I need to get a decent condenser for vocals, acoustic guitar, mono overhead/room mic. ATM I have an sm57 and two crappy pencil condensors which I got for £10 on eBay (they're practically unusable). I have about £300 I can spend right now but I could stretch that or wait if its going to make a considerable difference. One mic I've heard and am really impressed by is the CAD Trion 8000. There are some videos on youtube of it and it sounds really good, with lots of depth and clarity. Im not sure if I should spend it all on a nice mic or also get a pre-amp (All I have are the built-in ones on my Line 6 interface). So whats the verdict? Can I get a really nice sounding mic in that price range or not really?

For the money I like the older Audio-Technica 4033.

Shure KSM32

Also Studio Projects CS series for your shortlist.

Chris

Agree with the AT suggestion, all their 40 series is nice entry level. You should also try to get an Oktava to listen to, 219 or 319, might surprise you.

Tlm103

Another +1 for AT 40 series. Good all around-ers on a budget that work well on many different sources. The other suggestions would work nicely as well.

AKG C414. Excellent all arounder.

There's some great deals on the SE Titan at the mo. It's a very good multipattern mic, was £999, now £250ish from DV. I've gotta pair, lotta bang for bucks.

No! TLM102 - it's cheaper and way more versatile. But both of these are over the OPs £300 budget.

With that money, you should definitely also consider SE mics (in that price range, I think you're looking at the 2200T, or as stated above, you can get deals on Titans, T2s, Geminis etc. - Check out Red Dog Music for these deals; I got a Gemini III real cheap from them).

With respects to blowing the entire budget on the mic vs. splitting it between a mic and a pre, I can't think of any decent preamps for less than half your budget, and even then I can't think of any AMAZING pres in your budget. If you spent £150-£160 on a pre (which, in this price range you'll probably replace as soon as you've got some more cash anyway), you then only have £140 for a mic, and then you're in NT1A territory. I think you'd do a lot better with an AT mic (or pretty much any of those listed above) into your Line6 pre, than with an NT1A into a £160 pre.

Thanks for all the feedback guys : ) There's an AT 4033 second hand on eBay that I may bid on tomorrow and the sE titan sounds god although I can't find that many sound clips/demo's of it. If I have a little money left I'll spend it on blankets and shit to treat the recording space

Word to the wise - I wouldn't treat your recording space with shit if I were you; it might put off clients

It might inspire an amazing performance because of their eagerness not to have to stay in there for another take

Hmm - I find that, when wanting an amazing performance, a nice clean environment with plenty of natural light usually works, but each to their own

I'm defo more of a covering the walls in excrement kinda guy

Well, that's fair enough, but for the love of god, don't post in any of the "Show you studio" threads

Well, as Karl Pilkington can tell you, walls (and caravans) covered in excrement can be quite artistic

My first "good" mic was an AT4033 and I still use it. And not only does it sound good but it's also built like a tank.

What do you guys think of the 'blue' microphones?

My limited experience with Blue has been great. I only have one (a woodpecker active ribbon), but am eager to try some others. I've read lots good things about them.

There's a blue bluebird on eBay for £200 right now so I could get that and then also another sm57... The sE titan deal sounds promising although Im sceptical because I don't know what it sounds like. The AT also looks pretty promising

I have a cad trion 6000 which is a nice multipattern mic

And the mca sp1 is awesome at $45

I would recommend the AT4047 which has a little more beef on the low end. You may need it on some vocalists and you can EQ it out if not.

+1!
or try a Violet Design Black Knight.. It's an incredible mic for the price, it's totally made in EU and most important it sounds great!

Just my 0.02$,

Cheu

I've heard good things about that mic. Especially on acoustic guitar. How sturdy is that neck, though?

I'm a little rusty in this budget area, but I will second the AT 4033 advocates. I still use them.
Oktava and SE had good candidates last time I checked too - CAD M179 seems to be well accepted though I haven't had the pleasure yet, also the Shure KSM27.

Pre-wise... The Rane is supposed to be not too shabby. (MS1r?)
The Alice Mic Pak preamp is super clean and quiet (75dB gain, dual pre, ready for stereo or mic n' DI etc.)

Neumann tlm102 or the AT4033.... Sleeper mics!!!

That's my first condenser and the first of many others. I wonder if it's a little too low end in the context of this thread, and a little too safe in terms of character. Certainly versatile enough.

Agreed. Noticeably more detail than the AT mics. Got mine on ebay for $600. Might also want to check out some Charter Oak mics - top quality stuff.

I had a 414 XLS and sold it, not a character mic IMO, I am very curious to try a 102, do you think it will work well with female vox?