I'm looking at two in particular. Either the AT 2035 which for a while I have considered to be my 'first condenser', or the AT 2050. The 2035 seems to be an intermediate contender with bass rolloff and 10dB pad. Or should I save up my money and get the 2050 with switchable patterns (cardioid/omni/8 )? Or do you think something else entirely would suit me better? Something like the AKG Perception 220 perhaps.
I am just getting tired of cranking my input gain for dynamics, as well as all three of my mics are very similar sounding (SM57/SM58/i5). I have also been getting more into distance Micing lately and I think having a condenser for this, as well as the occasional vocals, might suit me much better than a dynamic.
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I like my 3035 quite a bit. Not spectacular, but good. Have you
I like my 3035 quite a bit. Not spectacular, but good.
Have you looked at any ribbons?
Also, have you thought about a cheap pre like the Tube MP just for some extra gain?
Obviously I wouldn't use it on vox, but if it's just the guitar track the sound shouldn't be affected too much. And, it works as a pretty decent bass DI actually.
Naiant microphones are something I have been looking at lately. They are pretty cheap, and are supposed to be a very good price/quality ratio.
I'm just waiting till I pay my car insurance to pull the trigger on that one.
Might want to check that out too.
I would have to agree with some of the others, I'd have some res
I would have to agree with some of the others, I'd have some reservations about the entry-level LDC mics. But if budget is the main concern I'd prefer a better SDC, like the AKG C-1000s, for instance. It's a small diaphragm condenser, but a good workhorse mic in that price-range.
I gotta agree w/ jack attack on this one. I bought two condense
I gotta agree w/ jack attack on this one. I bought two condensers last year AT 3035, Rode Nt1-A. 6 months after that i bought the akg 414, can you guess which condenser sees the most use? (the 414)... I really like the 3035, its got i nice clean response that works well on acoustic guitars, and vocals. I personally appreciate the proximity effect it exhibits with vocals. the rode... trying to sell it...too nasaly, ok on a hand drum and just too mid rangey for my taste on acoustic guitar and everything else i've tried. if you need extra mics say for a drum kit percussion and you don't have a ton of cash these mics will do OK especially through a nice pre. BUT when i pair them up with my AKG 414 i know why it is world famous in professional studios. it's clearer, quieter, more versitle, and adds sparkle to my tracks that the other mics don't. On my mesa triple rectifier full stack i simply use one SM57 about and inch away, if i'm feeling ambitous i'll bust out the 414 to get room sound. but with my radial pro rmp reamp box, guitar rig, waves plugins, i find little need to have my acoustically untreated room sound on my tracks. Sorry to ramble but if you see yourself using the next mic you buy 5, or ten years from now you don't want have to live with 'shoulda saved up more cash.' Another point (the last) Good musical equipment retains it's value. My mic retailed for 899 usd, it now sells for 999 usd. more than 10% appreciation! my cousins les pual classic that he paid 1500 usd for, now sells for 1800...Don't think for just today or tomm, think about what tool you'll WANT to be using for a long time.
I like both AKG and AT mics. You should however save up further
I like both AKG and AT mics. You should however save up further and skip the entry level versions. I don't see them as helping you out on your guitar tone quest. Look at some things like the AT4051a or the AT4050 or even the AT4041. For AKG look at the C391, C414. Yes they are more money but you've already got some Shures to play with on your guitar amps. Just my opinion.