Upgrade my Condenser Mic...??

[SteveJCurtis]

Hi all.
Grateful your views on this subject:-
I have been using an Audio Technica AT 3035 for the last few years in my home studio set up for ALL my Vocals/Acoustic Guitar & Dobro.
Here's a link for the Specs if anyone needs:-

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired ... ndex.html/

It cost me GBP 130 / approx USD 190 and I feel I maybe ready to upgrade now.
However:-
1 - what would consider to be a better choice of mic for approx GBP 500 / USD 750?
2 - would you consider this amount of money is enough to make a significant improvement over the AT 3035? Or are we talking plus USD 1000 here?

Thanks as always for your time.
Steve.

[Kolstad]

You didn't say why you'd want to upgrade. Is there anything with the AT you are particularly unhappy with? Does it not fit your voice well? Are you experiencing trouble mixing the tracks you record with it? Does it peak in frequencies you don't like or that don't fit your voice? Will this only be for yourself or are you looking for a project studio mic that is more flat (will suit everyone)?

When you say you use a large diaphragm condenser for everything, it makes me think that you might benefit more from getting a mic to supplement it.

A small diaphragm condenser mic would be great for your acoustic gtr and the dobro. They tend to record a smaller track, with not so big a sound but very focused. That can make mixing those tracks a lot easier, and give you a different sound that makes your vocals stand out on the large condenser.

The same would go for a dynamic mic, that could be great for background vocal tracks and occasionally gtrs.

[eeoo]

Hey Steve, long time my friend! You didn't mention what you're using as a pre either. An upgrade in that area can go a long way as well. So many choices! And Magne is right as well, maybe try a different flavor mic whether that be a small diaphragm or a ribbon, lots od great and inexpensive ribbons being made these days. That said, I'm using and AT 4047 through a UA 710 and that combo has been great for me.

Fun problem to have, good luck!

eo

[SteveJCurtis]

Magne, Eeoo, great to hear from you guys.
I've been travelling a lot, hence not much presence here recently.

No probs with the mic - it's working the same now as it did 14 years ago when I bought it - I just wondered, with all the forward moves in technology etc., whether there was a "newer" mic out there now that would help enhance the sound of my recordings.

Just for info I send the mic into a Line 6 KB37 and use the Mic Pre in the bundled POD Amp Farm.

I get the feeling I should stick with the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" vibe for vox, and have a look at smaller diaphragm mic for the acoustics.

Sending you both very best regards
Steve

[andygabrys]

Hey Steve, long time my friend! You didn't mention what you're using as a pre either. An upgrade in that area can go a long way as well. So many choices! And Magne is right as well, maybe try a different flavor mic whether that be a small diaphragm or a ribbon, lots od great and inexpensive ribbons being made these days. That said, I'm using and AT 4047 through a UA 710 and that combo has been great for me.

Fun problem to have, good luck!

eo

Steve - EO is talking about a standalone mic preamp that takes the output of the microphone and then gives it some extra oomph and goes into the line level input of the Line 6 unit. You could still use the mic pre within the POD software but the idea is to get a more robust sound with the same old mic. That is his UA 710.

you might good Ronan Chris Murphy and his website as I am pretty sure he had a blog where he discussed a certain mic that he ended up with a certain artist - and it wasn't the most expensive one he tried by any stretch of the imagination, but he was running through a great quality standalone preamp.

HTH

[SteveJCurtis]

Oh I see.....thanks AG. Brilliant info as always.
(So much to learn!!!)
Best/Steve