Need a mic recommendation

[the4thImpulse]

I have considered for some time getting a mic to record various percussive sounds from around my house and various percusion instruments (shakers, chimes those sort of things) that my friend owns. I dont know much about mics and have never owned one before, I am not interested in any kind of vocal work. My budget would be a strict $200 and I understand if this is not enough to get something 'decent' or 'useable'.

[Peak Freak]

The only real thing you have to look for is the type of the microphone.
I would recommend a small-diaphragm microphone for percussion stuff.
If you want to record outside noises (you somehow mentioned that) you have to take a large diaphragm microphone, to get all the noises out there (like passing by cars and people, birds, wind, planes, trees, several furry animals hiding in a cave and grooving to a pict...)

[Facade]

I'm not sure because of what you want to record if you want I can test some out with my at2020 it's a good mic and is only 100 ish though I'm not sure how it will sound with what you are trying to record

[Versilaryan]

Look up the TASCAM handheld recorders. They're just small diaphragm condensers in a nice, battery-powered, convenient bundle that you can carry wherever you want to.

[the4thImpulse]

The only real thing you have to look for is the type of the microphone.
I would recommend a small-diaphragm microphone for percussion stuff.
If you want to record outside noises (you somehow mentioned that) you have to take a large diaphragm microphone, to get all the noises out there (like passing by cars and people, birds, wind, planes, trees, several furry animals hiding in a cave and grooving to a pict...)

This is helpful thank you.

Look up the TASCAM handheld recorders. They're just small diaphragm condensers in a nice, battery-powered, convenient bundle that you can carry wherever you want to.

I will look at those, a portable mic could be very useful and ius something I will certinly consider thanks.

[meletric]

I would also recommend the Tascam portables. I have the DR-07 and it's very useful and sounds great.
Not sure if you'd like a sample or not, but just in case here's some random sounds I've recorded with it.
http://soundcloud.com/meletric/tascam-sounds

[the4thImpulse]

I would also recommend the Tascam portables. I have the DR-07 and it's very useful and sounds great.
Not sure if you'd like a sample or not, but just in case here's some random sounds I've recorded with it.

Thank you for that sample, its much brighter then I thought it would be and I think I will go with one of their products. What you recorded there is the same stuff I'm interested in recording.

[meletric]

Thank you for that sample, its much brighter then I thought it would be and I think I will go with one of their products. What you recorded there is the same stuff I'm interested in recording.

Awesome, glad I could help!