[BradJudy]

I'm looking at getting an inexpensive ($100-250) vocal mic for doing some home level DVD voice over and perhaps some stuff for work (like podcast/webcast).  There seem to be several options in this area that all get pretty good reviews. 

I already have an M-Audio MobilePre, so I've got a basic pre-amp with phantom power.

These are some of the options I've seen in this area:

AudioTechnica AT-3035/AT-2020
Studio Projects B1/B3/C1
Rode NT1-A
AKG Perception 100/200

Any thoughts on these, or other models in this price range?

[Wayner]

How about the good old Shure SM58?

Proven quality for a long, long time.

Wayner aa

[Daygloworange]

The AudioTechnica and Rode are both LD Condenser types. The other two I'm not familiar with.

Condenser's are very sensitive mics. They are meant for singing or miking instruments, not talking into. They pick up everything. Large diaphrams are even more sensitive. If you are doing just some simple voice overs and stuff, this might be way too much mic for you. They are prone to popping if you don't use a windscreen, and can be very sibilant when spoken into. They also usually have a higher level of self noise.

You might consider a dynamic mic instead. They are not as sensitive and have better off axis rejection( which means better rejection of unwanted sounds).

A classic example of (dynamic) radio broadcast mics would be the EV RE-20, or the Sennheiser MD-421. Using these will give you that classic radio broadcaster type vocal sound. The Sennheiser has a bass roll of switch at the base of the mic which can be very useful.

Cheers

[Russell Dawkins]

Audix OM7?

[BradJudy]

I'll take a look at the recommended dynamics.  I was looking at condensers because all of the dynamic mic customer reviews talked about their use in live music, not recording and seemed to focus on things like durability and resistance to feedback, which aren't issues for my use.  The SM58 reviews seemed to largely be either "I've had one for 30 years and it still works" or "I can't believe I could afford the mic the lead singer of my favorite band uses", neither type of review gave me much to go on for my type of use. 

The EV RE-20 and Senn MD-421 are outside of the price range I was looking at (they are $350-400). 

Thanks for the suggestions - keep them coming if you have more. 

[scottnixon]

It's cheap and really decent, Behringer B1.  Just don't use it as a hammer.  I've seen for as low as $80... one inch diaphram, nice shock mount.   Have friends who are folley sound guys use them frequently because who cares if you knock 'em down and they break.

[Russell Dawkins]

The OM7 is a tight pattern hyper-cardioid which is good for avoiding feedback when on stage in a loud environment, but for your use it would reject ambiance well, which would make a less-than-perfect room more tolerable insofaras you wouldn't hear as much of it.
The down side is you really have to keep "on" it, i.e., speak right close to it.

The Studio Projects are well received, and I have used one for a vocal mic for a singer and it worked well, but it is a large diaphragm condenser and has different characteristics to the OM7 and the 58 (and any hand held). The hand helds have a low frequency roll-off from about 300Hz down to make them sound natural when used with the lips touching or nearly touching the screen. This is compensation for the "proximity effect" which all velocity mics exhibit.

Side address large diaphragm vocal mics have little or no proximity compensation and so are not designed to be used closer than, say, 3 inches for special effects, like whispering vocals. Some, like the AKG Perception 200 have a switchable LF cut for just this purpose.
I am not familiar with this AKG, but would definitely check it out. It has to be made in China, but I would tend to trust AKG's quality control and design sense. They have been doing this for quite some time.