Mic recommendations for £100 (new) or less

[garrettendi]

So I thought it would be helpful to anyone who, like me, records on a shoestring budget. I propose this thread where anyone can give a shoutout for any budget mics they recommend.

The rules: £100 or less - new only. So no recommending the used U87 you got for £80 round the back of The Pig and Whistle...

I'll start: The Sennheiser e835. I think its around £90 or so, and in my opinion cannot be beaten as a dynamic mic for the price. It's very flattering for my (poor) voice, and is perfect for punk or metal vocals!

Anyone else want to weigh in?

[Arpangel]

Worker Bee?

[garrettendi]

Worker Bee?

Looks good! Not heard of it until now but I can't find it for £100 or less?

[forumuser840717]

The rules: £100 or less - new only. So no recommending the used U87 you got for £80 round the back of The Pig and Whistle...

So I shouldn't mention the one I got for £30 at a farm auction near Tiverton in about 1995. It didn't have a box but did come with a stand and a cable.

[Arpangel]

You could do a lot worse than an SM57, I’ve found lately, it works well if you want to get close and personal, and has a very flattering sound, at least on my voice.

[Drew Stephenson]

I'm a fan of the AKG D5 for live stuff, a good alternative to have alongside an SM58 if the Shure is getting a bit screechy.

[The Elf]

I'd take a D5 over an SM58 every time.

[garrettendi]

I have the D5 and got to say, I'm not a fan. Maybe I'm using it wrong?

[Sam Spoons]

Stage vocal mics all need to be used close to sound right, the frequency response is tailored to take the proximity bass lift into account so used at a distance (say 6-12" or more they will sound thin. But it could be that the D5 just doesn't suit your voice?

[Ben Asaro]

Lewitt has a few lower-priced options that are well-regarded, though I’ve not tried. I use an SM57, Sennheiser e609, or Audix D2 and have no complaints.

[garrettendi]

Stage vocal mics all need to be used close to sound right, the frequency response is tailored to take the proximity bass lift into account so used at a distance (say 6-12" or more they will sound thin. But it could be that the D5 just doesn't suit your voice?

Yes I think you're right. The e835 is very flattering with my voice but the D5 just sounds a lot worse. I now use the D5 as an instrument mic and it's not too bad for that.

[Humble Bee]

Favourite for recording must be the Audio-Technica AT2020... Strangely good for the money.

[Wonks]

I have the D5 and got to say, I'm not a fan. Maybe I'm using it wrong?

It's bright and clear so doesn't suit all voices, though it does help with those who you'd struggle to hear with say an SM58. But what do other people think of the sound of the D5 compared to the e835 on your voice? You are often the worst person to gauge the sound of your own voice.

[garrettendi]

But what do other people think of the sound of the D5 compared to the e835 on your voice? You are often the worst person to gauge the sound of your own voice.

True. Maybe some time I'll A/B with another listener

[Wonks]

They might suggest you sing into a wooden spoon.

[Drew Stephenson]

Favourite for recording must be the Audio-Technica AT2020... Strangely good for the money.

Very good shout!

[Wonks]

Dave B's 2020 was absolutely terrible when we tested it against some other sub £200 mics. The 2020 track actually sounded OK on my Genelecs, listening later in my untreated room, but really nasty on Dave's AE22s in his treated space. So I've always been wary of them ever since.

[Humble Bee]

While it’s no U87 it’s capable of very good results when used sensibly. Awful results leaves me thinking something else might have gone wrong...

[Mike Stranks]

As someone who habitually inhabits 'the shallow end'...

AT2020... I've owned several... good results and good value

[Worker Bee no longer available at the excellent price of £79.99... Several here jumped when it was!]

The Rode M3 is surprisingly capable... I'm using one regularly for voice work now. Hugh liked it too when he reviewed it.

Moving to dynamics... I quite like the Audio-Technica PRO61... I have a couple...

[CS70]

While it’s no U87 it’s capable of very good results when used sensibly. Awful results leaves me thinking something else might have gone wrong...

I have both an AT2020 and an U87 and for stuff that's in front of the mic they're both eminently useable. Don't sound the same of course, but then none of my other mics do.

I wouldn't be afraid to use a 2020 to record a proper vocal line or an acoustic guitar, in a decent room.

[Rich Hanson]

I'll second the Rode M3, it's a fine budget mic. I have used mine with vocals, acoustic guitar and percussion. The only thing I don't use it for is micing up a guitar amp but that's because I generally prefer a dynamic (in my case an aging Yamaha MZ101!)

(My M3 is still traumatised though, after someone on last night's SOS Zoom mistook it for a C1000S )

[jimjazzdad]

Since a lot of the mics mentioned are dynamics I'll cast a vote for the EV 635A. A really useful mic when you want an omni. Sounds good on voice or instruments if the room is decent,

[Humble Bee]

While it’s no U87 it’s capable of very good results when used sensibly. Awful results leaves me thinking something else might have gone wrong...

I have both an AT2020 and an U87 and for stuff that's in front of the mic they're both eminently useable. Don't sound the same of course, but then none of my other mics do.

I wouldn't be afraid to use a 2020 to record a proper vocal line or an acoustic guitar, in a decent room.

This was obviously the point I was trying to make. Thank you for making sure that my point got across! And different mics do tend to sound different yes that is my experience to.

[Aled Hughes]

The Rode M3 is a cracking versatile mic. Though the SOS was spot on when they stated that is rather unusually long.

Another vote for AKG D5 too.

I'm sure there was a time when the Line Audio OM1 was £99, but it's £135 on Pinknoise at the moment. Still worth mentioning!

[ConcertinaChap]

Worker Bee?

Looks good! Not heard of it until now but I can't find it for £100 or less?

I bought mine on Amazon in May last year for £79.99 and a lot of people were selling them for less than that. Everybody thought it was a permanent price drop but it seems not. It's now £171.23. I have to say it's a pretty good mic and the current price reflects its value so I got a lucky bargain, it seems.

Otherwise I'd echo the M3 and AT2020 as good cheap mics that have crossed my path.

CC