Originally posted by FrogManRadio:
Hello fellow recording enthusiasts and professionals. It's an honor to be posting among all of you.

Right out of the gates let me introduce myself. I'm a 21 year old broadcaster, currently residing in New York. For more info check out

http://www.frogmanradio.com

Enough with the shamless plug on with my question:

I've been put in charge of single handedly upgrading our current radio station "sound" if you will. I recently ordered and installed a Valley 401 Mic Processor, and we have a VERY old Sennheiser MD421 Microphone. My question is, which microphone should I upgrade too?

I was thrown a BSW catalog and told to find a decent mic for low $$. I'd like to get the ElectroVoice RE20, but they say it's too much. I own a Behringer B-1 (great sound for such a cheap mic) for my home studio and I hooked it up and it sounds phenomenal with the Valley 401...should I order a B-1? Or go with something else?

What would you guys recommend?

I appreciate any help and thank you.

Well, first, let me say it's too bad that an RE-20 is too much. That and a Shure SM7 (both, btw designed for radio anoucing...the SM7 is particularly effective, allowing you to get right up on it with out a pop filter, because of the way it's designed) are the main mic's in radio (caveat: I don't work in radio...but Im pretty sure on this)

Secondly, if the mic you mentioned (Behringer B-1) sounds good "on air"...then that should be the ticket. Do a mic test; set up your MD421 (great mic) , your Behringer B-1, and any other's in contention that you can get your hands on (most music stores have a 30day no question return policy on a credit card) and
"broadcast" and record the result.

hope this helps

Thanks for the advice!

I've just spent the last hour and a half playing with both of them.

The MDK421 has a nicer bass roll off and has a great "pop" elimination. The B-1 however sounds a helluva lot more "crisp" though. It's got a better frequency range, and really provides a smooth sound when combined with the Valley 401.

I'm going to do my show with the B-1 today, and I have my PD listening to see if he can hear a difference.

This stuff takes time, and you have to try it in different situations too. I love playing around!! :D

Hey, Recorderman. I just wanted to add that I think you're right about the 57's, because when I was doing college radio, the studio was lined with them for all mic's except for the main mic.

The 421 is a nice mic and coupled with a Stedman pop filter is very usable. If you want to save a few bucks on an RE-20 look at PL-20's. They are very similar (if not the same) electronically and sonically.