condensers on a budget

Posted on

eeeeeeemo.
Member Since: Oct 30, 2003

hey everyone

i am looking round at additions to my studio in terms of microphones. at present i have no condensers (and not a lot of money to buy any with!!), and while browsing through this month's sos i noticed a company called "CAD microphones" which sells studio packs of condenser mics.

something like gxl2200 stereo studio pack would fit my needs and budget at £190 (www.cadmics.com/gxl_packs.htm )

i was just wondering if anyone could give me an opinion on the spec of the gxl2200 (www.cadmics.com/gxl2200.htm )

i understand that the wider the frequency response the better... im just concered that by buying such a cheap mic, it's not gonna make much difference from a dynamic.

please bear in mind that i've not yet developed a brilliant ear for great tone in mics, and am just looking to introduce myself to the world of condenser!

thanks
Jon

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


May 08, 2005 07:57 pm

mccarty, even a cheaper condensor will have a noticable differance in sound from the dynamic.

As for the mics from CAD. I have an older Equitek E100 and love it. They make some pretty bullet proof stuff. They are definately not a cheap mic in the long run. I have owned the E300 as well and loved it.

The specs on the mics in that package are pretty comparable to a very good mic. I think if they are within your budget they will make a fine set to start with, and probably will be called upon even after you have added other mics as well.

I still use my E100 because of its high SPL handling, and great sound. It is an excellant mic for strings.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


May 09, 2005 04:03 am

I own a pile of 58's and a Behringer B1 Condenser...a fine MIC and less than £100 !

A good sound I have been gettign and as I say, not too expensive...ye could do worse and surely worth further investigation and experiment/try it out.

Coco.

living in the comatorium
Member
Since: Mar 23, 2005


May 09, 2005 08:20 am

samson makes an awesome pair of condensers about $120. the CO2 models are what theyre called. i use them for drum overheads and even did some vocal work with them. i like the small pencil style condensers because they are easy to position and have about a million and one uses. frequency response is good, it has the same as the SM57 (a dynamic mic, about 40-20000hz). these mics create a much more transparent and shimmering sound, which can give your mix more body. i highly recommend these because they sound great but cost hundreds less than others. good hunting!

~autumn design~

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


May 09, 2005 11:29 am

i second what autum said....for instruments two matched small diaphragm condensors (pencil's) are gonna get way more uses than a single large diaphragm condensr, which is used mostly for vocals and other "rich, warm" sounds....SDC's are alot faster and have much better transient response than the big ones.

eeeeeeemo.
Member
Since: Oct 30, 2003


May 09, 2005 12:14 pm

blimey, cheers for all the pointers guys! i figure the best thing i can do is get down to some shops and ask to hear the mics themselves rather than puring over specs on websites... i guess i know how i'll be spending my study leave!

Ultra Magnus
Member
Since: Nov 13, 2004


May 09, 2005 01:11 pm

Se1a isn't a bad cheap small diaphragm condenser to get a pair of either, and there are octavas too of course.

Ultra Magnus
Member
Since: Nov 13, 2004


May 09, 2005 01:13 pm

I see you're in the UK too, if you're in London, Rose Morris' Pro Audio shop has those Se1a mics for around £55-60 each right now.

*sticado: short and LOUD!*
Member
Since: Feb 25, 2005


May 09, 2005 01:51 pm

MXL 900 series are REALLY inexpansive and they sound amazing.

i got a 990 large diaphram and a 991 small diaphram for only $100!

eeeeeeemo.
Member
Since: Oct 30, 2003


May 09, 2005 02:26 pm

im not in london but ill be sure to look into the se1a. and thanks for all these names youre dropping everyone - i tend to get a bit overwhelmed with the large number of condensers available, so this is giving me a good starting point to get trying some out.

cheers!

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


May 09, 2005 02:54 pm

I certainly wouldn't say that my MXL 990 sounds amazing, but its a pretty good condensor for the money. For $60, you can't go wrong for trying one out.


eeeeeeemo.
Member
Since: Oct 30, 2003


May 10, 2005 05:28 pm

holy crap, musicians friend have the mxl 990 with a shockmount and case for $60! thats... what, £40?

anyone from the UK ever ordered from there??

edit: *sigh* never mind, they dont ship mxl goods internationally. BAH.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


May 10, 2005 05:37 pm

they don't ship much to the UK, flame was looking for a good UK company that HRC could affiliate with but he kinda, I dunno, isn't any more...

eeeeeeemo.
Member
Since: Oct 30, 2003


May 10, 2005 05:43 pm

ever heard of
www.studiospares.com/default.asp ? theyre a very trustworthy company - not the cheapest but they stock almost everything you could need (except an mxl 990!!) and have great customer service.

anyway, im gonna go hunt down this mic! i will link here if i find one for as good a prices as £40...

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


May 10, 2005 06:10 pm

Try Ebay, McCarty. Surely there are some MXL mics floating around on one of the international EBay sites.

Ultra Magnus
Member
Since: Nov 13, 2004


May 11, 2005 04:23 am

There's a guy on eBay that sells MXL stuff and will beat any price, plus he ships to the UK for the same price as US, which is included in most of his sales, just can't recall his name right now so that's not helpful, but he is out there.

Studio spares are pretty good as a shop, not the cheapest but i've never had any hassle with returns or whatever.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


May 11, 2005 07:23 am

I get the studio spares catalouge...agree with ye all. If yer ever looking for BEHRINGER look at Blue Arran - they do the lot and its cheap..they do a VAMP for £66 !! Man, Sound Control charge likesay £99 !!!! Getts...

And always, Ebay of course. I bought my Fostex, SM58's, B1 and much more from ebay, some brand new, some used but all working perfect and the Fostex VF160 was a real deal at £315 (I think)...Studio spares sell it new without the CDRW at £500 and the CDRW is another £170!!!!!!

So, EBAY man...its a real bummer tho the Muso's friend doesnt do the uK stuff.

Coco.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


May 11, 2005 07:24 am

There is also Turnkey.co.uk - I dont like em tho.

All their "deals" are NEVER tehre when you phone up for them. They also have SHOCKING service..if they dont understand you, they just hang up!!! I complained to the MD, to no avail (even tho I get the catalouge with newsletter saying to complain to the MD if yer no happy),,,RUBBISH!!!

Coco.

eeeeeeemo.
Member
Since: Oct 30, 2003


May 11, 2005 12:55 pm

yeah once i have the cash im gonna share purchases between studiospares and ebay... or maybe if i can pick up anything cheap from the next music live, i will do so.

Ultra Magnus
Member
Since: Nov 13, 2004


May 12, 2005 03:43 am

Yeah, agreed on turnkey coco, it's just the same in person as well. That said, they have these big deal evenings where you queue for hours in the rain but can pick up some awesome bargains, my friend got her eight-track for like £200-£250, brand spanking new. I just got very wet.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


May 12, 2005 07:46 am

AYe...that was ma experience mate..a bunch of dodgy blokes and nae mistake.

There is never any of the limited stock left and I'd suggest, there was the absoloute minimal to comply with the law to start with!!!

Coco.

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