3 Cheap Mics That Beat the Expensive Ones
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- Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
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I've worked with $10,000 mics and $50 mics, and I've spent a lot of money swapping out different microphones in my project studio.
What I discovered is that although the expensive mics are a nice treat, there are more affordable alternatives that sound just as good (or better).
Here are 3 cheap studio mics that actually BEAT the more expensive alternatives:
1. Voice Mic Shure SM7B - imp.i114863.net/LjZDY
2. Tom Mic Sennheiser E604 - imp.i114863.net/kyoaL
3. Small Diaphragm Condenser Shure SM81 - imp.i114863.net/DYkky
(or Shure KSM137 - imp.i114863.net/GxZZE amzn.to/2JwEkft)
Hey can you turn the music up louder, feel like moshing to your commentary
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Great to see some love for the SM7b! It's fantastic on guitars and as a hi hat mic too. Stellar video as always.
Nice to hear that Leon have heard many diss the SMb, you think it would do well on a John Hard Preamp going into an Apollo Twin Duo?
it’s just a worse SM57 for 3-4 times the price
@@drmedwuast I was gonna say just use an sm57. I was just listening to a recording I made of a singer many years back who used one. Sounds great still.
Now I use a Behringer SB 78A mic blended with a ribbon mic for the lows. And now I get all the sound the high end mics could only dream for. My ribbon going into a cloudlifter. I have it turned down a lot and no reverb on it. It is only for the bass sounds. The SB 78A gets the mids and highs.
I own a Neumann TLM 107 ($1699) and the Shure SM7B and I have to say that I find myself tracking vocals with the Shure 90% of the time. Thought I was crazy for choosing it but like you said Jordan, it sounds great especially in a home or small studio. I run it through an Avalon M5 or Heritage Audio DMA73.
Although I have those expensive mics at the studio I work out of, I use the mics I use at home because I just felt like it sounded better. There are probably $10,000 worth of mics at the studio, but I get better quality out of the box with just $1500 worth of mics. I use the SM7b you mentioned for vocals and hi hat, I actually use the Audio Technica ATM230 instead of the Sennheiser 421, and for SDC, I've been using the Aston Starlights. They're all pretty affordable and they sound great.
I have found that I really like my U87 much better after I figured out to engage the -10 db pad. This made it not quite as sensitive I believe and allowed my to push my 1073 a little harder and really add some of the Neve colour to the track. Much happier after I started using this concept. I do want to try the SM7B though as I have heard lots of positive reviews on this mic.
Hi Jordan. I have an SM7B and I'm happy AF with it. Much less ambience noise than other mics i've tested, much clarity and the ability to withstand shakes from screamers without compromising the capture of performance and delivery.
But I wanted to know your (and public) opinion on the Behringer B2 PRO. It was my first and only (along with a Behringer C1) condenser mic. I've read that the B2 PRO is worth modifying to improve quality and reduce ambience noise and noise floor and still get a decent U87 replication. Any thoughts on this?
Great advise dude, I may add two philosophies that I Follow regarding mics or gear in general.
1.- Some clients look for high end gear in Budget studios, rather than your skills as an engineer. Sale your sound not the gear or where you did it. If you are looking for outstanding wacky awesome result your actions should be equal as well.
2.- Be aware of your potencial market, is no good to have a million dollar studio without potential clients before you build it. If you are staring up better be with attitude and quality that becomes your trademark. Don’t spend too much money on gear that you can’t market in your price range or lease you’re working on budget and in deficit that will eventually kill you.
Keep bringing more videos, and greetings from CDMX.
Moreover, I think your approach is the right one. Who cares about the price of the gear used? What matters is the "price" of the song, if it rocks, it freaking rocks!
Right now I'm trying to build my mic locker, I already have 1 Shure SM57, a matched-pair of AKG C414 XLS, 1 Sontronics STC20 and 1 AKG D112. Next I think I'll buy 2 more SM57 (snare and guitars), 3 Earthworks DM20 (snare, toms and guitars) and a Stam Audio SA47F (kick, bass and vocals). What do you think about my picks? I'm recording all styles of music, but I mainly work with pop, rock and hard-rock.
Love the c414! Espescially on guitar cabs. With a 57. And for overheads
my favorite alternative to the e604's is the audix d2 and d4. I personally like these better because they pick up more low end from toms, but they are so so good and so affordable too.
Yo same last name? We must be distant relatives. HaHa
@@notajbrant Sorry to break it to you but my last name is actually Brantingham. Just sounded catchy for a youtube channel name...
Have you used the Sennheiser E609 for guitar cabs at all? I use it live but I haven't tried it recording yet. Also have you tried any of the KAM mics?
Solid, user-based information. The internet should have more of it. Good job.
Can't say I'm surprised that a low sensitivity dynamic mic works better than a U87 in a small or not very treated studio
Especially if you wanna do metal and screaming, i guess?
yeah, what a surprise... that part of the video wasn't that great
The SM7 surprisingly... Often ranks high in big studios too.. When people are trying out Mike's it'll very often be like around A lot of people's second favorite.... It takes EQ well too. It's really not a bad choice at all... Especially in a room that's not very well treated. It's really not a bad choice for a lot of people.
Love the 421. Sennheiser e904s are my go to. They sound amazing, they're small like the 604s, and they just are rock solid.
So true. The KM184s do work well (especially on some acoustic guitars) in imperfect rooms in close proximity, though, and aren't so expensive as most other Neumanns. The AKG 251B is also killer -- as you point out -- on some things.
Absolutely agree. I've been using e-604's on my toms for over a decade and they always sound great. I dig MD-421's too, but good luck fitting them into my drums. Also, an SM7B with a Cloudlifter inline sounds freakin' awesome.
In regard to the U87, your experience really outlines the importance of the physical recording space and its acoustic properties. I have been to countless recording booths and rooms around the world that look great but sound terrible for lack of understanding of what it takes to treat a space properly. I have designed treatments for several problematic rooms and it often has to do with the low-mids causing the headaches. Therefore, if your room sounds good, practically any mic will do. You are completely correct in saying the sensitive mic will cause headaches in a mix if the room itself is not balanced. As well, the U87 and U47 clones from both Warm Audio and Stam Audio have been getting great reviews at a fraction of the cost. Thanks for the vid, this kind of stuff is always helpful.
It's funny you mentioned the E604s.
When I did my BTEC Diploma at college, we used E604s on toms. I'll tell you the mics we used on Drums.
Kick - AKG D112 (Known as the "Egg Mic")
Snare top - SM57 (Same goes for the bottom mic)
Hihat - AKG C414 (it was the same for the Ride and Crash cymbals)
Toms - Sennheiser E604
Sometimes we'd do the room mics, and on those occasions we used one AKG C12 that our college had for the overheads.
All of that was going through an Allen & Heath GSR24M.
Any advice on ribbon mics for guitar cabs? Would love to pair a ribbon with my SM57 for guitar cabs but a Royer r121 is out of the question in regards to $$$.
What do you think about going work horse. 4 piece kit. SM57 all around, beta 52 on kick, Sm81 over head. And a couple of whatever out in the room mid side? Keep it simple clean workhorse. Live or studio should do the job, reliable, and sound pro.
Great Video & advice - have you tried any virtual mics & software like the Slate mics & software & hardware -
Nice! I absolutely love KSM 137's. They're just a great go-to SDC
Looking to get a ribbon or SM7B soon. Been using a 57 with windscreen and AT-2035 with capsules lined up behind a single pop filter and it sounds really good particularly for the vocalist of one of the bands I’m in.
I picked up the Aston Origin yesterday, what do you think of that?
Hi-I like your philosophy! And enjoyed your video. I’m a cellist, and my AKG 220 LDC sounds scratchy and harsh, not smooth and warm like I’d like. Any suggestions for a mic that would sound good for me to try, and no more money?
ribbon mics
I gotta agree, although I haven't had chance to try some of those you mentioned, in studio I prefer condenser mics, with decent preamps they capture nicer sound imo,
as a general purpose mic (for kick, toms, bass, sax, guitars, amps etc..) I prefer sE X1D (very close to U47 FET), large and fast titan-diagraphm does wonders and doesn't mind extreme acoustic pressure,
sometimes with combination of HSMC001 (large diagraphm condenser for less than 60$, usually for overheads and instruments which need more life, like dull amps),
for vocals the sE 4400a (more of an alternative to AKG 414), which I like more than vintage U87 (which I don't use much at all by now), also being more versatile thanks to various switches and lesser weight,
most convenient dynamic mic I have been using is t.bone CD 56 beta (despite I do have MD 421), which is a smaller copy of SM57 (maybe a copy of 56 who knows) and can be easily mounted especially on snare without drummers hitting it, sturdy build quality and great sound despite being cheaper than shure SM mics
A great small diaphragm condenser option are the Slate Digital ML-2s. I realize they seem like a gimmick on the surface, but they sound great without any emulation added & the emulations add a lot of tonal options. They test out well above their price point, in my opinion.
Now, if only Slate would produce enough to meet demand...
I'm in love with the Sm58. Best and cheaper purchase ever! The 57 sounds good but I'm all for the 58!
Good comparisons. However, there isn't any replacement for the 421 in my book. For example, it will pickup things on a Cajun or bass drum that other mics miss. As far as I'm concerned, the 421 is always in the mix when it comes to percussion and guitar cabinets. It sounds good on other things too but you need a high quality pre-amp for that.
Couldn't agree with you more on the SM7b. Not only is it a great sounding mic, it's also a great mic if your recording environment is less than ideal. Also, for a really good set of cheap SDCs, I'd recommend checking out the Rode M5s. I've got a set, great set of mics for only $260 Canadian. The only catch is that they don't come with a carrying case, but I already had a case that I could put them in so I didn't mind.
Any good ribbon mics to mix with a sm57 for electric guitar ? Less expensive thant Royer 121
I want a stereo pair multipurpose large diaphragm condenser. What’s better than the akg c214? I was thinking of getting a pair of Neumann Tlm 103 but it’s out of my budget. I need that nice bass response
CAD might be a choice.
I am a one to track my own drums. I did a lot of searching and shopping. Coincidently I found the Shure KSM 137s do a lot of wonders for overheads and rhythm cymbals. I found a few used and I have a total of 4. I actually use SM57s on toms. I do own a set of 606s but they seem to work better for live sound for me. My snare I got a Grenelli SM57 on top and a Beta 57 on the snare bottom. I plug in kick triggers to my drum module for kick hits with an intention of sample replacement. If you do enough shopping, you can buy used and get mics for a really good deal.
aaaaaaaawesome recomendations brother... thank you very much for your honesty
the 604s are good on toms as as a decent dynamic should. but the clamp is the luxury and i didn't notice any unwanted elements in the signal due to the clamp which i feared.
On the kick drum, do you recommend using the AKG on the inside and outside?
While you spend your week, think about a cathode ray tube with a mic receiver also. Like a mega-a/v collector. With it, you can record or backup any and every allegation afronting you. You can have it to keep your portion.
Background music too loud dude ...... but great video man 😎👊
I'd argue that mic reviews should have zero background music and... demos of the mics.
especially music that HAS WORDS/singing omg so distracting
Thanks for the video man.
Yes too loudly and something I hate. Am out.
Sorry, you were seriously difficult to hear with all that awful background noise - how can anyone take your sound recording credentials seriously when you’ve got your lecture track mixed up with a rock concert??
Then you lost me completely when your first Cheapie was over 300......
Hi Jordan, Great video and information. You know... I've noticed the same things you're describing. I have an expensive Neumann TLM 103 Large‑diaphragm Condenser Microphone that I use for tracking vocals and acoustic guitars. Of course it's married up to pro level pre's and It's a great mic. However, it's not always the best for vocals. It's hard to get my vocal to sit in the mix with this mic at certain times. It's like it captures too much and I'll have to use EQ treatment to fix. I have an inexpensive Audio Technica AT4040 that will get my vocal to sit better. Like you had said, expensive mics and gear may not always be the trick. It helps for sure, but you can yield similar or even better results with an inexpensive alternative.
I am trying to figure out a simple setup to record guitar, banjo, mandolin. Just the solo instrument. My room is a rectangular narrow room with wood walls and ceiling, carpet floor, room full of computer, instruments etc. No treatment. I have tried a number of large condensers (Rode NT1-a, Lewitt 440, Roswell K87), small condenser pair (Rode M5). Then I just wanted to try a dynamic and got the Shure SM57. My interface is Focusrite 2i2 3rd gen. Shockingly I like the SM57 recording the best. Testing with the banjo. SM57 need to be placed very close otherwise the output is low. I hear clean sound from it. LDCs sound fuller and more warm but doesn't sound good. If I tap my foot super gently on the carpet they pick that sound up. I put the LDCs 2 to 3 feet away.
The SDC pair sounds nice. I have to do more experiment with a single SDC.
My question to you would be why the LDCs not sounding good and the SM57 does. The SM57 sounds thinner (as if it is missing out some frequencies) but cleaner. Should I try the SM7/SM7B? The Shure SDCs you mentioned will they be better than the Rode M5? Should I try mono recording for solo instrument or stereo? Do you have any recommendation for less expensive Ribbon Mic? Banjo is naturally a loud and creates sharp spikes. I think a mic that can smoothen these out can do a good job. I don't want to spend much time (or any time at all) in post.
Please advice.
I think in 2021, pretty well everyone has an SM7B. It's very popular these days. These are good suggestions. Thanks from the future.
Another great affordable option for Small Diaphragm Condensers are Octava MC 012 if you can find them. Guitar Center used to sell them for $99 each or a matched pair (which I have) for $249. Warning though if you want 2 get a MATCHED pair...I have found the gain amount on them can vary but with my matched pair they were fine. Oh, and I also have a matched pair of KM 184's ;)
I have 4 Octava's 012 with the three capsules for more than 25 years now (the first ones were way better than the newer ones) and they are absolutely ok, but the KM184's really sound better.
@UCS0608 Absolutely! I love my KM 184s but you're talking a huge price difference too lol
Wow, I love all three of those mics, great choices.
I just bought a matched pair of Behringer C2s for overheads and am absolutely floored by how great they sound. $60 for the set AND they come with a stereo bar.
yes they work awesome
Completely agree. Though I do still like to use the 451 with a 57 on a guitar cab.
Doing the same most of the time.
Any more options for overheads and spot cymbal mics ? Thanks!
I've been using the Aston Starlight for overheads. They're about $700 USD, but they sound a lot better than most expensive mics. Spot mics, you can get away with any cheap SDC or dynamic mics as long as you position it correctly.
Look up the Slate ML-2
Totally agree, ever try a Lauten audio LA 320? great tube condenser!
thanks for sharing all your experience :)
Sometimes I try to be fancy and use condensers on Guitars but to be honest the SM57 always wins. It just sounds right. What app do you use for your Video editing Jordan? Text looks swish!
thanks man, I don't edit the videos. Got a team for that!
Well they are doing a great job!
What would you recommend? Buying a GAP Premier 73 Preamp for recording GTR/vocals or try to emulate it with plugins like the Slate FG-73. I run a small homestudio and doing stuff for my band, but i also have plans to do mixing/recording as a small business next to my dayjob.
When budget allows, I definitely recommend investing in a high-end preamp.
@@hardcoremusicstudio thanks a lot for your answer! Now i will save up for one 😊
@@schnitzelbube check out the GAP Premier series pre73. It's modeled much closer to a real 1073 than the other pres they've put out, and it's only $100 more.
@@KeepTheGates i will check that out. Thanks!
thank you for doing this jordan
So true. Sad when I do a A/B on a 57 and 87 lead vocal From a friend that mixed for 20+ years. And I chose the sm57 thinking was the 87. Check out the Roswell mini k47. $299 new Great mic for what’s under the hood Love the slate stuff to
Agreed! I’ve been using sm7 and 81s for years.
Would it make sense to use the SM7B on drums, like toms ?
It can be nice on a snare. Did that once and was happy. In combination with a cheap small condenser you can get good results
Great alternative to the Sennheiser's for Toms at the same price point is the Audio Technica ATM230's. Just bought a set and COULDN'T be happier with the results.
Agree 100% , for toms i love the e604, and also found out the atm230 from audiotechnica sound amazing in the same price range
Even cheaper than the SM7 is the RE-320, which has become my go to vocal mic and kick/bass mic to boot. Crazy good value! But I love my friend's 421s on toms. I've tried tons of mics for this, and they just keep winning. Though simple 57s are almost as good and significantly cheaper. Heck, I don't even hate the cheapo Samson tom mics in a pinch!
even cheaper is the miktek pm9 literally a handheld sm7b
What would you recommend for ribbon type mics?
I've only really used the Royer 101 and 121. Both great but super unnecessary for most cases. A nice flavor to have but you don't NEED it.
hi! what is your prefer as overheads?? sm81 or ksm137 ? and why?
I'd be happy with either. On a bigger budget one of my favs are AKG c541
SM7b is the best studio vocal mic I tried on most people, much more adept than most LDCs... A very cool SDC is the Rode M3 for super cheap, especially on acoustic guitar.
Great video ... Thanxs
I clicked the link, but dint get any email..... Wanted to check out your thoughts on mic preamps
Thanxs in advance
Gunars
Barrie 🇨🇦
what's the song in the back ground. love that verse section
ua-cam.com/video/NeEaz_t85xw/v-deo.html
100% agree. using u87 in a non treated environment and/or with a non experienced singer is just waste of time (and money) That's why I love my SM7b. Just place it where you are, no matter, it sounds good. Same for OM7. One of the big advantage of the Om7 is that the singer can handle it! a lot of signer are way more comfortable when handling the mike! Performance first
What lavalier mic do you use?
Great video! whats the track in the background?
ua-cam.com/video/NeEaz_t85xw/v-deo.html
I would take e604s or nice condensers (414 or josephsons) on toms over 421s any day.
Why don't you add sound samples for the comparison? I would like to hear that the Shure SM7b sounds better than the Neumann U87 - I own both and sorry… I can't agree to your rating.
Jordan, you almost have me convinced to buy an SM7B just to try it out! I have a huge mic locker for vocals already though. For toms, I prefer the Audix D4's over the 604's but I don't dislike the 421's on toms. The size of the 421's make them harder to place on a kit and I don't always trust the drummer too not hit them during a take. I don't dislike the sound of the 604's necessarily but themounts are flimsy and cause the mic to move a lot whenever the drummer hits the tom it's mounted to. As far as the SDC's go, I couldn't dislike the SM81's more.. I like the KM137's. Alternatively, the Sennheiser 614's or the Audix ADX51's are good choices. I'm really surprised you're not a bigger fan of Audix mics for drum tracking for heavy music! Great video as always!
-Art
ACP Audio
thanks for the input. I mount the 604's on mic stands. I had a pair of cheap Audix SDCs years ago and didn't like them much... I also find the drum mics (especially the D6) too processed sounding for me.
I’ve had someone tell me my kick isn’t hard enough because I didn’t use a neumann tube mic😭😭
I work in rooms that have U87s, U67s, U47s, M49s, etc... etc... I find that for most cases, there is a significantly cheaper alternative that works just as well as the big boys. Source is what matters most.
I like the sm7b for sure! And I line the MD421 on toms! It always worked for me. But it is true. Get a good basic set of mics and do not fancy one that keeps you waiting for instead of being creative.
What is that background song at the beginning?
Annoying
I guess the title should be the best cheap mic that beat experienced one in metal and rock... All those mics are dynamic especially sm7b if you are not a screamer you defiantly need a good preamp to lift it up...
Sir, I'm commenting from Trinidad and Tobago, in the Caribbean . Your video was really great. Can you recommend some affordable, but acceptable condenser and shotgun microphones, for voice over please . I've just started out, so I can't afford any microphone above $300. Thanking you in advance . Also, do you have an email address I can use to communicate with you.
i like to use the sm7b on toms but for vocals i prefer the sm57
Awesome video and some very valuable advice. Interesting enough, Michael Jackson recorded the entire Thriller album with the SM7b..
Caveat that was only on vocals, not every instrument. But also to remind UA-camrs here that Thriller was also recorded on a top of the range desk. So my point is to understand that mics are only one part of the daisy chain.
That was the SM7 and not SM7B, right?
Yes, it was the sm7
Excellent, thanks
Try the Oktava pencil condensers. They beat everything
awesome man!
Please make more budget videos for us third world country! I'll try these Sennheiser E604 and one of these shures SDC's for shure! Thanks a lot for the advice!
Other budget pro sounding mikes i've been using are the Lewit Lct040 (SDC's), the AT2035's and the Shure SM57 (already cliche lol).
Are there cheaper alternatives to the distressor? (here in brazil even used is way too expensive) - Cheers!
Any suggestions for U47.
Anyone on here recommend a good mic for Hiphop/Rap recording?
Sm7b is good for that, too. Point is that it is great for dynamics and it is rock solid. Good for shouts and loud rappers or screamers. And as well for singers in general.
I've never liked U87's in general...U47's are amazing but 87's have a high end that just isn't pleasant. As for 421's, I prefer them to the Sennheiser's but I record a lot of stoner/doom and vintage 421's bring the depth whereas the Sennheiser's have more of an attack high/mid emphasis. I also don't use SDC's for overheads...I'm a ribbon on overhead kinda guy most of the time from m160's to an AEA R88 or No Hype large ribbons for a budget model. l like the way ribbons smooth out the highs so I can crank the overheads without ripping the head off the listener plus it brings out the body of the ride and snare. SM7B's are great on various things, an RE20 is another great one along the same lines...great for vocals, horns, guitar, bass and even kick.
Really dig the re20 on kicks!
Just got the SM7B.. I CANT WAIT TO HIT THOSE LOWS..
Man, just check HEIL PR35. You will be in shock. I replaced all my SHURE stuff by HEIL.
I was thinking about the SM7B thinking "man, I want something a little cheaper, hopefully this video will recommend something better lower cost for vocals" and sure enough, the mic I thought was expensive is actually budget! I think I'm just going to hold off on buying a mic and save up until I can buy one.
Budget really is subjective isn't it? I am also looking for something good enough to lay down some vocals in my home studio that is good enough. Funnily sm7bs sell for as much used as they do new on reverb due to all the hype, surely (pun intended) there has to be something decent in the 100-150 dollar range but it probably won't have a well known audio brand name attached. I bet there is a chinese knock off of the sm7b that sounds exactly the same without the "Shure" logo on it.
A Sm57/58 is (after what I’ve heard) very similar, and can be made almost identical with some EQ tweaks. You can find turorials of that on UA-cam.
i love you so much for this!
Try the Beta 57A for acoustic guitar.
THIS is a GREAT vid.
I use a Warm 87 and while it's not as smooth as as a U87 I'll tell u right now as long as you don't go too loud it's close enough !!! I love the SMb. I wouldn't compare it to a Neuman 87 AT ALL !!!! With that said your right, if your room doesn't sound great a true 87 won't either. An SM 7B sounds great in any room unlike an 87 but boy you get an 87 in a perfect room and it's gold.
The TSM4111 is also a great over all mic
I use D2 for rack toms and D4 for floor toms, i like them better than the 421. Much more moderns sounding.
I have vintage (white) MD-421 in MINT condition (unused since they were made in 1961), 3 of them. Frequency matched by the factory for the German Radio NDR. They are fine. But.. never use them for toms.. way to bulky, bleed is horrible, low end is not really good. Good for snare tough (if you dont mind the bleed).
I use E604 or SubZero SZM-10 (yep!.. a 35$ mic) on toms.. and LOVE them. on large floortoms I will often use a bd mic though.
I almost agree with everything but the sm7 sounds bad until you put a cloudlifter cl1 , the change is big
What kind of preamp are you using with the SM7b? If you're going straight to an interface and using its preamp, then, yeah, you're going to need something that gives it more gain to bring it up to line level. I use the BAE 1073 preamp with my SM7b and it sounds killer!
Yeah, everyone says this but I never had this problem. However I have only used it into a nice Preamp - API or similar. If you're using budget pre's, then yeah, it might not work as well.
yes i use with the neve 1073 unison of my apollo and its amazig!!
great video...but the background music!!!! Why?!
As far as toms and snare go I actually use SM 57s. It’s the scenario of using free standing mics to prevent extra resonance hum. The Sennheiser 604 pack which I do own I preferring use for live sound.
If you’ve never heard an SM58 on toms, you should check it out.
I mean, sure the sm7b is a totally valid choice. But also, a totally different tone, compared to a neumann condencer. I wouldnt think of it as a replacement. Simply a different equally valid option.
Miktek cv4, MXL Revelation (the first one)(yes I'm serious), Telefunken M80, Vanguard v13, Lauten Audio Clarion FC-357. Peluso P-12. Youre welcome...
sm beta58, also good contender for vocals.
If the Shure SM7 was good enough for Michael Jackson to sing the whole Thriller album through, it's good enough for our cheap-ass studios!! Other classic broadcast mics (like the E/V RE20 or RE320) also make great vocal mics. Close-miking ANY instrument, including toms, snare, guitar amp or horns...? nothing beats a $100 SM57! For an SDC, people hate on the AKG C1000s, but I don't know why... I LOVE them!
Carefull! The 421 sound bad becouse the new black version has a different eq, than the beige old ones. Look up comparisons, especially on amps the old ones are by far superior.