Check out Kurt's review of the studio projects line.

http://www.recording.org/e-mag/article_110.shtml

I like my C1. I got mine new for cheeeeeap. They really are great mics on a budget.

You should also look at the R0DE NT1-A and NT1000, and the Studio Projects B1 and C1, all very good mics for the money. Here are some links:

[="http://www.rode.com.au"]R0DE[/]="http://www.rode.com…"]R0DE[/]

[[url=http://="http://www.studiopr…"]Studio Projects[/]="http://www.studiopr…"]Studio Projects[/]

I have both the C1 and The V69 (HEHE!!) but they are both great microphones for the money. The C1 (SP) has way too much high end on it. IF you get that mic then get a contrasting mic like a rode nt1 a which is a bit darker to uses on different tracks because if your one and only mic is a mic like the C1 then you get a curve that looks like this

___
__________/

and it is a little hard on the ears. Get a presonus mp20 and use the saturarion feature on 75% and then you have one hell of a combo. I just tried it and i gotta get me a an mp20

I'd recommend the Shure KSM

Ditto onthe KSM 27..Or try a AT 4040

I have the C3000 and have gotten some great female vocals on it, have yet to try it on acoustic, but my gut tells me it would be just fine.

Don't go with the AKG3000(b). I can't stand this mic. I bought two of them years ago. I've never liked them on anything. In fact absolutly hated them on most things. Hell if your not convinced I got 2 I'll sell ya. :td:

I'm getting more conservative in my mic choices as I get older but I'd recommend something by Shure or Audio-Technica. I think the AT4040 is one of the best mics in my personal collection. I also like the Blue Baby Bottle in this price segment.

Yes don't buy the AKG3000b I made that mistake already too.

Marcus, does it HAVE to be one microphone?

IMHO you'd be better off getting two or more.
That way you could also have the option of recording the vocal and the guitar at the same time.

Are you recording in a good sounding room?
As you may know, the typical condenser will tend to highlight various flaws like flutter echoes,etc.

Also, if the microphone is just for you, it's better to try various ones out.
It has taken me a few months in some cases to evaluate the tone of a given mic for vocals,
due to limited abilty/experience.

The Studio Projects B1 is reputed to sound very
good on acoustic guitar. I have one and think it's handy for a vocal in a busy mix as it has strong
"presence" (not harsh though).

A good parametric EQ, like the DBX 242, will help expand the usefulness of having just a few mic's BTW.

Chris

P.S. Also look into the Sennheiser 441 (or MD441).
It's a dynamic, but can produce excellent
results on voice and/or acoustic guitar.

KSM 32 from Shure is a great sounding mic. David

Don't go with the AKG3000(b). I can't stand this mic.

Just curious, what don't you like about it? I've gotten what I wanted out of it so far.

Hi Guys!

Once again, thank you very much for your input.

As I am writing/recording/suffering :) from Brazil, and depend mostly on having someone pick the mic up on a trip, I have to (unwillingly) bet on the "blind date" scheme.

I know that some of you would shudder in horror at the perspective of spending $$ on something which would potentially be impossible to return, however, I would rather risk that (and minimize the risk based on other people's feedback) than pay $200 for a Shure SM57 (which is how much they go for here). I won't even get into the high-level mics range.

I have already set up my DAW with an M-Audio 1010, and once the monitors are in place I have arranged to have an engineer fix the recording room in regards to acoustic problems. I know this approach may sound overtly amateurish, but if I were to do this "textbook way" it probably would be ready by 2007.

Long story short, I agree with Chessparov that having two mics is a nice way to go - and I think, based on everyone's feedback (and taking full responsibility for acting on such feedback - that's the corporate lawyer speaking :) ), that I'm starting to narrow it down to a Studio Project B1 and a Rode NT 1.

My interest in the home studio recording/producing has arisen from a recording of a demo tape for my band which came out much better than anyone hoped or expected. Considering that the technical conditions were worse than average, and that people may have been optimistic in evaluating the material, I would like to take a shot at it with better equipment. Consider it a "night job", if you will.

Sorry for the long post, but I thought that giving you some background information would be useful.

Thanks again,

Marcus

Marcus, an excellent alternative to a used SM57 is to get (used) one of the microphones from the Shure 545 series. They tend to cost less than a '57.

In any case, best of luck with your project!

Chris

studio projects C1.