[mondobongo]

Hi guys I am thinking of treating myself to a new mic for Christmas and have been amazed at how cheap they are nowadays. I currently use an AKG C3000B which is a bit too bright and harsh for my voice. I am looking for something a bit richer. I was going to buy the SE X1T which is £149 which I think is very cheap for a tube mic. But I have now found the SE X1 on Amazon for only £69 and it has very good reviews. I am tempted to go for the bargain. Do you think I should splash out on the tube mic or are there any other good mics you would recommend in this price range.

Thanks in advance
Mo

[PaulAds]

Howdy Mo

I have used a couple of different condenser mics in the past and then I read an article on some big names (Annie Lennox, Bono too, I think) who use standard dynamic mics to record. I started doing that as I had a shure beta 58 I used live anyway and the sound seemed fine there. I've got such a limited and curious voice...the extra mids I think I get from that is pretty useful for me. Condensers can often emphasise the top and bottom which is what I don't need. I think  

Just a thought...

[mondobongo]

Thanks Paul. I know exactly where you're coming from, my voice sounds much fuller through a close up SM58 but I have huge problems with plosives on it. Being a mean git I have a copy of the SM58 the Behringer XM8500 which costs a mere £15 and which I use to mic up my guitar cab. I have never thought of trying a vocal through it. You've got me wondering now.  

Thanks for a great suggestion.

[Boydie]

Here are some options

In this price range I would recommend Se and RODE


These are great value "all in one" units that connect directly to PC via USB

http://www.andertons.co.uk/usb-mics/pid35327/cid759/rode-ntusb-studioquality-usb-microphone.asp

http://www.andertons.co.uk/usb-mics/pid34103/cid759/se-electronics-x1-usb-condenser-microphone-and-headphones-bundle.asp


If you already have a suitable audio interface these are great options

http://www.andertons.co.uk/condenser-mics/pid30809/cid752/se-electronics-x1-vocal-pack-with-shock-mount-pop-shield-38-cable.asp

Here is a TUBE mic option within your budget that may add that extra sparkle!
http://www.andertons.co.uk/condenser-mics/pid34596/cid752/se-electronics-x1-t-large-diaphragm-tube-condenser-mic.asp

JAMIE and I both use the Se2200T tube mic and we both rate the sound

If you can stretch a bit more:
http://www.andertons.co.uk/condenser-mics/pid31308/cid752/rode-nt1-in-black-w-rycote-shockmount-38-popshield.asp


For the money you can't go wrong with any of these options as the value is ridiculous - not so long ago these would have been a few hundred £££

These would also all work wonderfully on vocals and acoustics

I would suggest reading a few reviews to check these out to see if one stands out for you

[mondobongo]

Wow, thanks for all this Boydie. You've really went out of your way to be helpful here.

I've got an interface so don't need a USB mic. I've spent all day reading reviews on mics in this range and had more or less decided on the Rode NT1A at £130 on Amazon or the SE X1 T at Andertons for £149. Much as I would love it I can't really stretch to the NT1.

However I listened to this 8 mic shootout http://www.mediafire.com/download/wdcyb1utive/WhichMic.zip and thought the Rode NT1A came out very well.

Then again the SE tube mic seems an absolute bargain. I guess I'm just tied up in the hype that valve is best.

I'm gonna have to sleep on this one.

Thanks so much for your help here and apologies for being so indecisive.

Best Wishes
Mo

[MartiMedia]

Hi mondobongo,

Great input from Boydie here. I have a Rode NT1A and all my songs have been recorded with this mic (use it for vocals as well as recording the acoustic guitar). I'm really, really happy with that mic! Hope that helps...

MM

<edit>And... you can always decide to buy a seperate tube pre-amp later if needed to add some warmth and sparkle..

[mondobongo]

That's great MM. I've heard a lot of your stuff which sounds really polished, especially that cover version you pointed me to the other day. I think that's helped me now to decide on the Rode NT1A. I also like your idea of a tube preamp as at the moment I go into the PC via a small mixer into a PCI soundcard which probably isn't ideal so am also looking to purchase a dedicated preamp. I need something that will provide a phantom powered mic input plus a Hi-Z guitar input plus balanced outputs for my powered monitors.

Thanks so much for your help

Best Wishes
Mo

[MartiMedia]

Hi Mo,

I feel really ashamed to admit I use a very cheap Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic200 device for that (it has phantom power). So probably the pro's are going to slap my face for this, but hey.. if you like the sound, this combo could be a working solution for you!
Ow that small mixer will probably be your single-point-of-failure right after buying this great new Christmas present ;-).
Yw Mo, love to help.

MM

[Boydie]

Nothing wrong with Behringer for the best "bang for buck"

Their new control surfaces look really good!

If you are considering a new audio interface you will probably get a good bundle deal on an interface and mic

A focusrite Scarlett (the cheapest with all the ins and outs you need) and a rode NT1A would be a killer combo that you would never outgrow - until you set up your own commercial studio!

[mondobongo]

Thanks MM. I agree with Boydie nothing wrong with Behringer (that's my wee mixer) I will consider adding a tube preamp in the future and the Behringer seems to fit the bill.

Thanks Boydie. The Focusrite Scarlett will indeed fit all my needs and is of good quality, I just need to get stuck into the housework and hope my missus will let me spend the cash .

[pompeyjazz]

A big thumbs up for the Focusrite Scarlett solo from me. Has mic phantom power and line in with pre-amps. Kills any latency problems you might have as well.

John

[mondobongo]

Thanks for that John. The Focusrite Scarlett does seem to be popular. However I am now torn  between that and the Steinberg UR22 which seems to offer the same I/O plus MIDI I/O plus Cubase 7 LE thrown in.  However, after reading some comparisons the Focusrite seems to have better preamps and I suppose that should really be the bottom line. Doh! I'm confused 

2i2 or UR22 that is the question.

Cheers
Mo

[pompeyjazz]

Decisions Decisions hey Mo. All I can say is that it transformed my recording techniques but then again I was on a very low level. Only 70 odd quid so worth a risk plus some lovely free vsts included. Let us know how you get on  cheers mate John

[mondobongo]

Thanks again John. I'll be buying in two weeks on Black Friday so hopefully should have decided by then exactly what I'm doing.
Cheers
Mo