"Standard" mics that you never liked.

[Geeheeb]

I NEVER liked the SM-81! I don't know why, I just never liked the sound of that mic. Ever. I also don't like the U-87 nearly as much as other people. I do like it as a stereo pair for certain things, but I'm not nearly as enamoured with it as most. What mics don't you get along with.

[michaelhoddy]

Funny you mention the SM81. I like 'em (I have a pair) mostly, but their self-noise bothers me sometimes.

Also have a pair of U87's. I agree, great for some things, but not the best "all around" condenser.

Two mics I'm not nearly as thrilled with as some people are the AKG D112 and C414B/ULS. I have used both quite a bit, but find myself preferring a Sennheiser MD421U over the 112 for bass drums and bass amp miking, and I now use Audio-Technica 4050's in almost every application that I used to use 414's in.

[Geeheeb]

I love the 414!! Argh!!

But I agree with you about the 421 vs. D112. The 421 wins 90% of the time in my book.

[shaneperc]

Speaking as a drummer, thank you for bringing up the D112 as an incredibly overrated mic. Personally, I don't know why the thing ever came into favor with live sound techs. Maybe because the coloration is so muddy that it makes every bass drum sound the same, thus making their job easier.

[Ted]

One man's overrated microphone is another man's treasure...I love the 414 and the 421. I have no problems with the D112 either. The U87 doesn't do it for me the way it does for other people, but I like it for certain applications. The microphone I find overrated is the RE20. I've never been able to get a kick sound I was happy with using one. I've tried it on several other sources as well, and aside from voiceover use, I've never been happy with it.

-Ted

[Bob]

I have to agree with Ted, the RE20 on kick or low toms just doesn't sound good. I can't say I even like it on the human voice. I have used it as a hammer a few times. It works well pounding in a nail.

[marcoustic]

I agree in that U87 issue.
I hate that mic. To me it sounds lifeless...

Markus

[Bob]

I disagree about the U87. It's probably one of the best mics and definately a standard. Great on most vocalists. Sounds good on acoustic guitar. Great as a kick drum mics as well. What mic would you rather have???

[marcoustic]

Let´s see...

how about the brauner valvet or the vm-1, for me very much better than any neumann.

[Bob]

I honestly can't say I 've heard those, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt

[michaelhoddy]

If a mic sounds "lifeless," chances are good that either the mic has a problem, the source material is poor, or that improper miking technique or selection is being used. A good engineer working with a good sound source can get nearly ANY mic (and especially a U87) to sound at least halfway good...

[blue_sky]

well, I think the U87ai is over rated - i had one and sold it.

i tried the akg 414s, didn't care for them either.

but of course, the right micpre can make a difference on any mic.

[blacko3788]

isn't that the other half of the mic sound anyway? If you can't do it with an 87 then chances are you should get a different musician or singer to do the session. Boy I'm am just a jerk today...I'm telling you I drank too much coffee this morning.

[Scott Gould]

I have never been very impressed by the Shure SM57 or 58. I know people who use them on everything. I seem to get better results from a whole variety of mics. For just about any application I can pick a mic that will do a better (often MUCH better) job than a 57/58. And NO, I'm not talking about kilobucks condensers vs. dynamics - I find dynamic mics from Audix, EV, AKG, Sennheiser etc. just sound better to me.
I realize this is akin to blasphemy, but I'm not saying they suck - just that there's usually a better choice.

Scott

[rameau]

Would you believe i sold my pair of Neumann U89's to buy a pair of Sennheiser MKH800's. Am I crazy? I don't want color, just the truth.