Best condenser

[clarnibass]

I know this was probably asked many times but this time it's more specific.

I'll be recording mostly woodwind instruments, brass and strings, sometimes guitar, marimba, percussions, drums. The most important instrumentes are clarinets, saxophones, contrabass, cello.

I am buying a pair of large diaphrgm mics (so I can recordin stereo).
By the way, the prices here are much more expensive than in the USA, but with the shipping costs and tax ordering from the USA is not worth it.

Which of these microphoens will be best:
Studio Projects B1 - $155
Apex 435 - $175
Rode NT-1A - 320
M-Audio Luna - $330

the NT-1A and Luna are available in my city, so I'm saving gas money and also this store will give musicians discount so it might be cheaper. The Apex is in a different city only, and the B1 too, and those don't give discounts.

I'm looking for recommendations on which is best regardless and also considering these possibilities.

Thanks.

[moonz]

I'm not familiar with the Apex and the M-Audio mics, but the Rode NT1-A and the Studio Projects B1 are both good-sounding mics.

Unless you can get the Rode for a whole lot less than you have listed I'd say the Studio Projects B1 is the best buy.

[m_morrise]

Have you considered small-diaphragm condensers? You may get better results with them for the applications you're describing.

I don't know what is available in your area or what the prices are for you, but the Rode NT5 for example was designed for recording acoustic instruments, and a matched pair can be purchased for 399 dollars most places.

http://www.zzounds.com/a--3745/item--RODNT5

[MASSIVE Mastering]

The M-Audio Solaris (slightly more than the Luna) is one of my favorite mics in the... Well, in any range. Great, wonderful mics. Cheap too... I don't get it - It doesn't seem fair to all the other mics...

[the1hub]

the rode is about 120 bucks above the market price. watch out for the potential ripoff. what about buying online. you could find a rode nt100 for less then what you nt1a listed for. its a much better mic then anything you have listed IMHO

[clarnibass]

Thanks for all the answers.

I checked the prices of those microphones you suggested and here are the prices both here and online (including shipping and tax), for single or a pair (the1hub I'm assuming you meant NT1000).

Prices here (these are the regular prices in the store, I might get a small musician discount).
Rode NT-5 - Not available
Rode TN-1000 - $450
M-Audio Solaris - $425
Prices for pairs are simply double.

Prices online (Prices include shipping and tax, also prices for pairs is not exactly double because the shipping is not double for a pair).
Rode NT-5 pair - $583
Rode NT-1000 - $440, NT-1000 pair - $854
M-Audio Solaris - $450, Solaris pair - $874

Here are the prices of the mics I mentioned above if I order online.
Studio Projects B1 - $168
Rode NT-1A - $275
M-Audio Luna - $315

(The only one cheaper online is the NT-1A and it is still not enough to justify the risks of ordering online, like if there is a problem shipping it back cost me money and time)

Thanks again everyone.

[axeman69]

For larger woodwinds, I'd consider a dynamic. Either a Senheiser MD421 or an EV RE20.

[banjo-man]

I have played both acoustic guitar and banjo into a Studio Project C3 using the "omni" pattern. The results were outstanding. The instruments sounded really natural and true. I'm going to get one myself! Note, that I wasn' t the engineer for this recording -- just the musician.

The C3 comes with three switchable patterns: cardiod, omnit, fig-8.

I've read other reviews (e.g., harmony-central) where people claim the C3 in omni pattern is great for acoustic instruments -- including horns.

You can find this mic for about $275 at the various on-line sites.
The great thing is that for about $75 more than the C1 you get three useful patterns that would allow you to have both a great vocal AND great acoustic instrument mic.

Good luck.

- Jim