Cheap Imitation Microphone Opinions

I'd like to hear opinions on folk's experiences with all these crazy microphones that are on the market these days.

I've got my stack of Neumanns and vintage RCA mics, and such, but I constantly hear people telling me I've wasted money on mics when I can get cheaper mics that do the job better.

Last summer, I was on the road, and I had sudden rush of ads to do for Google. I had my portable system with me (Macbook Pro & an MBox Pro), but I'd neglected to grab a microphone, not thinking I'd end up doing any VO work while I was gone for a few weeks.

So I picked up a "cheap" microphone. An AKG Perception 200. It cost about $100 give or take a few dollars. I found it to be quite amazing, especially given the price.

Now, I'm running a ProTools HD3 system, with focusrite ISA 428's for pre's, through a 192. Quad wired all around, etc...

So when I heard this mic A/B'd next to Neumann TLM 103's, I was kinda shocked. I've A/B'd them next to my M-149. Totally different story. Not the same sound at all, but that should be obvious, it's not a tube mic, right? Now, it's the mic that is always up in my studio, in case I have to record a quick vocal or VO for a client. The TLM's seem to spend most of their time in their boxes.

So lately, people have been telling me that Peluso's P-12 sounds exactly like an AKG C-12. I doubt it, but for around $1000, compared to the price of a C-12, I'm wondering if anyone has A/B'd these mics. Or any other cheaper ones. I know Bill Bradley has given warnings, and I trust him, but I don't believe he's actually checked this particular mic. Every studio in Miami seems to have them in their closet now. Even the big guys. Stil, I'm skeptical that I could have C-12 quality (always been a dream to own a pair, or a C-24) at one tenth the price.

Another find for me was Cascade. It's a group that makes cheap chinese ribbon mics (if you can tolerate the lead in them). Once again, I have some vintage RCA's. I love them. You all know what one must pay dearly to get these mics. I don't have the best RCA's, but what I have is nice. I picked up a Cascade X-15 for less than $500, I believe. It's a stereo mic, much like a Royer. I A/B'd it to a royer (I don't own one). To me, I wasn't hearing a diffference. I'm sure maybe some better ears can. I couldn't. I use it on overheads quite often. Very soft and natural sounding microphone with a nice image. It's also cool to flip it 90 degrees on some projects to get a whacko out of phase sound, which I love. I know, I know... But we've all done it on occasion. Sometimes without realizing it.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!

Cheers,

Pete.

****UPDATE ON MY POSTING SINCE THIS WAS POSTED NEARLY A YEAR GO****

I now have regular access to C-12's I also added 414's and 451's to my studio. I have two Cascade Fathead II's with lundhal transformers, and they are amazing. Also the X-15, which I love. I've found that in the long run, that most the cheaper mics aren't the quality of the expensive ones, but some of them can really give the expensive ones a run for their money. I'll still take my Fathead's and my X-15 over royers and EAE mics ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!

I've also diversified a lot on my front-end gear. More mic pre's like martechs, LA-610's, and API 510's, also a bunch of compressors and limiters to help out with things too. So I've found that many times the best mic isn't the issue, but the best pre for the mic and source as well. Duh.

Tags: AKG, Cascade, Mic, Microphone, Microphones, Neumann, Peluso, Ribbon, Royer, Tube

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Permalink Reply by Brett Wall on September 19, 2009 at 4:49pm

I bought a cheap Audio-Technica, I think it is called the 2020. Then tried it out on a Female vocal. Sounded amazingly well for the $100 I paid. I was going through a tube mic pre and also used the Antares Mic Modeler. Came up with a great Vocal track. I have since used it on other projects with and with out the Mic Modeler and they have all turned out well. Not my favorite vocal mic by any stretch but it works in a pinch. Also found it to sound great on Acoustic guitars.

Like I said not my favorite mic but not bad for the money.

Permalink Reply by Bob Olhsson on September 19, 2009 at 5:36pm

I spend an amazing amount of time dealing with both nasty sibilance and breath pops when mastering stuff recorded with these mikes.

I suppose it's like everything else. You can spend the money up front doing it right or you can spend the money fixing the problems that have been created by trying to save money.

Permalink Reply by Bret Teegarden on September 19, 2009 at 5:46pm

Good point Bob. I would add, it is possible to avoid these problems if you are forced to use a cheep mic, that is, if you know what to do. Unfortunately, you can't just cut them flat into a DAW using a preamp alone.

Permalink Reply by Pete Warren on September 19, 2009 at 6:47pm

You can't? Never? 'Cause I do it quite often. Could you do it with an expensive mic? Expensive Pre? Is it the cheap mic that causes the problem? Or the pre? Or the DAW? or the singer? The engineer?

Permalink Reply by Bret Teegarden on September 19, 2009 at 7:44pm

You can't if you want to be sure and avoid the problems Bob mentioned, whether they occur in cutting or in mixing. You may never have those problems, that's great, but more often than not, the problems surface in the mixing because of all the processing that has to be done during the mix stage. Now, if you have a great mixer that knows what they are doing, problems solved. I think what Bob is addressing are the end results of great musicians who just began engineering in the last few years with their own home setups, many who routinely use the $100 vocal mic, Like the AT202. While AT makes excellent products, the 2020 doesn't respond nearly as well as a 4033 or a Tube 4060. Even the 4033 is prone to capsule distortion (has driven me crazy for years) even though it is one mic I can use on just about anything.

There have been many times with a properly maintained C-12 or Telefunken 251 through a Neve pre and a LA2A where I have not had to compensate for anything. Of course all the variable factor in and come into play, but what we are talking about here is using cheap imitation microphones. Pros and cons.

Permalink Reply by Pete Warren on September 19, 2009 at 8:08pm

You know me and you know my gear. I love high end botique stuff. The situation you described is very real. I mix for a guy in Florida who is a phenom of a musician but only has. A 002 and cheap mics. I've taught him good moving and recording techniques to compensate for the gear as best as he can. It'll never sound like a well cared for 67 and a 1073 and an la-2a on the front. This is our reality. Bottom line... It's as much the technique as it is the gear. Both essential. Otherwise, a martech wouldn't run us $1700. If it were all the same, I'd sell all my gear and buy a mackie board and mxl mics. Right? Still yet, give me that and great musicians any day over the inverse.

Permalink Reply by Pete Warren on June 26, 2010 at 8:44pm

A little update...

I bought an ADK Area 51 from Greg Nelson. This is the mic of choice - meaning this particular mic - according to Greg, of Sandi Patti and Steve Green. So I gave it a try, and ended up buying it. It's amazing on vocals. Clean and pristine. And it's a Chinese made mic.

Permalink Reply by Dana B Martin on January 4, 2012 at 3:46am

I always thought the low-end Audio Technicas(AT 2020, etc) were surprisingly useful and versatile mics. I sure wouldn't fuss if someone dropped a Neumann in my lap but I got my AT'S having to sell all seven of my kids into indentured servitude.

Permalink Reply by Dana B Martin on January 4, 2012 at 3:47am

I always thought the low-end Audio Technicas(AT 2020, etc) were surprisingly useful and versatile mics. I sure wouldn't fuss if someone dropped a Neumann in my lap but I got my AT'S without having to sell all seven of my kids into indentured servitude.