RODE NT1000 Vocal Condenser Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)I went shopping for a Rode NT1. Rode mics use superb capsules mounted in machined housings you could drive a truck over, and the NT1 is a great mic for male vocals. The guy at the store suggested the NT1000. I recorded myself on both, and there wasn't much difference, but the 1000 just sounded a little smoother. But, the NT1 had a painted finish (may have changed since), made out of aluminum. When you screw the mount on it feels rough, like screwing in a light bulb with an aluminum base. The NT1000, though, feels rich and expensive, a nickel-steel finish (I guess) more like the expensive Neumanns. And when you screw the parts together they feel precise and elegant. It was a hundred bucks more than the NT1, but with the slightly nicer sound, and the much nicer look and handling feel, it seemed worth it.
The only problem I've had with it is weight. It's fairly heavy, and can't be extended very far on my boom stand without falling over.
Great dynamic range, low noise, very detailed.

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The Rode NT1000 brings new standards to the recording industry. When today's musicians and recording engineers demand clarity and dynamic range, they demand large capsule performance. The Rode NT1000 is superior in both vocal and instrumental performances. Voiced for application versatility , the NT1000 has been hailed by many as the ultimate drum over-head and grand piano mic selection. The NT1000 is also equally at home as a first call vocal mic. With its Australian made 1 inch HF-2 capsule incorporating internal shock mounting, the NT1000 boasts a 134 dB dynamic range, and 140 dBA SPL capabilities and a 20 Hz - 20 kHz frequency response. Includes mic stand mount, and zippered pouch. Rode NT1000 Features HF2 1 inch capsule with gold-plated diaphragm Ultra low-noise transformerless circuitry Cardioid polar pattern Heavy-duty cast metal satin nickel body High-strength welded and heat-treated mesh head Internal capsule shock-mounting True externally biased condenser Full frequency response AmericanMusical.com is an authorized dealer of Rode products.

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MXL V69MEDT Large Diaphram Condenser Tube Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this after reading a review that compared it favorably to some very expensive ($10K+) mics. I don't have a $10K+ mic to compare it to, but it is a definite step up from several very good $400 mics that I use for recording guitar, mandolin and vocals. It is a terrific value and a very very good mic.

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The MXL V69 Mogami Edition is a large diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone. Its classic sound enhances vocal and instrument performances in professional and home studio environments. The wide dynamic range and warm sonic characteristics make the V69 a perfect complement to all analog and digital recording devices. The V69 is internally wired with World-renowned Mogami Cable for sonic integrity and comes with deluxe flight case, high-isolation shock mount, dedicated power supply, Mogami 7-pin and XLR microphone cables and wind screen.

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Apex Electronics 460 Tube Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)I FOUND THE APEX 460 TUBE MIC TO BE COMPARABLE TO MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE STUDIO MICS.
I HAVE ONLY USED IT FOR VOCALS SO FAR AND I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE SWEAT
SOUND.THE MIC IS VERY QUIET WITH VERY LITTLE OR NO NOISE AT ALL.
THIS MIC IS A KEEPER AND I AM VERY IMPRESSED WITH MINE.

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One unique feature of this microphone is the nine different selectable polar patterns easily available from the selector switch on the front panel of the external power supply. Rather than limiting the user to the three popular patterns most commonly available, the APEX460 has three gradient stages between each pattern. This allows the studio engineer or home recordist far more versatility. In vocal applications where an omnidirectional pattern isn't quite 'fat' enough, but cardioid is too narrow, you now have three additional steps to find the right subtle mix between the two standard patterns. There are also three additional steps between cardioid and figure-8 pattern.Improved quality in affordable recording equipment has brought serious power to the home studio enthusiast or small project studio. The microphone is the first, and often most important link in the signal chain. The APEX460 is high performance, yet truly affordable large diaphragm condenser microphone. They are an outstanding choice for the main microphone for any professional studio, home studio, or any of the computer based direct to hard drive recording systems now available.Due to their rugged construction, high SPL handling capability and affordable price, the APEX460 is also an outstanding choice for live sound reinforcement or live recording. They have proven themselves as overhead mics for drum kits, for guitar or bass cabinets where superior sound quality and high sound pressure handling is required, or as the mic of choice for saxophones, flutes, acoustic guitars or acoustic bass where subtlety and clarity is paramount.Vocalists can use the proximity effect to their advantage, adding fullness and more "bottom end" to the voice. Experienced vocalists can easily incorporate it part of their overall microphone technique. Again, experimentation with mic placement during the recording process is the key. The omnidirectional polar pattern does not exhibit this effect.

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RODE NT1A Cardioid Condenser Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are in to producing/engineering and want a super mean condensor mic without spending alot of cash, this is one to get; very cheap with an extremely expensive sound. It does not have any polar switches or any built in eq's, but most all DAW's do have eq's and phase reverse abilities. Plus, its better to cut freq's that are there, then to try and boost freq's that aren't there; the latter is impossible actually. I'm telling you, don't let the price tag throw you off; this baby makes everything sound good. I've used it on vocals, acoustic guitars, drums as an overhead/ride mic as well as a room mic for ambience. I also have a matched pair of NT 5's that are also absolutely amazing. Rode is a great Australian company that makes amazing mics with a 10 year warranty; yep...10 years. Get one, you won't be dissapointed. Remember though, bad acoustics = bad recording sound.

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The original NT1 was voted "Best Microphone at Any Price" by the editors of Electronic Musician magazine. The NT1A delivers performance usually associated with higher priced microphones. Features: large capsule (1") with gold-plated membrane; cardioid polar pattern; ultra low noise, transformerless circuitry; state of the art surface mount electronics; heavy-duty satin-nickel finish; internal shock mounting system; gold plated output connectors; true condenser (externally biased); full frequency response. The NT1A will blow you away! Ultra low-noise, transformerless circuitry.Cardioid polar pattern.Large capsule (1") with gold-plated membrane.Surface mount electronics.Heavy-duty satin-nickel finish.Internal shock mounting system.Gold plated output connectors.True condenser design (externally biased). WARRANTYAll RODE products are warrantied for 1 year from the date of purchase. Your purchase may be registered ?on-line? or by mailing the warranty card. The RODE Warranty covers parts and labour that may be required to repair the microphone during the warranty period.The Warranty excludes defects caused by normal wear, modification, shipping damage or failure to use the microphone as per RODE's Instruction Guide.

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CAD M179 Variable-Pattern Condenser Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this microphone just or one purpose: Tom miking.
Prehistory:
After having read raving critics about the CAD - mainly from US engineers at Gearslutz - I couldn't resist any longer and wanted
to make my own picture.
Since I'm located in Germany, having done a search for shopping resources over here quickly revealed: Nothing.
No CAD M179 was available in Germany at that time, which seems to be strange because CAD produces in China.
Anyway, I finally found it on Amazon.com in the U.S.
Buying experience:
Although I've always been a bit skeptical about customs, delays and whatever else can go wrong with oversea transports, I ordered the price reduced bundle of 3 units.
To my greatest surprise, the package arrived quite fast (10 days, 2 of them in the customs), was safely packed and 100 % as described.
Import tax was very low by the way, only 2.5% of the microphone price plus shipping (tax for Germany, other countries in the EU may vary).
Packaging:
The CAD comes in a very large, cube-like package, printed with the-more-the-better zillions of colors, mainly in purple, red and blue.
One could say the carton design looks cheap, but as always, taste is a personal thing and in the end it's the content that counts, isn't it?
Although not my piece of cake, I must admit that the microphone seems to be well protected by this giant package.
Construction:
The microphone is sturdy built, with a anodized metal surface while being surprisingly heavy.
The capsule is placed safe inside the solid metal windscreen.
Part of delivery is a ring clamp plus a professional shock mount - highly recommended to reduce vibrations when miking drums.
The overall construction is very good, in my opinion even exceptional for the given price.
The CAD M179 offers a pad switch, which is a must for drum miking or the capsule could tend to distort.
Both, variable pattern wheel as well as the pad switch, are easy accessible in front of the mike.
Overall impression: No bells and whistles, but a solid workhorse, built for pro's.
Sound:
The CAD offers a warm, natural sound, that perfectly fits for Toms, but also for clean Guitars and even background vocals.
I personally wouldn't use it for Lead vocals, but what can you expect for the price.
Of course, the CAD wasn't built to be a concurrence to Neumann and other high end brands. But it does its job extremely well.
The main purpose for me was Tom-miking, so the following research is covering only my experience with Toms.
Set to cardioid, surrounding sounds from back and side are successfully suppressed, quite important when dealing with bleeding HiHats or cymbals.
The Toms immediately sounded really big, not to say huge, without messy crash sounds coming through.
Although having used Sennheiser MKH-40 for Toms before (one costs 10 times the $$ of a M179 ...), the results were doubtless significantly better then ever!
You can turn up the Tom tracks in your mix, really push them in breaks and the like, and at the same time your mix won't suffer of the typical cymbal bleeding as known from other microphones (like the MKH-40 or MD421).
Amazing.
In Short:
Pros:
* very good and sturdy crafted
* exceptional good sounding results, specially with Toms
* low price
Cons:
* heavy weight that demands for mic stands
* typical microphone clamps will place the CAD more over the center of Toms, not at side, due to it's size.
I can live with that, although your setup will be cluttered even more when using stands.
Conclusion:
I love this microphone! My dream of a perfect drum sound has become more true, day in and out.
A clear recommendation: Buy it!

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Travel the space-tone continuum with the touch of a dial. The figure-of-eight is rich and intimate. The omni is spacious and articulate. Experience all the variations in between. We combine the large-diaphragm capsule with algebraic phasing and high-power transformerless drive to create an indispensable acoustical window. Additional features include hi-pass filter and attenuator. Swivel mount, elastic shock mount and carrying case are included. P24 (24V) or P48 (48V) phantom power is required.

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Rode NTG2 Condenser Shotgun Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased the NTG-2 as a voiceover mic to use for audiobook production and VO recording. I'm running the mic through the preamps on an M-Audio ProjectMix I/O and into Pro-Tools M-Powered 8. I run the incoming signal through the Waves SSL Channel plugin for some light compression, and that's it. I rarely need to EQ.
The resulting tone is clean and clear without being too intimate. If I get too close, it tends to get a little boomy and the low-mid ranges are a touch muddy. However, if I position the mic about 12-18 inches from the mouth of the VO artist, and slightly above the axis of the mouth, the sound quality is stellar. On male voices, in particular, the mic lends a depth and warmth that is often desirable for certain types of voice work. As would be expected with a mic of this type, the proximity effect is fairly pronounced.
Being a shotgun mic, it does an excellent job filtering out much of the background noise if your space is not sound-proof. (For instance, I'm using a small booth in which one wall is an exterior wall with very little sound insulation. Even when cars and trucks drive by, the mic won't register the sound.) It's an excellent choice for small project studios in homes. The mic does a good job of not catching every single saliva slurp or tongue noise while keeping the voice sounding natural.
The included wind screen is a little on the wimpy side, and it's unfortunate that the mic doesn't come with a shock mount...but that's not uncommon for mics in this price range. Likewise, I wish the mic had come with a decent hard case rather than the pleather zippered pouch that comes with, but again, that's not uncommon in this price range.
I've used four very different mics for VO work: a Studio Projects C100 Large Diaphragm Condenser, an AKG C1000 small diphragm condenser, a Heil PR40 Large Diaphragm Dynamic, and the Rode NTG-2. I was using the Heil almost exclusively until I got the NTG-2. Now this is my first-call mic for 80% of my VO sessions. For the price, it really can't be beat for high-quality spoken word recording.
Pros:
* Great Mic for the Price
* Narrow Pickup Pattern to reduce noise
* Clean and clear tone
* Natural sound
Cons:
* Can get a little boomy in low-mid ranges if speaker is too close
* Pronounced proximity effect
* No shock mount/case included


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The RODE NTG2 is a new, lightweight condenser shotgun microphone, designed for professional applications within the film, video, television and production industries. The NTG2 provides a balanced low impedance output stage and operates either from an internal 1.5 V battery (AA) or 48 V phantom power. A wide bandwidth and controlled polar response coupled with low noise SMT electronics, makes the NTG2 the perfect choice for film, video engineering and voice-over work. The NTG2 is extremely lightweight making it ideal for mounting directly to video cameras or on boom poles. AC_FL_RunContent( 'codebase','http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,28,0','width','330','height','220','title','Rode NTG2 Condenser Shotgun Microphone','src','http://www.americanmusical.com/ItemFiles/Flash/RodeNTG2','quality','high','pluginspage','http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash','movie','http://www.americanmusical.com/ItemFiles/Flash/RodeNTG2' ); //end AC code The NTG2 comes complete with zip pouch, sta

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Behringer C-4 Single Diaphragm Condenser Microphones 2 Matched Single Diaphragm Condenser Microphones (Price Per Pair, Only Sold In Pairs) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is an excellent liitle set of matched mics.The kit comes with all the extra's to make using them a snap.I have already recorded with them and the sound quality is fantastic.Zero feedback from these little gems makes them a pleasure to use.

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2 Matched Single Diaphragm Condenser Microphones (price per pair, only sold in pairs)

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MXL 4000 Multi-Pattern FET Studio Condenser Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)It's sad that MXL discontinued the 4000 because it's an absolutely fantastic mic and the price is amazing for the quality you get. Get one while they're still around and you will never be disappointed with it.
The get right to the point, this mic sounds excellent and is extremely cool-looking, and the 3 polar patterns, bass rolloff, and -10dB pad switches make it as versatile a mic as you can get. It's extremely sensitive yet quiet and has terrific resistance to handling noise and vibrations and is ruggedly constructed. The mic comes with a large windscreen, a very sturdy shockmount, and a really nice-looking storage box. It is a professional mic both in appearance and sound quality.
This large diaphragm condenser mic has excellent frequency response and sounds great on everything I've tried, and vocals sound superb; extremely rich and smooth with precise clairty and never harsh or muddy. The sound quality of the 4000 easily beats other microphones much more expensive and the looks are just ultra-cool with a funky vintage vibe. The different pickup patterns function perfectly and add much versatility.
I research everything thoroughly before I make purchases, and this mic not only looks great on paper, it performs like an absolute champ, and most definitely beats anything else at that price. Usually I don't bother to write reviews, but I feel strongly about how great a deal the MXL 4000 is. It's just a darn neat mic!

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The MXL 4000 Multi-Pattern is a condenser microphone designed around a Class-A discrete FET mic amp specially chosen to match its large diaphragm capsule. The capsule itself has been sized and tuned to provide a silky and airy top end with a full, warm midrange reminiscent of vintage microphones. Hand selected internal components create a sound that enhances both vocal and instrument performances. Using the polar patterns To take advantage of the versatility of the MXL 4000's polar patterns, here are some miking tricks of the pros. Figure-8 Figure-8 mics pick up sound equally well from front and rear. So, if you're looking for a rich vocal sound with the added ambience of room tone to add depth and spaciousness, use the figure-8 pattern and have your vocalist sing into one side while the other picks up the reflections of the room. Only do this if you have a good-sounding room. You can also use the figure-8 pattern for isolation from other instruments. For example, if you're miking drums and want to give the hi-hat it's own track, position the MXL 4000 so that the side of the figure-8, where rejection is greatest, is pointing towards the snare while the front or rear of the mix faces the hat. Do the same if you're recording a singer-guitarist who's playing an acoustic while singing. You need two figure-8 mics for this one. Position the vocal mic so that the side is facing the guitar, and the guitar mic so that the side of the figure-8 points towards the singer's mouth. Now both singer and guitar are isolated. Again, make sure you do this in a room that sounds good, because the back side of the mic will be picking up the room. Omni In many cases, the least used, but best-sounding of all the polar patterns. Omni has very little off-axis coloration, which means that sounds entering the sides of the mic sound just as good as sounds entering the front. If you have a great-sounding room, by all means, try omni before anything else. Omni gives your recordings the impression

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AKG C1000S Multi Purpose Studio Vocal/Instrument Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)This could be one of the most versatile, and under appreciated, microphones in AKG's lineup. This mic was purchased to complement a portable digital audio recorder with the idea of using one setup for both audio interviews and recording spoken word narrations as well as producing on-location recordings of various types. While AKG does not list this particular microphone for use with this type of application, we are finding this an excellent mic for these purposes.
The mic has a solid feel in the hand and very good balance. The last is important if the mic is being used hand held, like a reporter's microphone, for conducting an interview. While lacking the traditional ball head of the reporter's microphone, the C1000's shape lends itself to one-on-one interviews very easily. The sound quality was superior to other hand held microphones we tried.
Being a condenser microphone, some type of phantom power is required. The mic is designed to accept a standard 9V battery when used without another power source available. The mic does feature an LED to let you know if the battery is functioning. The field recorders we are using have phantom power capability, so I can't comment on the battery operation of this mic. With the usual precautions concerning wind, the microphone performs well when outdoors.
In a studio situation, the mic performs excellently. Being a small diameter mic, the sound is crisper than what most studio mics deliver. Listeners to recorded narrations produced with this mic did not find this objectionable. In some cases, the C1000 will make a good alternate studio mic for a speaker with a slightly flat voice. To help with voice characteristics, AKG supplies an accessory, the PB 1000, which boosts the "presence" of the voice. This is a small plastic filter that the user installs by unscrewing the microphone body and snapping the Presence Booster over the capsule. Unscrewing the body also reveals an internal pop filter that is surprisingly effective.
A second snap-on accessory, the PPC 1000 Polar Pattern Converter, converts the pickup pattern from cardiod to hypercardioid. This makes the mic more directional for use in onstage situations or where noise from the peripheral areas may be a problem. This too is an effective accessory.
Properly placed, this microphone is capable of doing a lot. While it may not be suitable as a hand held mic for singing vocals, it would do very well placed off stage for recording a group singing onstage. The response graphs also suggests this mic will do very well for recording acoustic string instruments, cymbal or even higher range brass instruments. As previously mentioned, it also does a very good job for recording voice over type spoken word recordings.
This mic is priced within the range of the home recorder's budget yet it will deliver studio quality recordings in a variety of situations. The AKG C1000 would certainly be a contender if I had to have only one microphone and wanted to be as versatile as possible.


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The versatility of the C 1000 S makes this an extremely popular model, and one ideally suited for all kinds of recording and live sound applications. If no phantom power is available, the mic can be powered by a standard 9 V battery, making it perfect for mobile use. With its new battery monitoring electronics, the C 1000 S now features a reliable LED warning light. The red LED above the the microphone switch lights up when the remaining battery life falls below 45 minutes. The polar pattern can quickly be switched from cardioid to hypercardioid simply by attaching the PPC 1000 Polar Pattern Converter provided to the microphone capsule. The PB 1000 Presence Boost Adapter also supplied with the C 1000 S adds 3 to 5 dB of high-end enhancement between 5 and 9 kHz, improving clarity of speech and adding definition to instrument sounds.

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Audio Technica AT2050 Condenser Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)I use this for all my vocal recording. It provides the warmth I need and just simply sounds great. The price is perfect. I used to record with a SM-86 but this mic blows it away for studio recording. Even the hardware is first rate. I would buy another one again in a heart beat.

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The Audio Technica AT2050 Condenser Microphone delivers the perfect combination of pristine audio quality and versatility thanks for its multiple polar patterns. With omni, cardioid, and figure-eight patterns, this dual-diaphragm capsule design maintains precise polar pattern definition across the full frequency range of the microphone. The AT2050 features a switchable 80 Hz high-pass filter to prevent unwanted low-end rumble and a 10 dB pad that is perfect for loud sound sources. The AT2050 also features state-of-the-art surface-mount electronics that ensures compliance with Audio Technica's stringent consistency and reliability standards. A shockmount is also included for superior isolation. Audio Technica AT2050 Features Three switchable polar patterns: omni, cardioid, figure-of-eight Switchable 80 Hz high-pass filter and 10 dB pad Large diaphragm for smooth, natural sound and low noise State-of-the-art surface-mount electronics Compliant with A-T's stringent consistency and reliability standards Includes shock mount and protective pouch AmericanMusical.com is an authorized dealer of Audio-Technica products.

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M-Audio Nova Affordable Large Capsule Cardioid Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been recording and engineering for more than 30 years. I own quite a number of excellent microphones ranging from AKG, Rode, Audio Technica and more. I was helping a friend mix a song he recorded on his digital work station and told him how impressed I was by the sound of his vocal tracks. He pulled out the M-Audio Nova and said that was the microphone he had used on all of the vocals. When he told me it was around $100.00 new I had to have one. I have microphones that cost 5 to 6 times more than this mic but honestly this mic ranks right up there with them. Don't think the cheap mic comes with a cheap sound, it is an excellent vocal or acoustic instrument microphone. (Remember it is a condenser and needs to be powered by your mixer, recorder or pre amp)

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Using manufacturing breakthroughs pioneered by M-Audios popular Luna and Solaris, the new Nova cardioid redefines the entry-level price point for quality studio condenser microphones. The 1.1 evaporated gold diaphragm mounted in a solid brass capsule ensures recordings that are faithful to the source, and the Class A solid state electronics are engineered for low noise, distortion and coloration. You will be amazed at how much microphone Nova gives you for the money.

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Condenser Mic with Software Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a USB mic. It plugs directly into the USB jack of the computer, thus bypassing the need for an audio interface mixer. That said this is a quality mic with good sound . The ease of use is it's best selling point. As long as you don't need to mix two mic inputs this does the job and can save you money. If you're just getting into podcasting I highly recommend this samson mic.

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Record studio quality audio directly into your computer's USB input and digital recording software with the Samson C01U! Some very clever Samson engineers managed to build the entire USB audio interface into the barrel of their best selling C01 Studio Condenser microphone. For the first time ever, musicians who record music on computers have a simple, affordable way to capture high-quality vocal and acoustic instrument performances. Seamless integration was the idea, and it was obtained by creating a studio condenser microphone that can be plugged into any computer with no in/out boxes, no expensive computer pre-amps, just a USB cable (includes 10 foot cable). The C01U condenser microphone features a 19mm internal shock mounted diaphragm with a cardioid pick up pattern ensuring pristine studio quality recordings. The C01U works perfectly on any computer, Mac or PC, and with any DAW software program. It immediately solves a huge problem for users of many laptops, many of which have no other input method for audio devices. It's a must for any musician on the road or in the project studio, but the C01U is going to offer solutions to more than just musicians. The mic opens up possibilities for anyone who records audio-from Podcasters, journalists, students, and business people adding audio files to websites and multimedia presentations. The C01U comes bundled with Cakewalk Sonar LE, their vastly popular digital audio workstation software, giving users additional power and versatility to digitally record audio in any situation. Also available as a package which comes with a desktop mic stand, mic clip, shockmount and USB cable in a durable, lightweight aluminum case. Samson C01U USB Microphone Features Industry's first affordable USB Studio Condenser mic Plugs in directly to any computer with a USB input Cardioid Pickup Pattern Large 19mm Diaphragm H

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Samson C02 Stereo Pair Condenser Microphones Review

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(More customer reviews)[Edited for usefulness on 11/15]
I can't bring myself to be super-critical of the Samson C02, because in spite of my occasional dissatisfaction it does have a lot going for it. I've had my pair for about a year, and I use them frequently as overheads on the drum kit, on acoustic guitar, and as "room sound" mics for vocals.
For the latter two applications they are adequate, or at least I can't complain. Unfortunately as drum overheads they have been disappointing, and this is what I primarily wanted to use them for. To my ears they sound a little thin and lack presence and clarity, especially on cymbals. I like the overheads to get a detailed overall picture of the drum kit, so that's a drag. Another bummer is that there are no switches on the mic - something like a bass cut or -10dB pad would have been nice. Without a pad switch, putting this mic under a snare drum is a recipe for disaster. Or maybe you could just ask the drummer to play quieter?
So I guess when it comes to small-diaphragm condensers I still haven't found what I'm looking for. The bad news is that the $400-$700 price bracket is apparently where I have to look next. On most of my projects over the last year I have been able to use a famous similar type of microphone made by AKG, and the comparison is not exactly flattering. Of course, a pair of AKG's "Microphone X" costs about ten times what you're looking at here. And maybe we've come to the root of why it's hard for me to say a lot of nasty things about my Samson CO2s. They are so, so cheap for what you get, namely: a pair of condenser mics, two mini shock-mount/mic clips, two windscreens, and a sturdy, padded plastic carrying case. My griping aside, these things do a borderline-acceptable job as overheads, and in other applications (such as acoustic guitar) they are quite useful. I would probably recommend them to beginning engineers, people on a recession budget, or to anyone looking to keep a couple of budget mics on hand. More serious project studios and home recordists might want to save up for something a little nicer.

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Samson C02 Condenser mics let you capture and record all the ambience and dynamic depth of acoustic guitars, piano, overhead drums, acoustic instruments, and vocals - in stereo!C02 microphones can be used either individually or in pairs for stereo recordings, neck and sound hole placement for miking acoustic guitars, and low/high octave placement in acoustic pianos.The C02 is an extremely sensitive cardioid condenser (10mv/pa) with an expanded frequency response of 40Hz to 20kHz and a maximum SPL of 134dB. What\'s all this mean? It means that the C02 delivers professional performance at an incredible price and will make a dramatic difference in every recording. C02s are shipped in pairs with shock mounts and a molded, foam-lined carrying case. 48volt phantom power required.

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M-Audio Pulsar II Matched Pair Small-Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphones Review

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(More customer reviews)Wasted my money on this one. Bought it in usa, came back to my country just to find out that there is this huge wind-like noise coming out of both mics. Returning them would be the same as buying another set, due to high shipping costs. These mics were probably exposed to moisture, or worse. I dont know exactly who to blame for that, I just regret deeply buying this product.

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The M Audio Pulsar II small-diaphragm cardioid condenser microphone takes M-Audio's pencil condenser technology to an even higher level. Designed in the U.S.A. by veteran engineers and hand-assembled to exacting standards, this precision microphone exhibits quality comparable to that of vintage classics. New features like -10dB pad and 80Hz high-pass filter switches, higher SPL than the original and a redesigned solid-brass backplate deliver smooth, accurate sound in the studio and on stage. The Pulsar II has many applications, including drum overheads, acoustic guitar, piano, close-miking strings and woodwinds, room miking and more. Flexible New Features The Pulsar II can adapt to many recording and live situations. The 12dB/octave high-pass filter reduces low-frequency rumble and the potential for overloading mic preamps with low-frequency signals. The Pulsar II also handles higher SPLs - an overall 2dB boost thanks to a new thermal diaphragm treatment, plus a new 10dB switchable attenuation pad. M Audio Pulsar II Features Professional small-capsule condenser microphone 3/4 inch, 6-micron Mylar evaporated gold diaphragm Solid brass backplate Solid brass body Class-A FET electronics Switchable 10dB pad and 80Hz high-pass filter Wooden storage box houses microphone, windscreen and clip Available as a Matched Pair This Pulsar IIpair is a matched set with only ±1dB tolerance from the excellent published frequency response curves - which extend from 20Hz to 20kHz. This makes the Pulsar II mics ideal for stereo rroom miking, stereo overheads and similar applications where balance

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MXL 2006 Large Gold Diaphragm Condenser Microphone with MXL-57 Shock Mount and Carrying Case Review

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(More customer reviews)I got it for a locution actually, and it's a very good mic. Could be better with a right preamp though, at least better than mine, but from money/quality aspects is a very nice mic with clear response and even nice looking :)

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Following in the footsteps of the highly successful MXL 2001 the 2006 is a Large Diaphragm, Gold Sputtered true "Class A" FET condenser microphone. A sweet and silky sounding microphone that is perfect for vocal and instrument recording alike. Comes with Hi-Isolation shock mount and rugged, deluxe carrying case.


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Blue Microphones Bluebird Cardioid Condenser Mic Review

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(More customer reviews)This microphone sounds very good on everything I've tried it on. Running the mic through a DBX 376 mic pre, I was able to get some great vocals. Though to get a good amount of clarity on the consonants I did have to ask the singer to back up about six inches from the mic. Being close in, the mic just didn't pick up the T and S sounds. With that adjustment, the mic did a good job on vocals ending up with takes the singer and I were both happy with. It didn't blow me away, but it sounded good. I've used it on a combo amp with good results as well as acoustic guitar and mandolin with better results. Not blown away, but overall happy with the way it sounds being a two to three hundred dollar mic.
What I really don't like about this mic is how the look of the design and aesthetics of the mic are clearly more important to blue than the functionality. Getting this thing in and out of the shock mount is a bit of a pain as it threads into it. I just know I'm going to mis-thread the thing once and have to spend another 80 bucks to get a replacement. Also, every time you adjust the angle of the shock mount you really have to crank the small thumb screw to get it to stay into place. I find the thing very difficult to lock into place all for the sake of looking attractive. I find nothing less attractive than poor functionality. Which brings me to the pop screen. I've read plenty of reviews claiming the pop screen was useless. I wouldn't know because the screen that came with my mic doesn't fit the mic. I sent an email off to Blue and didn't hear anything for two weeks, in the mean time Amazon shipped a free replacement, but it had the exact same issue. Blue responded to a second email and they said the last batch of screens was bad. Blue is supposed to be shipping me a pop screen "when they become available", so I hope I'll be getting one.
All in all, it's a good sounding mic for the money. I find it to be on par with my ADK A51. It's not the "crown jewel" of my modest mic collection but a different flavor to use. But I find the functionality of the accessories to be cumbersome at best, and unusable at worst.

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Designed to offer superb sound and maximum versatility, Blue Microphones' Bluebird is a large-diaphragm cardioid condenser that can handle everything--including vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, drums, strings, and woodwinds. It utilizes Blue's renowned microphone technology and a Class-A discrete circuit to achieve superior detail and clarity, while its unique, retro appearance is sure to be a hit in the studio. The complete Bluebird package includes a shockmount, pop filter, cable, and wooden case.
All-Purpose Design Gives You Professional Quality
The Bluebird is Blue Microphones' response to popular opinion--most people ask for a mic with a warm tone and silky smooth highs, and the Bluebird delivers. Engineered to be as versatile as possible, the Bluebird maintains the high-quality, no-compromise audio that you expect from Blue Microphones. This makes it ideal for male and female vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, close-miking of drums, drum overheads, percussion, piano, horns, and strings--in short, whatever you need it for most.
Proprietary Capsule and Discrete Electronic Components
Each professional-grade Blue Microphone utilizes a unique, proprietary capsule design to capture a specific sonic signature, and the Bluebird is no exception. As a large-diaphragm condenser with a cardioid polar pattern, the Bluebird is built to capture rich, full-bodied sound from sources that are directly in front of the mic.

The capsule and cardioid pattern combine with high-quality electronic components, including a Class-A discrete amplifier circuit, to ensure that each Bluebird mic offers consistent, reliable performance with extended top- and bottom-end sound detail. The electronic components in all of Blue's microphones have been carefully selected, based on 20 years of engineering and experimentation, in order to increase microphone speed, decrease distortion, reduce product variance, and ensure long-term dependability.
Unique Vintage Look and Complete Setup
Satin nickel plating and a baby-blue grip give the Bluebird Mic an original look that matches its well-rounded audio performance. A specially designed shockmount and metal mesh pop filter for laying down clean vocals are included with the mic. It also comes with a wooden storage case that matches the mics retro good looks.

The Bluebird is backed by a three-year limited warranty.
What's in the Box
Bluebird cardioid condenser microphone, shockmount, pop filter, cable, and wooden case.

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MXL USB007 USB Stereo Condenser Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)As a music director, I bought this for its portability to record concerts in stereo. Just hook it up to a laptop computer (plugs into a USB port) and record away - anywhere! The resulting WAV file is already on the computer ready to tweak in Sound Forge. The stereo sound quality is rich and accurate. We have been very impressed.

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MXL Introduces the World's First USB Large Gold Diaphragm Stereo Condenser Mic. It's like having a recording studio in a mic. No mixers, pre-amps, or expensive studio gear. No mixers, preamps or expensive studio gear. No special software or drivers, just plug in to your portable or desktop computer, set your preferences and enjoy instant studio quality recordings. The mic uses dual gold diaphragm capsules in a XY pattern together with low noise electronics and the latest in enhanced digital conversion techniques for pristine audio quality. In a demonstration CD a vintage acoustic guitar was recorded with a famous studio mic going thru high quality studio gear to a hard disk recorder and then was compared to the MXL USB.007 recorded direct to a standard computer. The results were nothing short of amazing; the MXL USB.007 sounded like a pristine direct to disc recording while the studio mic sounded nice but lacked punch or detail of the USB mic. Because of its high quality and ease of use the new mic opens up new possibilities for direct stereo recording with a standard computer such as live performances in the professional, school and home environment. It's also a very exciting tool for podcasts, multimedia, news and broadcast applications using portable computers for remote stereo recording of concerts, lectures, or even documenting outdoor sounds in stereo for film and and sharing with friends and TV backgrounds. Imagine the fun of recording performances and sound effects from anywhere in the world on a portable computer in full stereo and sharing with friends and associates. The MXL USB .007 comes with a carry bag, a desktop mic stand, mic stand adapter, a 10-foot USB cable, wind screen, owners manual and an applications guide. The new MXL USB mics usher in a new era of high quality recording never before achieved without a studio. It completely redefines what users can do on their computers opening up a new world for the audio, computer and broadcast industries. All New MXL Microphones are Designed in Our HDTV Design Center inLos Angeles, CAand are wired with MOGAMI.

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