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BetteB - Posted - 09/05/2020: 11:03:09
Open to suggestions on what any of you have used. Looking to use it in church, outdoors or to take with me to events such as weddings. I am not looking for a pickup at this time. Thank you.
(Under $250 preferred).
PS. At our church there are only dynamic mics and I am realizing I need something else to get the best sound projected.
DougD - Posted - 09/05/2020: 11:24:58
A lot of contradance fiddlers I used to work with do use that Audio Technica mic. People also like this one: bartlettaudio.com/collections/...iddle-mic
I've never used either. This is not such an easy problem to solve because the world is so electrified that good instrument mcs are getting scarce. The "presence peak" in many vocal mics is not kind to the fiddle. I used to recommend the AKG C535, and at least one member here bought one to use in church and loved it, but they're no longer made.
You could look at some of the small diaphragm condenser mics from Rode, which are pretty good and in your price range. Using condenser mics outside can be problematic too, because they're sensitive to wind and heat.
I'll be curious so see what suggestions others may have.
DougD - Posted - 09/05/2020: 11:33:59
PS - The Rode microphones I'm thinking of are the NT3 and the NT5. I haven't used either of them, but I know other engineers who have and liked them.
Mobob - Posted - 09/05/2020: 13:15:50
really depends on what you have for a pa system, i.e. amp speakers, not a one size fits all world when it comes to sound gear for gigs. for small venues there are portable pa systems that have all the components.
UsuallyPickin - Posted - 09/05/2020: 16:50:35
I like the AKG C 1000S it is a small diaphragm battery powered mic that works with phantom power when it is available. They are usually around 100.00$. Of course if you are looking for something that attaches I use a transducer for that .
Edited by - UsuallyPickin on 09/05/2020 16:52:13
farmerjones - Posted - 09/05/2020: 19:19:58
That Audi Technica looks like the beez kneez. But you're only halfway there. If it had a wireless module instead of being cable-bound that would be it.
I run my L.R.Baggs bridge into a tiny wireless unit. It's great, but the O.P. didn't want a pickup.
RinconMtnErnie - Posted - 09/05/2020: 20:07:12
I like my Shure Beta 57a. It's a good affordable microphone.
DougD - Posted - 09/06/2020: 11:31:03
Some good suggestions - I'd add a few comments.
Clip on mics are convenient and can sound very good, but they have a couple drawbacks. As Steve said, you are tethered to a cable. If in church you are sitting down and then come forward to play it could be awkward. I have a couple thin, fexible mic cables I use for prople with these mics. You can go wireless, but that's an added expense, and has its own potential problems - need for power and possible interference. Probably safest in a familiar environment like the church, and riskier outdoors or at weddings.
You also can't get away from the mic to control your volume, and you need to have a way to mute it to tune - there are switches available for this. You can mute the wireless transmitter if it will do it silently.
Using condenser mics puts a little more demand on the sound system. You need phantom power from the mixer, and some of these mics have very high output and the soundperson needs to know how to control that. Both the Rode NT3 and the C1000 can run on internal batteries instead of phantom, which can be handy if you remember to have them.
I have a pair of C1000's which I've used a lot but I didn't mention them because some engineers really dislike them for some reason. They have a little more high end boost than the Rodes, but its high enough that it might not be annoying.
Another condenser mic that comes to mind is the Audio Technica PRO 37, which I think is a very good mic for the money.
Good luck with your search!
BetteB - Posted - 09/06/2020: 12:22:15
For current use, I'm inside a church. We have an excellent sound system and an excellent sound man - he's also a musician who has lots of experience.
DougD - Posted - 09/06/2020: 13:37:49
Sounds like you have lots of possibilities then. Why not ask your soundman and see what he recommends?
pmiller510 - Posted - 09/07/2020: 06:23:30
I would throw the MXL V67N in the mix too. It has worked very well for me when I didn't want to be hooked up with a cable (using a Bartlett violin mic). Also, you don't have to play right on top of it to get good sound. I like to have a bit more space between the microphone and fiddle when playing and it allows for that. Many mics seem to require that you have the instrument very close to get good sound. Have even used it as a single microphone for a 3-piece band successfully. Requires phantom power. Very affordable at around $110 most places these days.
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