Blue, MXL, and SP Microphones

[prez]

For a while now I've been mulling around the idea of buying a new microphone. I have a SP (Studio Projects) C1 and a MXL V63 and another MXL. I tested a Neumann TL103 and a Blue Blueberry through a Presonus Eureka and Avalon preamp at a music store. Quite frankly, the Bluebird just blew me away. I was sold.But now the decision, even if it may be a few weeks out. I'm looking at buying another mic and I'm honing in on a Blue mic. Now, I cannot afford...well...let me put it this way: I'm not at a point where I think I need to invest in something like Cactus. Hecky naw. However, I may be willing to part with $650 - $700 to get what I want and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the various Blue mics. I'm doing my research and the Blueberry, Dragonfly, and BlueBird are in my sights. But I'm also impressed with the MXL series and was considering the V69 or M3. Also, the SP T3 is a viable option. These are really the only mics I'm interested in so M-Audio, AKG, Neumann, Rode, etc. are already eliminated.Thoughts and comments? Thanks ahead of time.Jude 2

[sgs4u]

I rented a Blue Baby Bottle once. Loved it. Squids just bought a Blue, I think she's diggin' it.

[mazz]

To me, your question is kind of like "which guitar should I buy from a mail order place without playing it first?". You need to be able to try the mic on whatever you can anticipate using it on and see if it fits your needs. Particularly if it's for your voice, you need to find the mic that works best for it. It may be a Neumann or a Blue or it may be an SM57. You really need to record yourself and whatever else and listen back and decide.Just my 2 voltsMazz

[prez]

Jul 23, 2008, 4:27pm, mazz wrote:To me, your question is kind of like "which guitar should I buy from a mail order place without playing it first?". You need to be able to try the mic on whatever you can anticipate using it on and see if it fits your needs. Particularly if it's for your voice, you need to find the mic that works best for it. It may be a Neumann or a Blue or it may be an SM57. You really need to record yourself and whatever else and listen back and decide.Just my 2 voltsMazzLet me rephrase: I'm already familiar with all the rest which is why they are eliminated. I know what I want the mic for and it's not just for my voice.What I'm asking is everyone's experience with the ones I've narrowed it down to in addition to my research. I'm not asking which one to buy. I'll make that decision on my own.If you have no experience with the mics then there's really not a whole lot to say. However, if you do, I'd like to hear what you thought of them. Like to know what to expect when I go and try 'em out.Jude 2

[prez]

Jul 23, 2008, 4:22pm, sgs4u wrote:I rented a Blue Baby Bottle once. Loved it. Squids just bought a Blue, I think she's diggin' it. Which Blue did she pick up? The BlueBird or the Blueberry?

[mazz]

Jul 23, 2008, 4:47pm, prez wrote:Jul 23, 2008, 4:27pm, mazz wrote:To me, your question is kind of like "which guitar should I buy from a mail order place without playing it first?". You need to be able to try the mic on whatever you can anticipate using it on and see if it fits your needs. Particularly if it's for your voice, you need to find the mic that works best for it. It may be a Neumann or a Blue or it may be an SM57. You really need to record yourself and whatever else and listen back and decide.Just my 2 voltsMazzLet me rephrase: I'm already familiar with all the rest which is why they are eliminated. I know what I want the mic for and it's not just for my voice.What I'm asking is everyone's experience with the ones I've narrowed it down to in addition to my research. I'm not asking which one to buy. I'll make that decision on my own.If you have no experience with the mics then there's really not a whole lot to say. However, if you do, I'd like to hear what you thought of them. Like to know what to expect when I go and try 'em out.Jude 2Got it! I don't have any experience with the ones you've mentioned so I'll bow out!Good luck!Mazz

[devin]

The Baby Bottle is seperate from the Bluebird or the Blueberry:http://www.bluemic.com/modules.php?op=mo....e932 62328624b1Squids has the Bottle, if I remember correctly.I've heard the Bottle is good, but I haven't plugged one in.A friend and I have used the "Kiwi" from Blue a bit. The Kiwi is chosen over a U87 70% of the time, especially on a female vox, for sessions I've participated in.In testing these mics, a 2004-ish AKG C 414 B XLS has consistently come in a close second to the Kiwi on vocals, male and female. I see you've ruled it out though...I think the age and flavor of the AKG lines makes a difference. My version is very useful for acoustic guitar & light percussion, but seems to pooch out on heavier drums like djembe. A Blue "Dragonfly" is also in a friend's mic locker, but I can't recall any of it's tracks making it into a mix....hmmm....that means more testing is due! My $0.02 only.... I'm sure some phenominal results have been obtained with all these mics (by better engineers than me )As Mazz said...it has to be auditioned well to find a home (as you're doing). My lousy vox sounds better on some mics based on the genre too...ah, sweet personal inconsistency Jul 23, 2008, 4:49pm, prez wrote:Jul 23, 2008, 4:22pm, sgs4u wrote:I rented a Blue Baby Bottle once. Loved it. Squids just bought a Blue, I think she's diggin' it. Which Blue did she pick up? The BlueBird or the Blueberry?

[prez]

Yeah. The Kiwi is top of the line as is the Bottle. A little out of my price range. Actually, a lot out of my price range. Over twice as much as what I'm willing to pay for a mic at this time. I'm sure they sound superb though.It seems like half of Blue's mic has won some kind of award. The Dragonfly that you mentioned won two and is said to be more of an instrument mic than a vocalist mic which is too bad. It puts it at the back of the line for me until I listen to it (even though it has a $200 rebate until the end of August which is crazy).The Blueberry, which I have tried, has info that says it's an all around mic but that is misleading because one of the co-founders stated that it was designed primarily as a close range vocal mic similar to an Elam M251. So...this goes to front of the line. I also was unaware that Blue is actually an acronym. So I've learned something in the process already. Like I said, this may take a few weeks. I may change my mind if I run into something else but I'm going to work my way down from the brands I'm familiar with first.Jude 2