Cheap Mic for home recording and live use?

Went through the first 3 forum pages and couldn't find what i needed. Are there any suggestions for a good mic under $200 for live and home recording use? Or point me towards a thread already made about this?

Thanks!
Tim

Something like the Shure Beta 58A should get you through, or an equivalent in another brand. A condenser would be nice for recording, but I personally don't care for condensers for stage work (others may disagree).

I'm no home recording expert but as with any forum query, the more information you can supply about your situation, the better feedback can be:

1. What are you recording at home
2. What do you need to mic at a gig
3. What is your gig environment
4. What is your home recording environment - room size, treatment etc

SM57
Sennheiser e906
Kel HM-1
Rode NT5

all depends...

Currently I am not recording anything, and would mainly be doing it for song ideas I have. I have been looking into getting pro tools in the future, and would like to buy 1 decent mic now, and last for a while. The only recording I have done is with Cubase Le, and it was through a digitech rp250, which I have moved on from thankfully, great starter pedal though.

My room is about 20 by 30 feet, (Human estimate, could be way different) It has 3 windows (gets chilly in the winter) and is pretty decently packed with a bed, desk dresser, two chairs, and my vox AC30HW2 with pedal board and tele (Didn't really need to add the tele part.)

Mic is for the AC30HW2, and I usually use a senheizer e906 type mic, i think its the 606, is the 906 better?

I play with the worship band at my church often, and its in a gym, so you can imagine just how the acoustics are in there. (It isn't the worst gym acoustically, its half concrete walls, and then the top half is some weird padding thing, hard to explain).

Miss anything?

I'm about to spring for a pair of 906s myself. They did a 409/609/906 shootout over at gearslutz. 609 harshest, 409 warmest, 906 splits the difference and able to get in the ballpark of both with its bright boost/cut switch.

Room treatment inconsequential, for all intents and purpose. 906 will translate your amp fine. Maybe consider a Palmer PDI-09 DI down the track - they work great for direct to soundcard recording, as well as live.

Church in a gym is more about controlling your levels than the mic used. It may even be beneficial to go direct to desk, with the DI above.

SM57 would be the other obvious choice, or check out Heil PR30.

I personally don't care for condensers for stage work (others may disagree).

Condensers for stage work would be one hell of a challenge so I DON"T disagree.:smile:

If one needs to have a mic for both stage/live applications a dynamic like the one you suggest or an SM57 are good candidates.
There may be other dynamics just as good but I'd go with Shure.
I grew up on SM57/58's since the early 70's and they are proven.

Carry on....

sm58...You'll use it forever.

For 200 dollars you could buy a SM57 and a MXL studio condenser microphone and still put change in your pocket, especially if you went used. I have a cheap Nady large condenser microphone I have been real pleased with. Fond of the SM57's also.

I'll second (or third) the Shure Beta 58a. Works well for vocals but I have not tested it for amp mic'ing.... but it should be fine.

SM58
$100 bucks new.
workhorse mic
should last you at least 25 years before you break it.

SM58
$100 bucks new.
workhorse mic
should last you at least 25 years before you break it.

Correct....
I still have a Shure Unisphere 1 that was my first mic purchased in summer of 1973. (Mick Jaggers pic is on the ad with the frequency response:smile:)
It has been through gig hell during my live band days and it still works flawlessly with a dent in the screen.

I've also had 7 SM57's at one time (3 for my congas alone) but am down to 3 now after selling some.

Just an endorsement for the tried and true.

Back to topic....

Condensers for stage work would be one hell of a challenge so I DON"T disagree.:smile:

If one needs to have a mic for both stage/live applications a dynamic like the one you suggest or an SM57 are good candidates.
There may be other dynamics just as good but I'd go with Shure.
I grew up on SM57/58's since the early 70's and they are proven.

Carry on....

Got 'em both. Love 'em both. Rock solid. the 58 is a little better only because the cap doesn't rattle like the 57 which can be cured by a tiny piece of foam.

I like Electro Voice dynamic mics.

After having read a great many posts on this and other sites the obvious mic to meet the OP's requirements and budget would seem to be the SM58. It's always referred to as an "industry standard" so would at least be a good starting point.

you could buy a SM57 and a MXL studio condenser microphone and still put change in your pocket, especially if you went used.

Yep - having the condenser as well for acoustic stuff in the studio is handy- and the MXL stuff is good value. a Heil PR20 is good alternative to the 57 - for me anyway.
The Beta 58 is a quality microphone with many applications -but make sure its an original Shure...

A good budget pair - if the budget can go there is a Heil PR20 and a Studio Projects B1 - may take you to 250 or so.

For recording and live just your amp - the 906 is a great mike.

Got 'em both. Love 'em both. Rock solid. the 58 is a little better only because the cap doesn't rattle like the 57 which can be cured by a tiny piece of foam.

I don't recall that issue but my mics are pretty old so maybe I escaped some of those problems.

Also, Beyer is another brand of dynamics but don't know if they are still in the market or not.
My music buddy in Kansas has had one for quite some time.

Happy shopping OP....

I like Electro Voice dynamic mics.

I was recently introduced to the N/d767a and like it a lot for live vocals. though I have not tried it for micing an amp yet...

But as someone else suggested, I also picked up the MXL 990/991 package for micing around the house/studio type stuff. I got them on sale for under 70 bucks.

So far I am impressed with all three mics. But I am far from a pro at this....

I was recently introduced to the N/d767a and like it a lot for live vocals. though I have not tried it for micing an amp yet...

Those sound big and warm live ... my bass player, who sings mostly harmonies, got one and I was totally envious — much fuller than my Sennheiser or SM58. But have never used one for recording, though I suspect they'd be a winner for both miking amps and vocals, especially with a thin voice.

I have a pair of Shure Beta 57a's that I used to use in a very live, school cafeteria (startup church). One for vocals, one for the whatever little guitar amp I was using at the time. I've used them to record a baby grand, and other stuff. Very versatile mic that I'd give a look, in addition to the others mentioned. I'd avoid the CL or used market with Shure mics anymore - too many counterfeits out there.

Have that EV mike also. It is our number one vocal mike.

I use the EV N/d 468 for mic'ing guitar, keyboard & bass amps. I't's been great! Never tried it on vocals because I have better LDC's for vox.