Studio Condenser Mics For Live Sound? at DVinfo.net

Chris Scharff · June 21st, 2005, 11:41 PM

For the mic experts, I wanted to record a few live band performances with my camera using an XLR adapter and was told that a good way a.k.a cheapest/easiest (other than tapping into the board) was an XY setup with two studio condenser mics.
I was told that some good mics were the Rode NT3 ($180 piece) and Rode NT5 ($300 pair).
Are these good, or do you have any other suggestions, preferably a little cheaper? As I have no knowledge of microphones. Thanks.

Guy Bruner · June 22nd, 2005, 07:28 AM

I have tested the NT3 and it is an excellent mono mic for the price. A pair of them would produce some great audio. They are heavy though. The NT5 is basically a pair of condenser capsules on one body. The capsules are a little smaller than those on the NT3. Although I have never tried one, folks I know believe the AT822 is a good stereo mic. The clips I have listened to online from the AT822 sound good. If you want something a little more mobile, you might take a look at the stereo lavaliers from Giant Squid Audio. http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com...-micline1.html There are some very interesting MP3 files from live concerts on that site you ought to listen to.

Jay Massengill · June 22nd, 2005, 04:57 PM

A pair of NT3's would work well, especially in a bass-heavy space. The NT4 is the single-unit stereo mic. It shares the body (and battery power option) of the NT3 and the two capsules from the NT5. The NT5 pair of individual mics also works well, but these mics would require phantom power.
The AT822 and 825 work ok but have higher self-noise than the Rode's.
If I was putting together two mics for stereo recording and I had phantom power and XLR inputs available, I'd buy two AT3031's. I feel they are slightly better than the Rode NT5 pair and about the same price or less.

Chris Scharff · June 22nd, 2005, 08:08 PM

Thanks for the input. Most of the AT's are overpriced for me, so I guess I shouldn't go below $150 a piece for decent mics. The AT3031's and the Rode NT3's are about the same price (with the battery option) but I just like the package deal you get when buying the set of Rode NT5's (i know i'm a sucker). Although they require phantom power I was planning on buying a Beachtek XLR adapter for my camcorder which will provide that to the mics. So we'll see, I just neede to know if they was a PAIR of good mics I could get for around $100-$200, but I don't want to sacrifice that much quality, especially when I'll be recording live concerts.

Nate Ford · June 23rd, 2005, 02:23 PM

a decent, affordable small condenser that works well in pairs is the one by studio projects. i forget the model, but it's their small condenser. (you'll need phantom.) they are available in a pair with a dual stand. they may be a bit over your budget, but your budget is pretty low. i can't think of any mic i'd want to use in pairs for stereo that would be under $100/apiece.

June 21st, 2005, 11:41 PM	#1
Chris Scharff Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: ATLANTA, GA Posts: 68	Studio Condenser Mics For Live Sound? For the mic experts, I wanted to record a few live band performances with my camera using an XLR adapter and was told that a good way a.k.a cheapest/easiest (other than tapping into the board) was an XY setup with two studio condenser mics. I was told that some good mics were the Rode NT3 ($180 piece) and Rode NT5 ($300 pair). Are these good, or do you have any other suggestions, preferably a little cheaper? As I have no knowledge of microphones. Thanks.

June 22nd, 2005, 07:28 AM	#2
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	I have tested the NT3 and it is an excellent mono mic for the price. A pair of them would produce some great audio. They are heavy though. The NT5 is basically a pair of condenser capsules on one body. The capsules are a little smaller than those on the NT3. Although I have never tried one, folks I know believe the AT822 is a good stereo mic. The clips I have listened to online from the AT822 sound good. If you want something a little more mobile, you might take a look at the stereo lavaliers from Giant Squid Audio. http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com...-micline1.html There are some very interesting MP3 files from live concerts on that site you ought to listen to.

June 22nd, 2005, 04:57 PM	#3
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	A pair of NT3's would work well, especially in a bass-heavy space. The NT4 is the single-unit stereo mic. It shares the body (and battery power option) of the NT3 and the two capsules from the NT5. The NT5 pair of individual mics also works well, but these mics would require phantom power. The AT822 and 825 work ok but have higher self-noise than the Rode's. If I was putting together two mics for stereo recording and I had phantom power and XLR inputs available, I'd buy two AT3031's. I feel they are slightly better than the Rode NT5 pair and about the same price or less.

June 22nd, 2005, 08:08 PM	#4
Chris Scharff Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: ATLANTA, GA Posts: 68	Thanks for the input. Most of the AT's are overpriced for me, so I guess I shouldn't go below $150 a piece for decent mics. The AT3031's and the Rode NT3's are about the same price (with the battery option) but I just like the package deal you get when buying the set of Rode NT5's (i know i'm a sucker). Although they require phantom power I was planning on buying a Beachtek XLR adapter for my camcorder which will provide that to the mics. So we'll see, I just neede to know if they was a PAIR of good mics I could get for around $100-$200, but I don't want to sacrifice that much quality, especially when I'll be recording live concerts.

June 23rd, 2005, 02:23 PM	#5
Nate Ford Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: new york, ny Posts: 121	a decent, affordable small condenser that works well in pairs is the one by studio projects. i forget the model, but it's their small condenser. (you'll need phantom.) they are available in a pair with a dual stand. they may be a bit over your budget, but your budget is pretty low. i can't think of any mic i'd want to use in pairs for stereo that would be under $100/apiece.