Absolute beginner on condensor mics

boltoph · Post by **boltoph** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 10:04 am

I agree with the idea of buying a '57

but back to condensers....

In terms of condensers I would have to say that in my experience, unless you've got the money for Neumanns or Blue mics, AKG or Audio-Technica really make the best condenser mics within a moderate budget. (Not counting matched pairs of AKG C4000's, of course...those things are pricey and are also industry standard)

If you are on a tighter budget, go with MXL or Octava. Rode is also an option, also I have a friend with a Nady condenser that I actually like, and it's got the figure 8 pattern too.

Don't bother with any condensers except for large diaphragm condensers, unless you are recording cymbals or wind instruments.

Above all, rÃ¶k.

Sober · Post by **Sober** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 6:24 pm

AT3035.

I have a pair of them. $199, comes with shockmount. They're a little bright, but they work great for vocals and guitar. They'll also take a beating, which one of mine has. There are still chunks of wood stuck in the wire mesh.

j$ · Post by j$ » Fri Oct 21, 2005 6:54 pm

Hey sober, I can't see that picture - could you make it nevada-sized?

j$

Dan-O from Five-O · Post by **Dan-O from Five-O** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 5:10 pm

blue wrote:cardioid -vs- omni, not dynamic -vs- condenser. at least one of those pickups is a mic. it only takes one exception to prove an absolute statement incorrect.

JOO R PWNZED. ADMIT IT.

Your game sir. I submit. DOH!

bz£ · Post by **bz£** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 5:17 pm

I like my Oktava, because it was cheap and is labelled in Cyrillic characters. It makes you think you're using some crazy old WWII castoff that was found in a warehouse in Siberia, which is, well, at least it's a different sort of vibe. And it has all the hallmarks of quality manufacturing that made the Soviet Union the world power that it is today.