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Hello Group--

I've been doing a low-key search for a large diaphragm condenser mic for vocals for my small project studio.

Been using a Rode NT-1000 for decades, love it, but it's my only condenser, so I'm looking for another go-to mic for vocals.

As much as I like to window shop those really nice models out there, money is an object for me -- so keeping about $400 - $600 US max is a must for me (even if I buy used).

I've never worked with mics with pad or pattern control, so I don't want to rule those out.

What do you like?

Thanks!!

I would consider getting a mic with a different capsule to the one you already have.

Possibly a 47 style as the NT1000 is a U87 style.

Warm Audio's WA-47 could be a contender as it is within your price range. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXlGnVQV-9Q
It's a tube mic which gives you a different flavour again. The variable polar patterns are quite handy and it has a pad. I have a Rode K2 tube mic with variable polar patterns and you can dial in all points between figure 8 and omni.

Stephen, for the money, and if you don't mind stepping outside the box a little, there's three mics from Beyerdynamic I think you might look into.

A ribbon mic based on the m500 (crosby stills nash and young)
https://vintageking.com/beyerdynamic-tg-v90r

a dynamic used by Phil Collins
https://vintageking.com/beyerdynamic-m-88-tg

a condenser
https://vintageking.com/beyerdynamic-tg-v96c

yes they are primarily stage mics, though I think they might do equally well in the studio.

lesmac wrote:I would consider getting a mic with a different capsule to the one you already have.

Possibly a 47 style as the NT1000 is a U87 style.

Warm Audio's WA-47 could be a contender as it is within your price range. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXlGnVQV-9Q
It's a tube mic which gives you a different flavour again. The variable polar patterns are quite handy and it has a pad. I have a Rode K2 tube mic with variable polar patterns and you can dial in all points between figure 8 and omni.

Hey Lester

Thanks for the recommendation. I haven't heard of Warm Audio before, but I did consider looking at classic mic reproductions and they were still over budget, but this seems in there.

Len911 wrote:Stephen, for the money, and if you don't mind stepping outside the box a little, there's three mics from Beyerdynamic I think you might look into.

A ribbon mic based on the m500 (crosby stills nash and young)
https://vintageking.com/beyerdynamic-tg-v90r

a dynamic used by Phil Collins
https://vintageking.com/beyerdynamic-m-88-tg

a condenser
https://vintageking.com/beyerdynamic-tg-v96c

yes they are primarily stage mics, though I think they might do equally well in the studio.

Hey Len

I have a BD dynamic mic and headphones right now. That is thinking outside the box for stage mics for recording only, but I like thinking outside the box. I'll do a little more research and do a comparison.

Thanks!

Cool! A couple of years ago I bought a Beyerdynamic M610 from the 60's, fairly cheap, there was hardly any info on the web then, but I am very impressed with it. I bought it for scratch vocals so I didn't need to set up the Telefunken tube mic,
however, if my voice ever recovers from my stroke,lol, I wouldn't have any hesitation to use it recording.

Condenser mics new and used are pretty expensive right now, but if I was ever going to buy one again, I think I'd save my pennies and buy a Neumann or a Microtech Gefell, an AKG 414 if it wasn't a newer one or the 414TL.

I just looked at some specs and the WA 47 doesn't have a pad! Oh well.

lesmac wrote:I just looked at some specs and the WA 47 doesn't have a pad! Oh well.

No worries, Lester. I run my mics through my ART Pro MPA II tube pre-amp and it has a 20dB boost option--so it's neither a pro or a con for not having a pad control on the mic.

I run my mics through my ART Pro MPA II tube pre-amp

Hey Stephen,
I have one too and love it. I did swap the tubes out with some NOS 12AX7s. Cant remember what they were now but they were a matched pair, maybe Mullards or substitute.
I haven't looked at tubes for a while but if you buy a tube mic it is worth changing the tube. They do make a difference in tone and ambience to my ears. I swapped the Rode K2 6922 with a new old stock Amperex and like the way it tamed some harshness the original tube had, [same difference with the Chinese tube in the MPA 11, not huge but noticeable]. Even someone high up from Rode recommended changing the tube would be an upgrade.

On a different note related to the ART Pro MPA II. I haven't done it for a while but will do more soon and that is running my stereo mix through it. There is a bit of cross talk between channels on my unit but it adds a nice touch to a stereo mix. You need to convert the line level signal to mic level and when I was looking a few years ago there weren't too many cheap alternatives. I settled on a D W Fearn line pad. Now you can get a pair of Shure adapters for 70 bucks.

Not saying you really need to do any of the above and it all costs money but interesting nonetheless.

Yeah, I like the ART pre's for their value. I had their Dual MP before this.

This unit has a stereo balance link feature that I've never used. I had an opportunity to use it on my last project but completely forgot about it.