Best production microphone in 50-75 USD range?

Hey B.B.,

Stay away from Shure 57(instrument)/58(vocal), although the beta’s are better than the originals, they too are -in my rather experienced opinion- just about the least suitable microphones around for your purpose (they are really only good for certain live tasks, and only if an engineer can’t be bothered to find something better suited).

With a mic like the MXL, it is a very tricky proposition. You CAN get lucky, but the CAN’T factor is a lot bigger. Nice and shiney, good bling, but sound-wise … not sure. As some of the reviews that I looked at state, it apparently adds low end, which is “sold” as warmth. The thing with a recording mic is that you want it to add as little as possible, to leave you with the purest sound that you can later manipulate to your heart’s desire.

If you want a very, very good price/performance ratio, I would think about getting a Rode microphone. You could go M1 or M1-S if you want dynamic. They should be in your approximate price range. A very nice and robust (small diaphragm) vocal/stage condenser mic is the M2, which is only 10 euro more expensive than the M1 so sits in between it and the M1-S.

Large diaphragm condenser start at 170+ and are a totally different animal.

Depending on what you want to record (the above mics are predominantly suited to record vocals, but can do instruments when in a fix) you might want to check out the M3. If I am not mistaken, the M2 and M3 have the identical capsules. The big differences are that the M2 has the bigger windcap (not very important if you are just doing studio work) and the fact that the M3 can use a battery in addition to phantom power to work. VERY handy if you are using a mixer or other equipment that doesn’t have Phantom power.

I would give you the following things to consider:

• Condenser over Dynamic. A condenser mic is “truer”, more sensitive and generally clearer. Perfect for recording in quiet environments, like (home)studio’s.
• Battery over phantom. This seems to be good for homestudio work. If you have phantom, always use it, but the battery option gives you more flexibility

All things weighed, I think I would recommend the Rode M3. I have used it several times, usually for guitars, but also for piano’s, tuba’s and trombones and am very happy with it. Having the same capsule as the M2, it is also well suited for vocal work. That covers your “all-round in the future” angle. Very hard to beat for it’s price. Extremely solid build with built-in shockmount (so you can use a regular mic clip instead of a more cumbersome spider mount).

One thing is strange though. You can usually get equipment cheaper stateside (and a LOT cheaper for some gear), but it seems the Rode is priced best over here (Holland, as you know). It comes in at 79,00 EURO, which is roughly 105,00 DOLLAR (thus fitting your slightly extended budget). At Sweetwater it is 149 US! (and at a few other places I looked).

Still, I would urge you to consider spending the extra dollars, because you will be getting an extremely versatile mic. Rode has become known as the “Big Bang for the Buck” company. Read some of the reviews. And you know for sure what you are getting, something I can’t say for the MXL or comparable chinese mics.
If you buy the Rode, it will serve you faithfully for many, many years from day 1.

Greetinx and good luck with your choices,
C.

Here’s what Sound On Sound (a very good pro recording mag) has to say on the mic:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov07/articles/rodem3.htm

From the Sound On Sound review:

“… The most obvious contender, especially given the dual powering facility, is the AKG C1000S. In comparison, the M3 sounds richer and more extended at the bottom, and less peaky and more airy at the top: it actually sounds like a much more expensive mic. …”

Yep, got myself a second one recently. They work well as drum overheads too :-). Definitely stage worthy they way they are built.

Greetinx,
C.