llllllllllllllllllll wrote: Sat Jul 27, 2024 2:40 pm

brephophagist wrote: Sat Jul 27, 2024 1:34 pm ...good all-rounder LDC for acoustic guitars / small amps / vocals / found-sounds. I record at home; max SPL is less important to me than good rejection zones and low self-noise. Have been considering the jZ Black Hole whenever they have their next half-off sale, or a Shure KSM44A. Pad would be nice but isn't a must-have; multipattern I care less about provided the rejection is good.

Whats the budg?

Around those - 1K or less.

brephophagist wrote: Sat Jul 27, 2024 2:53 pm

llllllllllllllllllll wrote: Sat Jul 27, 2024 2:40 pm

brephophagist wrote: Sat Jul 27, 2024 1:34 pm ...good all-rounder LDC for acoustic guitars / small amps / vocals / found-sounds. I record at home; max SPL is less important to me than good rejection zones and low self-noise. Have been considering the jZ Black Hole whenever they have their next half-off sale, or a Shure KSM44A. Pad would be nice but isn't a must-have; multipattern I care less about provided the rejection is good.

Whats the budg?

Around those - 1K or less.

Shure KSM44A or even cheaper KSM32 was my suggestion due to price/performance/build quality ratio. They sound great. Are really affordable and hold up. You can get a great sound with these mics. If it doesn't sound great, you did something wrong.

Kniferide wrote: Sat Jul 27, 2024 3:13 pm

brephophagist wrote: Sat Jul 27, 2024 2:53 pm

llllllllllllllllllll wrote: Sat Jul 27, 2024 2:40 pm

Whats the budg?

Around those - 1K or less.

Shure KSM44A or even cheaper KSM32 was my suggestion due to price/performance/build quality ratio. They sound great. Are really affordable and hold up. You can get a great sound with these mics. If it doesn't sound great, you did something wrong.

Not to create option paralysis but I'd look at used deals on AT 4047, or 4050. Or the Mojave 201fet (get the 301 if you wanna switch to fig 8). Also both Serrano and Beesneez are making U87 clones that people are raving about.

Listen to those guys, but the mic I actually have and use that fulfills that role is the Audio-technica AT4060. I really like it, except even though its cardioid only, it might pick up a little more room than you might like. It’s not as tight as a dynamic. Plus, you’d have to check on the self-noise specs. It’s great, but when you look up reviews on gearspace and such people seem pretty divided. It seems to have a strong following in Nashville for whatever reason, but Audio-technica makes some people mad.

Whenever I was looking for that sort of utility mic I bought a Heiserman Type 19. It does something really special on bass and guitar amps but its definitely not a utility mic with character, which is what I thought I might be getting. It’s a character mic with utility.

I still kind of wish I had gotten a Peluso 414 (from a Bridavsky endorsement) instead of that Type 19, but there’s also no reason I couldn’t have gotten one of the other Audio Technicas or Shures mentioned here. Those seem like the heavy hitters for the neutral under-$1000 bunch.

Thanks all.

losthighway wrote: Sat Jul 27, 2024 4:59 pm Also both Serrano and Beesneez are making U87 clones that people are raving about.

I was also half-eyeing the Dachmann Audio clone of the U87. I’m not sure the flattery of the U87 sound is something I actually want, though. (Not rhetorical dismissal there - I honestly don’t know.)

llllllllllllllllllll wrote: Sat Jul 27, 2024 5:13 pm Listen to those guys, but the mic I actually have and use that fulfills that role is the Audio-technica AT4060.

I second the use of pretty much any AT 40 series mic. They get the job done. MicParts.com isn't a bat source for mics either. They mods are pretty easy and sound good. They sell completed mics as well for reasonable prices. I think it is the guy for Roswell mics. Fun option. If you have all the money in the world, the older Bock Mics sound fantastic. I find that after about $1500-$2000 there are some really ROI issues with microphones as far as "Is it REALLY that much better than a less expensive alternative?" Maybe, but I'd rather have 2 really nice mics than 1 cork sniffer mic. I record nerds in a basement.

Kniferide wrote: Mon Jul 29, 2024 10:50 am I second the use of pretty much any AT 40 series mic.

Thirded. I have a 4050 and a 4040, both are great. 40 is cardiod, 50 is multipattern, either could be had for well under a grand.

I'm selling an AT4060, if you're interested:

https://reverb.com/item/83765526-audio- ... be-upgrade

FWIW I recently picked up a used Sony C80 for $300 USD and it's been a very satisfying purchase. Can't speak to its appropriateness on acoustic gtrs, but for everything I've tried it on, it's sounded solid.

I would not just dismiss scouting this particular thing on the YoubeTubey.

If nothing else, it could help to just "Ballpark..." if something is anywhere near what you need or not.