Ultimately though, is it worth buying a cheap condenser like the Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser or just going with a Dynamic microphone like the Shure Sm-57, because honestly that's all I can afford at the moment. Some people say dynamics are better for home studio, i.e cutting out background noise need to be EQed less, easier to get a clean sound and some say that isn't true and it's better to have a more full sound and EQ out what you don't want.

 

@ Iownu1000,

And this is the dilemna !!!

In fact, most of the 'Dynamic' Microphones were (and are !) well suited for 'Live' Performances, thus the 'famous' 'Shure SM58', which has become a 'true Legend' over decades ! Not only a Great Microphone for Performances, but also very reliable and very resistant to all the hassles faced during long 'Concert Tours', whereas 'Condenser' Microphones are far more sensible, and in most of the cases, need more special care for their components. *yes*


EDIT :

As I don't know your exact Location, I just found in the USA ('eBay USA'), plenty of second hand 'Shure SM58' Dynamic Microphones.
Most of these seem (at least in the images !) in rather mint condition. You can check all these here :

'Shure SM58' on eBay.com

The first prices start at about $50-55, but as these are in auction, you guess that their prices can rise with the time...

and here, plenty of second hand 'Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser' :

'Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser' on eBay.com

A good deal for you, mainly in relation with your budget, could be to find these 2 Models as second hand in more or less mint condition, thus you can get a Great (and legendary !) 'Dynamic' Microphone as well as a Good 'Condenser' one at the same time...

Nothing better to experiment before to perhaps buy a more expensive and 'prestigious' Model...

 

Watch out for fake Shure SM's. I bought a set of 5 (2 57s, 3 58s), and they were all fake. You cant tell by pictures. They use the shells of broken SMs or other such such and have the circuits done in china or some shit and then resell them. Assholes. I sent them back and filed a complaint with ebay. Hence i bought the Blue bottle, caps and a rocket and called it quits with Mic tom-foolery. Way out of price range. But a Audio Technica of your selection or a real Shure sm series would be a nice pick for cheap.

 

i use a behringer c-1 for pretty much all the same uses you have listed. It was cheap and doesn't have the best sound, but bang for buck it's fantastic.
there was a time i wouldn't touch behringer with a ten foot pole but they've improved the quality heaps the last few years.

 

Awesome idea, thanks for the info Studio 555! I didn't think of getting a used one, but if I can find one on Ebay from somebody that didn't have the equipment to use it (or the knowledge) and hardly used it, that would be awesome! :dancing: That also allows me more room in the budget to buy something else that I was trying to get as well. You have been so much help and answered my questions!

Yeah Organic, thank for the heads up man. I actually saw tons of videos on youtube of people comparing fakes to the originals, so I think I'll stay away from buying them, thanks for sharing your experience. I don't really see anything on the fake Audio Technicas or AKGs so hopefully I'm good there, I'm assuming since I ran a basic search and read nothing about fake Audio Technicas(hopefully).

 

I've actually now narrowed it down to the AKG Perception P120 Professional Studio Microphone or the Audio Technica 2020 as per SineWave & mydemons suggestions. Mydemons pointing out that I can find a used AKG for 60 bucks used, (STEAL!). Thanks guys!!!

I found a nice sound comparison between the two, and to my ears they both sound good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Toi-vo--7JM

 

Just in case anybody else wanted to know or was in the market for a budget mic, I ended up going with the Audio Technica 2020. To my ears this had the most full sound, with a good bass response for my deep voice.

Big shoutout to Studio 555 for answering my questions, and suggesting I check around ebay for a used model, saving me some cash, again thank you so much

Sinewave for suggesting the Audio Technicas & the AKGs

And everyone else for all your suggestions, I really appreciate all the different perspectives and you all gave really good suggestions.

Thank you all for the information & experiences, it has truly been invaluable!

_________________________________________________________________

Just an aside:
I'm actually not a novice to Vocal Recording, my friend and I actually have a really expensive high quality Mic that we use to record vocals for some Trance tracks with and we know a few female singers with amazing voices & got some really good recordings. I just wanted something cheap and basic to do Streaming and Voice Overs with and maybe get some recordings hitting different things in my room to add a little depth and unique element to my tracks.

 

AT2020 and upwards to AT4033. Can't go wrong with them for the price they go.