It's all about the Washington's baby

Being small and still starting out, you learn quickly that equipment involved in audio work is just plain EXPENSIVE. So I thought I would take a blogging moment to recognize some of the wonderful low-cost gear that has helped get us off the ground. There is some great brands out there, so here are just a few that I have worked with:

Audio Technica-
Time and time again, as I browse reviews and ratings, I always get myself turned back towards Audio Technica. In so many places they span the gap between consumer gear and pro gear. Their wireless AT2000 and 3000 systems are often HALF the cost of their rivals like Shure and Sennheiser. And they sound as good or better to boot. On top of that, they offer their high-end 3000 and 4000 Artist Elite series which any professional facility or tour could use for a far lower cost and just as good (if not better) quality! I have also fallen in love with their ATH-M50 heaphones. Clear, flat response, nice fit... and far less expensive!

AKG
Any good live engineer OR studio engineer knows the AKG 414 microphone has become a standard for a variety of applications. And honestly, at around $1000 a pop, comparably, the 414 is still a great deal of a mic! But they go a step further offering lower-cost mics with a very nice sound! Take a look at the Perception/Precision series, as well as the 214, a great low-cost alternative to the 414... although it does have a few less features.

Rode
I was pretty skeptical of Rode early on, but after working with their NT-5's for a while now, I have learned how they respond to different sound sources and come to realize they are a great bang for the buck. Small diaphragm condensor matched pair for under $500. Not bad!

Audix
I took a gamble on Audix after reading message boards and threads about their gear. I was looking for a good drum mic bundle to compete with my standard of Shure B52, B56s, SM57s, and SM81s. I was not disappointed. Audix has performed exceptionally well, even the included hardware like the gooseneck clamps for drum attachment have been stellar. The hypercardioid dynamics are warmer than the Betas and are effective in a variety of applications. When it comes to low response, the D-6 kick mic can stand up to anything Shure or AKG can bring! The i5 is maybe the ONLY true competitor to the amazing SM57 (and lets not forget how great a deal the SM57 is!). The SM81 is a hard mic to compete with, and I will give the edge to the 81 over the ADX series, but the ADX51s have not disappointed.

Presonus
There are a few brands of preamp and outboard gear that are competing with each other for the low cost market- notably Focusrite, MOTU, and M-Box(Avid). Of this group, I have come to truly appreciate the warmth of the Presonus sound, especially for the price you pay. I have used some of their more "vintage" gear in the past and have liked it very much. The XMAX preamps that come on their low priced USB and Firewire interfaces as well as their StudioLive mixer desks have proven to be a wonderful preamp for recording and live sound purposes. While the Focusrite Saffire series has some nice features, Presonus seems to have a far sturdier and durable product that lasts.

There really are SO many products out there to start building a system on. I look forward to the days where True, API, Neumann, Focal, DPA, Avalon, Neve, and others are in my gear locker. But I, like many of us, don't have the $$$ to drop on that equipment... not yet... :-)

I would love to hear from others out there who have found diamonds in the rough! What are some low-cost brands that have proven to work great for your rigs? (Any Cascade users out there wanna chime in? I hear great things!)