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Joined: Dec 2012
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 444 |
Hello,
I currently have a Beyerdynamic TGX80 mic and it's a really good live dynamic mic. I've recorded 10 songs with it now and I'm on the look out for a mic upgrade for recording. My short list is are both Rode Mics - only because I've read good things about them but there are always those who prefer others. So here's my short list so far
Rode K2
Rode NT2a
I don't have money to waste and I'm primarily looking for a good vocal mic with the ability to record my guitars acoustically rather than plugged in and try to record tambourine (My dynamic mic didnt do a good job of that).
I'd be interested in what you have to say on this.
Thanks
Paul
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bought an AT 2020 a couple years back and really like the warmth and clarity of it for recording vocals and guitar.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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I am the very happy owner of the Rode NT1-A. Clear and Quite is how I would characterize it. I paired it with a Studio Projects VTB1 pre amp. Each time I used it I have been pleased with the results. Often see a good sale price on this combo.
So far have used it only for vocals, but I do note that I can record at various distances from the mic and still get great pickup and tone, unlike my prior SM57 where I generally was always kissing the mic for vocal tone.
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+1 on the NT1-A. With the money you would save you could get a decent preamp, like the VTB-1 or a Focusrite Saffire.
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Quote:
+1 on the NT1-A. With the money you would save you could get a decent preamp, like the VTB-1 or a Focusrite Saffire.
I currently have a Presonus AudioBox 22VSL. Is this a good preamp?
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Quote:
Quote:
+1 on the NT1-A. With the money you would save you could get a decent preamp, like the VTB-1 or a Focusrite Saffire.
I currently have a Presonus AudioBox 22VSL. Is this a good preamp?
As good as any in it's price range. With a decent condenser, you will be pleased.
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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I have the NT2-A and its GREAT
(just make sure it points TO you ...., will not repeat THAT story..)
I'm doing allright for Country Trash ....
I used to care, but things have changed (Bob Dylan)
BIAB 2026W + RB
M-Audio FastTrack C600, Rode NT2-A
Digitech VoiceLive 4
Epiphone Sheraton, Ibanez 12str, Washburn 6str, Cort 6Str Nylon
Yanagisawa Tenor Sax
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Absolutely nothing wrong with the Rode, but like Robh I'm also a fan of the AT 2020.
ROG.
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All I know is that unless you have the right acoustically treated or a room that doesn't have too much sound reflection a condenser mic can be a nightmare picking up sounds that you just don't want.
I bought a nice AKG 320 from amazon uk, cost just over £70 if I remember last year, lovely mic, but had to send it back because of all the unwanted noise it was picking up.
Back to my Shure c606 their cheapest dynamic mics cost less than £30.
People say to hang duvets in front and behind the condenser, if you don't have a good room and want to do it on the cheap.
Musiclover
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Apprentice
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if you find a AKG C2000 hanging around, BUY IT. They are no longer made but some shops still stock them, them are built like tanks & are wonderful sounding things, whats more nowadays they go for around 150€
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I still favor the Shure SM-57. They are virtually indestructible.
Since this question comes up frequently, I will repeat one caveat...the SM-57 is possibly the most counterfeited microphone ever. YouTube has many videos on identifying fakes. You should be safe in buying from an authorized and reputable Shure dealer. The fakes are nearly impossible to detect to an untrained eye.
The SM-57 sells for US$80 to 100, anything under that should cause suspicion.
"Have fun!"
- Dr. Peter Gannon
Last edited by Don Gaynor; 03/24/13 02:30 PM.
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Quote:
if you find a AKG C2000 hanging around, BUY IT. They are no longer made but some shops still stock them, them are built like tanks & are wonderful sounding things, whats more nowadays they go for around 150€
They're still making them, and they are available.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=216393&Q=&is=REG&A=details
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I have two dynamics that I like, Shure SM58 and Behringer XM8500. I know everyone goes on and on about how great the Shure is and I have no reason to doubt that, when comparing these two mics I noticed the following,
- both sound and work great
- the Behringer seems a little hotter
- the Shure cost me $100 while the Behringer cost me $22
I have only had these about a year but both seem to be holding up just fine. If I needed more dynamics it would be an easy choice for me to choose the Behringer because it is over 4 times less costly.
For condenser I have a Zoom h4N field recorder that has two very nice condenser mics built in. So I cannot see me needing another condenser any time soon. But I can attest to what others say about picking up background noise in the room. One of my favorite recordings has crickets that I never planned for and somehow missed during mixing!
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Apprentice
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Apprentice
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Quote:
Quote:
if you find a AKG C2000 hanging around, BUY IT. They are no longer made but some shops still stock them, them are built like tanks & are wonderful sounding things, whats more nowadays they go for around 150€
They're still making them, and they are available.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=216393&Q=&is=REG&A=details
akg c2000 discontinued
its a shame & yes you can still find them but no longer being made. One of the best mics around & very cheap for the quality
Last edited by bupper; 03/25/13 02:07 AM.
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
if you find a AKG C2000 hanging around, BUY IT. They are no longer made but some shops still stock them, them are built like tanks & are wonderful sounding things, whats more nowadays they go for around 150€
They're still making them, and they are available.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=216393&Q=&is=REG&A=details
akg c2000 discontinued
its a shame & yes you can still find them but no longer being made. One of the best mics around & very cheap for the quality
I stand corrected. 
p.s.- I still have my C3000B, which I never use. It's fine on acoustic guitar and amp micing, but it's too brittle for vocals, IMO. Short of the studio standard C 414 XLS, I'm not a big fan of AKG mics. Too many other choices out there these days.
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Sennheiser 421MD - it's outlasted 3 of my partner's SM58 and AT mics, has no proximity effect at all, can take volume levels up to 100db without distorting, accurately reproduces the tone of the saxophone (something the SM58s do not do), has a 5 position filter to roll off the bass frequencies if desired, is in the Technology Hall Of Fame, and most people consider it to be the second best dynamic mic made (second only to the 441U which sells for about $900US).
After Leilani went through 3 mics, she switched to a 421MD like mine, and we've never looked back.
In the recording studio I've seen the 421 used for drums (they are rugged enough to be slapped with a drumstick), saxes, trumpets, trombones, and guitar amps.
For live performance, it simply can't be beat, and it doubles as a very good studio dynamic mic.
Insights and incites by Notes
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Please describe what was wrong recording the tambourine with your existing mic, and what is wrong with recording your acoustics with your existing mics. This could very well be that you don't have a good preamp that can amplify your existing mics without noise.
As you can see, you will get a large variance of replies on this very basic question. The truth is, none of the answers are necessarily wrong, but without more information, you will continue to get a bevy of answers.
-Scott
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Journeyman
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I have an AKG 414 and an AT 4050.
Still it's hard to beat a Shure 58 for everyday use.
WSS
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Quote:
I have an AKG 414 and an AT 4050.
Still it's hard to beat a Shure 58 for everyday use.
WSS
+1. A 58 through a good preamp is a killer combination - especially for Rock vocals.
I still want a U87 though. 
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Quote:
All I know is that unless you have the right acoustically treated or a room that doesn't have too much sound reflection a condenser mic can be a nightmare picking up sounds that you just don't want.
My office is not accoustically treated either. I was hoping this would help...
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