Need Quick Help on Right Mic Type to Buy

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Member Since: Aug 14, 2007

Hi,

I am in the process of buying a home studio for my band, we are recording every track seperately etc. etc.

But my question is, When recording Instruments (Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar) should I buy an instrument condenser mic (or is this mainly for acoustic) or should I go for an amplifier mic (SM57)...I am recording instrument from having a mic at the amplifier.

As you can tell I currently know very little....

Thanks a million.

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www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005


Oct 15, 2007 05:08 pm

well there are lots of choices based on YOUR preference. With the bass gtr most are going for direct in instead of mic'ing the cab.

Condensers require phantom power so you will want to consider that.

Personally I use a SM57 for mic'ing my amp but really any mic that will handle the high SPL's will be fine. I'm considering purchasing a ribbon mic for this task as well.

If you don't have a SM57 it might be a good purchase as they are not expensive and almost every studio should have at least one anyways.

Member
Since: Aug 14, 2007


Oct 15, 2007 05:20 pm

Ok thanks,
I will have 48v phantom power, So will it be ok to use a condenser instrument mic on an amp (Will cost roughly same as SM57)

Whats annoying me is that I had an SM57 but cannot find it and now I'm working on a tight budget (for now) and need to choose one.

Sorry for all the questions but what would I do to record the bass if going direct? What will I need, I'm going to have a Behringer USB mixer....

Thanks a million for the help.

www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005


Oct 15, 2007 05:28 pm

I've gone directly into the inputs of my soundcard but my bass has active pickups. If you don't have active pickups then you will need a DI box or pre-amp of sorts. Something to get the bass up to line-level.

Member
Since: Aug 14, 2007


Oct 15, 2007 05:35 pm

Ok, I have looked up DI box, I'll have to ask the bassist about his pickups...With the DI box it goes straight from Bass to DI Box to Mixer(which is soundcard) yea?

www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005


Oct 15, 2007 05:44 pm

You got it. It makes the bass signal increase to line level. Same as electric gtr for that matter.

Member
Since: Aug 14, 2007


Oct 15, 2007 05:59 pm

Ok that's great, thanks a million...I'm adding in a DI box to my cart now, any suggestions, just need it for that single purpose...buying off thomann.de...

www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005


Oct 15, 2007 06:11 pm

If you have a day or so maybe let this thread float around a bit so others can chime in. I haven't had to buy one so I can't help you there.


www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005


Oct 15, 2007 06:12 pm

What gear do you have?... you may already have somehting you can use as a DI box.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Oct 15, 2007 06:16 pm

DI boxes are pretty simple, I had gotten by with a simple little $25 DI box for years...however, if you have a bass with good active pickups, you may be able to run it right into the mixer, I've done that before too. Not saying it's best practice or anything, but it works. Active's put out a hotter signal.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Oct 15, 2007 08:24 pm

I've recorded directly into my mixer line in, and brought up the gain, and it's worked quite well. My bass is passive, so no active goings on here.

a little EQ, and a little compression, and viola! dandy bass track.

course, ymmv.


Member
Since: Jan 10, 2007


Oct 24, 2007 04:06 am

For Bass DI as everyone else says - although you might want to add some warmth to this (depending on your software it could be an amp simulator, mild overdrive etc) if the sound contains too little mid range. Personally I get great results using a focusrite trackmaster.

For Electric guitars I use an sm57 on the grill for 90% of the time - this is the classic British sound. Use a large diaphragm condensor a few feet back for a more American sound. (Or you can blend the two) Or use a ribbon mic a few feet away for something between the two.

Acoustic guitars absolutely have to be recorded with (preferably small diaphragm) condensors. A dynamic mic just won't cut it.

If you need to use just one mic and have it for multiple jobs, then get a large diaphragm condensor and it will do all these jobs and vocal too.

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