Condenser Microphones

I always suggest, Audio Technica 4033's 4040's and 4050's, great value mics. Oktava 219, 319, 2500, AKG solidtubes and 414's, Rode NT1a's (lots of people like them, although I don't).

There are some many, it's easy to get confused, try some out at a music store, or local studio if you can first. You should be able to find a decent mics for a few hundred dollars. Built quality is pretty important when buying a mic at that level though so be careful there.

If I were you (cash strapped student) I would get:

1) Shure SM58 (not a condenser but used in studios thruout the world for recordings....) $99
2) Beringer Mixer XENYX 1002 .... $69 (or get the 1002FX with built-in effects for $20 more)

Here is link to mixers: <http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHXENYX1002>

This way you start cheap but instantly get "pretty good" sound. I use Behringer mixers and they are fine for recording. And getting a cheap USB interface doesn't buy you anything sound wise (over the above approach). The cheapest "pro quality" interface is the Duet which is $500.

So for $179 you have pretty good sound, flexibility to add other instruments and Mics via the mixer, and perhaps cash left over to buy a $99 MIDI USB keyboard. Note that the Behringer mixers have phantom power so you can upgrade to a condenser later if the SM58 doesn't do it for you.

Try the cheap approach first and upgrade as necessary.....

1) Shure SM58 (not a condenser but used in studios thruout the world for recordings....) $99

What is a reasonable condenser I could use with that fairly cheap mixer?

Now that's funny. I personally think you can get a better sounding condenser for less cash than an SM58, and on the whole it'd be more flexible too. Just because SM58's are used in a lot of studios doesn't mean they're REALLY AMAZING like everyone will tell you, it means that when you have a clumsy drummer or vocalist or you've run out of good mics, you still have something dispensable left to put on an instrument that probably will be replaced when tracking. Just kidding, really, but I do hate these mics and everyones blind reliance on them.

Re: Behringer mixer, if you need a USB/Audio interface as well, you can probably get an audio interface which contains a couple of mic pres for not much more than this price. They will probably be comparable to, if not better than those in a Behringer desk, and in my opinion added "free" effects are a false economy as you may not use them, and you DO pay for them. Besides Logic has loads of better ones built in, and free good quality AU's are available online too.

You will need to connect a condenser mic to phantom power whether it's from a desk, and audio interface, or a phantom power supply, although some can run on batteries.
Whether you buy a desk or not, you will NEED an audio interface to connect a mic or other sound source to you mac.

Keep it simple and only spend money on the things you NEED.

I agree with David on the mic choices (I'm not fond of the NT1A either, it's the top end!!). But recently I picked up a Rode K2 off of ebay that was in brand new condition and only a touch over the asking price of the NT. It is good on vocals and acoustic guitar although I did change the valve in it to a mullard.

Again, I'd skip the Behringer and try to go for a more decent audio interface with a couple of mic pre's built in. 58's are ok mics to have knocking around but 57's I find more useful for a wider range of applications.

Years ago I used to have a Behringer desk but when my Motu 828 mk2 turned up the pres were better than the Behringer. Now, I have moved to outboard pres but the 828's served me well.

These are two of the best audio blogs out there:

1) <http://www.gearslutz.com/board/low-end-theory/>
2) <http://www.3daudioinc.com/3db/forumdisplay.php?f=4>

Give these forums a good read. There is TONS of good advice here. I have used these forums for every purchase in building my "dream studio" and I have never been steered wrong.

Good Luck!!!!

Brandon, that looks fine (go with the Xenyx). These products all have good reviews. Realize that at this price point the best you can hope for is "good sound", not "pro sound". I just spent $4000 on Mics, preamps, and such to get a "pro sound" studio. But the difference between good and pro is about 15%. Good will get you to 85% of Pro. The extra 15% is for reduced noise, signal clarity, and higher quality components. You PAY a LOT for that last little bit. In the meantime you can lay down your tracks, get your songs written, arranged, and recorded. Later when you have more money you can always redo the audio tracks when you have better gear, if you even feel that they need it. A lot has to do with the type of music you play.....

If the mixer Pre's don't cut it for you, you can always get something like an ART preamp for under $100 to give the Mic some more gain and warmth. A preamp really can make any Mic "come alive".

Have fun!!!

With this steal of a mic.

MXL 990 Condenser Microphone

I own that Mic, as well as the Audio Technica AT2020, which goes for about $100, and the AT is a MUCH better mic, for only a tiny bit more money.


http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/AudioTechnica-AT2020-Large-Diaphrag m-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone?sku=270620



In fact, the AT2020 comes as a studio bundle with another very nice small diaphragm mic. The bundle is called AT2041


http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/AudioTechnica-AT2041SP-AT2020-AT202 1-Microphone-Pack?sku=270455




I did a little searching a while back and found the bundle for about $120, bought two of them to have stereo pairs, and couldn't be happier. I did a lot of research on this topic, including reading this thread:


http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1433647




In that thread, two of the most valuable members of this forum (pancenter and noeqplease) both recommended the AT2041 studio pack, and after buying it, I strongly recommend it too. There ares some links to reviews in that thread. Even at $150, it's still a good deal, but you may be able to find it for less.

yes i also intend to do some live recording via an Olympus DH 40 voice recorder ... this excepts external mics ... what is the best possible quality sound for my hardware? Smaller and discreet as possible ,

Not to hijack the thread too much dudes, but I'm about to get the apogee duet, and a nice vocal mic (let's say the rode nt2 for argument's sake). Will that be enough to record vocals/guitar into my imac?

I guess what I'm really driving at is if the duet will supply enough power (phantom?) and if I can just connect it to the duet using XLR?

Well the 990 is only $55 with the shock mount and stand clip, would you highly recommend the Audio Technica AT2020 over the MXL 990? I can get either one with my price range still falling below my intended quo.

I absolutely recommend the AT2020 over the MXL. Spend $150 on the AT2041 Studio Pack, and that's 2 good mics, both better than the MXL, for $75 each. You'll be happy you did.