Hi guys,
I'm in need of a condenser mic for vocals and maybe acoustic guitar recording (for fun) - and was wondering if this mic would do? The reviews I could find about it said it was "ok" not great but worth the price. Has anyone used it before?
I just need a clear sound, my Sm58 produces too much background noise with my firebox's built in preamps. I can pick one up for maybe $60 (australian)... while i'd love to get the studio projects B1 - it seems to sell for $200 here in australia, even though its only $99 in the US - they put a big margin over the exchange rate which is stupid!
Anyhow - i'd love some opinions? Again, I just need a clear sound - i'll upgrade later on in the piece - but it'll be 3-6 before I have the money to afford the more expensive mic - and then I could probably go better than the B1.
Thanks,
Vinay
Cheap Condenser - Behringer C1
-
- KVRist
- 427 posts since 26 Nov, 2000 from Gallifrey, The Capitol.
Hello vinayk.
Australian prices are almost always strange and almost always higher than US ones. You will however find that you are more likely to get more competitive prices on things like guitars. Which doesn't really help if you want to buy a microphone..... If you want to step up a fair bit further in the future you might well have to look offshore to get the microphone you want though... And yes, that is quite sad. Look forward to the day you want to buy yourself a nice headset so you can mix your tunes without bothering others, as you'll find that purchase may well be a lot more painful..
It's a good idea to shop around. Your budget might not stretch far, but having a better view of the playing field never hurts. Our big chain stores like Allan's are often not a good place to buy though.. When I was in Sydney earlier last year I think I went to Venue Music, and they seemed to be on the button for several things I inquired about.
Spratman
I personally would consider saving a bit more money and buying something else. But if you wanted something "now" you could probably do worse...vinayk wrote:Hi guys,
I'm in need of a condenser mic for vocals and maybe acoustic guitar recording (for fun) - and was wondering if this mic would do? The reviews I could find about it said it was "ok" not great but worth the price. Has anyone used it before?
The 58 is a good microphone. Is this "background noise" hiss, or are you picking up noise from your recording area? Or something else? I have to ask this, as when you get a condensor it's quite likely that you may still have some sort of a problem when recording irrespective of whether or not you buy a condensor. The SM58 rejects a lot of noise from your surroundings, whereas a condensor is likely to pickup a lot more. What's your room like?I just need a clear sound, my Sm58 produces too much background noise with my firebox's built in preamps. I can pick one up for maybe $60 (australian)... while i'd love to get the studio projects B1 - it seems to sell for $200 here in australia, even though its only $99 in the US - they put a big margin over the exchange rate which is stupid!
Australian prices are almost always strange and almost always higher than US ones. You will however find that you are more likely to get more competitive prices on things like guitars. Which doesn't really help if you want to buy a microphone..... If you want to step up a fair bit further in the future you might well have to look offshore to get the microphone you want though... And yes, that is quite sad. Look forward to the day you want to buy yourself a nice headset so you can mix your tunes without bothering others, as you'll find that purchase may well be a lot more painful..
It's a good idea to shop around. Your budget might not stretch far, but having a better view of the playing field never hurts. Our big chain stores like Allan's are often not a good place to buy though.. When I was in Sydney earlier last year I think I went to Venue Music, and they seemed to be on the button for several things I inquired about.
It depends on what you mean by "clear". I assume you mean "non coloured" and "reasonably neutral"?Anyhow - i'd love some opinions? Again, I just need a clear sound - i'll upgrade later on in the piece - but it'll be 3-6 before I have the money to afford the more expensive mic - and then I could probably go better than the B1.
Spratman
-
- KVRAF
- 16154 posts since 2 Dec, 2003 from Nashville, TN
I have and use a B1 and it is a good vocal/acoustic guitar microphone. It sounds as good as some other mics I've used that are much more expensive. Sure it's not the best you can get. But for the money it's about the best you can get.
If that's all you have to spend on a microphone, then I'd get it. It's worth every penny and more and works extremely well for the things you mentioned. That's EXACTLY what I use it for.
Good luck.
Brent
If that's all you have to spend on a microphone, then I'd get it. It's worth every penny and more and works extremely well for the things you mentioned. That's EXACTLY what I use it for.
Good luck.
Brent
My host is better than your host
-
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 297 posts since 15 Jun, 2007
Hi guys,
Australian prices are really quite annoying - stores seem to have forgotten that the dollar has gotten a LOT stronger over the last year!
The noise with the Sm58 is due to the firebox's preamps - they don't provide that much gain for a dynamic mic - so I have to turn them up quite loud to "just" get a decent level on the firebox - which brings in a lot of noise. There was a good test on the Studio-central forums which i'll have to find - which had recordings of condensers and dynamics through a firebox, the condensers were amplified a lot better.. and are more sensitive of course.. so there was a lot less background noise. I'll post up an example of what I mean in a sec.
See i've got the rest of my studio together - v-drums + samples, two keyboards, guitars/bass and i can direct record or Mic my marshall amp... plus i've got reason 4 running now... So all thats missing for me is a microphone and some monitors. (and talent... but i've had about 10 singing lessons - and feel i'm getting much much better with practise...).
So I guess if they mic isn't "terrible" - then i'd probably go ahead and buy it - and wait till i'm a rich doctor before buying a nice expensive mic - my vocal ability will be the limiting factor at this stage anyhow.
Thanks again,
Vinay
Australian prices are really quite annoying - stores seem to have forgotten that the dollar has gotten a LOT stronger over the last year!
The noise with the Sm58 is due to the firebox's preamps - they don't provide that much gain for a dynamic mic - so I have to turn them up quite loud to "just" get a decent level on the firebox - which brings in a lot of noise. There was a good test on the Studio-central forums which i'll have to find - which had recordings of condensers and dynamics through a firebox, the condensers were amplified a lot better.. and are more sensitive of course.. so there was a lot less background noise. I'll post up an example of what I mean in a sec.
See i've got the rest of my studio together - v-drums + samples, two keyboards, guitars/bass and i can direct record or Mic my marshall amp... plus i've got reason 4 running now... So all thats missing for me is a microphone and some monitors. (and talent... but i've had about 10 singing lessons - and feel i'm getting much much better with practise...).
So I guess if they mic isn't "terrible" - then i'd probably go ahead and buy it - and wait till i'm a rich doctor before buying a nice expensive mic - my vocal ability will be the limiting factor at this stage anyhow.
Thanks again,
Vinay
-
- KVRian
- 667 posts since 4 Jun, 2002
The Samson C01 gets generally really good reviews and can be had here in the US for about $55 new... google it for reviews.
PS - Australian prices might be annoying, but damn, you get to live in Australia....
PS - Australian prices might be annoying, but damn, you get to live in Australia....
-
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 297 posts since 15 Jun, 2007
This is true - living in Australia is a perk in itself... The samson is about $150 here.. again the ridiculous pricing... I wonder how a mic would survive shipping from the US?
Ok - I don't think I can do it... I can only find about 3 things on the net recorded with a Behringer C1... most of the reviews are for the B1... and there are many unfavorable reviews of them. I've spent enough on my music gear - that I don't really want to throw away money on something which is likely to be no good - and at best "ok"... I'll be a hard working doctor man soon enough... so i'll save up and buy a better mic...
Until then i'll just have to use my Boss SD-1 overdrive pedal to hot up the signal from my Sm58 before the pre-amp... and just try to record "rock" type songs....
Ok - I don't think I can do it... I can only find about 3 things on the net recorded with a Behringer C1... most of the reviews are for the B1... and there are many unfavorable reviews of them. I've spent enough on my music gear - that I don't really want to throw away money on something which is likely to be no good - and at best "ok"... I'll be a hard working doctor man soon enough... so i'll save up and buy a better mic...
Until then i'll just have to use my Boss SD-1 overdrive pedal to hot up the signal from my Sm58 before the pre-amp... and just try to record "rock" type songs....
-
- KVRAF
- 19156 posts since 13 Feb, 2003 from Vancouver, Canada
That's too bad about the Studio Projects pricing! I saw this thread and I was going to recommend it, as I'm a proud owner, but I see that's not an option. 
-
Reverse Engineer Reverse Engineer https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=9129
- KVRAF
- 4968 posts since 23 Sep, 2003 from Glasgow
NEVER underestimate the power of the Behringer!
-
- KVRAF
- 2545 posts since 22 Jun, 2004 from Paris. Well, not far.
I've heard good things about the Rode NT1. It's an Australian company AFAIK so you might actually get a better deal on it. I don't personally have it though.
-
- KVRist
- 237 posts since 12 Jan, 2005 from Sydney - Australia
I have an NT1 and like it for vox and my acoustic. But it's still $150-$200 here in Aus.
I definitely wouldn't be putting my mic through and SD1 to boost the signal (unless you want an overdriven sound).
Maybe better option would be to try and get a clean pre amp and plug your SM58 into the preamp and then go into the line in of the Firebox so yo bypass the noisy Firebox pres. (if it is the firebox preamps that are giving you noise grief)
Rich
I definitely wouldn't be putting my mic through and SD1 to boost the signal (unless you want an overdriven sound).
Maybe better option would be to try and get a clean pre amp and plug your SM58 into the preamp and then go into the line in of the Firebox so yo bypass the noisy Firebox pres. (if it is the firebox preamps that are giving you noise grief)
Rich
-
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 297 posts since 15 Jun, 2007
I've never seen an NT1A for less than $350 in aust - and its again $279 new off ebay including shipping to aust...
but i'm a bit worried about it dying in the shipping process... how would a mic survive that? and warranty probably wouldn't hold either would it?
I'm thinking i'm only really ever going to buy one mic for my purposes... so i probably should stop whining.. save up and buy a more expensive one - that I know will sound good.
Thanks for the help guys! Only the mic and monitors left (and a macbook.. but thats a different story).
but i'm a bit worried about it dying in the shipping process... how would a mic survive that? and warranty probably wouldn't hold either would it?
I'm thinking i'm only really ever going to buy one mic for my purposes... so i probably should stop whining.. save up and buy a more expensive one - that I know will sound good.
Thanks for the help guys! Only the mic and monitors left (and a macbook.. but thats a different story).
-
- KVRist
- 237 posts since 12 Jan, 2005 from Sydney - Australia
One other thing that just occurred to me...
If you are plugging your SM58 into a Boss SD1 it sounds like you have an XLR to 1/4" cable...
Are you using the same cable when you try and connect the SM58 directly to the Firebox?
The Firebox might have different signal routing depending on whether you use the XLR or 1/4" connection... maybe not... but would be relatively easy to test an XLR to XLR cable and if it gives you a better signal to the DAW then saves you a bunch of money.
If you are plugging your SM58 into a Boss SD1 it sounds like you have an XLR to 1/4" cable...
Are you using the same cable when you try and connect the SM58 directly to the Firebox?
The Firebox might have different signal routing depending on whether you use the XLR or 1/4" connection... maybe not... but would be relatively easy to test an XLR to XLR cable and if it gives you a better signal to the DAW then saves you a bunch of money.
-
- KVRian
- 1028 posts since 20 Jun, 2007
the NT1a is quiet as all get-out... 5 a-weighted db of self noise or something to that effect.vinayk wrote:I've never seen an NT1A for less than $350 in aust - and its again $279 new off ebay including shipping to aust...
but i'm a bit worried about it dying in the shipping process... how would a mic survive that? and warranty probably wouldn't hold either would it?
I'm thinking i'm only really ever going to buy one mic for my purposes... so i probably should stop whining.. save up and buy a more expensive one - that I know will sound good.
Thanks for the help guys! Only the mic and monitors left (and a macbook.. but thats a different story).
-
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 297 posts since 15 Jun, 2007
I just found out that the NT1-a's come with a 10 year warranty if you buy them here in Australia... which has pretty much sold me on it... so i'll save up some cash and grab one of those when I can!