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Recommend me a suitable budget condenser mic for vocals

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tone

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« on: June 05, 2017, 05:51:51 PM »
Hello!

So I'm finally upgrading my home studio to include a half-decent condenser mic, and I have £200 or so to spend. But I just can't decide on which one to try.

The Rode NT1 is the most popular in my price bracket, but I've heard it has an unflattering boost on the top end which I don't like the sound of. My voice is pretty well suited to the SM58 so really I'm looking for something with a similar response but more detail and more at the top. The SM7b looks nice but a bit too pricey.

Any thoughts/ recommendations would be much appreciated. Thanks folks!
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Boydie

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« Reply #1 on: June 05, 2017, 07:32:02 PM »

I have an sE 2200T tube condenser mic that I love - it is discontinued but I am sure you can find them

There is currently one on eBay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/sE220t-/282508201162?hash=item41c6cd0cca:g:DSQAAOSwlY1ZMw~z

If I were choosing a new mic I would probably go for this one, which currently comes with a free shock mount and neat pop shield attachment

http://www.dv247.com/microphones/se-electronics-se2200a-ii-multi-pattern-condenser-microphone--93284


I know it is a little over budget at £249 but I have read great things about these Aston mics (and you would be buying British)

http://www.dv247.com/microphones/aston-origin-cardioid-condenser-microphone--229752
To check out my music please visit:

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tone

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« Reply #2 on: June 05, 2017, 08:13:31 PM »
Thanks Boydie - I knew I could trust you to come up with the goods! ;)

Can you share any recordings featuring your mic where the vocal is up against a sparse arrangement or any track that really shows off the mic and its sound? Fanks!
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Boydie

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« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2017, 10:49:02 PM »
All of my tracks use this mic for the vocal

This one is probably the most "sparse":

https://soundcloud.com/boydiemusic/hole-in-my-world

This one has quite a prominent vocal using the mic:

https://soundcloud.com/boydiemusic/edge-of-never

The acoustic guitars are also recorded with the same mic but both tracks were recorded and mixed a while ago before I got properly into mixing, production etc. so I think the guitars sound a little thin because of the processing - the mic captured the tone of the guitar perfectly

This has a slightly different "sound" but is still the same mic:
https://soundcloud.com/boydiemusic/possessed-by-you?in=boydiemusic/sets/boydie-original-songs

The other thing to say is that there is nothing around the mic to improve the sound on these tracks - i.e. no reflection filters or hanging duvets - all tracks are just the mic in the middle of a room with a pop filter
To check out my music please visit:

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adamfarr

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« Reply #4 on: June 06, 2017, 06:57:47 AM »
I just took a punt on a second hand AKG C2000B which is supposed to have exactly the kind of character you describe (and which I think may suit me too). Not used it (or taken out of the box) yet so hard to confirm!

tone

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« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2017, 11:33:58 AM »
Adam! That is NOT helpful! ;) Please use your mic immediately and spill the beans :D

Thanks Boydie - I'll listen on my decent (sorta) speakers and make a decision. I'm indecisive at the best of times, so this is really helpful :)
New EP: Straitjacket - Listen here

1st track from my upcoming album -- Click to listen -- Thanks!

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dill

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« Reply #6 on: June 06, 2017, 04:25:03 PM »
If I were choosing a new mic I would probably go for this one, which currently comes with a free shock mount and neat pop shield attachment

http://www.dv247.com/microphones/se-electronics-se2200a-ii-multi-pattern-condenser-microphone--93284
I can hardly second this notion enough! Honestly, the 2200a is really impressive for the price. I got one of the original ones around 9 years ago and still use it heavily, despite being able to borrow some more expensive mics from a friend. Crucially, it doesn't have that top end 'hype' that puts you off the NT1 (I don't like that sound either, incidentally). It doesn't sound dull at all, it's just that the top end sounds a lot more natural to my ears.

Only point of difference is that I wouldn't bother with the multi-pattern version unless you have a well-treated room to record in. The problem with using figure of 8 and omni polar patterns is they'll pick up much more of the room sound than using cardioid. That's great if you have a small but well-treated room or a gorgeous-sounding large space to record in, but not so good if you have issues with standing waves and all that jazz (like me!). Anyway, looks like they do a cardioid-only model too: http://www.dv247.com/microphones/se-electronics-se2200a-ii-cardioid-condenser-microphone-(se2200a-ii-c)--97427
I'd probably go for that!

tone

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« Reply #7 on: June 06, 2017, 06:58:06 PM »
Thanks Dill - I too have issues with Jazz ;)

I'm almost definitely going to opt for the SE2200 but I'm confused about whether to hold out for a tube one or not. How much difference are we talking here for a little bit more money?
New EP: Straitjacket - Listen here

1st track from my upcoming album -- Click to listen -- Thanks!

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Boydie

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« Reply #8 on: June 06, 2017, 07:37:05 PM »
The difference is VERY subtle - I just like the idea of a tube microphone

Tube mics have their own power supply so it is a little more setting up (and you don't need phantom power)

There are some comparison / shoot out vids on you tube that are probably worth a watch (and listen  ;))

To check out my music please visit:

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoydieMusic

tone

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« Reply #9 on: June 07, 2017, 12:38:19 PM »
I ordered it! The sE2200a mkII... Watch (or listen to) this space. Thanks for all your help and advice folks :)
New EP: Straitjacket - Listen here

1st track from my upcoming album -- Click to listen -- Thanks!

Please read the rules before posting in the feedback forums http://bit.l

adamfarr

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« Reply #10 on: June 11, 2017, 07:14:25 PM »
By the way, was experimenting with the AKG today - and I didn't like it at all for (my) vocals! It's extremely low noise and detailed so I'm thinking acoustic guitar...