Skol303 Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Hi folks, I'm looking for a "cheap" microphone for home recording use - vocals, that is - around the £50 mark or ideally less. As usual this is the old: I want something cheap, but also something not too shabby sort of request! In other words, probably impossible to answer!! ;-) It's not for professional use - obviously not at that budget! I simply want something for playing around with at home, so I can record the missus and a few friends of mine who can actually sing (I personally sing like somebody with their privates caught in car door...). I don't need anything gig-suitable either. I already have an audio interface (a Tascam US-122mkII USB) so I'd rather something I can plug straight into that, instead of via USB. The Tascam has a 'Phantom Power' option for condenser mics, if it helps to know that. Anyway... if you can recommend anything suitable then please let me know, as mics are something I know nothing about! Ta :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 (edited) Sennheiser E845 my just come in under budget (havent checked for years) Before anyone shouts foul Marty whatsit used one for the last WetWetWet album, because they liked the sound of it on his voice apparently. Failing that the E835 is none too shabby, its a flatter version of the E845, so a little eq will bring a similar sound. Edited April 1, 2011 by 51m0n Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leprechaun Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 How about a used SM58? Amongst tons of other chanters, Bono has been known to use one in the studio...great workhorse mic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Savage Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 (edited) [quote name='51m0n' post='1185030' date='Apr 1 2011, 05:48 PM']Sennheiser E845 my just come in under budget (havent checked for years) Failing that the E835 is none too shabby, its a flatter version of the E845, so a little eq will bring a similar sound.[/quote] I've got an E840 and an E845 which I'm considering moving on, if you're interested - both with minimal use (mainly micing guitar cabs, not had people singing into 'em), would much rather keep 'em but the CSA are chewing my arse off - £40 the former and £60 the latter? Edited April 7, 2011 by Ian Savage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 [quote name='Skol303' post='1185018' date='Apr 1 2011, 05:33 PM']I'm looking for a "cheap" microphone for home recording use - vocals, that is - around the £50 mark or ideally less.[/quote] Can I just point out that, especially second-hand, £50 for a microphone is not cheap. There's any amount of low-end Chinese stuff that sells new for a tenner, and with your budget you should have no problem sourcing a pre-owned SM58 or similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrig Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 (edited) [quote name='51m0n' post='1185030' date='Apr 1 2011, 05:48 PM']Sennheiser E845 my just come in under budget (havent checked for years) Before anyone shouts foul Marty whatsit used one for the last WetWetWet album, because they liked the sound of it on his voice apparently. Failing that the E835 is none too shabby, its a flatter version of the E845, so a little eq will bring a similar sound.[/quote] Both good mics, but around £65 for the E835, and £95 for the E845. So maybe, Ian's offer might well be worth considering. Edited April 1, 2011 by thebrig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bankai Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 [quote name='Happy Jack' post='1185095' date='Apr 1 2011, 06:42 PM']you should have no problem sourcing a pre-owned SM58 or similar.[/quote] The trouble is finding a genuine one and not a fake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuco Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 (edited) [url="http://www.studiospares.com/mics-condenser/studiospares-s1100-condenser-mic-only/invt/449010/?htxt=mB5UYjwXsy8%2FqYCog27YYciZQWpTb3kdiSBq5kmv6f3ti4jFfEXTP1MqjYxY2tqye9Z23bwTa89R%0Akvc9tyG8xg%3D%3D"]http://www.studiospares.com/mics-condenser...vc9tyG8xg%3D%3D[/url] WELL worth a punt!!!! Edited April 1, 2011 by Tuco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archetype Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Check out Red 5 Audio at [url="http://www.red5audio.com"]http://www.red5audio.com[/url] We use them in the studio all the time and live. sounds amazing for the price! The RV6 is a few bob over but well worth it. Or the RVD30! We use it on vocals live and on guitars in place of the SM57/58's. Fraction of the price and LOADS better! You won't be disappointed In fact if you are around Glasgow I would happily show them. G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethFlatlands Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 I've read good things about the AKG D5 for female vocals. While it's not as well thought of as the SM58, it's around the £50 mark if you shop around. Music Radar review here:- [url="http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/recording/microphones/d5-mic-136375/review"]http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/recordi...c-136375/review[/url] Side by side with the SM58 here:- [url="http://www.homestudiocorner.com/2009/07/22/akg-d5-vs-shure-sm58-audio/"]http://www.homestudiocorner.com/2009/07/22...ure-sm58-audio/[/url] I use one and am pleased with it but bear in mind I'm not an expert. Another mic I use is the SE2000 large diaphragm condenser but I doubt you'll get one for that price. I paid £40 but I was very lucky! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 The problem with cheap Chinese mics are handling noise & dodgy XLR sockets. I've got 3 KAM mics that was @ £30 each & wouldn't give em to someone I didn't like, let alone suggest buying them. I'm looking for some decent mics & see that Shure make a few around the £50 mark, such as the SM48, PG48 & PG58. Anyone got experience of these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bankai Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 The PG range are just a cheap range of brothers to the proper SM series. PG58 to the SM58 for example. They'll be better than most rubbish you'll pick up and will be fine to use live, yet I would recommend putting your money elsewhere. Especially if you're buying for studio purposes. I would recommend getting [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_tbone_mb85_beta.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_tbone_mb85_beta.htm[/url] Effectively a ripoff of the Shure Beta 58, but VERY well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted April 4, 2011 Author Share Posted April 4, 2011 Gotta love this forum; you folks on here are always so damn helpful! Cheers as always for the sound advice :-) [quote name='Ian Savage' post='1185054' date='Apr 1 2011, 06:06 PM']I've got an E840 and an E845 which I'm considering moving on, if you're interested - both with minimal use (mainly micing guitar cabs, not had people singing into 'em), would much rather keep 'em but the CSA are chewing my arse off - £40 the former and £50 the latter?[/quote] ^ Thanks Ian, that's a very good offer! I'll weigh up my options and get back to you in due course... probably by the end of this week. [quote name='Happy Jack' post='1185095' date='Apr 1 2011, 06:42 PM']Can I just point out that, especially second-hand, £50 for a microphone is not cheap. There's any amount of low-end Chinese stuff that sells new for a tenner, and with your budget you should have no problem sourcing a pre-owned SM58 or similar.[/quote] ^ Good point. I was basing the "cheapness" on some of the £500+ mics I've come across whilst Googling; but you're right that there are plenty of bargains to be had around £50 or less. Too many bargains, in fact, for an indecisive so-and-so like me! Decisions, decisions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan670844 Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 [quote name='leprechaun' post='1185039' date='Apr 1 2011, 05:58 PM']How about a used SM58? Amongst tons of other chanters, Bono has been known to use one in the studio...great workhorse mic...[/quote] +1 they are bombproof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 [quote name='Bankai' post='1186707' date='Apr 3 2011, 01:30 PM']The PG range are just a cheap range of brothers to the proper SM series.[/quote] I've got a PG57. Cost me £25 s/h, OK but a bit uninspiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 I've just bought 2 AKG D5s off iMuso for £49 a piece. Will let you know how they are either Sunday night or Monday sometime (will be getting used on Sunday). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimskidog Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Yeah you gotta watch out for fake Shure Sm57/58. They are pretty horrible. The Red 5's are great bang for buck. I find the PG series to be pretty horrid I'm afraid. If you can find a used ADK a51 they are not a bad little mic for the price, can be a bit dark on some sources but take eq ok. I worked with Roger Nichols (RIP) in NYC a few years ago and the ADK won a shootout against a range of high end mics on one session (I'd only put it up for a laugh!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 [quote name='Rimskidog' post='1197257' date='Apr 12 2011, 08:06 PM']Yeah you gotta watch out for fake Shure Sm57/58. They are pretty horrible. The Red 5's are great bang for buck. I find the PG series to be pretty horrid I'm afraid. If you can find a used ADK a51 they are not a bad little mic for the price, can be a bit dark on some sources but take eq ok. I worked with Roger Nichols (RIP) in NYC a few years ago and the ADK won a shootout against a range of high end mics on one session (I'd only put it up for a laugh!)[/quote] Roger Nichols, thats a damned weighty name to accidentally drop there mate, lucky swine ) Respect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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