LDC Microphones in $500 range

[jorhay1]

 

For around $500 what are some of your favorite "All Around" LDC (Large Diaphragm Condenser) mics and why?

Just a general workhorse to be used on a variety of vocal types, male/female, Acc Guitar, Drums, etc.

Please share your opinions, knowlege, and experience with these mic's,

and PLEASE feel free to add to the list.

 

 

Sorry if this has been covered a zillion times,

I did a search and basically only found the excellent Round Up by Phil in EM.

Avantone CV-12. 

This mic has a LOT of buzz going on about it. Also some controversy.

Many claim it's the same exact mic as the Apex 460 which is around 200 bucks.

It seems many think the CV-12 needs to be modded.

Also there is the Stellar CM-5 which almost the same mic as the CV-12,

manufactured in the same factory, has almost the same circuit, 

comes stock with an upgraded T14-type tranny, 

a larger 34mm 6-micron edge-terminated C12-type capsule, 

for 100 bucks less than the CV-12.

 

Stellar Microphones

The Stellar lineup looks sweet.

http://www.stellarmicdesign.com/

The stellar CM-6 looks crazy for the $.

 

Nuemann

Lots of hatin' on the TLM 103. 

But some people say the cheaper 102 sounds good.

 

AKG

A used C-414 can be had for around 5 bills.

Any reason to get a CV-12 over this legend?

 

Audio Technica

The 4000 series, 4033, 4040, 4050, and 4047.

All around work horse vs C-12 clones?

The 4060 is around a grand. but any love for it can be expressed,

I've have on occaision seen them go used for low.

 

Shure:

KSM 32. Any love? (what about the more expensive 42 even 44?)

It's not a LDC but a lot of people rave about the SM7b. 

 

Rode:

NTK

(NT1000)

 

CAD 

 

ES-100s, ES-300s, Trion 8000, M179

 

[guitarville]

Don't know, I get a heck of a good tone out of a $2 skype mic that is comparable with any Shure mic I have tried out.

[Red Ant]

 

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jorhay1 wrote:

 

 

For around $500 what are some of your favorite "All Around" LDC (

Large Diaphragm Condenser) 

mics and why?

 

Just a general workhorse to be used on a variety of vocal types, male/female, Acc Guitar, Drums, etc.

 

Please share your opinions, knowlege, and experience with these mic's,

 

and PLEASE feel free to add to the list.

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry if this has been covered a zillion times,

 

I did a search and basically only found the excellent Round Up by Phil in EM.

Avantone CV-12.

 

 

This mic has a LOT of buzz going on about it. Also some controversy.

 

Many claim it's the same exact mic as the Apex 460 which is around 200 bucks.

 

It seems many think the CV-12 needs to be modded.

 

Also there is the Stellar CM-5 which almost the same mic as the CV-12,

 

manufactured in the same factory, has almost the same circuit, 

 

comes stock with an upgraded T14-type tranny, 

 

a larger 34mm 6-micron edge-terminated C12-type capsule, 

 

for 100 bucks less than the CV-12.

 

 

Stellar Microphones

 

The Stellar lineup looks sweet.

http://www.stellarmicdesign.com/

 

The stellar CM-6 looks crazy for the $.

 

 

 

Nuemann

 

Lots of hatin' on the TLM 103. 

 

But some people say the cheaper 102 sounds good.

 

 

AKG

 

A used C-414 can be had for around 5 bills.

 

Any reason to get a CV-12 over this legend?

 

 

Audio Technica

 

The 4000 series, 4033, 4040, 4050, and 4047.

 

All around work horse vs C-12 clones?

 

The 4060 is around a grand. but any love for it can be expressed,

 

I've have on occaision seen them go used for low.

 

 

Shure:

 

KSM 32. Any love? (what about the more expensive 42 even 44?)

 

It's not a LDC but a lot of people rave about the SM7b. 

 

 

Rode:

 

NTK

 

(NT1000)

 

 

CAD

 

 

ES-100s, ES-300s, Trion 8000, M179

 

---

 

I have an un-modded CV-12 and like it quite a lot. It doesn't get quite as much use as my U67 Tube, but for some voices its perfect, and I like it on acoustic guitars a lot.

 

For all-around excellence and usefullness though, I don't think you can beat a 414.

[Phil O'Keefe]

I don't own a CV-12, but I had one on loan for a couple of months a few years ago, and I also liked it quite a bit. As far as a CV-12 vs a C-414, I suppose it would depend on the singer, and which C-414 model we're talking about.

But some people say the cheaper 102 sounds good.

I got to try one out as part of a Mic Roundup I wrote for Electronic Musician a year or so ago, and I was pretty darned impressed with the Neumann TLM102.

 

[jorhay1]

 

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Red Ant wrote:

 

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I have an un-modded CV-12 

---

Did you get it years ago with the 1 tube in it (type unknown)

in the last few years shipped with the 3 different tubes,

or in the last year with the one Russian 6072A which everyone seems to like?

[mike.sartori]

I'm a big fan of the AKG 214, which is basically a cardiod-only 414. They are really cheap used, and I've had good success with male and female vocals, guitars, snare, percussion and voice overs. I like it better than similar mics from blue and other brands.

[jorhay1]

 

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mike.sartori wrote:

 

I'm a big fan of the AKG 214, which is basically a cardiod-only 414. They are really cheap used, and I've had good success with male and female vocals, guitars, snare, percussion and voice overs. I like it better than similar mics from blue and other brands.

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I have heard that.

I think I might pick one up when the CV-12 gets here, for some A/B'ing.

So many mic's are perfect  or not depending on the situation.

Thanks for the post.