I've been reading lately about the advantage of owning at least one studio quality dynamic microphone. The reason behind this is that condensers have too much of a hype in the high frequencies, which leads to brittle sounding tracks. A good dynamic will have a warmer or rounder tone (DISCLAIMER: Adjectives about sound are always subjective, I know). Anyway, I have the chance of getting a hold of a Beyerdynamic M88TG, second hand in mint condition. I tend not to trust online reviews in general. They are usually biased, and I know you can offer a more down-to-earth opinion about it, Audiosexuals.

How much should I pay tops and what other options should I consider for the price point?

Thanks for your advice.

EDIT: I do own a Shure SM58 from the early 90s and a couple of SM57s. I also love the looks of the Unidyne 55, but can it make a good studio mic? Sure as hell sexy looking it will be.

 

Last edited: Feb 17, 2016

I have been recently using a Lewitt MTP 840 DM, a dynamic super-cardiod mic with an optional 3-position switchable amplification which is something I had not heard of on a dynamic microphone. Am very happy with it and can be used in both live and recording environments.

http://www.lewitt-audio.com/MTP-Series/MTP-840-DM

 

What are you using it for, a good all around workhorse or just for vocals? And this..."The reason behind this is that condensers have too much of a hype in the high frequencies, which leads to brittle sounding tracks." But if that was the case every song you ever, ever, ever listened to would be brittle sounding, which they surely are not, not the extreme vast majority of them.

 

You're right. I was referring to budget condensers, which are most accessible to project studios. I actually aim at a vocal mic. I have dynamic mics for drums and guitars.

 

If you need a great dynamic microfon for a low price I would suggest a AKG D5! Much more transperent than both Shure SM57/SM58!

For a condensator microfon I would suggest a AKG D214!

 

The Beyer M88TG u refer to is surely a classic. While it's not bad at all, i tend to love the Blue Encore 200 which is an active (phantom powered) dynamic mic. Here it is : http://www.bluemic.com/encore200/
PS: I own a lot of mics, the Encore200 is probably one of the best buys ever imho always.

 

SM7B

 

What do you want to use it for? That mic is $400 US new. How much used? Baxter is right about the SM7B. Particularly for vocals. If you have the money, I would just go ahead and get a Sennheiser MD441- Top of the line, versatile(switchable pad, patterns , roll offs). Twice the price of the Beyer and SM7B, but you only live once....lol. Grammy winner, live in the studio. Using the Senn. Probably because you can switch it to a super cardioid.

Also makes the best snare drum mic. and it' so damn sexy looking..... and you can shave with it.

 

Last edited: Feb 18, 2016

Shure SM7b if you are only going to get one dynamic mic, Then you might as well get the one and only workhorse that is the SM7b.
There is not any other dynamic as versatile that I have either used and/or own. If you're a cheap bastard and do not mind some messsing around then grabbing an SM57 or two and removing the transformer (aslong as you have a microphone pre-amp that has a good amount clean gain/headroom on tap, Just like you'd want/need for getting the best from any traditional ribbon mic) can get pretty close and sounds alot more expensive, Obviously trying different transformers in place of the stock one you'll of removed can also deliver some fine results. Just google it and you'll find plenty of information

That's my two pence FWIW, All the best to all as always

 

Check out this other mic thread where I mentioned 3U Audio and the incredible cost to quality/sound that this guy is able to achieve. You might change your mind about inexpensive condenser microphones. Give a listen on the GS link and let us know what you think. https://audiosex.pro/threads/mic-thread-medium-price-range-large-diaphragm-condensers.23522/

 

I think the Shure SM 58b is a good one to keep anyway, this mic has proven itself over and over.
just because they are from the mid 90's says nothing, they might still be in mint condition.

When I was in school they had a 58b that was dropped in a bottle of cola to show first years what a versatile mic was.
it was all sticky because it was the only purpose this mic had since they started educate at that school.
but it still A/B perfectly with a 58b that wasn't tortured.

the only thingyou might want to replace is the xlr connector if it has oxidation.

on the other hand ,the shure SM7B is indeed a good buy, I haven't had a change to use it on a daily bases.
but the amount that I did spend with it was a joyful ride.

its minimum proximity effect and looks really give it a condenser feel.
only cons (if you can even call it that) is that it's bass roll off is equalization instead of a pattern change.

just make sure that less educated people don't turn on phantom power.
not that mic cares, but most hardware that can't release that power produce audible artifacts

 

I had a 58 that I dropped in a mug of Gouden Carolus, a great Belgian beer. It seemed not to matter to the mic that it was beer-logged and the show went on. A few months later I bought a new screw on capsule because it smelled really kind of rank, but the mic was fine. Bono supposedly records with a 58 but I am fairly certain that the mic pre, compressor and eq involved in his vocal chain impart a lofty air compared to the PA at what is the norm at your local open mic night at the corner pub.

 

the akg c1000 (s)
i find it very usefull in a wide range, some singers love it as a vocal mic

and
Audio-Technica AT4033 ASM
female vocals, perc

Akg used start @50 new 150

Audio-Technica @ 400 new

 

Shure, for sure))) don't know what is better than this dynamic mic.
Cheapest high-quality condenser ones are our Russian "Oktava" MK-series. Not all of them, but about half of models are good/very good/excellent. On their site there are comparisons of Oktava vs. Neumann/AKG/etc. heavy-weight pricey mics.
Oktava are unbelieveably cheap and high-quality. To me they are even better than Rode/Nady cheap ones...Oktava tube/valve MKL (mikrofon kondensatornyi lampovyi) are vintage, fat and strong! But I recommend MK series as cheap, HQ.
Made in Russia, Tula.
But dynamic is Shure SMs! Only! Maybe there are another ones, I dunno, but Shure are go-to classic!

 

Shure SM57 and SM58 are essentially the same mic. The windscreen shape of the 58 keeps you away from the proximity effect of the 57. Besides being 2 of the best, most used mics of all time, you can use them to drive nails, and they will still work, and they still cost about $100 US new, which is about what I payed for some in 1980. So..... also a bargain. If I were only allowed to own/use one microphone, I would choose an SM57.

 

Last edited: Feb 18, 2016

The Russians are coming!
I agree with Mild Milk, if you want to get away from the brittle sound of some of the cheaper condensers, Oktava MK319 is a nice condenser mic for the price, you can grab a used one on ebay for $100 or so, though there are Chinese clones so you need to be sure you are getting one that was made in Russia, google has all the info.

 

SM7B is my top dynamic choice for vocals. The M88 - great versatility, great for vocals, and good side-rejection, and it's very versatile. But, if I had the money laying around, I'd snag a 441. A great dynamic will perform better than a condenser, in a poorly treated space too.

For a warmer sounding condenser, try to find a used KEL HM1 or HM4.

 

Last edited: Feb 18, 2016

My favourite dynamic mic for vocals is Sennheiser MD 431 [super cardioid]. I have the original one.

When I'm recording a noisy industrial track this mic cuts nicely through the mix. Easy to work with, it's got a really nice frequency balance.

I'd like to additionally purchase an SM7B, though. It sounds nicely into your face, even more than MD 431.

 

and one more, because I am a transducer nut. Electro Voice ND767A There was a price drop on this model. I use it live for vocals and as a hi-hat mic in my home studio drum set up. Hyper cardioid. The newer magnet tech. Nice frequency response. Lots of usable proximity effect. Bargain. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ND767A

 

Shure SM7B
Electrovice RE-20