Buying a condenser

So I'm looking for a good all purpose condenser.

I think I'm sold on the Rode NT 1 or NT 1000, although I'm still considering the AT 3035 or one of the SP models.

I want something that will do a good job on vocals as well as drum overheads and ambient sounds.

Any advice or suggestions?

The AT 3035 is really nice. It doesn't have the spitty highs like many of the newer mics. You can usually find great deals on em on ebay.

What's your budget?

On the low end the Studioprojects B-1 and C-1 are excellent.

On the pricier range, you can't go wrong with an AKG C414B ULS.

The Rode NTK is a nice microphone, and costs about $400. It is a cardioid-only, so I don't know if that makes a difference to you, but it is a nice microphone.

I'm hoping to start out with something decent in the $200 - $300 range.

In that case, check out some of the Marshalls. Those are good for the money. I think there's one called a MXLV69 that is very good for the money, and should be within your price range. I've never used it, but a lot of people whose opinions I trust seem to think it's really good.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MSEMXLV69ME

Thanx, I'll do that.

If you are willing to spend $300, you may as well spend $500 and buy the Rode NTK. I've got both the SP-C1 and SP-B3, but haven't touched them since I got the NTK. They are really nice, however, that money would have been better spent going straight to something better.

If you can swing it, it's always good to get something that's good once instead of something that's cheap which requires you to eventually upgrade later. But I also know that for many many people, $200 is a lot of money, and I respect that as well.

I don't know how good the Marshall MXLV69 is compared to the Rode NTK, just that the MXLV69 has gotten great reviews and a number of people have commented on how great it sounds. Again, I've never heard it (except on the NAMM floor, which doesn't really count... ).

I mean, $200-$500 isn't prohibitive for me, I'm just looking for a good deal.

That being said, I'm willing to spend a bit extra if it's noticeably superior.

I'm looking for one to record acoustic guitar and if it will do so, to augment onboard electronics playing live gigs. Anything come to mind less than $100?

If you need to be in that price range then you may as well buy something that you will always find a good use for -- Shure SM57. Granted it's not a shiny condensor, however, it works just fine on acoustic guitars (point it at the 12th fret more or less), and vocals (use a pop-filter and sing a bit off-axis), and you will never outgrow this mic.

AT2020.

I'll second that! Amazing mic for the money! got mine for 45 pounds, whats that, about 80 dollars?

Samson C02. $120.00 US for the pair. Get em at Sweetwater or Zzounds.

For $500 I'd be looking into a pair of AT4041's for acoustic guitar. Excellent for both live and studio.

While short in price, the Samson CO2's are superb quality.

A single used AKG C414B ULS can be had for $500, and is a supurb, very versatile LDC, and a good investment.