Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

I get it but hung up vintage looks for mics....no. If you're looking for a mic for a specific reason give us a shout. But educating yourself about what types do what best and then making your own choices will be the way to go. There are so many good 400-1000 dollar mics these days and what you actually do with them is soooooo much more important than the actual mic. In other words the source is more important than the mic.

LOL. I don't know what I want. I haven't even plugged in either of the mics I just bought. I just like to buy stuff and look at stuff.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

View attachment 80759

This one looks retro enough to make me feel all tingly.

AKG C-214 large-diaphragm condenser mic

 

[Demanic]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

It's half a C414. That's enough to make me feel tingly.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

I'd better start saving up.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

I'd better start saving up.

If you're ok with used market, you can get a real deal C414 for about $100 more than that.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

If you're ok with used market, you can get a real deal C414 for about $100 more than that.

Are used mics a fairly safe bet? I always worry about subtle concealed damage that might affect the sound, and about hygiene issues. Is buying a used microphone more like buying a used jigsaw puzzle or like buying a used Boss pedal?

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Retro-looking mics that are strong performers

Are used mics a fairly safe bet? I always worry about subtle concealed damage that might affect the sound, and about hygiene issues. Is buying a used microphone more like buying a used jigsaw puzzle or like buying a used Boss pedal?

Hygiene can be averted with a bottle of Microphome. First years at my school get the punishment, er privilege of having to clean all the microphones at the end of each semester and they had us use that stuff. As far as electronics, it depends whether it's a dynamic or a condenser. Due to the passive nature of the capsule and relative bulletproofness (ribbons not withstanding) dynamic mics can take a lot of abuse. Even a mic that shows off it's years of cosmetic damage can still sound basically the same as when it came out of the package (dynamics like the SM57 can handle the proverbial mic-drop, something ribbons and condensers cannot). Condensers on the other hand can build up dirt and other gunk in the membrane. Well maintained mics can still see some buildup and therefore tone loss. If you do buy one used, it would probably be in your best interest to send it to the manufacturer and have them clean it up for you (it's a process that they should be able to handle quickly and cheaply). The inner workings of a condenser mic are very fragile (the membrane of a condenser can be as thin as 4-8μm; put into perspective, a piece of standard paper can be 25x that thickness) and not something an inexperienced person would want to put their fingers into.