Cheapest Condenser Mic w/ Quality

[bindoy]

Considering the intended usage, I'd get some SM-58s instead. Maybe get one condenser if you intend to overdub vocals later in a recording studio environment.

salamat!!!ngatz...gbu

[YJMCowboy]

I don't think an sm58 will ever be as good as even the
cheapest of condensers when recording vocals. Period. Well unless the singer was Elvis or someone of that caliber. Cguro kaying pantayin ni Elvis kahit 58 gamit nya.

Iba un dynamics na kaying i-capture ng condenser. Using an ordinary pc,
through a cheap  mixer the 58 is ngo ngo. Iba din yun high end boost na dala ng condensers, na hindi kaya ibigay ng dynamics. If you want to record vocals, cheap condensers are way better than a 58. Iba naman kasi un intended use ng 58, live singing, where a great proximity effect
could be useful to the singer. pero sa recording that proximity boost effect
can be bad news. In recording, the high end detail is more inportant for the voice than the low end body. Kaya nothing beats condensers for recording vocals. Pwede dayain using an antares Mic modeler, but even the folks
from antares said you'd get more condenser-like sound using a condenser.
Common sense nalang, kung  mas ok 58's sa recording vocals bakit condensers parin ginagamit sa studio. Yun "some" na sinasabi na gumagamit ng 57, nagpapuso sila siguro and are after a different sound,
like Chad smith using a 57 on the kick. Pero on vocals, usually it's a condenser.

I don't trust the quality of Samson. Check the reviews on the net. Mejo
not as detailed, or slightly boomy or not as good on the high end frequencies. Un review ng AT2020 I checked were okay. Even the pro recording mags are praising it.

And think about it dude. Samson is like the cousin of Behringer, meron naman good products sure, but not quite the same in terms of quality compared to a shure, boss or mackie. Common sense diba? On the other hand, Audio Technica is famous for Microphones. CONDENSER microphones ONLY. So the logical conclusion, granting that some audio purchases are calculated risks, is that the At2020 is the best choice in the Philippines.  Unless u want to risk ordering online. Pay for the shipping if its broke.

There's the behringer B1, pero naman at 7+ k. Un AT2020 4.5k.
If you can spend 2.5k-3.5-4k on a cheap condenser from
a shotgun strike anywhere company like samson or Behringer,
why not consider going with a name, even a Pro recordist could be proud of.

I like cheap, but I would want the best.

It all depends on what quality means to you.

[junig]

There's the behringer B1, pero naman at 7+ k. Un AT2020 4.5k.
If you can spend 2.5k-3.5-4k on a cheap condenser from
a shotgun strike anywhere company like samson or Behringer,
why not consider going with a name, even a Pro recordist could be proud of.

I like cheap, but I would want the best.

It all depends on what quality means to you.

where can we buy AT2020 for 4.5k?

[Tarkuz Toccata]

Audio-Technica products are distributed in the Philippines by Sound & Music People, tel. 339-0767 or 562-6635. A-T products are available at all Audiophile stores. Please click here for location of branches.

[YJMCowboy]

Audiophile at P4,355.

Just bot one today.

I chose between Samson Co1, Behringer B1 and C1. Yun lang naman ang cheap  condensers available sa Pinas. Mahal un B1, but includes a case
and shock mount. Price-wise and based on good reviews on the net
I chose the 2020. Shempre yun pangalan din counts. Like chosing
a Fender over a Washburn.

[YJMCowboy]

just tested my new AT2020. Hooked it up to my UB1202 mixer.
Like i said I like it cheap.

I was very pleased with the results. Imagine I started doing recordings
on a Teac cassette deck, then a Tascam 4 track with a decent karaoke mic. Got Antares Mic Modeler( dont ask where) and started Pc recording on a soundblaster. Using an imitation  Senhheiser which I must say is an excellent karaoke mic. After years,
Eventually i learned to use software to get a
decent vocal sound. I had sang into a condenser once in a real studio and
never forgot it. So even if i had a virtual condenser sound via Antares,
i even tried out an sm58 borrowed from a friend, but in the end I wasn't
satisfied with the sound. It took a lot of EQ plugins and antares adjustments just to get a decent sound. I also hate recording vocals
holding the mic too close to the mouth like your gonna eat it.  

So now when i tried recording on the AT2020, I had this feeling i wont be reaching for my plugins that much. In fact I tried the antares with a test vocal on At2020 and it sounds studio-like already. Atleast 10 times better than the recordings I got using dynamics.

The vocals sound natural and clear. Very balanced. Not too bright and not too boomy. Very transparent to my ears. I read that some cheap
condensers are brittle on the high end and can be harsh. Not the 2020.
Others like the samson co1 lack a bit of high end presence and tend to be
a bit muddy sounding I've read.

I'm happy with my purchase. Now i can record the subtle nuances of my voice quite easily.

My music room or "bodega" has officially become a home studio.

[KitC]

Nice mini review and congrats on the transformation of your 'bodega', YJM!  

I hope this will not be the last of your comments on the 2020. Sana as you gain more experience with it, you can help enlighten those looking for affordable condensers.

[YJMCowboy]

Hey thanks for the acknowledgement there Kit.

Actually I've got some GAS as a result of my purchase.
Now I'm thinking of cheap Pre's and other mics like the Studio projects
B1 and the MXL 2001 and other series. Mura lang yon sa Music 123
 If i get a chance to go to the states or if some relative
perhaps. Maybe someday. Tapos meron pre's, VTB1, DMp3, TPS II,
mic2200 ( meron dito kaso mahal ), kahit nga studio buddy lang ng M-Audio, interesado ako.

Well I'll be checking these post from time to time. Catch you later KIT.