mic?

That is to say, depending on the interface quality, the A/D converters in those USB mics might be better.

One last question, I have been using (as strange as it sounds) the included mic that comes with the korg r3 for recording vocals (it's like a desk mic). And it sounds perfectly fine; so what is the difference if i use that or a nice condenser mic...something with the quality I'm assuming?

If you've got a mic that sounds fine to you, there's no real reason to replace it. Condenser microphones can be 'airier', more 'open', but if you like what you have then it's probably fine. You might get a slightly nicer response out of a more expensive mic, but that money might be better used elsewhere.

[Kingbastard]

Condenser mics usually provide a flatter eq response, so are perfect for recording vocals/acoustic guitars etc, i would suggest these if you are looking for a good quality very reasonably priced condenser mic:

Behringer C1
Behringer C3

[Edhardt]

Alright, thanks everyone.