Condenser Mic

[vanguard182]

hello all, i have a question about condenser mics. i've been looking at investing in a cheaper one, namely the Audio Technica AT2020 Studio Microphone. there are two models available, the the standard and a USB model, will there be a difference in quality between the two? thanks in advance

[nathanallenpinard]

The USB one doesn't require you to have an audio interface to your computer. The non-USB one will require an audio interface that suppilies phantom power. Usually the non-USB will be the better choice because your forced to buy an audio interface, which has usually better pre-amps, but that depends WHICH interface you get.

[AlexCo]

Yeah, if you have a mixing desk with 48V Phantom Power Switches with XLR's then you're fine.

BASICALLY, if you've got cash, get an amp and an XLR Condenser. If you've not, get a USB condenser.

[loansindi]

The differences in quality between using the USB model and using a low-mid priced USB interface are going to be negligible.

Audio-technica makes a decent product, and I'm sure you'll be satisfied with the product. I'd suggest just going for the USB model unless you're planning on expanding in the future.

[nathanallenpinard]

The differences in quality between using the USB model and using a low-mid priced USB interface are going to be negligible.

The ART pre-amp is actually really good for it's price, and probably will kill the USB pre as it's tube powered. But it's another 160 or so.

Grace Designs makes a 500 dollar pre-amp also. They make probably the best high quality studio preamps on the market now.

[loansindi]

At 11/7/09 02:40 PM, nathanallenpinard wrote: The ART pre-amp is actually really good for it's price, and probably will kill the USB pre as it's tube powered. But it's another 160 or so.

I refuse to believe that tubes are the end-all of tone. I have a tube-mp, and for some things it's okay. Mostly I use it for a little more gain/phantom power.

Grace Designs makes a 500 dollar pre-amp also. They make probably the best high quality studio preamps on the market now.

That's great. This guy's looking at a $150 all in one solution. Do you think he's really going to benefit from a $500 preamp? 'Cause I don't.

[sorohanro]

At 11/7/09 04:46 PM, loansindi wrote: That's great. This guy's looking at a $150 all in one solution.

And that we know from... ???
Anyway, Nathan is trying to help, why do you act so aggressive ? did you have too much coffee ?

[SmdSkata]

I run at the AT2020 with a FastTrack Pro and I'm yet to find problems.

[vanguard182]

thanks much guys, you were all very helpful. i decided to go with the USB model because it's easy plug-and-go, and to avoid the extra expense of buying a decent pre amp. i may one day decide to upgrade if i want to take my recordings further, but this should serve my purposes for a long while.

[nathanallenpinard]

Do you think he's really going to benefit from a $500 preamp? 'Cause I don't.

Yes, actually. It's all in the pre-amp. And they go way higher than that.

500 bucks is a steal for any kind of Grace Design hardware.

And tube pre-amps are great IF they are built right.

[joshhunsaker]

Nathan's right on all counts. The pre is often worth spending much more money on than the mic itself TBH.

[nathanallenpinard]

I actually have a high quality pre going into my audio inteface, which also has pre's (and high quality ones) and it makes a big difference.

[loansindi]

At 11/7/09 05:28 PM, sorohanro wrote:

At 11/7/09 04:46 PM, loansindi wrote: That's great. This guy's looking at a $150 all in one solution.

And that we know from... ???

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&sou rce=hp&q=audio%20technica%20at2020&um=1&
ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wf

I'm sorry, it's actually mroe like $80.

Anyway, Nathan is trying to help, why do you act so aggressive ? did you have too much coffee ?

Because recommending a $500 preamp for a guy looking to buy a sub $100 microphone is ridiculous. The OP would be better off spending that $500 on a 'real' microphone, THEN worrying about his preamps. My guess is the OP wants to get into voice acting, maybe a little bit of guitar/singing recording. But probably the former. There's no reason to suggest he build a several thousand dollar setup from the start.

When someone comes in and says 'how can I get a better sound out of my recording', rather than asking about a bottom-line entry level product, THEN it makes sense to start recomending $500 acessories.

[joshhunsaker]

a pre is about as much of an accessory for a recording setup as an engine is an accessory for a car.

[sorohanro]

At 11/8/09 01:50 AM, joshhunsaker wrote: a pre is about as much of an accessory for a recording setup as an engine is an accessory for a car.

For this answer you deserve cookies :)
Actually I tried an Avalon mic preamp and the sound was blowing me away compared with my Art Tube MP.

[joshhunsaker]

At 11/8/09 09:04 AM, sorohanro wrote:

At 11/8/09 01:50 AM, joshhunsaker wrote: a pre is about as much of an accessory for a recording setup as an engine is an accessory for a car.

For this answer you deserve cookies :)
Actually I tried an Avalon mic preamp and the sound was blowing me away compared with my Art Tube MP.

People really don't understand sometimes until they hook they simply moderate $150 mic up to a thousand dollar pre for the first time. Then it's usually quite eye-opening where the real difference is coming from. Avalon is a pre type I wouldn't mind having at all...kind of like the BWM of pres...

[InGenius]

loan, I'm taking it you don't own a quality pre. I don't even own a quality pre, I am using the stock pres on my Xenyx mixer which, while being fairly transparent, are not exactly sterling examples of a preamps ability to give a mediocre mic the best sound. I think nathan was just trying to express a point that buying the non-USB mic would be a better fit because you could get the mic and a cheaper interface now and later spring for a superb interface and still be happy with the mic. But buying a USB mic locks you in for good on the quality level of the USB connection. Frankly, I suggest staying away from USB all-in-one mics. If that's the route you're thinking of, then get the AT mic sans USB and hook it up with a USB<->XLR adapter like the Icicle or MXL's USB converter. Otherwise, spend a little bit on a good interface.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pro duct/Blue-Icicle-XLR-to-USB-Mic-Converte r?sku=330275
The Icicle, 60$, good quality USB adapter

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pro duct/MXL-Mic-Mate-XLR-to-USB-Mic-Interfa ce-WPhantom-Power?sku=270707
MXL's version, the Mic Mate, 40$, decent quality

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pro duct/Lexicon-Alpha-USB-Audio-Interface?s ku=245507
Lexicon Alpha, 80$, decent bottom-end USB interface offering more than just a USB adapter

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pro duct/Phonic-FIREFLY-302-PLUS-Portable-Fi rewire-Interface?sku=582373#used
Phonic Firefly, 100$ new, lowest end Firewire interface, also has S/PDIF in and out

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pro duct/ART-USB-Dual-Pre?sku=703092
And last but not least, the ART USB dual pre, 100$, decent pre to start with

[loansindi]

At 11/8/09 02:45 PM, InGenius wrote: I think nathan was just trying to express a point that buying the non-USB mic would be a better fit because you could get the mic and a cheaper interface now

It's a better fit unless his budget is, you know, a hundred bucks. Then he has to buy a $90 mic and a $50 interface.

If he's just doing spoken word (which he never told us. this is all conjecture due to a lack of information), then I would question the value of a really top-notch preamp. I bet his money could be spent elsewhere.

[InGenius]

You're right, but after going to his page and seeing the various different genres he's released audio under, I'd say it's going to be used for alot of different stuff, not solely some voice work. And even then, I think the MXL mic-mate plus AT2020 is the best choice if it comes down to money. MXL mic-mate at 40$ plus AT2020 at 100$ is lower priced than the AT2020USB at 150$, so the money issue is pretty moot.

[nathanallenpinard]

I was providing options, simply that. I suggested the ART, THEN the Grace Designs. I wouldn't suggest buying a $50 interface, that's a mistake. It will reduce the initial quality of the mic itself.

When someone asks a question like this on NG, I'm not going to give them a half-ass answer.

Also, you should know that studios use Shure SM57's to mic drums quite a bit, and they are hooked into pre's that costs 1000's.

[joshhunsaker]

At 11/8/09 05:02 PM, nathanallenpinard wrote: Also, you should know that studios use Shure SM57's to mic drums quite a bit, and they are hooked into pre's that costs 1000's.

This is also a very good point to consider...