Thread: Best vocal mic under $500

I'm not sure you will.

I could go on and on about how the quality of a mic for a specific voice cant be measured by price or even by specs. I could talk for an hour about the only person being able to make this decision would be the user in their own room doing their own music or whatever it is they're doing with a mic. I could point out how the acoustics in an environment have a direct effect on the overall sound of a source and how this is translated by the equipment being used. There's the four page dissertation on the signal chain and how its effected by the source. And then there's the inevitable questions about style of music, type of voice, whether or not the mic will be needed for other types of sources, why a certain type of mic might work better in one environment than another, discussions of the reasoning of choosing a tube mic instead of an FET condenser as opposed to a dynamic or a ribbon....etc etc etc....

But you dont really want to hear all that do you? It might help you in making an expensive decision.......

And another point is this......."good" and "great" are relative terms and can be speculative at best and as varied as the number of people and their experiences. AND, "breaking the bank" is different for anyone reading this.

So consider these points and hopefully use them as a guide to describing your real needs. I'm sure than someone can answer your questions and make responsible recommendations based on more information than what you have provided.

Hmm... Touché sir. I appreciate the reply but I'll try and generalize the question a little more. Could someone, from experience, tell me any vocal/general purpose condenser mic under $500 that they would personally suggest to someone browsing around?

Originally Posted by Vanityxstrikes

Hmm... Touché sir. I appreciate the reply but I'll try and generalize the question a little more. Could someone, from experience, tell me any vocal/general purpose condenser mic under $500 that they would personally suggest to someone browsing around?

Absolutely. ADK Vienna/ Hamburg II's. All the Avantone line. The Miktek C7 is a bit more money but worth the extra. Dave Thomas at Advanced Audio knows a bit about mics and sells his line direct. I havent used any of them but the reviews are very very good. Right in your budget. Over the years the QC at Octava has gotten much better and a bit more trustworthy as to what you're going to get out of the box. The MK319 is a very good sounding mic.

The reason I choose to shill these particular mics rather than one of the myriad of bigbox company mics is because these all have a certain build quality to them and performance to match. You wont find any really hyped high-end that sounds nice and crisp in gittargets room but sounds like crap at home, you wont find any loose parts floating around inside a mic, and the service is second to none with these builders.

There are used mics that can be had at your price point. If you are patient you might be able to score an AKG 414 B/ULS. Perhaps a Groovetubes GT67. Theres always the possibility of a used Shure KSM44 at that price and for sure (see what I did!) a KSM32 which is one of the best utility mics made.

All of these mics are staples in many studios and will enhance any source you apply them to.

But. Like any mic for vocals, this is a very very personal choice and must be made with auditioning in your room with your gear in order to make the correct choice.

I'm a little concerned by this question you're asking. Dave is one of our best guys here. I am as are others. You're taking a peculiar stance in your request. Just give me the gold record already dammit! Here's my $500! I want the best! Yeah? Really? I could assume something nasty but I'll ask where do you plan to stick this microphone? Now the reason for that STUPID question is because... I'm a smartass and I'm wondering whether this guy is asking about a USB microphone or just a microphone to begin with? Obviously, he thinks he wants a condenser thingy, CUZ they all cost more than those cheap PA thingies which you can't plug into a computer any which way CUZ they put the wrong plug thingy on it. So instead, if you blow your nose and sit down, we might be able to help you better.

AKG 214, there, does that help?
Mx. Remy Ann David

I can be a bigger smartass Remy, how about 1/10 of a Neumann thingy! Try rent to own.

To the OP, details please

Phil, rent to own? 1/10 of a Neumann? I think my brain damage is preventing some kind of synapse connection problem here? This guy doesn't seem to be particularly articulate other than the fact that he wanna have it. Sounds like mostly he's barking at us to provide him with a microphone? I can rest assured you are not a customer here sir. You could simply open up a catalog and look at microphones in your price range. There is no "Best". It's all in what kind of color socks you want to wear today. And we can't make that decision for you. We don't just all have a single microphone, we have tons of them. Each one different and each one special and each one gets used in the applications we feel best to use them in. We don't put microphones on voices are instruments thinking, " I have to use my most expensive microphone for this thing ". We don't think that way or like that. Sometimes that $100 microphone can far outperform and outshine a $3300 microphone. So how do you make that decision? You listen that's how. You can't listen to anything because you don't have anything and you haven't shopped for anything. So you are pissing into the wind. I indicated AKG 214. Quality reputation, quality manufactured, a staple of the industry and in your price range. But unless you have a proper microphone interface in which to plug that into, you're going to have to acquire that also. Conversely, a USB microphone may be your best option and you will find those generally less expensive than what your stated budget is. You have given us no information as to the application or usage of said microphone. Somehow I think you are incapable of articulating that? In fact I don't think we'll hear from you again? And that's because you didn't get your drive-through burger answer.

Phil is such a nice guy. Look at that picture... only a mother could love it.
Mx. Remy Ann David

I've had some good with results with an AT4040 on different vocalists. Retails for $299.99
Thy Kingdom Gone - Battle Metal
The vocals on the song "Tomorrow" were recorded with the AT4040

SM58. For value and versatility.
Yes, there are wonderful condensers you might get a sniff at in that price range. But no guarantee they'd be better than the 58.
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I actually use my 421 for male vocals more (~$300 US). Sometimes a 414 and sometimes a ribbon.
Which is better? It depends. On everything - the song, the singer, the room.

I think both Remy and Dave would agree with that notion. After all, I arrived at that approach from listening to them (and others here) and listening to my mics.
And most importantly, doing it.
Ever done a DIY cheap fix that worked better than the expensive box product? Much the same.
Not to say you might get better results with a U87. But you'll never get those results until you learn how to get the best of an SM58.

Learn to use the tools you have / can afford before getting more tools.
I love tools, but also understand I have no business operating a bulldozer. So I use my shovel, and a lot of sweat.
But I still sometimes wish I had a bulldozer...



My $0.02...