The Hunt for a Cheap Microphone - The Apex 880 is here!

Inexpensive mics are often really cheap mics - they are not built good, they do not sound good and they do not last very long.

The Apex 880 is an inexpensive microphone that actually sounds and feels like it should cost much more. These mics do have an on/off switch, which I am not super happy about, but they have an excellent feel and weigh quite a bit. They also have a really nice sound.

It is a great age for microphones, and there are a lot of hand held mics that deliver the same performance to the standard, the Shure SM-58. The Apex 880 comes very close to that standard, and is suitable for almost any stage application, including voice, miking guitar amps and snare drums or more.

They are not suitable for bass cabinets, kick drums or other bass heavy applications.

These mics are a great addition to any line-up, and if you need an economical mic that actually sounds good the Apex 880 is hard to beat - come by Gaston Music & Pawn to check out these economical mics, great for an extra back-up mic or if you just need a mic and don't have a lot of money to spend!

Check out our Craigslist ad here!

Gaston Music & Pawn has been supplying the PA Gear Gastonia musicians have been relying on for years, and is one of the biggest music stores in Gastonia!

Review of the Apex 146 Podium Condenser Mic

The Mic - the Apex 146 

Apex 146 Podium Mic at Gaston Music & Pawn

The large bass is well balanced and quite heavy for stability

Podium mics can often be a pain in the butt, as they are usually installed in the podium. This can make wiring problems a real problem. Usually, it is a matter of replacing a cord, but for a traditional podium mic mount the wiring must be installed by hand, and if something goes wrong (as it usually does sooner or later), it will take a technician to diagnose and fix the problem.

There is a solution to this problem, though – Apex Microphones, by Yorkville, offer a great solution to this problem in the Apex 146. The 146 is a self-contained podium mic that uses a standard XLR connection – just run the wire through the top of your podium, and if there are ever wiring issues, all you have to do is replace the bad cord.

The 146 hooks up with a standard XLR cord - no need to wire this mic!

These are also great for mobile applications as well. The base has a good, solid weight to it, and the wand is flexible at the bottom but straight through the rest of the wand. This keeps a neat appearance while still giving a wide range of flexibility for people of different heights.

Note the LED light around the base of the wand, and the pressure switch just in front of it. The square rubber peice lights up when the mic is active!

There is a low cut switch, and on the other side a mode switch which can be extremely useful. There is also a nice LED light on the front of the mount that lets you know when the mic is on.

The Modes

The Modes make this mic even more useful for a variety of applications!

There are three modes you can set the microphone in:

• Mute
• Talk
• Lock

There is a contact button on the top of the mount (the LED surrounds this button). Depending on what mode the mic is in makes the button do different things. In Mute mode, the button mutes the mic. This is very useful when using the mic for broadcast purposes, when you need to say something you don’t want broadcast.

In the ‘Talk’ mode, the mic is muted until you press and hold the button. This mode is useful when the mic is used for occasional announcements.

In the ‘Lock’ mode the mic is always on – perfect for sermons or speeches.

There is a foam wind screen that fits on the end of the mic

Conclusions

The mic is a condenser mic, so it is quite sensitive. The low cut is particularly handy, especially for people who have a low range voice. Podium mics will not sound as full as a good handheld mic – this is because of the size of the diaphragm – but the Apex 146 has a nice, full tone and is easy to EQ.

This is a great podium mic, especially if you need something fast and easy, and is available at Gaston Music now!

Gaston Music & Pawn is Gaston county's largest music store, and has been the music store Gastonia residents have relied on for decades. For PA Equipment in Gastonia and Charlotte, and for quality new and used instruments, come to Gaston Music & Pawn!