Solved: Good general purpose dynamic mic w/ flat freq curve?

[C00kie]

noise due to wind

Can be solved cheap:


Unwanted "contact" noise can be solved by putting some foam inbetween the mic and it's clamp.

There are small diaphragm condenser mics around that fit your requirements. Otherwise just get a whole bunch of second-hand SM57's.

[Shy]

As mentioned already, SM57 is far from flat unfortunately.
Noise from wind can be reduced of course, but still a dynamic mic picks up much less of it, and foam reduces quality even further and is still not optimal (and clamp + foam would ruin the "flatness" too), plus it's annoying. The wind issue is just a minor concern, noise from movement and contact (as in hey, I wanna hold it), bass issues and the rest I've listed are much more concerning and I don't think any budget small diaphragm condenser mic overcomes them.

[adydub]

As mentioned already, SM57 is far from flat unfortunately.
Noise from wind can be reduced of course, but still a dynamic mic picks up much less of it, and foam reduces quality even further and is still not optimal (and clamp + foam would ruin the "flatness" too), plus it's annoying. The wind issue is just a minor concern, noise from movement and contact (as in hey, I wanna hold it), bass issues and the rest I've listed are much more concerning and I don't think any budget small diaphragm condenser mic overcomes them.

If sound quality is the key thing, condensors are still the way to go, even in windy conditions. It's common practice to use condensors out-doors for film/tv audio, with a windcheater. I also know a chap who travels the world recording birdsong for a research project who only uses condensors. Some of the stuff he records requires very sensitive mics. Most places in mainland europe have more background noise from traffic than any wind or handling noise he picks up. ENG (news) peeps do use dynamics, as they can cope with a bit more rough and tumble.

None of that may be that relevant to your budget, but I hope a bit of background may be useful.

The proximity effect (the 'bass issues' you refer to) are much the same for any cardoid mic, dynamic or condensor. Dynamic vocal mic's such as the SM58 have massive bass roll off designed into the frequency response to counter being used up close. Of course, this get's away from the flat response you're after.

Back to mics, the SM57 BETA is a lot flatter than the old SM57, but still a long way from toally flat. The audix I5 is flatter still. For ultimate flat response on a budget, try looking at some measurement mics e.g.

http://www.behringer.com/ECM8000/index.cfm?lang=eng

Measurement mics don't tend to get used for actual recording as they are very noisy and don't actually sound very good. There are good reasons why the SM57, SM57 beta, and increasingly the Audix I5 earn a place in studios next to multi thousand dollar Neuman's etc.

(edited for clarity - doh)

[Shy]

adydub: thanks, interesting info. I had no idea about measurement mics. Not gonna get one of course, but interesting .
Yes, I know that for field recording (background, birds etc.) and capturing lots of stuff, condensers are great, especially high end ones that are designed for quality field recording. I just have the impression that for general recording of instruments or voices and avoiding mentioned issues and other sounds, a dynamic mic would be better for my needs and budget.

Audix i5, Shure SM7 and Beyerdynamic M201 all seem especially decent. i5 is considerably cheaper. I'll have to do some research.

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and info so far.

[Shy]

I finally got a Beyerdynamic M 201 for a one time bargain price and man, this is a fine mic that captures anything you throw at it authentically. Other than excellent sound, it also has an integrated hum-buck coil that avoids feedback amazingly well. I'm very, very pleased with it, highly recommended. Thanks for the suggestion, Niko.

[C00kie]

it also has an integrated hum-buck coil that avoids feedback amazingly well.

The humbuck coil only reduces electromagnetic interference such as mains hum. The hypercardioid pickup pattern is what helps in reducing feedback. Just so you know what's what...

[Shy]

Aha, OK, I had a completely wrong idea of what it is . Yes, it seems the mic's polar pattern is very friendly, despite it being hypercardioid.