Condenser recomendation?

[Tim2723]

I don't know squat from condensers. I owned one once thirty years ago and never learned to use it, so I need your advice.

Here's the setup:

One performer switching off on several acoustic instruments - mandolin, guitar, banjo, ukulele - and singing to a small, intimate gathering at a retirement home. No pickups involved, just a single condenser a couple of feet in front plugged into a Yamaha MSR100:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-MSR100-8-Powered-Speaker?sku=600910

This will be the amp and there is no chance of choosing another one. Have to make this work as is.

It just needs to pick up the vocal and the instruments which will be played louder or softer as needed to balance, and just enough sound to compensate for a small, quiet group of folks who are hard of hearing. Just a little bit of boost but a fairly large pick up pattern. I need to basically amplify a field of sound, if that makes sense.There is no phantom power and won't be any attachments for it. Must have batteries. Preferrably something I can get from Musician's Friend as I have a coupon, and not too expensive, but I'll be reasonable for under five clams.

What do you recommend? Thanks folks.

[tree]

I play in a band that uses a couple of AT2020s. Inexpensive ($100?) yet effective. But you'll need phantom power or a preamp to run them.

[MikeEdgerton]

I've got several of the MXL-990's and a Shure KSM 27. Either would dot he job for you and both are available at mf.

Ooops, no phantom power. Both of those need it. I also bought an inexpensive preamp that provides phantom power as well but that was a few years ago.

Added. For $29.00 you can expand your possibilities (http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-TUBE-ULTRAGAIN-MIC100-Preamp?sku=182482). I'm sure they have other brand preamps in the same range as well.

[Tim2723]

OK thanks guys. I see I can supply phantom power outboard for cheap. (Remember, I'm a total condenser virgin). So I guess I need a supply with a short XLR patch cord. The mic cable goes into the supply and the patch goes from the supply to the amp, right?


Mike, there's seven listings for MXL-990 at MF. Which one for me?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?q=mxl+990

[jim_n_virginia]

Tim the favorite mic for a lot of Bluegrassers who use condensor mics is AT-4033. When Audio Technica discontinued the AT-4033's and came out with the AT-4040's there was such a fuss with musicians that they brought them back.

We use the AT-4033's when we supply sound at our gigs.

I also own two AT-4040's that I recently acquired and I really like those mics too and they are virtually identical to the 4033's. I think they have a slightly warmer sound than the 4033's but nobody else can hear it! LOL!

There are a LOT of good condensor mics out there some cheaper and some way expensive but I really like these mics.

Good luck! Getting new gear is almost (I said ALMOST) as good as getting a new mandolin! LOL! :mandosmiley:

[Tim2723]

Thanks Jim. I have to admit that these mics are pretty scary looking for me. I'm used to cylindrical objects that clip on a stand with a round bit at one end and a wire hanging down at the other. I guess I have to do some more homework. :confused:

[MikeEdgerton]

I've used these (http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/MXL-990-Condenser-Microphone-with-Shockmount?sku=273156) for years, they're cheap and they're decent. Are they as good as mics costing twice and three times their price? Sometimes but not always. My preamp actually uses a 1/4 plug patch cable from the pre-amp to the powered mixer. It probably has XLR out, depends on the unit.

One other thing about condensers. Watch what you say when the mic is on because even if someone is standing 5 feet away from the mic the comment will go out over the system. At a party one time were taking a break when one of the guys in the band made an off color remark. I couldn't get the power on the mixer turned off fast enough.

[pops1]

I usually place the mic more at vocal height and let the instrument come thru as it will. If you want more instrument for a lead lift it up slightly, the mando will not need to be lifted.:))

[jim_n_virginia]

Thanks Jim. I have to admit that these mics are pretty scary looking for me. I'm used to cylindrical objects that clip on a stand with a round bit at one end and a wire hanging down at the other. I guess I have to do some more homework. :confused:

Tim they just look "scary" looking because they are in shock mounts. Without the shock mounts they are kinda square at one end with a wire coming out of the other.

The reason for the shock mounts is because cond. mics are so much more sensitive. Without the shock mounts the mic would pick up vibrations for the floor and if you are on a stage oh man it sounds like someone pounding the floor when you walk.

What I like about cond. mics to perform with they pick up everything around them so you have a lot of freedom in movement as opposed to a dynamic mic where your lips (or instrument) have to be close to the mic.

And Mike's post made me laugh because I have to CONSTANTLY remind people when I use my cond mics that EVERYTHING they say if transmitted through the mains even if they are back 5 ot 6 feet from the mic. We've had some embarrassing moments to say the least! LOL!

[Pete Martin]

And Mike's post made me laugh because I have to CONSTANTLY remind people when I use my cond mics that EVERYTHING they say if transmitted through the mains even if they are back 5 ot 6 feet from the mic. We've had some embarrassing moments to say the least! LOL!

I remember the first time I worked with a LDC on stage. When the set was over, I told a joke to the guitar player at the back of the stage. Half the crowd laughed, half of them gave me dirty looks :disbelief::disbelief::disbelief:

[mandroid]

Rode has 2 , and AKG's C1000 offer Condenser microphones with an onboard back up [9v] battery
so they function fine whether there is phantom power available or not.
end address so normality is continued , smaller diaphragm so un-threatening.

Hot enough to sit back a ways from the mic , and still amplify heavy breathing..
[Or bragging about the Lobbyist that you think you got en-flagrante' when it was the other way round] :redface:

:popcorn:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Rode-M3-Multi-Powered-Small-Diaphragm-Condenser-Mic?sku=270638

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/R0DE-NT3-Microphone?sku=271575


http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/AKG-C-1000-S-Condenser-Microphone?sku=271131