Mic recommendation to record live jazz demo with one mic

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Member Since: Aug 07, 2007

I recently downloaded Audacity and want to record a jazz demo on my laptop. The quality of the recording isn't super important so I'd like to try and do it with just one microphone. Any recommendations please? The band is piano, guitar, stand-up bass, and jazz drum kit. Music is mainstream jazz. A friend recorded my jazz band a while back using just one microphone and it came out decently. Wish I remember what kind of microphone he used. OMNI-directional condensor mic? Any recommended brands? Help please?

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Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Aug 07, 2007 01:09 am

If you must record a group with one mic, an omnidirectional is a must, and the placement of said mic will be crucial and require some experimentation, as you probably know. If you use a condenser model, it will require a power source, either from an outboard mixer or from a battery.

There are good quality omnidirectional microphones available for under $100, if you're not too concerned about sound quality. Actually, some of them sound pretty good. Other members may be of more help with makes and models.

Radio Shack even. Add some adapters to fit the laptop's input jack, and you're there.

Ultra Magnus
Member
Since: Nov 13, 2004


Aug 07, 2007 01:51 am

I have a Realistic stereo mic (UK radio shack) that's pretty decent for this sort of thing, can't recall the model number right now.

The most important thing though with this sort of recording is how you set up. You have to put yourselves in front of the mic in the order that you want the mic to hear you.

So, drums at the back and centre, bass in front of that, horns left and right of the kick, a little forward or backward of the bass player (depending on his volume of playing) etc etc. - Map yourselves out so that if a person was standing right in front of your group they'd hear your group sounding balanced in terms of volume and panning.

Good luck - and if you don't mind, post the results, i'd like to hear them.

Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Aug 07, 2007 02:00 am

Good suggestions, Rigsby!

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Aug 07, 2007 11:29 am

You may also want to consider a stereo mic. A mono recording is kind boring...its nice to have at least a little stereo separation.

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Aug 07, 2007 12:34 pm

stereo! stereo! two mics are better than one and will sound more natural.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Aug 07, 2007 08:23 pm

Ya, but if its old school jazz, mono is the katz azz!!!!

Baring that I guess you could look into a pair of these little babies. www.karmaaudio.com/kmicro.html Cheap and effective and it would indeed give you a stereo picture for sure.

Otherwise hit their product page for a couple good choice's on large diaphragm condenser mic's.

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