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hey guys,

so the type of music that i do is hip/hop, rap

i wanna buy a mic but ive tried asking 3 different stores and they keep on telling me about 3 different mics, so now i wanna get the opinion of recording.org

ok so here are the mics that they told me about

Sweetwater said Shure KSM27
Sam Ash Said Audio-Technica AT4040
Americanmusical said AKG C3000B

i was also looking at the RODE NT1-A

if you guys have any other recommendations please let me know

Thank You in Advance

Comments

BobRogers Thu, 04/05/2007 - 10:50

Well, I haven't owned any of these so I won't try to compare. My impression is that one of these is the pretty easy winner of the group for most positive comments on this board and one has more negative comments than the others, but I'll let you do a search in case my intuition is wrong. Of course, this board is not exactly a random sample of users, so take its advice with a grain of salt.

The usual advice to try before you buy applies, of course. But in this case I think it is especially important to compare these low price LDCs to a decent dynamic like an SM58 or a high end dynamic like an EV RE20 (which is close to your price range). Just because a LDC is considered "standard" for hip hop doesn't mean that a low end LDC is better than a good dynamic.

Cucco Thu, 04/05/2007 - 11:59

They mics you've selected show a certain price point (around $300). For that price point, just about any mic will do. There aren't any "AMAZING" mics at that range unfortunately. There are some mics which, IMO, are quite good considering their price in that range. The AT4040 and the Rode mics fit into that category.

The Shure is also a good choice, but I like their slightly pricier LDCs better.

Consider also, as Bob recommends, some higher end dynamics. For vocals, a Sennheiser MD421 or an EV RE20 are great choices, as are Shure SM7/SM57 and others similar to them (Audix, etc.)

The question to ask yourself is:
1 - will I have the option to try these mics?
2 - if not, whose opinion do you trust the most?
3 - if none - whose return policy is the best?

HansAm Thu, 04/05/2007 - 13:57

I have the Rode NT1-a.
Its a nice stripped mic with a FAT bottom. and other than that pretty pure. I like it allot, at least on male vocalists. haven't fount it useful for any other stuff tow. Quite sensitive. Cant handle high SPL's
-

The AT 4040 is a regular cigar condenser mic. For all round purpose. Used it for vocals, overhead and HH. I like it. But i actually like the budget AT3031 better. I don't know why.

Scoobie Thu, 04/05/2007 - 15:45

I own all four of those mic's. Don't care to much for that AKG, But you can't go wrong with any of the other three. Just like what Cucco said, At that price point any good mic will do.

I own a pair of the KSM27's. Bought for drum OH's.
I have even used them in live recording. Thats a mic that I'm glad I bought a pair of.

I'm using the KSM27 on female vox, and it's doing great. Along with the pre's in my Mackie Oynx. I'm really please on how it's truning out.

Peace.............Scoobie

Davedog Fri, 04/06/2007 - 16:31

Theres one outstanding mic in this price catagory. Its the ADK Vienna II and the Hamburg II. The first issues were very very good. These are something else again.

From your list the Shure is my pick for an all-around mic for voice, the 4040 for instruments of all kinds and the AKG is a great doorstop.

I guess thats being a bit harsh, but I could never understand why a company that makes some incredible mics would ever have a line that sounds so cheap from one mic to another. That 3000,2000,and the 1000 are all mics that leave me scratching my head.