choosing a vocal mic under 500$

Discussion in 'Mixing and Mastering' started by Sacculus, Dec 13, 2024.

  1. Sacculus

    Sacculus Kapellmeister

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    I just speak on TikTok with a cool producer from LA and he tell me he use a Sony c800g and now the Beesneez BN251 or B67 into the Redd preamp or TG2 into a Tubetech Cl1b and Burl B2.

    I can't afford this range of prices so under 500$ I found the Lewitt 440 pure or a second hand AKG C214 or 414.

    What can you advice me to buy today!
    thx
    *$*
     
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  3. Radio

    Radio Audiosexual

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  4. phloopy

    phloopy Audiosexual

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    AKG C414!
     
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  5. Smeghead

    Smeghead Rock Star

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    This is really something where if there's any possible way you can audition them DO, or at least make sure you buy something returnable because I sound better on a Shure SM58 than I do on some really expensive Neumanns. Mics respond really differently to different people's voices. That said I have an old Audio Technica AT 4033 that I could not live without. You might want to take a look at the Warm Audio mics as well.
     
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  6. Smeghead

    Smeghead Rock Star

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    If you know where I can get some decent c414s for under $500 please let me know
     
  7. shinyzen

    shinyzen Rock Star

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    SM7B - the best vocal mic. its widely used. sounds great on both male and female vocals. I own a few of them, seriously love them. I will use the 7B over much more expensive mics frequently. i also use wunder audio 47, which is something like 5k$, but often will choose the 7B
     
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  8. Smeghead

    Smeghead Rock Star

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    I also sound good on SM7s, it is interesting- sometimes dynamic mics are the way to go :wink::dunno:
     
  9. Plendix

    Plendix Platinum Record

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    Austrian Audios OC 16 is extreme bang for the bucks.
    (These are the guys who were AKG. They are manufacturing in the same location on the same Machines. AKG was baught by Harman, Harman was bought by Samsung)
    https://austrian.audio/product/oc16/
     
  10. SineWave

    SineWave Audiosexual

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    One more dynamic mic lover here. :wink:

    I use Sennheiser MD431 and Shure SM58, but also SM57 for some things. SM7B is really great, but I don't feel like I need any more dynamic mics.

    Speaking of condenser mics, I've heard Sennheiser MK4 and thought it was really good. Usable for recording all kinds of stuff. Thinking of acquiring one to have at least one condenser for some stuff, mainly instruments and recording samples. If one has a chance, it's best to try them yourself somehow before buying. It's really not just "I've heard this mic is better" or "that mic is perfect" that someone said on Gearslutz. ;) It also depends on your room's acoustics. You will always get better results with dynamics in an untreated room, or just slightly treated room.

    Cheers! :like:
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2024
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  11. Plendix

    Plendix Platinum Record

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    Please, don't buy Mikrophones from Samsung. These are not the quality they were in the 90ies when they were built in Vienna.
    If you get one pre owned from the 90ies it's fine, but you won't get those for under 500 bucks
     
  12. GeekedGlitch

    GeekedGlitch Ultrasonic

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    Alctron MC410 if you want it to 'look' good for videos
    If you don't - Line Audio CM4/Takstar CM60.
     
  13. Smeghead

    Smeghead Rock Star

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    That's what I'm sayin' :wink: they are admittedly great mics but there's lots of alternatives out there at half the price that'll do the job just as well.
     
  14. AudioEnzyme

    AudioEnzyme Producer

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    Bai Fei Li BF-414
     
  15. Skeletor

    Skeletor Member

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    The C414 costs more than $500, you might be thinking about the C214
     
  16. AudioEnzyme

    AudioEnzyme Producer

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    €91.67 | BAIFEILI C414 Professional Condenser Microphone XLR With 25mm Diaphragm Cardioid Mic for Streaming,Podcasting,Recording,ASMR
    https://a.aliexpress.com/_EyHaPFe
    And yes, can be found even under 50 bucks plus shipping costs.
    Got mine for around 70 total.
    Crazy good value.
     
  17. Lois Lane

    Lois Lane Audiosexual

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    The safe bet would be a Shure SM7B and perhaps pair it with a Triton Audio Fethead which runs about 60 bucks (if you are using the microphone preamp in your prosumer sound card as you'll need to push the gain to get a usable volume of capture of less loud sources, ie, mellow vocals). The Fethead will afford you about 26 dB of extra quiet gain to avoid the hissy fit that the preamp in your interface will put up after about 45 dB. If you're a screamer it'll be fine without the Fethead, or if you mic up a bass or guitar cab or are recording a drum or cowbell.

    PS...The Fethead uses the phantom power of your interface to boost the signal but no juice can get to the microphone!

    [​IMG]
     
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  18. bluerover

    bluerover Audiosexual

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    3U Audio GZ67FET (former ADK guy. You should reach out to him via email for best $ quote) (All of his mics are great. Look around his site.)
    http://www.3uaudio.com/

    Beesneez ISOBEL
    https://beesneezproaudio.com/product/isobel-fet/

    UT TWIN 87
    https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...e-diaphragm-twin-circuit-condenser-microphone

    ....Lewitt LCT 441 FLEX (This version is MUCH more flexible than the 440)
    https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...441-flex-large-diaphragm-condenser-microphone
     
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2024
  19. Lois Lane

    Lois Lane Audiosexual

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    This!!
     
  20. Sinus Well

    Sinus Well Audiosexual

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    No one mentions the Rode NT2000?
     
  21. Garamondo Furbish

    Garamondo Furbish Audiosexual

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    rent a room at a real studio, you only need a couple hours..

    when no one is looking take a cutting from a Decca Tree. put it in a Faraday shielded bag, like you use for your iphone.
    as soon as you get it home dip the Decca Tree cutting into some rooting hormone and get it into some rich organic soil, apply a 60/50z current around .25 milliamp and put it next to your speakers make sure it is getting music 24/7.

    in 6 weeks to 3 months you will have a short Decca Tree you can use in your own studio as you see fit, at nearly no cost to you. Carefully nuture it with good music and a lively atmosphere and in a few short years you will have a full sized Decca Tree (you may have to raise the ceilings in your studio or trim it regularly)

    thank me later....
     
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