a few questions into one post, but did not want to be that guy, with a new post every day, so i tried to consolidate as much as i could lol and i hope this is right section of the forum, as i'm a new poster.


i dont know if my confusion is due to people having different goals with a mic (VO vs music vs podcasting, etc.), or just different quality standards, or what, but i’d love to get a few things clarified.
is it realistic to use a condenser at home? i hear countless times ‘if your room isn’t great, you’re better off with a dynamic’. but couldn’t literally all bedrooms qualify as such? yet, i see a few use a condenser in an untreated room, and plenty use one with a room with basic treatment(with either bought or diy shields, panels in the room, etc.). what leads to this widespread opinion?

is it a matter of just expectations? can i with ‘basic’ treatment initially get a good recording in my room with a condenser? i’m aware that treating and proofing a room are different things - so knowing i would just having to re-record certain parts when there is an outside noise, or not record at all when it’s raining, be a realistic way to approach a condenser in a normal ‘treated’ recording space? does it come down to the mic being a supercardioid vs a cardioid? is there something i’m missing completely?

regarding budget, i already have i sound card and i’m thinking about getting the Aston Origin, thick foam (around 4/5 cm) for the inside of my closet (it’s not a walk in closet, so i’m talking about just a 60x60x45cm (around 23.5x23.5x17.5 inches) ‘box/space' in my closet, which i’m hoping would emulate a reflection screen when i’m facing it), 1 desktop mic stand (which i’d use standing up, positioned inside the closet) and 3 regular mic stands, which i’d position around me when facing the closet, to hang a blanket over each of the stands. additionally, I indent on putting a carpet on the floor below me, hang towels on top and go from there.
this to me seemed the most realistic way to get the ‘best mic’ (regarding price range, not specifically to the AO) and best sound within a small budget.

however, i’ve heard a few times that around 70-80% of the total budget should go towards the space and the rest should go towards the mic, which is the exact opposite of what i intended lol, but considering how i wanted to setup, how would you reallocate my budget? is there something dumb i’d be doing with my money this way? is my approach realistic? or does the 70-80% rule still apply, and does it mean that an Aston Origin is overkill, and an something around 100€ would be just as good for me?

any input is highly appreciated

Good questions!

You can absolutely use a condenser mic at home. Many rooms at home sound perfectly fine for recording, particularly if they have a lot of space and/or clutter. You can take lots of steps to treat early reflections that will harm your recording without completely retrofitting the room into an ideal recording studio. (Acoustically treating your room for ideal mixing or mastering is a different story.)

I don't think you mentioned what, specifically, you'll be recording, and that's where mic choice comes in. I'm guessing voice. But maybe acoustic guitar? Electric guitar/bass cabinet? Flute? Clarinet? Trumpet? Hand percussion? Knowing the main uses for your mic will determine which mics to head toward.

Above all, the most important factors in getting good recordings are time and experience. I think you'll do just fine with an Aston in your closet, for getting started, at least. Make twenty good-sounding tracks in that environment, learn from it, and use your ears to guide you toward what you think you should improve. You'll have many more constructive questions after that. Getting started is the hardest part, and there's no right or wrong way to do that. Just start experimenting and you'll learn on the job quickly.

If you intend to stay in recording, either as an amateur or as a career, buying a decent condenser mic is not a bad investment. The Origin is at least a decent condenser mic.
You have made some plans and preparations to try to make a treated space for vocal recording with a mic that may pick up significant room sound. Go for it.
You could easily spend several thousand dollars on pro treatment without guaranteeing a better outcome than with your DIY approach. You can and probably will change your placement, setup and room many times over years, so trying something inexpensive is a good place to start, and to learn.
Good luck! And post back. I’m curious as to how things will go for you.

firstly, thank you!

sorry lol. yes. it will be mainly voice. for voice over work, but just as much for music. within music, still mainly vocals, but want to be open to get a good recording out of other things in the future (guitar from a friend, small percussion sounds, as well as other small acoustic instruments - at least to sample them).

you already helped me a lot. i'm aware that experience, getting to know the mic as well as the room, and technique are what's really important long term, and i can't wait to learn that part of it all. just wanted to make sure the first steps are towards the right direction.

thank you so much for the input. i want to get into voice over, so for now that would be the career part of it, but i have been and i'll continue to make music regardless, so regardless on what level, the mic will always get usage out of it.

your feedback is also reassuring. will post back as soon as i can report

thanks again

Why not the aston element?

I’d love to hear from someone who has tried the Element next to an Origin (or other know budget condenser). It’s certainly innovative.

tbh i haven't heard of it before. i was looking at condenser mics up until the price range of the AO, as well as the 'classic' dynamics. i'm surprised this has not come up yet.
any specific reason you mention/recommend it?

Due to the Pandemic, some Dealers have been out of their Element.
Chris

I suppose this was inevitable

From what I understand, the jury is still out on the Element. As far as Astons go, the Starlight and Spirit seem very enticing, and I would probably spring for one of those if I were shopping just that company. But maybe the Element is great, I'm not sure! I've only heard mixed reviews, never actually tried one (and I honestly don't love how it looks but that doesn't matter).

In that budget, there are plenty of decent options, particularly if shopping used. Audio-Technica AT4040 or AT4033, Warm Audio WA87 or WA84, 3U Audio CM1 Black or Teal (or anything else by 3U really).

But I don't think there's anything wrong with grabbing an Origin and getting to work. Those seem like perfectly decent mics for the money.

Paul G kinda (effectively) talked me out of the Origin.
I almost got one a year or two ago to mess around with.
It does have a distinctive sonic flavoring.



Something like a 3U/AA is going to sound a bit more Conventional. For lead vocals, I prefer the bigger sound of the Warbler's over the CM-1's.

BTW the Spirit was too bright, on my bright voice.

Re-reading where the OP might sometimes be recording...
My top vote changes to Beyer M88TG.
Maybe get a 3U CM-1 also for general use, on top of that, if the budget is limited.
Chris

That's like saying "if you have a flat tire, drive on smoother roads." i.e. it doesn't address the problem. There's no excuse for SOME kind of room treatment, but you don't need to spend a ton.

That all said, I wouldn't ignore the possibility of a dynamic mic, depending on your voice, the song, etc etc.

That's an interesting approach; I'm curious to know how it works out.

I have to wonder where you're hearing this...that sounds way high to me, but frankly I would ignore any specific numbers that way, it can vary, but again you don't need to spend a ton on room treatment (one site I was on briefly had some self-appointed experts who insisted you needed to spend crazy amounts of money; I basically laughed and exited the site permanently shortly thereafter). Sounds like you're on the right track I try to avoid recommending specific mics these days as it's so subjective and there are only about 1000 of them out there. I've heard nothing but good things about Aston generally though, FWIW.

as this will be my first mic, i'm def looking at a LDC, just based on how much more i can get out of it.

I can update once I have everything, it'll take a minute though



probably not literally everybody lol booth junkie definitely recommended this, and plenty more still do emphasize room > mic, when it comes to budgeting.

the entire post was to make sure i'm looking in the right direction. Appreciate your input.