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Topic: Home recording |
Lloyd Karenke
From:
Eagle River, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 25 Oct 2003 6:18 pm |
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What mics are best for home recording?(voice)
What do you use?
Thanks!
Lloyd |
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LARRY COLE
From:
LANCASTER, OHIO, USA
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Posted 25 Oct 2003 6:44 pm
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AKG C3000. Great mic for vocal and instruments. I carry one in my Pac-A-Seat to mic my Nashville 400 too.
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Playing For JESUS,LC. WILLIAMS U12, SHO-BUD PRO1,CARVIN TL60
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DroopyPawn
From:
Fox, OK, USA
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Posted 25 Oct 2003 7:22 pm
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Studio Projects C1
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Reggie Duncan
From:
Mississippi
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Posted 25 Oct 2003 8:58 pm
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A Rode NT-1 is what I use. I am sure it is not the best, however.  [This message was edited by Reggie Duncan on 25 October 2003 at 10:00 PM.] |
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Rich Weiss
From:
Woodland Hills, CA, USA
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Posted 25 Oct 2003 10:21 pm
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| Very subjective question. If you really mean the best, be prepared to fork out a lot of money. You probably don't mean the best. I have a Rode NTV which I use for vocals and acoustic. It's very good, but definitely not the best. |
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Les Pierce
From:
Shreveport, LA
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Posted 25 Oct 2003 10:37 pm
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I use an Oktava MK-319. I paid $99 for it at The Guitar Center about a year ago. It's crystal clear and has a great look and sound to it. Do a Google search and read some of the reviews on it. (I need to build a soundproof booth to use it in, though, as it picks up every little thing around it). It's more than enough mic for me.
Take care,
Les |
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JB Arnold
From:
Longmont,Co,USA (deceased)
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Posted 26 Oct 2003 12:13 am
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Those Oktava's are killer-but if you buy more than one, buy 'em all at once or you'll find that they sound diffrent. Russian ahnd assembly is dicey. VERY clear, present and in your face mics, great for vocals. Touchy, even with the 10db pad on and the bass rolloff activated, you'll need a gate/limiter/compressor to keep it under control. I use a tube pre with them and compress to about 2:1 and I swear you can hear nose hairs growing in the quiet passages. All the vocalists love these things.
They don't handle high SPL's very well, so ix-nay for drums.
JB
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Fulawka D-10 9&5
Fessenden D-10 8&8
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
www.buddycage.net
http://www.nrpsmusic.com/index.html
[This message was edited by JB Arnold on 26 October 2003 at 01:13 AM.] |
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David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 26 Oct 2003 12:54 am
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Studio Projects C1 is a very nice mic for the price. I have the AKG C3000B and I wish I had gotten 2 C1's instead. I rarely use the C3000, something seems missing for me.
The Studio Projects tube mic is very nice. it compared very well to a Neuman.
I have had only one mic to get"IT" would be a Brauner Valvet, but that is way beyond a typical home budget. But then again Garbage in garbage out.
And that is NOT meant to disparage these other mics listed here.
For $99 you get what you get, test the mic before you take it home. And never drop it once. |
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Lloyd Karenke
From:
Eagle River, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 26 Oct 2003 7:03 pm
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Thank you all...I'll go look those up. Some one mentioned an Electro Voice RE 20...I can't find any info on it tho...does anyone have any info or comments and price for it?
Lloyd |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 27 Oct 2003 12:01 am
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| Moved to 'Electronics' section. |
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Terry Edwards
From:
Florida... livin' on spongecake...
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Posted 27 Oct 2003 8:18 am
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There are many brands to choose from.
The design or "type" of microphone is more important.
Look for a "large diaphram condenser mic". these will require phantom power from your mixing console, pre amp, or external power supply.
The prices can vary from $200 to $4000 +.
AKG, Sure, Rode, Audio Technica, all make relatively inexpensive models.
Look around at www.musiciansfriend.com .
A good condensor mic (large diaphram) is the best home studio investment you can make.
Terry |
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Lloyd Karenke
From:
Eagle River, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 27 Oct 2003 4:25 pm
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Thanks Terry...what do you consider as a "large diaphram" condenser mic? How big of a diaphram, etc.?
Lloyd |
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Ken Williams
From:
Arkansas
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Posted 27 Oct 2003 8:24 pm
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Been using an MXL 2003 condenser made by Marshall electronics and I have no complaints. I think I paid about $150 with the shockmount a couple of years ago. I've heard a few good things about the V67G for vocals. They run about $90.
Ken
http://home.ipa.net/~kenwill
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Jay Ganz
From:
Out Behind The Barn
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Posted 28 Oct 2003 6:49 am
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Everything on this short MP3 sample was
recorded with Studio Projects C1 mics.
I played on all the tracks.
Click Here
[This message was edited by Jay Ganz on 28 October 2003 at 06:50 AM.] |
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Chris Schlotzhauer
From:
Colleyville, Tx. USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2003 7:31 am
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| I'll put my plug in for the Studio Projects C1. For the money, awsome mic. |
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Terry Edwards
From:
Florida... livin' on spongecake...
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Posted 28 Oct 2003 3:13 pm
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Lloyd,
I'm not positive but I think the term "large diaphram" applies to condensor mics with at least a 1 inch diameter diaphram. These mics are usually mounted on an isolated shock mount suspended by rubber bands. Some model isolate the diaphram internally.
Terry |
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Brendan Dunn
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Posted 28 Oct 2003 4:28 pm
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Here's a place that sells the EV RE-20 http://www.abesofmaine.com/viewproduct.asp?id=evre20&l=Nextag
It's a nice mic, but
I'd recommend trying it out on the intended voice first before buying to see wether it is the most flattering... compare to some large diaphragm condensers .... if it's intended for general use by different vocalist's rather than for just one particular voice ...the condenser's are probably the best bet. (unless you hang with a particularly tough crowd and need something really rugged!)
Brendan |
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Lloyd Karenke
From:
Eagle River, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2003 5:35 pm
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Ten four...thanks again guys! I will check those suggestions out.
Lloyd |
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Alan Kirk
From:
Scotia, CA, USA
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Posted 29 Oct 2003 6:32 am
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Definitely try before you buy an RE20. Some people like them, some don't. They were popular in the 1980s for micing kick and tom-toms, and a local radio guy uses one for his voice--but some people don't like them for voice.
[This message was edited by Alan Kirk on 29 October 2003 at 09:23 AM.] |
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Terry Edwards
From:
Florida... livin' on spongecake...
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Posted 29 Oct 2003 11:48 am
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RE20's are used mostly for live radio voice broacasting. Recording studios use them for some applications but they are not what I would consider a versatile mic.
Terry |
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Brad Sarno
From:
St. Louis, MO USA
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Posted 29 Oct 2003 11:53 am
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Neumann TLM-103
AT 4033
AT 4047
EV RE20
Shure SM58 and Beta 58 (dont knock them)
To name a few in the "affordable" range.
A SM58 into a good preamp will surprise many.
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Brad Sarno
Blue Jade Audio Mastering
St. Louis
http://home.earthlink.net/~bradsarno/
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Steve Stallings
From:
Houston/Cypress, Texas
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Posted 29 Oct 2003 1:14 pm
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So you guys wanna talk mics? I honestly don't know how many I have now but it's somewhere over 25. Microphones are tools. You use different tools for different tasks.
The MXL mics are a huge bargain. I have a ton of them including the tube mic they have.
There tube mic is exceedingly underpriced and will simply amaze you when coupled with a high end mic pre. BTW.. what Brad says is very true. A SM57 with a good preamp will really surprise you. I see some of you are AKG C3000 fans. I've got one of the older ones from about ten years ago. It's nice but I hardly ever use it unless I need a vocal mic for a cluster of folks to stand around and sing into. I much prefer the MXL tube mic for vocals.
If you are truly interested in learning about mics, check out the following web site www.prosoundweb.com
You will have to join but that is painless. Once you are a member find the forums. Go to the recording pit.
My favorite forums in here are Fletchers and Harvey Gerst. Fletcher is a very well known and respected audio engineer with little patience for bs. He is affiliated with Mercenary Audio who traffics in true big boy toys.
Harvey Gerst is a legend. I will let you do some research for yourself, but I will tell you that he has ties in the Pedal Steel Community. Harvey has forgotten more about recording and microphones then most of us will ever learn. His forum is an excellent source of tips and microphone evaluations and discussion. He has quite a bit to say about MXL mics.....
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God Bless,
Steve Stallings
www.pedalsteeler.com
[This message was edited by Steve Stallings on 29 October 2003 at 01:24 PM.] |
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Lloyd Karenke
From:
Eagle River, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2003 5:21 pm
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Sorry to bother you guys again but I after looking at several of the mics and reading the good bad and ugly...I am still confused...you say the condenser mics pick up everything around you but that's what I don't want. I would just like it to pick up my voice or guitar and not everything else in the background (fan noise from the computer...etc.) So...what do I look for now?
Thanks for all the info...it really helps for me to make the right decision.
Stumped...
Lloyd |
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Alan Kirk
From:
Scotia, CA, USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 7:02 am
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Lloyd,
Condensor mics just tend to be more sensitive than dynamic mics, because condensor mics have a little amplifier right inside the mic and dynamic mics don't.
Condensor mics don't "pick up everything around you" unless you've got them turned up really high.
Dynamic mics tend to be more shock resistant and able to stand up to high sound pressure levels. Condensor mics are a bit more fragile.
If you are truly interested in learning about mics, you need to buy a couple of them and start using them. All the theoretical talk in the world will not teach you about mics. Just get a couple of general duty mics, maybe one dynamic and one condensor (or one dynamic and two condensors, for stereo recording), and start recording.
P.S. I bought three AKG mics about twenty-five years ago. I'm still using them. You can't go wrong by buying quality. I've also used SM57s over the years. Very versatile.
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David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 8:25 am
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Lloyd
3 issues
1 you should get as much of the background noise silenced as possible as a basic starting point.
2 a sensitive mic will be more acurate, but you should also notice what sound preasure levels it can handle also.
A low db rating means it will distort at lower sound preasure levels. A high rating means at louder levels.
Now this corresponds to your ambient noise floor also, because if you can get a closer micing of a higher DB level, it is also a higher sound level to noise floor ratio too.
(ie. the noise is -60 db 5 feet away, the voice is 90 db 6" away from the mic. )
3 But you don't always want to be extremely close to a mic, so you want a silent room, but not completely dead either.
A bit of a natural, nice, sounding room can enhance a recording. And if you eat the mic with vocal, you can get sybelences and breath popping P's etc.
A larger diaphram mic, has a larger surface area to use in converting sound waves into electronic signal.
Since bass notes are longer in length than treble notes a wider diaphram gets a larger percentage of the wave hitting it.
If you look at a pipe organ you see the bass pipes are much longer and wider than the high pipes, and the stops for them are noted in 32', 16', 8', 4', etc.
This coresponds to the frequencies wave length which for a low C can be 16 feet long or more. So you see how a larger diaphram can get a slightly large slice of that wave.
This is similar to radio band having a 2 meter frequency. Or that one sine wave at this frequncy travels 2 meters as it is transmited.
Basically make a list of mics in your budget and test them with your instrument and your voice in a realtively controled environment, and that should make it clear which one you like best.
And that IS the deal, which one do YOU like best. |
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