Dynamic or Condenser Microphone?

Norman86

You can only choose one to do the following.

Be able to sound good mic'ing up a guitar cab. Be able to sound good on vocals.

(old forum) Poll Results: If you could only have one, which would you choose?

Dynamic Mic: 5
Condenser Mic (Small Diaphragm): 0
Condenser Mic (Med / Large Diaphragm): 1

Norman86

What is the opinion on Audio Technica Mic's?

And i should probably mention im leaning more towards one that has a dual output (USB and XLR), and most preferably one that does not need phantom power.

Big-G

I'm guessing since you are asking about USB, you are meaning a recording mic rather than a stage mic?

Recording, if I was looking for a 'one mic that can do all, WELL' then I would straight away be looking at the Tul T12. Not Dual output though, and certainly requires phantom power. My next option would be the Avantone CK-1 pencil. Again though +48 required, and not dual output. Next would be the Audio Technica ATM-4033. Same limitations as the others though. The one that may meet some of your requirements would be the AKG C-1000s. Can run off a 9v battery instead of phantom, but still not dual output. I think only Rode and SE electronics currently have decent USB out put mics? Both decent, but can be a fair bit sibilant sounding compared to the others mentioned above. I personally wouldn't choose a Dynamic for studio, but then I also wouldn't choose Dynamic for stage either. ?

Stage wise, I would choose either the Shure SM-86 or AKG C5 both brilliant mics that can handle most things thrown at them, but I do find the C5 to be slightly more versatile.

There are better mics for each dedicated task, but the above mics would be my 'all-rounder' mics that handle the tasks you mentioned above.

All-in-all I would always favour condensers for the extra clarity, but some would always favour Dynamics!

Regards
G!

AlanRatcliffe

Forget USB unless you want a mic for mobile podcasts. There's no way a built-in converter can compete with a proper mic pre and interface.

Guitar amp and voice? SM57 or SM7 (unless you're willing to pony up for a U87 or a C414). The 57 is not the best vocal mic in the world, but it's still good (provided you have a decent mic pre and use a pop filter). And it's still very much the industry standard for electric guitar, snare and toms - both live and in studio.

studmissile

Norman86 wrote: You can only choose one to do the following.

Be able to sound good mic'ing up a guitar cab.
Be able to sound good on vocals.

Based on the above criteria definitely a SM57

with regards to usb...

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM57X2u

PeteM

SM57 or my favourite... Sennheiser e835.

Norman86

Thanks for the suggestions so far...
so, other than brands...

why the opinion of dynamic over condenser?

AlanRatcliffe

Norman86 wrote: why the opinion of dynamic over condenser?

They work well, are inexpensive and can take a beating.

BTW, The Rode NT1A condenser is an underrated mic for guitar amp IMO. Just get a little space between the amp and mic...

studmissile

Norman86 wrote: why the opinion of dynamic over condenser?

Far more versatile in live and studio settings

Big-G

studmissile wrote:
Norman86 wrote: why the opinion of dynamic over condenser?
Far more versatile in live and studio settings

Not trying to start a fight here, but I would question this? How are they more versatile?

Regards
G!

Norman86

Big G wrote:
studmissile wrote:
Norman86 wrote: why the opinion of dynamic over condenser?
Far more versatile in live and studio settings
Not trying to start a fight here, but I would question this? How are they more versatile?

Regards
G!

Exactly what i would like to know..

im currently looking a the Audio Technica AT2020 plus an ART Tube MP Studio V3 Preamp...
im trying to keep cost down as much as possible, but still get decent stuff ?

Big-G

The AT 2020 is a good budget microphone, but I'd be looking elsewhere for the money.... The small diaphragm Avantone CK-1 is brilliant on amps, and can be used for vocals, as long as you keep a distance from the capsule. It also has interchangeable capsules, so you can alter the polar pattern if needs be. The CK-6 large diaphragm cardioid mic is very good for the money, perhaps a little more so than the AT2020? The CK-7 cost a little more than the CK-6, though that offers more polar pattern versatility than the CK-6, though they are modeled around the same design. I have to say though that the CK-1 is Avantones real surprise mic. Cheap but brilliant. When I tested it along side Tully's T-12, it was very close in performance, with the Tul just pipping it, but it really was close!

The Art Tube MP is pretty decent of all the art stuff, although again there are much better out there. It may be worth saving a little more and getting something better with the money you'd save getting a CK-1! ?

Personally I'd keep an eye out for a used Pre that's a little higher up the food chain. For instance, the DBX376's that I use can be had for R3k if you find them, and thats R10k worth of pre, and a damn sight better than the Art. If you'd been in Cape Town, I may have been able to help you. The place I got mine from still has one left as far as I know?

Regards
G!

Norman86

The CK1 looks very nice... plus it comes with a shockmount etc included, where the Audio technica's dont.
though it doesnt ship with a cable?!

Because i dont do this for a living and they will be nice to have's, i dont want to go bos ?
so im trying to keep it all below R2k!

studmissile

Norman86 wrote:
Big G wrote:
studmissile wrote:
Norman86 wrote: why the opinion of dynamic over condenser?
Far more versatile in live and studio settings
Not trying to start a fight here, but I would question this? How are they more versatile?

Regards
G!
Exactly what i would like to know..

im currently looking a the Audio Technica AT2020 plus an ART Tube MP Studio V3 Preamp...
im trying to keep cost down as much as possible, but still get decent stuff ?

This guy seems to sum up my thoughts on the matter. "......but you will always keep your SM57"
http://tweakheadz.com/review-of-the-sm57/

AlanRatcliffe

studmissile wrote: This guy seems to sum up my thoughts on the matter. "......but you will always keep your SM57"
http://tweakheadz.com/review-of-the-sm57/

Exactly! I still have the first one I bought sbout 20 years ago.

studmissile

FYI. I have always been intrigued by this SM57 chinese copy the GLS ES57, overall great reviews for a cheap mic

http://www.importitall.co.za/GLS-Audio-Instrument-Microphone-ES57--Mic-Clip--Professional-Series-ES57-Dynamic-Cardioid-Mike-Unidirectional--ap-B001W99HE8.html

http://www.amazon.com/GLS-Audio-Instrument-Microphone-ES-57/dp/B001W99HE8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380380712&sr=8-1&keywords=gls+es57