Our Favourite BUDGET Condenser Microphones!
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- Опубліковано 16 чер 2024
- MXL 990 - amzn.to/3GNrktL
MXL 440 - amzn.to/3rKpS7a
Tascam TM80 - amzn.to/363dJ4J
Rode NT1A - amzn.to/3GN2WZk
Lewitt LCT440 PURE - amzn.to/3BiWUhV
Lewitt LCT 140 AIR - amzn.to/3sE5xQ2
MXL (any many more) upgrades - microphone-parts.com/
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Upon your recommendation, I bought a matched pair of 140s, primarily for acoustic guitar stereo recording. They have not disappointed so far. For my room, they sound better than my 184 nueman…neauman….noyman…n-oi-man…
Nothing is better than mics that simply damn well do the job!!! Especially when they are in reach of anyone's budget over a foreseeable time. It made my day discovering your channel ..THANX big time!
Thanks for this--I'd been looking for a review of the Mic Parts 990 mod, and I really value your advice!
I always enjoy watching your videos, and this episode was no exception.
Would you perhaps consider doing a video similar to this one with lower-priced ribbon mics?
I think it would also be cool to see an episode where you further describe the available mods for various budget-priced mics (of all types…condensers, dynamics, ribbons).
Thanks!
😊🙏
Thanks again for the videos! You guys and cat are awesome!
The LCT 140 is indeed one of the most versatile mics I have ever used. From drum overheads to stereo mics on acoustic guitar, I use my pair all the time. Desert island mic for sure.
Yet another quality video guys. Great info. Cheers.
Cheers Mike!
I like how you gave a mod version as well. As someone who mods and builds most of my equipment know there’s a huge community who does the same. I was wondering if you could do a video of how to get back deleted or accidental replaced sessions I know it’s probably simple, but I haven’t seen many people cover this if any. I’m sure you can expand on this more.
Very much a fan of this channel and cats.
Best-Nate
Id add the Sontronics STC-1 (the small diaphragm condenser with swappable capsules) to the list. Ive found it works on absolutely everything. I was listening to an old demo recording the other week and was taken back by the vocal sound. Looked back my notes and it was an STC-1 repositioned in front of the vocalist after they had put down an acoustic guitar take! Sounds bloody brilliant
Love me some Lewitt:-) Nice folks too -- always a bonus!
The Lewitts are awesome indeed!
More my price range! Thanks for that!
Thanks for the video guys!
It would be awesome if you could do a comparison video of the new Beyerdynamic M90 X Pro, and the Lewitt LCT440, I'm so curious to know about them! 👐🙏🙌
Awesome video! And that mod was really cool! A video on mic mods would be interesting 👀
Good idea!
Had a Rode NTV since 2000! It was serviced and refubished in about 2012 and still sounds superb. I've recorded everything from voiceovers to pop and rock and even opera singers on this thing and it's never let me down.
Yeah that’s a GREAT mic!
Super useful thank you! 🙏
The SE2200 is very nice too. Going for £180 at the moment with a decent pop filter and shock mount.
Some very interesting choices there. Another sleeper is the Rode M3, another mid diaphragm mic that works on a multitude of sources and even without phantom power (it takes a 9volt if you don’t have P48 available).
P.S.: Mark I love your shirt!
I can def attest to the fact that the Nt1000's are incredible for capturing detail in acoustic recordings especially in a stereo pair xy or otrf etc. the recordings I've captured with them are simply incredible in terms of detail resolution and overall sound.....!!!! I recorded my friends Gong and Tibetan singing bowls with lots of really detailed modulating transients all interacting and going on all at once and they captured each and every detail with such good resolution it was just impeccable and captured absolutely everything to the minutest detail...so much so that the recording sounded like they were in the room and they effortlessly captured every nuance from the loudest passage on the gong to the quietest decay of the bowls...I knew how good they were before but on this occasion I was absolutely blown away....!!!!! And they sound incredible on most other things too....they can be a little bright in some circumstances although a little proximity effect can help....and what they don't quite do in terms of vintage vibe although a good 1073 plugin def helps they more than, more than make up for in every other way..... But in the above application for any acoustic recording they are simply just incredibly outstanding and really really really hard to beat....especially at 260 quid new they are capable of making some truly outstanding recordings...!!!!! :) :) :) :) :)
And if you can find one even though its an MDC & not quite an LDC for big vintage vibe and insane resolution comparable to just about anything the original Baby Bottle is Just incredible...!!!! Although it does have a huge bump at about 200-250hz hence the vintage vibe and rolls of rather early from about 10-16khz...yes you heard right 10-16k...(and yes you probably could do this with EQ and a quick visit to recording hacks for the frequency chart....But all I can say is that I wish I had two of them in stead of one...and I'd literally record everything with them.... yes I would def record absolutely literally everything with that incredible resolution & big lovely sound...!!!!!! :) :) :) :) :)
Would like to see more about your location/OB jobs
Nice. I own a (2) of these mics and the others I will surely check out...
Actually, I own only one (kind of). I have the Rode NT-1, not the NT-1A model and I am very happy with it and the super low 4.5db Equivalent Noise Level. The others are now on my list to check out!
Phil
NYC Area
Hello, Have you tried the AT875R microphone? If not you should give it a go, It is a really nice short shotgun mairophone.
Very interesting and well picked list!
Interestingly the excellent Tascam TM80 is exactly the same, identical microphone (except for the body colour) as the equally excellent and equally absurdly cheaply priced Marantz MPM-1000, same identical characteristics and specs, same identical 18mm aluminium medium-sized diaphragm, and boy does it sound sweet, couldn't agree more.
Personally not a fan of mic modding, especially in the lower price range, I've seen it go pear-shaped more often than not, and many modders or part mod sellers often make claims that don't really reflect on the reality of things, and of the actual sound.
To your list I'd also add the really excellent and honestly priced sE Electronics X1 series; the comic-book looking but truly serious sounding Neat Mics medium diaphragm electret condenser Worker Bee and their quite amazing hefty King Bee; in terms of Lewitt products their even more affordable Lewitt LCT 240 and their really supremely versatile 441 Flex (BTW both come with that distinctive Lewitt "zing" very high frequency very boosted air peak); the UK brand Aston and Sontronics STC series; the the lower tier AKG P series AT 20 series and Audio Technica offerings; the new and not at all bad Presonus and Mackie cheapo large diaphragm condensers; and perhaps also the somewhat more expensive and harder to purchase outside the USA but fabulously Project Blue Book named Roswell Microphones Mini K series.
All of the above in my opinion & experience, of course.
Enjoy.
I was a big fan of the AKG D202 when they were cheap. Great on miked cabs, and wind instruments. Rough as old boots on vox.
I have a Mogami tube mic from that recent-ish range, which sounds better with a Tesla tube than it did with the original Ruby-ish g;ass.. The psu/pre/phantom box is half-decent too. Sounds verr nice on the laydeevox.
For miking cabs and other high SPL implements of destruction, I have an ancient and battered AT small diaphragm condenser, which steadfastly refuses to clip. 20 quid from a boot fair. Well worh it.
For spoken word, I use a Line 6 USB mic so I (or a friendly podcaster) can monitor latency-free on earbuds without getting festooned in cables while typing, or a BeyerDynamic RTD 3406 wireless headset mic if I'm capturing a presentation style thing. It's a bit too hi-fi for most singers, but it's nice and crisp on a mid-size PA, with zero feedback.
I'm firmly of the opinion that if you're buying a new microphone, you should be testing it yourself in a shop or studio prior to parting with readies. What might work for a shouty growler in a rawk band, might not work quite so well for a trained singer with nigh-on perfect pitch, and will sound grim on radio or a podcast, where proximity will reveal all its limitations.
If you're doing radio or voice over, listen to an EV RE series dynamic mic, and then adjust your expectations to match your budget. Those RE mics are pure chesty ASMR on radio, which is why you'll find them in virtually every radio station on the planet. These days, it's more likely to be an RE320 than an RE20, but they have a similar warm bass response close up.
A good singer or voice-over artist can make a duff mic sound passable with a bit of work in post, but a less experienced "artiste" will struggle to adjust their technique to anything but a basic Shure style cornetto. Having shaken a few gallons af artistic liquid dna out of Shures SM58s in my time, I can attest to their usefulness in a ruck, and their gluttony for punishment on stage. I still wouldn't recommend them to an actual vocalist..
I used the mxl990 back in early 2000s...bought it then for the budget which at the time was more expensive than it is now ironically at 150$....now 99$...
I recently a few years back built my studio setup back up and even tho I had the budget...went back for the 990 because the sound is just so crisp and clean its a no brainer..
My studio buddy had a 1000$ Neumann go out and had heard my mic before and needed a mic until a replacement came in because he had sessions booked..
I asked how it performed when he gave it back compared to his Neumann and he laughed and said, "To be honest, I didn't notice any huge difference at all lol"
Great budget mic hands down, and it just solidified my experience whe I came across this video and sure enough, this forgotten gem made your list. 🤜🏽🤛🏽💯
DISCLAIMER: (I have only really ever needed to use this mic for vocal tracking. Wanted to make that more transparent.)
Thanks for looking after those of us who don't have multi thousand pound budgets for mics. A brilliant run down.
Thank you for the video guys. The quality of your work is astonishing. Such an underrated channel.
Has anyone compared the lewitt lct 140 air to the lewitt lct 040 pure? If the brightness switch isnt that useful, then there could be even more money to save if it sounds as good.
I am looking to buy lct 140 air but if the lct 040 is the same - just without the switches it is a bargain!
Heard someone say the 040 sounds like the air switch is half way on
@@antonkjellberg2897 The 040's are electrets but do sound really good...and have less self noise than the 140's...!!!! Def Always nice to have a sdc that has a really nice flatter response e.g. with the switch off.... although you can always roll off a little bit from the top end though too...!!! :)
Would love to hear more of your thoughts on DIY kits if you've tried any others. I've had some fun with Austin Ribbons.
Also, thoughts on neglecting matched pairs for stereo if trying to cheap out a bit on the used market and can't find them matched.
As long as they’re not 1,000,000 miles apart, I think you’re probably reasonably safe to use them
The tech zone mics are really good too...
Ah, some pedestrian level pricing…
I’d probably also add the TZ Stellar X2 to this (though I can’t remember the exact price). I’ve been using that on a lot of things from kick drum to vocals. Although tbh, not sure how it compares to the others in this video as it’s the only large diaphragm condenser I own that doesn’t belong in a Cracker Jack box.
Another great video, you have been busy this week! Have you tried the LCT 040 MATCH?
Not yet, would love to!
Tempted with a pair for general field recording, can’t afford a pair of Sennheiser MKH 8040’s !
Let me know if you have an affiliate link
Not for those unfortunately, but we could probably get one!
Thanks, i will buy one
Great video guys, with some gems of information. I had to paws for thought though, as no Flop Cat, only the not so subtle PAWS on Mark's tee shirt! Mark stroking Flop Cat is OK but where is action ie Flop Cat testing a Mike or two?
Floppy is at the end… but no mic testing… next time!
Have you tried the Neat king & worker bee v1 mics. They are incredible.
They look cool too. But the old ones look cooler than the new ones.
I picked up the worker bee now it's my main goto vocal mix besides the MXL 67g
Thx for sharing however, which mic you have in your box more upscale and real good mic to your opinion.
I have AKG C214 and Warm Audio WA47 which I really like. I'm also considering Warm Audio WA67 what do you think about it. Thx.
Thanks!
That shift in timbre when you say "The LCT 140 Air". 🌚🌞
Love this video! Actually ... all your videos! But I got to ask for one favor, I'm in Brazil's contryside and I don't have a store to go to and test the mics, I can only buy them online. If you had to choose one mic to record VO, singing and acoustic guitar (maybe some other instrument like...idk....flute...but mostly guitars) which one is it? RODE NT1 OR LEWIIT 440 PURE? (Please don't say it depends of my taste, think of a "gun to the head scenario"). Thank you so much!
Both the NT1-A and the 440 PURE are exceptionally good mics for the price. The NT1-A is more common but both are extremely good and you’d be safe with either, although the 440 PURE may perform better as an all-rounder for recording guitars as well as voice.
@@PresentDayProduction Thank you so much!
I just bought a Rode NT1, made in Australia in their Sydney factory.
Awesome mics!
Did you listen Lewitt? Let them keep the 1040^^.
I have an NT1 and NT 1-A, both damaged atm, the NT1 probably beyond repair, but this was an awesome overview and I wish that you and Lewitt were around when I started out.
Thanks and cheers
Cheers Peter!
VERY generously on Lewitt’s part, they are sending us a brand new 1040 to keep! We are very happy indeed :)
@@PresentDayProduction Hey James (I guess?), that's great news and I'm honestly happy for you guys, you really deserved it.
Thank you Peter!
And yes, it’s almost always James answering ;)
I'm no expert, but i love my Rode NT1-A. And mine has "Made in Australia" printed on it - just like yours!
Yep, nothing wrong with a NT1!
Thanks guys. Which ones would you recommend as room-mics? We have a wonderful staircase and toilet at our complex we'ed like to try out with a guitar-cab.
Maybe the LEWITT 440 pure and rode are the best quality for that, but the MXL 440 crushes nicely
@@PresentDayProduction Thanks / Sonic Peak Studio
I’ve had an MXL 990 for twenty or more years. I got a lot of stick for buying a cheap arse Chinese microphone but it’s served me very well in that time.
Over the last year I’ve seen quite the push by Lewitt. While I get instantly skeptical anytime I see multiple UA-cam accounts giving glowing reviews of a product within a week of each other, in talking to a few personally, the Lewitt lives up to the hype.
You can always count on us to provide honest opinions! We will never say positive things just because we are paid to (which we aren’t!)
@@PresentDayProduction careful, I hear Uli is keeping a list... 🙃
Great video. I want to step up the game and replace my current budget condenser microphone with a more decent one. I only use it for recording vocals and acoustic guitar. What can you recommend in a price range up to €250/$250?
LEWITT 440 pure
@@PresentDayProduction Thanks!
What's your favourite budget condenser for stereo piano microphone duties? Thanks for the video! Sneak FlopCat a treat for me. -chaz
We have used both the Rode NT1-A and Tascam TM-80 mentioned in this video when recording a grand piano, both sound phenomenal. I personally prefer the Rode. -James
@@PresentDayProduction Thanks for the quick reply! :)
SE make some awesome, low cost mics.
IMHO, se8 better than lewitt 140.
SE7 also amazing
@@uzik1987 I have the SE2200 and I love it!
The Rode NT1 was the worst mic i ever used when studying sound engineering back in the day : (
Why was that, Chicken?
@@PresentDayProduction Brittle frail top end fizzyness. Ended up using my own SE2200 : )
Extremely appreciated, even to challenge my 20 eur Chinese shit that has been modded by a friend (and it seems to sound well)
can you try the aston origin series out?
We have a few Aston mics in the building, so, yes as soon as we are able to
really cute cat at the end there whats him name ?
His name is FlopCat! :)
if you had to pick between lct 440 and lct 140 for acoustic guitars and vocals, which one would you pick? I'm planning on buying one of them!
440 for both - the 140 is useful for the treble end of an acoustic guitar, but the 440 is a better all rounder for vocals + guitar.
@@PresentDayProduction Thanks for the recommendation!
Mics are interesting because everyone has a different opinion on them. I find NT1A to resemble the cheap chinese mics. It just doesn't sound balanced and I know that people are modding the circuit to get it to sound any good.
Kind of surprised you picked the NT1A above the NT2-A or NT1, I think the NT1A sounds cheap to be quite honest. I've been using an NT2-A for years and I think it's worth spending double on that.
Just our favourite mics that we own - we don’t have an NT2-A but you’re right in saying it’s a great mic
Changing a capacitor or two is a mod. Swapping the capsule and all the electronics is a new mic.
From what I can tell the only thing reused in that diy kit is the donor body.
Any opinions on Audio Technica AT2020/2035/2050?
We’re reviewing AT mics very soon!
If you want a true quality mic at a good price point, seek out a used Vanguard V13.
why no heat in the studio ? the tiny kid needs a sweatshirt and a vest ??? askin for a friend ,Love The videos
Tiny kid?! 😂
There is heat - I just like being warm.
So the 990 was just a donor body after mods...
i got the tascam , well it sounds prety much the same as the others , no point of getting some other ,
I've heard great things about the Warm Audio WA-47jr, and it comes in lower than the modded 990. Have you tried any of the WA stuff?
Not yet but it’s on our list!
So, is the lesson here to take a budget mic & bodge it up with several hundred quids’ worth of parts?
Q: What’s the best mic to use on the cheap..?
A: A ‘Budgie’---t one.
Thanks as always. Have to get my soldering iron out one of these days. But why not the lewitt 040 instead of the 140? It has the same capsule, it's even cheaper, has no unnecessary switches and a matched pair does do the job in many occasions, like this one: ua-cam.com/video/2NQUZ3oyczY/v-deo.html
Yep, we’ve ordered some 040s because of the smaller size and lack of switches 👍
MXL cms are cheap and best condenser microphones.
Peasant Level Pricing
Upgrade? If your swapping out the entire guts of the mic (pcb and transducer)..its an entirely new mic and shouldn’t be in the review..you used the mxl 770 as a donor body..theres way cheaper bodies to do that with.
I can't help but notice that the Tascams sound a little noisy here
This is very true, they are a little noisy in certain situations. But on drum kit recordings it’s never been noticeable so far
Bandrew has rejected 990..
That’s his personal choice :)
$435 should not be part of a "budget" video.
oh yes... FLOPS!
When you review a microphone as is, please don’t talk about upgrades. It’s a completely different topic
Good call. Buy a budget $100 mic it works well. Add a new capsule and electronics now its a diy one off $500 mic. Why not buy a $500 mic to start with. Guaranteed results and easier to repair. I've done lots of mods and one off joke mics and found specific uses for them. The more expensive condensers I leave alone they sound very good as is. IMO.