Subject:best recording mic under $300

Posted by: estamm

Date:5/19/2003 9:48:23 AM

I was wondering what everone thought. Right now I don't have $1000 to spend.

Thanks,
-Eric

Subject:RE: best recording mic under $300

Reply by: Rednroll

Date:5/19/2003 4:25:57 PM

It depends on what you are trying to record. Some of the best vocal mics for recording are really bad at recording kick drums and bass guitars. As is some of the best guitar recording mics are not so good for recording vocals. Mics are very application specific, thus why a company like AKG or Shure makes many different types of microphones. Ask a little more specific question for what you're trying to record and you'll get a much better response.

Subject:RE: best recording mic under $300

Reply by: estamm

Date:5/20/2003 2:38:10 AM

Sorry about that, I forget that many other people here are very familiar with doing live recordings. Because it's a Soundforge forum, I sometimes assume that everyone here is into electronic or computerized music. What I need is a mic for recording non-musical sources in order to make my own samples. I understand that what I need is a condenser mic of some sort, but of course they can get pretty pricey. If the mic is a little above $300, that's Ok too.

Subject:RE: best recording mic under $300

Reply by: Chienworks

Date:5/20/2003 7:40:41 AM

Actually i'm willing to bet that most people use SoundForge for processing live/acoustic recordings ;)

Take a look at the Shure PG81 http://www.shure.com/microphones/models/pg81.asp I've used the "little brother" of this mic (L81, r.i.p.) for many years and been very pleased with it. It has a super flat and clean response. It seems to have an enormous dynamic range, handling picking up whispers and cats' heartbeats just as well as a bass cab or drums. I can only imagine that the PG81 is better than the L81. Shure's suggested retail price is $260.65. I used to pick up the L81's from a local audio equipment store for about $100 each.

Subject:RE: best recording mic under $300

Reply by: estamm

Date:5/21/2003 12:35:43 AM

Thanks, I'll check it out!

Subject:RE: best recording mic under $300

Reply by: Geoff_Wood

Date:5/21/2003 2:23:52 AM

I sure most people here are NOT into electronic music recording with Soundforge !

Are you wanting to record stereo ? You'll need two mics. I sold my crappy AKG C1000s and replaced them with a matched/selected pair of Oktava MC012a's from www.oktava.com - infinitely better, but don't touch the regular shop Oktavas: QC is pretty dodgy.

Also AudioTechnicas such as AT4041 are highly regarded - not sure about the price though ...

geoff.

Subject:RE: best recording mic under $300

Reply by: drbam

Date:5/21/2003 9:58:21 AM

<<Are you wanting to record stereo ? You'll need two mics. I sold my crappy AKG C1000s and replaced them with a matched/selected pair of Oktava MC012a's from www.oktava.com - infinitely better, but don't touch the regular shop Oktavas: QC is pretty dodgy.>>

Yes, these are incredible mics, especially for the price they are going for now - about $300 for a matched pair on ebay. However, as noted above there have been some issues with quality control and you have to be careful when changing capsules as the threads can be damaged fairly easily. However, in my view its worth the risk. For acoustic instruments and even voice, they sound really wonderful and have a much warmer, fuller sound than anything I've heard under $500.

HTH,

drbam