under $100 condenser mics vs. more expensive 'entry level' stuff
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Posted on Aug 08, 2005 08:08 pm
jak
Member Since: Aug 08, 2005
How huge a difference will there be between something like a rode nt1000 and one of the many 80-100 dollar condenser mics I can get? I'm sure that some of those under-100 dollar mics are a lot better than others, but I'm finding it hard to separate the good from the bad...
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RigsbyUltra MagnusMember
Since: Nov 13, 2004
Aug 09, 2005 03:39 am You generally have to listen to them, but i've found with cheaper condensers that it's the detial that suffers, and with small diaphragm ones the top end can get a little harsh.
I don't think there's an all purpose mic period, there's always an application that every mic isn't going to be suitable for. Case in point: I have a C4000, and it's done me proud with cello, violin, sax, clarinet, cymbals, picked acoustic guitar (nylon string and steel), vocals, berimbau, piano and glockenspiel (depending on what tone i'm after with the glock, i use three different mics at different times with that) and other things too - so it's clearly a good all-rounder - BUT - bongos sound like *** with this mic, so i use an SDC instead for those, it doesn't do a great job with tambours either, so again, i use an SDC.
With an LDC, a SDC and a dynamic you can get a fairly broad range of sounds and instruments to HD or tape.
That's my .02 anyway.
jakMember
Since: Aug 08, 2005
Aug 09, 2005 10:20 am thanks a lot for the input
stupeMember
Since: Apr 03, 2002
Aug 09, 2005 12:05 pm Aside from sound, the difference is construction too. You can definately feel the difference in quality and weight while picking up one of those economy 100$ ones and a 1000$ one. Expensive mics have distinctive sounds to them that people have grown to love over the years. Every mic has a distinctive sound to it that it is recognized by. In many cases you can tell when it is a cheap one versus an expensive one. And what rigsby said is true, it is detail that suffers on the cheap ones.
