First Microphone Suggestions?

[123acdc123]

I'm looking for my first microphone. I want it to be able to do electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and vocals all very well. I don't foresee needing to mic bass or drums. It needs to stay below $150.

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: First Microphone Suggestions?

What will you be running it into, and does it have phantom power available?

[rashayritto]

Re: First Microphone Suggestions?

a lot of people like to recommend the Shure sm 58 or 57, but I dont have personal experience with either of those. I own about 4 mics and the one I wound up using for EVERYTHING (vocals, guitar, podcasting) is the MXL 990. Very cheap condenser microphone. I run it through an M-Audio Mobile Pre but of course any preamp with phantom power will juice it. I personally feel like my results with it are fantastic--good bang for the buck but I'm sure. Just make sure your preamp isnt crap or the mic will sound awful. I got my 990 in a bundle with a 991 and a crappy analog M-audio preamp that made me think the mics were barely usable.

[mdambros]

Re: First Microphone Suggestions?

I use the Shure SM57 for tracking my electric guitar. I've had it for over 12 years and it's been awesome. Sounds great and it can be had at around $100.

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: First Microphone Suggestions?

Condenser microphones usually don't outperform dynamic microphones for close miking combo amps and cabinets.

An SM57 can mic an acoustic guitar but the sound can be a bit boxy and undefined compared to what you can do with a condenser microphone.

Tom Petty sings through an SM57... every presidential address is heard through a pair of 57s... you can get decent sounds with vocals and acoustic guitar with it but you will end up lacking the detail that condenser microphones provide.

You can do some cool stuff with post processing on recordings done only with dynamic microphones... at worst it will sound halfway decent.

[FretFire]

Re: First Microphone Suggestions?

I picked up a Sennheiser e906 used a local shop for ~$100. It's my first mic, and it's been great for a guitar cab. Not sure how it performs with vocals.

[ratherdashing]

Re: First Microphone Suggestions?

A mic that's good at guitar won't be good at vocals and vis versa.

That said, my vote for a pretty good do-everything mic is the Audio Technica AT2020.

[B2D]

Re: First Microphone Suggestions?

Rock tha mic, yo.

[B2D]

Re: First Microphone Suggestions?

Haha, just kidding.

Vox and electric guitar are simple enough. It's where acoustic comes in that things can get interesting.

Personally I'd go for a Sennheiser E835 with that budget. The AT2020 is good too but I personally haven't had good luck with using one in High-dB situations.

Maybe try to score a used Heil PR40?

[123acdc123]

Re: First Microphone Suggestions?

What will you be running it into, and does it have phantom power available?

Yes. It will.

[123acdc123]

Re: First Microphone Suggestions?

Cut that. I just need it for acoustic and vocals. I have something else for electric.

[Crane]

Re: First Microphone Suggestions?

I have an SM57 and an MXL 990. I paid about $40 bucks each used.
They are going through a Saffire and although I double mic, I like the MXL better - but it needs phantom power.

[Securb]

Re: First Microphone Suggestions?

Lost my 57 I need a new one. I feel lost without that mic.

[BlueTalon]

Re: First Microphone Suggestions?

You want quality? At a good price? Get a Sennheiser. My Sennheiser E835 sounds better than the Shure 57s being used by the other members of my band, provides a stronger signal, and is built better. That's according to the lead singer.

You can look around online for possibly a better deal, but the best deal I found is a E835 + cord + clip + stand for $119.

[BlueTalon]

Re: First Microphone Suggestions?

Personally I'd go for a Sennheiser E835 with that budget.

Ah, ya beat me to it.