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Thread: Condenser Mics

  1. #1
    Registered User Michael Thompson's Avatar
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    Question Condenser Mics

    Hello everyone,

    I'm thinking about setting myself up with a mic or two in the near future to help with recording whenever i feel like writing or just for making videos or something. I want to be able to mic my mandolin, acoustic 6 and 12 string guitars, and my voice.

    I'm not the most familiar person with microphone brands or what specs to look for, but I know I want a good condenser that won't break the bank. I can't pull a Punch Brothers and use mics that cost 15 grand, haha. I was wondering, however, if you all would recommend getting a pencil condenser for the instruments and regular one for vox or just do what I see Chris Thile do most of the time and use one regular condenser for both?

    Any help/suggestion is greatly appreciated.
    "don't play [your instrument], just play music." - Chris Thile

    » Weber Yellowstone HT F-style Mandocello
    » "The Loar" LM-700 VS mandolin
    » "The Loar" LH-309 archtop guitar
    » Washburn J28S12DL 12 string acoustic guitar
    » Epiphone Les Paul Custom with Bigsby tremolo tailpiece
    » Dean Razorback

  2. #2
    poor excuse for anything Charlieshafer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Condenser Mics

    I've bought a few Blue enCore 300's to experiment with, and have been very pleased for both voice and instrument. They're a warm, Nuemann-sounding mic, and for $200 a pop, they're an really nice deal for a reasonably high-quality mic. For all the condensers we use, these go in my "best buy" category right now.

  3. #3
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Condenser Mics

    people seem to like these and they are low cost. my picking buddy got one, pretty hot , sensitive .
    he wanted to put his amp behind himself , so put a pair of dynamics on the Mic stand, instead.
    as the Condenser hears its own monitor well , too.


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  4. #4
    Registered User mandobassman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Condenser Mics

    Check out this deal from Guitar Center. Same model as previous post but includes a second instrument mic. I have used the Model 990 for live on stage use for a few years now and it is fantastic. One of the members of my band has a studio and has used it there with very nice results. It is not going to compete with Nuemann, but for $100 you get very nice sound. The smaller mic is also excellent for instruments.

    http://www.guitarcenter.com/MXL-990-...41-i1126981.gc

  5. #5
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Condenser Mics

    I've had good luck with the MXL 990 in live performance, also. Musician's Fiend had a sale last year, $50 a pop, I bought two. They're a main part of my mic "mini-arsenal" now.
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  6. #6
    Registered User Michael Thompson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Condenser Mics

    thanks for all the replies, I'll look more into those.
    "don't play [your instrument], just play music." - Chris Thile

    » Weber Yellowstone HT F-style Mandocello
    » "The Loar" LM-700 VS mandolin
    » "The Loar" LH-309 archtop guitar
    » Washburn J28S12DL 12 string acoustic guitar
    » Epiphone Les Paul Custom with Bigsby tremolo tailpiece
    » Dean Razorback

  7. #7

    Default Re: Condenser Mics

    I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the AudioTechna Pro-37. I use it for both the mandolin and guitar. Since it is a condenser mike, it tends to be hot. I control the volume by proximity. my amp is a Fender Acoustasonic 30 or a Marshall 50w. Both have line out to the yamaha mixer for amplification, or I have used an SM57 by Shure to mike into an existing PA system. Stage setup and proximity affect the propensity to feedback, I just adjust eq and volume during sound check to best fit. As a backup, I have a Baggs Radius M on the mandolin and Martin under bridge piezeo on the guitar to close the loop and control feedback. I also use a handcrafted foam insert in the bass F-hole to quieten things down even more

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