I would get either:

SP C1, B1

shure 58

Rode nt1a

I dont hear good things on the marshals

I could well afford a few 500.00 mics . I chose a MXL 2001 loved it and bought another.(vl67)Both VERY sensitive (little noisy though) But great for the money IMO. I have put mine up against my friend's Rode and the rode at three times the price was only different not really better. This is the BUDGET forum! :D

A good all around mic in my oppinion is an

MD421 works great on just about any thing.

Just get an SM58. It's a dependable vocal mic, and it's only one hundred bucks.

If you have your heart set on a condenser mic, go for the MXL 990 or V63m. Both are really cheap, and sound pretty decent.

Audio Technica AT3035, about $185.

Studio Projects B1

is an very good mic.

Logic wrote: I could well afford a few 500.00 mics . I chose a MXL 2001 loved it and bought another.(vl67)Both VERY sensitive (little noisy though) But great for the money IMO. I have put mine up against my friend's Rode and the rode at three times the price was only different not really better. This is the BUDGET forum! :D

none of the mics i pointed out were even close to $500-

c1- $200 B1- $99 nt1a - $200 Sm58-$100

I wish I could go somewhere and hear the difference. I have seen a AKG 3000 for 165.00 on Ebay - any thoughts on the AKG?

I own a C3000 and only used it once for vocals........too thin and bright sounding. It's best use is acoustic guitar, other string instruments.

I have been putting the HM-1 through it's paces recently for an upcoming review ... It has been excellent on guitar amps and vocals ... nice as overhead / tom mics for drums. They do tend to pick up a lot of room sound when compared to some other sd condensers ... and that can be good or bad, depending on your situation.

I hope to try them on sax soon as well as bass and some other sources. I have a feeling they are going to be really good on bass cabs.

The HM-1 is very well built ...with a very sturdy mic clip. At under $100 including shipping, it's impossible to get hurt buying one of these things. Hey, if you hate it, return it within 21 days for a full refund! I wish more manufacturers would do that!

Kurt Foster wrote: I have been putting the HM-1 through it's paces recently for an upcoming review ... It has been excellent on guitar amps and vocals ... nice as overhead / tom mics for drums. They do tend to pick up a lot of room sound when compared to some other sd condensers ... and that can be good or bad, depending on your situation.

I hope to try them on sax soon as well as bass and some other sources. I have a feeling they are going to be really good on bass cabs.

The HM-1 is very well built ...with a very sturdy mic clip. At under $100 including shipping, it's impossible to get hurt buying one of these things. Hey, if you hate it, return it within 21 days for a full refund! I wish more manufacturers would do that!

Thanks - I am leaning toward the HM1. Because I will be recording in my Bed Room - what mic or program can I use to get rid of back ground noice? My room is pretty quiet during the day - but not as quiet as a sound booth.

I was speaking in terms of it being used as an overhead or tom mic. In vox applications, I had no problem at all. I sat at my mix desk and held the thing in my hand and sang right into it. It sounded great and exhibited no handling noise!

The HM-1 is very well suited for use with less expensive mic pres ... in that situation I just described, I was intentionally running the HM-1 through my Mackie pres. It was surprising (to me) how good the HM-1 sounded through the normally hash Mackie. In turn, the HM-1 sounded great when compared to my U87ai through the Amek Neve 9098 pres ... I had to listen very closely to hear the differences. It was very subtle.

Thanks Kurt

One thing I have found in a potentially noisy environment is to get a reasonably good stage condensor with a super cardioid or similar pattern and use that. I have been using a Rode S1 on vocals (it also doubles are a fantasic snare mic) and gives great results. Mine cost $315 AUD. A matched pair of small diaphram condensors is a great investment. I us Rode NT5's but there are better mics outthere for similar money. The Octavia OC-112's are very good and cheap. Just make sure to try out a few as they all sound different.

don't do the sm 58

Well, an SM58 might be a good choice for rockers, u really need to shout into it to make really good vibes with it. You see an Sm58 is a dynamic mic which likes low end frequencies rather than high end. Since you did mention that you are into hip hop i strongly suggest you tryout a condenser microphone with either a small or large diaphragm. It doesn't really matter. But u might be able to score a reletively inexpensive one from apex.

Peace

AIC