Pleasant surprise with 'Cheep' Microphone!

Billy Woo · Post by **Billy Woo** » 24 May 2007 10:06 am

I did a session with this local guy and I used my Neumann U-87 after hearing the Playback (and some tweaking) he suggested that I use his mic which is called Marshall XXL (which he bought at GC for 99 bucks) Sure enough his voice cut through all the other tracks and sounded pretty darn good so I thought I'd share this with anyone who is on a small budget and looking for an inexpensive mic which does use Phantom power, I used the mic again last night on my own vocals finding that I did not like the sound of my Shure SM-57 and was pleasantly surprised, anyway check it out at Guitar Center. It's a small kinda chubby silver mic.

Cheers,

Billy Woo aka
Bronco Billy

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 25 May 2007 1:31 am

I have been using an MXL 2001 large diaphram for about two years now. I think it was $129. I have used this for band demo's and a few small projects and the results have been fine, way better than a standard Shure Dynamic 57 or 58 for vocals. I have also recorded Acoustic Guitar using this mic at the soundhole with a dynamic up off the fret board with very nice results, well..in my mind anyway...

These low end cheapo diaphrams are pretty cool.

I believe Marshall above refers to MXL...

I personally don't do enough projects with vocals to warrant a hi end hi $$$ condensor. As it is now, the $129 mic sleeps in it's BOX most of the time.

One thing is for certain, at the end of the day, when recording vocals, ya still gotta sing well and on pitch..the cost of the mic never helps that.

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 25 May 2007 3:07 am

that is a good mic.
I just got a CAD GXL 2200 wide condenser for 70$.
it too cuts through and vocals sound great on it.

I can't afford the expensive mikes, yet, so this mic is very pleasing for the outlay.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 28 May 2007 2:59 pm

Are all/most of these new/good and cheap mics from China/Asia, which accounts for the great price deals?

And thus, do they require extra careful handling to keep from being easily damaged?

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 29 May 2007 12:15 am

The low end MXL 2001 that I have appears pretty rugged. Of course I handle it with care like all of the items I have. When it is not being used it is back in the plastic bag and stored in it's box. I think I dropped it on the floor when I first got it, no damage.

Think about it though, if it costs $100 and it lasts 3 or 4 years, maybe that puts it in the disposable catagory anyway.

I have no problem spending a few dollars more for a better mic but I just can't come to grips on spending the big bucks on something that basically stays in the box for 48 out of 52 weeks each year.

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 29 May 2007 8:54 am

One thing about recording mics is "casting" them to fit the instrument (vocals being an instrument too). Most high-end studios have a large compliment of mics in the locker to audition on various sources, and I've found that the more mics I had to choose from and experiment with, the better my recordings have gotten. Every engineer I know has several favorite "cheap" mics that do stuff the expensive ones won't. many of the Chinese large diaphragm and ribbon mics are really usable and good sounding. The main thing you'll find is that a mic that sounds good on many sources just won't cut it on, say, a certain female vocalist or violinist. That's when it's great to have several more options.

Billy Woo · Post by **Billy Woo** » 29 May 2007 10:13 am

In my little studio, I now have (3) favorite mics for vocals, Neumann U-87, AKG414 and now the Marshall MXL..Go figure I wonder if there are any other low end mics like the Oktava that perform as well?

Billy Woo aka
Bronco Billy

Also just a reminder when using vocals especially with Neumann's you really should use Pop filters because the coil is very sensitive and expensive to replace ($900.) Trust me I found out the hard way.

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 30 May 2007 8:04 am

Current mics:

Neumann TLM49
AT 4050
MXL V69M (Tube mic that runs about $300)
MXL V63M
MXL V67G
MXL 603s (several)
Shure SM57 (several)
AKG (multiple models)

The best bargain? The V67G. The best all around? Shure Sm57...
The best vocal mic? Depends on the singer. The Neumann is a killer vocal mic on ballads. The AT4050 is a very nice vocal mic as well. It also works very well as a room mic when recording drums.

Billy Woo · Post by **Billy Woo** » 30 May 2007 8:32 am

Steve

I heard alot of good things about the Audio Technica 4050 also another mic that the kids on Roland's VS-Planet seem to like are the Rode NT-1 anyway going back to the MXL's you seem to have quite a collection, are they all condenser mics? The XXL mic works great right out of the gate with minimal EQ, it seems to cut thru with clear Mids and High end which I found my Shure 57 lacking but that's just IMHO. Thanks for your reply, I like your collection.

Bronco Billy

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 30 May 2007 8:35 am

Billy,
Yes... they are all condensers. The 603S are small condenser mics that work very nice as overheads. All the rest are large condenser.

Billy Woo · Post by **Billy Woo** » 30 May 2007 9:04 am

Steve

This is one of the things I love about this Forum, Kudo's to Bob anyway Steve, I just bought this puppy Online for $115.00 to my doorstep and judging from your description and the way my other mic performs, I'm pretty darned excited about getting it not to mention that gold capsule case (stylish)
Thanks for your input and recommendation.

Bronco Billy

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 31 May 2007 6:56 am

MXL V6(FET) and V69(tube)are the best sounding and the best value of that company's offerings to my ear.I'd put them up with SE,Charter Oak,Peluso and Pearlman mics as far as the new crop of "non-Austrian" studio mics. BTW,if you really want to be impressed,listen to an SE Gemini.

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 16 Sep 2007 7:54 am

What do you think about the CAD mikes?

I'm using a CAD95 condensor live w/ the band but see they have some very reasonable studio types, too?

thx

bob

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 17 Sep 2007 4:03 am

I am using a CAD wide condenser. and when placed properly it does a fine job
however, the low end condensers we're using do tend to have a boxy quality.
I am not totally convinced I like it .
but for the low cost I am sticking.

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 17 Sep 2007 6:24 am

Randy Reeves wrote:I am using a CAD wide condenser. and when placed properly it does a fine job
however, the low end condensers we're using do tend to have a boxy quality.
I am not totally convinced I like it .
but for the low cost I am sticking.

What model, Randy?

bob

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 17 Sep 2007 7:37 am

I bought a CAD GXL 2200 for $70.00 and was very surprized at how good it sounded for vocals on my Yamaha AW4416 DAW

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 17 Sep 2007 7:50 am

Bob. it is the CAD 2100.
you know, this is off the top of my head. I should go home from work and double check.
pretty sure tho.

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 21 Sep 2007 10:06 am

Mark van Allen wrote:One thing about recording mics is "casting" them to fit the instrument ... it's great to have several more options.

here's a "casting cattle call" done on my Vibrolux Reverb a while back seeking the best match for the session:

friend of mine who took the pic calls it "Vibrolux Press Conference"

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 21 Sep 2007 10:48 am

David, very nice pic. I would love to hear what that vintage Vibrolux has to say.
BTW, which mike won out?

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 23 Sep 2007 3:31 pm

for the purposes of that session an SM57. For the purposes of this thread a relatively "cheep" one.

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 26 Sep 2007 9:50 pm

How about this combo for $80.00?

bob

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Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 27 Sep 2007 1:50 am

Amazing deal for $80 if they work !

The only thing that broke down on my MXL2000 was the floating shock mount, the tension gave out on one of the stringy things.

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 27 Sep 2007 6:13 am

Tony Prior wrote:Amazing deal for $80 if they work !

The only thing that broke down on my MXL2000 was the floating shock mount, the tension gave out on one of the stringy things.

Would that little condensor be useful in a home studio?

bob

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 27 Sep 2007 7:19 am

Sure, any mic that WORKS is useful ! I can see using it along with a dynamic for say an Acoustic Guitar..or Mandolin..you never know...

tp

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 27 Sep 2007 7:57 am

Tony Prior wrote:Sure, any mic that WORKS is useful ! I can see using it along with a dynamic for say an Acoustic Guitar..or Mandolin..you never know...

tp

Cool

Yeah, acoustic guitar

bob

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Pleasant surprise with 'Cheep' Microphone!

Pleasant surprise with 'Cheep' Microphone!

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