Excuse me. Can you help me pick a condenser mic?

[Billy's Little Trip]

It's going to be an Xmas present for me and I'm not huge on condenser mics, but they seem to have come a long way since I last disliked them.

Anyway, their budget is about $100. I know several have said they like their Studio Projects B1. And Ross's vocals always sound very clean.

So, out of these 5, which should I choose?

1. Behringer B-1

2. Sterling Audio ST51

3. AKG Perception 120

4. F**k the mic, buy $100 worth of tacos.

5. Fleshlight

6. Studio Projects B1

7. Audio-Technica AT2020

[Märk]

5. Fleshlight

[Steve Durand]

Ross has a Studio Projects B1, Not a Behringer.

[ken]

Agreed. Studio Projects B1 is the way to go if you are getting a $99 first condenser.

The AKG D40 is not a condenser mic, and it isn't really for vocals. I've been using a mic that like with BSS and I actually like it a lot on guitar amps.

Stay away from the MXL 990s.

Would this mic be primarily for vocals or what?

[jast]

Like Ross, I use the Studio Projects B1 (which definitely isn't the Behringer B1). I find it (or just mine?) a little bit essy, but apart from that it's awesome. I have three other mics and I pretty much never use any of those.
Option four sounds interesting, too, but perhaps something more exciting than tacos might be a fun idea.

[Billy's Little Trip]

@ Mark. If option 5 was on the table, I wouldn't have even had to start this thread.

@ Steve. Thank you for telling me that. This whole time when he mentioned the B1, I thought it was the Beringer. But I do like how his vocals sound. So I'll be adding that to the list.

@ Ken. Thank for catching the AKG mess up. I grabbed the D40 by mistake because it's right next to the Perception 120 on the GC page (fixed). This is going to be a vocal mic primarily, but also for acoustic guitar. I've seen the combo of a large diaphragm and a small diaphragm mic on an acoustic with great results.

@ Jast. Can you just put a d-esser in your vocal chain to cut that esses down? And the only thing I like more than tacos are vaginas. But the good ones cost more than this particular budget allows. So I'll just go with a new mic, sing so beautifully that I get free vaginas, get .59 cent tacos from Taco Bell. Master plan. WIN!

[ken]

You can add the Audio Technica AT2020 to that list as well.

I only have experience with the SP B1 and yes, it is a little bright, but you are going to have that problem with any mic in this range.

Ken

[Billy's Little Trip]

Ok, added. Now the big question. What should I be looking for? These mics seem very similar. I generally will go with something that is being used by someone and has a good track record.

I've never bought anything but Shure mics in the past. I've always had good luck with them and I've always been happy with the sound. Are Shure mics an old mans game and I'd just be paying for the name. Or are they still the top dog? I saw the PG27 on either MF or ZZ a while back for $99.

Don't buy list so far:
1. MXL 990

[roymond]

I have an Audio-Technica ATM31a, which runs a little over your range (~$130). I like it for close vocals and guitar, and it's held up well over the years.

But I mostly use a Rode NT3, which is out of your price range. However, if there are sales on these...I like it!

[ujnhunter]

Couple items...

1. My Taco Bell doesn't sell the Black Jack Tacos anymore... Am Sad!
2. What's wrong with the MXL 990? I just used it for recording vocals on a song, and it sounds fine... not sure if it's better or worse than my SM58 (different mics) but I can't see anything wrong with it.

[jast]

@ Jast. Can you just put a d-esser in your vocal chain to cut that esses down?

I don't have a decent de-esser and so far haven't managed to roll my own.

So I'll just go with a new mic, sing so beautifully that I get free vaginas

... and also free votes, but who cares about that.

[ujnhunter]

@ Jast. Can you just put a d-esser in your vocal chain to cut that esses down?

I don't have a decent de-esser and so far haven't managed to roll my own.

What about SPITFISH?

[Billy's Little Trip]

@ Jast. Can you just put a d-esser in your vocal chain to cut that esses down?

I don't have a decent de-esser and so far haven't managed to roll my own.

What about SPITFISH?

I use spitfish and it seems pretty good to me. I also use floorfish often when I want to isolate a kick or snare out of a multi track drum beat or really pump the toms. Works great! I also have blockfish, but I don't think I've used it in a recording.

[jast]

I'll give it a try, thanks.

[Steve Durand]

By the way, I also use an SP B1 for everything. All of my horns and stuff are recorded using it.

[Billy's Little Trip]

By the way, I also use an SP B1 for everything. All of my horns and stuff are recorded using it.

THIS says a lot to me. I love how smooth and clean your tracks are when you send them to me. In my past collabz, I get pretty dirty tracks, but yours are amazing.

[Billy's Little Trip]

I find it (or just mine?) a little bit essy, but apart from that it's awesome

After looking at the reviews, they talk about the new designed B1 v2 which has a few changes.
"The new version of the B1 also offers a sleek new look along with a pad adjustment at both 10dB and 20dB and a 6dB high pass filter that is adjustable at 75Hz and 150Hz making the Studio Projects B1 more versatile than ever!"

Do you think the high pass filter might take care of the essy issue?

Anyway, it was just ordered for $89 with free shipping from American Music Supply. I figured I'll go off the satisfied results from you guys on this one.

Thanks for all the help everyone! You guys rock!

[ken]

Much like the confusing nearsighted/farsighted, high pass means it allows the highs to pass, so it cuts the low end out. Sibilance is in the high end of the spectrum.

Ken

[Billy's Little Trip]

Ah, that's right. I always make that mistake. It should have been obvious when it said "adjustable between 75hz to 150hz", lol.

[Sober]

Replying without reading the thread:

I have two AT 2020s in my closet. I use them as a stereo pair on acoustic instruments, or as overheads/room mics. They work great for anything that doesn't require a lot of bass presence. I got them when they were selling at $200, so at $99 they're a steal. They're also pretty durable, as one of mine has taken a few hard spills and still works fine.

Otherwise, AKG is the only other brand I'd even consider on that list.

[roymond]

exists

Hey, aren't you protecting our nation?

[Sober]

Hey, even intrepid warriors need downtime. I got two weeks of leave, and I'm rebuilding my studio.