Need a good condensor (room?) mic for around $100-120ish
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Posted on Nov 11, 2003 10:39 am
TheTincanbug
sloppy dice, drinks twice
Member Since: Aug 05, 2003
I am looking for a good condensor mic that I can use to improve the sound of my miked hand drums. Specifically I'd like to be able to mic my talking drum, udu, didgeridoo, kalimba, mouth harp, and basically anything from a telharmonium to a wax paper and comb kazoo. The recording environment is a small, sound absorbent walk-in closet/studio. The mic must have a good dynamic range. After Xmas I'll have probably around $100-$120 to play with. I'm looking for recommendations. I checked the Gear Gab section, but couldn't make a determination based off of that information.
Thanks!
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juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Nov 11, 2003 10:49 am The NT-1 has a very natural sound which would work well with percusion.
Failing that, you may wish to consider an AKGC1000B, which is a small diaghram condensor - great top end, but it will be a bit lacking for the low end responce.
Yeah, NT-1 gets my vote.
TheTincanbugsloppy dice, drinks twiceMember
Since: Aug 05, 2003
Nov 11, 2003 11:07 am The NT1 does look very nice, but it's around $200 new. Do you know of anything a little cheaper?
TheTincanbugsloppy dice, drinks twiceMember
Since: Aug 05, 2003
Nov 11, 2003 12:05 pm Ok, I just got back from Guitar Center. The guy there gave me a recommendation for an Oktava MK012. If you get only the cardioid attachment, it's under $100. Anybody have any experiences, good or bad, with this mic?
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Nov 11, 2003 12:40 pm Octava is a good brand from my experiance. OF course the only condensor I own is one of the MXL's... but I like that too. My best advice to you is to bring your drum into the store, and try out every mic on your price range until you find one that sounds good to you.
TheTincanbugsloppy dice, drinks twiceMember
Since: Aug 05, 2003
Nov 11, 2003 12:56 pm Yeah, I'll definitely do that. A review I read about the 012 said that the mic is a great buy for the money, but that the quality control for the manufacturer is poor enough that you need to test every oktava purchase before buying. I don't want to get stuck with a lemon.
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Nov 11, 2003 01:31 pm yeah, most of the time they don't have any problem with you doing that. I've even gone into the store and picked up my exact guitar set up just to test out whether or not I like a distortino pedal.
TheTincanbugsloppy dice, drinks twiceMember
Since: Aug 05, 2003
Nov 11, 2003 01:35 pm If they have a problem with it, I'll take out the money and lay it on the counter, look them in the eye, and say "last chance." :)
Nov 11, 2003 02:15 pm I've been using the MKO12's as drum overheads and I think they're great. I'm looking at getting a matched pair for myself.
Nov 11, 2003 02:19 pm The MK319 is only $100, too. It's very nice according to many people here. Has anybody else noticed it's practically impossible to find Oktava mics these days? They don't sell them on Musician's Fried or Zzounds or anywhere else online.
TheTincanbugsloppy dice, drinks twiceMember
Since: Aug 05, 2003
Nov 11, 2003 02:21 pm Check out eBay - there was a guy on there who had good prices on the MK012. It was a a Buy It Now auction too, so you don't have to wait to see if you're outbid. I can't speak for the other mics, but he probably carries them.
juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Nov 11, 2003 05:18 pm Yeah, I got my MK319 from a nice american on eBay - I got it into the county and in my hands for just over $100 - a bargin considering then cost over twice that much to buy in this country!
jues.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Nov 11, 2003 08:07 pm I have owned many Oktava's and not had any trouble with a one. I also recomend it to many peeps and have never heard boo about bad assembly at all. They are hand built, so each mic is unique in its character.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Nov 17, 2003 12:08 am Thumbs up for the Oktava 012's. Very nice choice especially if you are working in close quarters to other sound sources. I have two that I have used on percussion and they work fine. I agree with Jues, however, if you can pop for an NT1 it will be clearer and more defined. The Oktava 319 is also a very nice mic, however I personally do not like it for percussion as it warms things too much. Makes mid and high freq. percussion muddy per my taste. That a an buck gets a cup of coffee however.
Dec 24, 2003 04:18 pm I picked up an Oktava 319 new, at Guitar Center for $50. The guy told me it was a weekend sale that wasn't advertised... for 50 bucks I figured why not. If you are in Guitar Center on the weekends you may want to ask about it. They bought a boatload of them... cheap.
