So, I've been going crazy lately Researching and researching about mics and all the little differences and comparison videos and articles, etc. Well, I think I'm going crazy… Anyways, I'm looking for the best value starter microphone for singing and voiceover work. I'm currently watching a few used microphones on eBay and other places. I think my best bet is to buy 2 or 3 used microphones that I'm interested in and try them out but I still want to get your opinion. After all my research I have narrowed my mic selection down to a Behringer B1, MXL V67G, MXL V63M, MXL V-250. And yes there are many more options, including the very popular audio technica AT2020, but this is what I have narrowed down to.

From what I have read the Behringer has the lowest self noise at about 13 decibels and a slightly smaller capsule than the V67G and V63M. I put the V-250 on my list because I just discovered it and it seems to get remarkably good reviews across the board especially for vocals, however it is a small capsule microphone. With all that said, what do you think is the best value out of these mics and why? Thanks guys.

New
MXL v67g is $58
B1 is $120
AT2020 $120

Used is 50%....typically....soooo if you drop apprx. $200 you could get all three. Might take some patience.
I might lean towards the v67g just because Ronan Chris Murphy who has used these mics and done a lot of work with other mics mentioned it.
Its also the cheapest.
thats my 2 cents..

Thanks for the reply.

A good bit has changed since I tried to post this - I tried to post this thread a few times and it wasn't working. So, I can get an AKG P420 for around $100, and I have heard nothing but amazing things about the P220 and P420. The P420 will allow me to be prepared to record for many different situations and it's a super solid mic, so I might be going for that. I can also get an AT2035 for $70 shipped so that's an option, but I'm really leaning towards the AKG. Watching others and will see what I can get and try out.

yes, agree, a lot pf good posts about that series AKG mics.
they are probably well built workhorses and wont get you any resale but not many do.
the sound is what I read over and over , thats impressive and far exceeds the cost.
AKG P series, which one will be the confusion.

AT are a good line too....omg..

I started going nuts with it all and went with Shure, just to filter out the overwhelming options. I almost went Senniheiser....
Then once Shure I started comparing within their offerings and found the KSM used decent and SM dynamics good and cheap, well built etc..

Theres a lot of choices, impossible to try them all.

Save your money. Don't bother with the cheap mics, just find a used version of a mic in a higher price bracket (ie AT4040 or 4050 instead of the 2020), and buy ONE mic that works well.

Behringer and MXL mics are not going to have any resale value and you'll end up stuck with 2-3 mics that aren't very good.

At this price range you'll get much, much more value for money with a dynamic mic like an sm58, or maybe even a used re20 or sm7, but there are plenty of usable condensors if you look around. In this price range every increase in price will usually give an equivalent rise in quality.

Have my eyes set on an AKG p420 or a Rode Nt1. I'm waiting for some people to get back to me but I have a lead on two NT1s for under $100 each. I also just came across an AKG p220 for $60 so I may settle for that. We'll see.

I have an MXL V67G, MXL V250, Rode NT1 (older gray version), AT2020, and a AKG P200 bought mostly when I was starting out many years ago and I have others that are higher in cost as well that were acquired more recently. Any one of those would be a good mic to start out with, although I never really bonded with the AT2020 for my voice. You're not going to really be able to judge what a particular mic sounds like for your voice until you actually try it. Of the mics I have listed above I'd likely pull out the AKG P200 first to record my own vocals followed by the V67G and V250. Also consider that you'll likely want to place the mic in a shockmount and some mics you're looking at may not include a shockmount and that could add to your cost. As suggested don't discount the possibility of a good dynamic mic.

What have you got or are you considering for a USB interface? Or other recording device?

Thank you for your input and advice. I also might have to try out the classic mxl 2001, as I found a great deal on one and I've heard great things about those older mxl mics. 32mm capsule and transformer coupled.

And, I just bought a used PreSonus Audiobox usb 96. Should be coming in tomorrow.

Edit: just bought the 2001 for $40 shipped in the box. Great start.

I’ve tried all three versions of the Rode NT1/NT1a and MXL v67g and I would recommend saving a little extra for the Miktek MK300. These cost £161 at Thomann which is a real bargain.

The Rode NT1a is an absolutely fantastic place to start. You'll see this mic recommended almost everywhere.

I recorded all of the vocals on my first EP using that mic, and I think it came out sounding great (even though I threw some distortion on it for style).

The NT1a sounds clean, full, and it's very easy to drop into any mix. Give it a shot!

Thanks for the input so far.

So, I bought an mxl 2001 for $40 and a v63m with a shock mount for $25. Just a quiting for them to com in. And my PreSonus Audiobox usb 96 just came in today $35. Might be getting a really nice shape in the case and original box mxl 990 for $30. It's really hard for me to turn these mics around at when they are so cheap!

Also I have a lead on a Akg p420 in nice shape with the case and mount for currently $95 and a 770x with the mount and pop shield for $75.

I really should not spend more but the akg p420 is what I had my heart set on and I know it's one heck of a mic. And the 770x is a comparable mic. I feel like at these prices I could always resell them one or the other and do just fine. Opinions?

Hey guys, so I have been recording voice overs with my newly acquired MXL 2001 and I am pretty happy so far. Also, It's hooked up to a PreSonus Audiobox USB 96. So, to get decent audio levels straight from the recording, standing about 6 or so inches from the mic and getting at least a peak of - 12db, the gain is turned up a decent bit to around the 3oclock position and recording level in Audacity is at 95 to 100%. With these settings and in a Jerry riged 3-sided recording space, I am getting peak white noice/self noise of about - 48db. Seems like a bit much, right? The mic is rated at a high 20db self noise, so is this causing part of the problem?

I am forever looking at and researching other mics to try, but I went ahead and ordered a mic mods kit for the 2001 and another for the v63m that I just got in. Should this help with some of the self noise? Thanks.

By the way, I have a lead on an MXL CR24 kit for only $75! It's a 2003a which has amazing reviews and a low self noise of only 11db. Worth picking up?

At the risk of reiterating previous advice that will go completely unheeded, before sinking more money into cheap mics and mod kits for cheap mics (which won't change what they fundamentally are), do some maths and figure out how much you have spent and will be spending on all these mics in total, then think about which individual mic you could have bought for that price.

It's frustrating to hear about it, partly because I was once a victim of the same fallacious thinking you seem to be immersed in.


PS tech specs are not everything, and like government unemployment statistics can be framed in particular ways to make one think that a $50 mic is operating on a similar level to a $500 one.

Please don't think that I have not listened to what you have to say. My budget is just very limited right now, plus I do actually really enjoy researching all the different microphones that are budget-friendly and still get amazing reviews. While I'm sure that the quality overall with the high-end mics are simply amazing and will sound great for the most part, I just don't believe that cheaper mic won't still do the trick just because it is cheaper.

From everything that I've read and we watched, and I've done quite a lot of it recently, I've seen some amazing things about some cheaper mics like the MXL v67g, the 2003 a or cr24, at2035, akg p220/420, and many others. Trying out new likes and figuring out what you like and don't like and maybe collecting some is honestly part of the fun for me. I really enjoy finding great deals.

I guess my question is then, are you saying that these mics and others that are in the cheaper price range just are not worth having, Just because they are cheaper? Also, I take it you don't believe in modifying a microphone? There is a massive Market for that with lots of great results that I have read.

I honestly would really like to hear more about why you think I should just go ahead and buy a higher price point mic. What will I be getting that will be so different? And seriously I am genuinely curious and would like to know more. I love learning.

As far as the higher price point microphones go, I do have my eye on a cad e100s, Sennheiser mkh-416, and others, cuz I know these kit rave reviews and are very widely used in voiceover work. The AKG c214 seems to be very popular as well.

Also, this junkie on YouTube Who I Really respect did they review on the TZ audio Stellar X2 mic and he was blown away! And that's only $200. He also did a review on a $250 shotgun mic that is very very similar to the mkh-416 and he absolutely loved it.

Good. Because you're correct. Technology has come a LONG way in recent years and there are some excellent mics even at the lower price points.



I doubt it, because that's absurd. I think he's just saying you might (might) get better quality from a pricier mic. Then again, you might not. I think you're on the right track. Enjoy!

I think the USB powered unit might be some hinderance, I know my USB powered unit is much weaker than my wall-powered unit.

My USB powered is only 15db, the one you mention is 35db.

While spending on mics a very common addition might be a M-Audio DMP3 or a Studio Projects VTB1 preamps for around $50 to $75 for dual inputs even.
I have compred these to more expensive units and they actually perform very well and can make Microphone comparisons much easier.

Opens doors to dynamic mics too when you have a preamp with 60db or more gain.

A lot of the preamp added noise will no longer be an issue.

The Stellar X2 is an incredible deal for $200. I don't think there are any other mics in it's price range that can compete with it. I've been working with the X2 for the last couple of weeks (mostly vocals) and to my ears it really raises the bar for affordable LDCs. It's a keeper.

I'd love to find those preamps in that price range but from what I just found they are easily $100 plus used at the moment.

Any experience with the ART Tube Mp or V3? They seem well loved and I can find them for very cheap! Also, what about a Fethead? Thanks.

ISK mics are a pretty good for what you pay for them. For under $100, you can get a nice mic that cab capture great sounds.

oops my bad, outdated pricing. looks like it all starts around $100+ these days...or it fluctuates.

You have $35 into it your interface now, maybe sell it and grab something with a dual or more preamps and more gain and not need any outboard.
Probably not what you want to hear but a different interface with 60db preamps, wall powered & usb powered will have better gain and might be cheaper in the end.

Loud screamer singers and guitar amps the 35db pre is probably fine, but for softer acoustic type sounds you might need some more gain.

yes, Ive got the ART TPSII which is a dual V3, and has impedance knob and is a great little unit.
Not only a Preamp for mics 80db (has a +20db extra gain button for Ribbons etc), its also a DI for guitars, it has the TRS jacks on the front too for ease for desktops.

Ok, thank you.

When I can afford it, I think the DBX 286s Preamp is my choice or I will go for a better audio interface preamp combo, like the Audient ID4. Always looking for the best I can get for what I can afford used.

I vote for the MXL V67 with a few modifications. You can reduce the 10K presence bumpby changing the C3 to a 640 pF Capacitor. Also if you are willing to use a pop shield and treat your microphone nicely you can remove the inner headbasket screen - which will open the sound of the microphone up considerably (see the attached photo).

.

Its interesting doing the low end gear, but sometimes in hindisight seems we could have bought a couple really known good items, by the time all the mods and outboards and gain-devices are added to get things working smoothly.

but I agree it is part of the fun too, trying everthing, learning the polar patterns and different mic personalities and preamps and compressors.....
\At some point a lot of us rely on those who can actually compare a real 1073$$$$ to all the clones, or a U47$$$$$ to the clones and help get close to the sound of the clones that actually sound like the items they are cloning and not just some marketing-scam.

Just curious if you like this as well as the MK105? I have them both and think the Octava has a little more character while the Stellar is a little more neutral. Also, I agree with Dickiefunk in an above post that at this price range the Miktek MK300 is the microphone! It is much nicer than the Stellar!

The Mk 105 has been an important microphone with me for quite a few years. I'm also big fan of the somewhat "darker" Oktava 219 and 319. The Stellar X2 fits somewhere in between these in my mind as a vocal mic. I can't speak for The Miktek Mk 300, but I'm getting pretty curious. What I like most about the Stellar X2 though is how well balanced it seems to my ears (maybe just a tad bright). I've been comparing it with the Oktavas on and off since I got it and I find that I'm less inclined to use as much corrective eq with the Stellar. It has a sound that I would call "refined" in comparison, particularly in critical areas of the midrange. Having said that, the 105 remains one of my all time favorite mics and will continue to get a lot of use around here. I'm also interested in auditioning the Stellar X2 Vintage when it comes out next year.

Hey Chanter. one of my interfaces is an original Presonus Audiobox. For condensers, it has a nice/clean pre. Yes the VTB-1 or DMP3 (others too for that matter) are an upgrade.
Those Audioboxes are rugged though and thereby good for traveling-Or handing down to a Teenager!

Bigger question is... How "treated" is your recording area?

Sounds like your having fun, experimenting with different low cost/interesting microphones.

I did the same thing stretched over years,
primarily with dynamic microphones.

This is what's cool about NOT being a commercial studio, and "ponying up" for that U87!
You'll learn a lot.

Recently, an active GS member, with an exceptional voice (Kennybro) put out a clip singing on the MXL 990. It really sounds great on him!
I owned/sold an MXL 990 many moons ago-Too muddy on me. (but this made me wonder...)

The CR24/2003a sounds a lot, like the AT4040.
Chris
P.S. My "990" el cheapo vocal winner is the
AKG P120 (Black). My AKG 200 will work
for VO, but for singing brings out my
breathiness.

That's exactly what I was saying.

You don't owe me anything, and certainly not an explanation. I wholeheartedly encourage you to do what makes you happy and provides you with meaningful and enjoyable experiences, and I mean that with no sarcasm or condecension. I'm posting simply because I myself would have wanted to hear it if/when I was in your position.

If you've been recording for longer than a short period of time, and had the opportunity to compare, you will notice that the cheaper mics have all sorts of merits to them, but also a hell of a lot of compromises too. Eventually these all accumulate and it saves time and money to just use better gear. I'm not much of gear a snob I don't think, I just hate the feeling of putting time and energy into a project and hearing compromise layered upon compromise. Believe me, I have paid my dues to cheap mics and recorded a bunch of material using relatively cheap equipment, it's just that I don't want to do that anymore. Plus, further down the line if you start using more professional level equipment, all the accumulated info about MXL mics vs lower end AKG and AT mics will be relegated to the 'cheaper mics I don't really use anymore' bin.

And it's not 'because they are cheaper', it's because they have had to use cheaper components, less stringent production and quality control, and all sorts of other compromises to make it cheaper. There is no escaping it.


"Seen" and "read" things. We're talking about sound though. The thing is that you're comparing a range of similar things to each other, for the same sort of task (voiceover recording) so the differences won't be that revealing. Comparing different types of microphones for different types of recording tasks would be, but you don't necessarily need that.

Do you need a mic (or more) to record? Or to compare with other mics? How many mics do you actually need to do the things you want to do? Is it better to have a bunch of different mics doing different things or will they all essentially be used for the same task?

You haven't said anything (unless I missed it) about your experience and skill with mic modding, electronics, and so on. So it may or may not be worth your time to go into that area depending on what your priorities are.
With all the modding in the world, a nissan micra will never perform like a McLaren. I know it's an exaggerated example, but as the Scots like to say "Ya cannae polish a jobby".

An AKG C214 is a perfectly respectable microphone, and would likely make all the other mics listed obsolete once you have one. I still have, and use, the first condensor I bought - an sE electronics se2200. It is a fine mic for the price and for what it is, and can be found secondhand for very little. However, I could have saved myself some time if I had saved money after that to buy a much better condensor mic instead of continuing to dabble with other mics in the same price range. I gained fairly little other than realising and understanding what other meant by 'harsh, sibilant, chinese mics', 'muddy low end', 'thin-sounding' and so on when compared with other mics that were designed with better components.
I have since sold most of my cheaper mics because they became superfluous and it is more useful to have a handful of versatile mics than a whole range of mics that are not.

In theory (and practice) you can use pretty much any microphone for voiceover work. Which begs the question why you need 3-5 of them? What are you looking to get out of it? If it's just curiosity, why not just go to an audio shop and ask to try out a whole range of microphones for comparison purposes?


I HAVE used really cheap gear to make recordings I am proud of. I am a strong advocate of using what you have. Some of my favourite recordings were made on really ****ty gear in bad rooms. But you seem to be really keen to spend a whole bunch of money in small amounts on a bunch of secondhand mics, when you could just combine those funds to buy one mic that is better than all of the cheaper ones. I don't know how to say it any other way than that.

To me, the low end ethos is about trying to do the very best you can with what you have and making as good a recording as you can even if the gear is not the best out there. There is a difference between that and fetishising how cheap something is and thinking that you're going to get something amazing for that price. The latter is something of a fantasy.

Be honest with yourself - how much have you spent on mics and recording gear so far? If it all adds up to the price of one mic in a higher price bracket then there is a good chance you have chosen... unwisely. I'm not suggesting to not buy cheaper gear, just that you don't need to buy so much of it.

Forget about spec and certainly don't take youtube reveiws too seriously. Try listening to your own recordings and learn from that.

I appreciate the replies.

I have some decent experience working with electronics, so the mic mods kits I bought are really just for fun and to see what changes and to get more experience.

I have spent right at about $100 for the audiobox, mxl 2001, v63m, and xlr cable. I just wanted to get started, with my crazy tight budget and go from there.

Also, I would absolutely love to go to a pro audio store and try out a bunch of mics, but I don't have anything like that somewhat close to Roanoke, VA.

When I can save up some money I plan to start upgrading my gear to more quality gear. Might take a while, as I start two 8 week non paying internships for OT school in January, so little time to earn money, but I'll get there. My recording space is definitely not ideal in the slightest, but I make it work. Jerry rigged a tiny, non walk in closet to be a 3-sided space.

I appreciate all the advice.

I've been looking into some of the mics mentioned here and more. If I could get an SE X1s for close to $100 or an SE2200 open box for around $150 or so, are those solid mic choices? They seem to both be well loved. Also, I still would like to know if the Akg p420 or the mxl 2003a/cr24 for around $80 - $100 would be a good upgrade too and which one you'd choose.