mic for vox, in a noisy environment

Posted on

The Eternal Student
Member Since: Oct 08, 2005

Hey folks, can anyone recommend a relatively inexpensive (sub $150) vocal/all around mic that would work reasonably well in a somewhat noisy environment (townhouse)? Perhaps something that isn't omnidirectional?

I was thinking about the Behringer B-1 or B-2, but it sounds like the B-1 will pick up anything and everything including distant noises.

Which brings another question: how effective are the switchable patterns?

Thanks
Kenny

[ Back to Top ]


Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Oct 20, 2005 11:41 am

Perhaps you could consider a compressor/noise-gate ?... I know it's not a mic, but you'd be able to get around the ambient noise using just about any mic after running it though one of those .

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


Oct 20, 2005 12:43 pm

Yeah, a noise gate is a good idea.

Also, maybe a condensor mic isn't what you need if you have lots of ambient noise in your recording space. Maybe a good dynamic mic would do you better, since they're not as sensitive. An SM57 could get you by, and its useful for about 101 other things as well.

Also you might want to try to think up a way to isolate yourself from all of this other noise. Like are there any closets in your townhome that you can stand upright in? Maybe a makeshift vocal booth could allow you to use whatever mic you want without fear of picking up unwanted environmental noise.

I think that CocoFromScotland has a similar situation, where he lives in a townhome with lots of outside noise. Maybe he will have some pointers for ya.

The Eternal Student
Member
Since: Oct 08, 2005


Oct 20, 2005 02:26 pm

Noise gate, eh? I'll have to read up on those. I like the idea of a "catch all" mic too, so maybe the sm57 would be a good investment.

So would just some cheapo compressor/noise gate be enough to record decent stuff? service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear

Don't have a standup closet, but I certainly can make it into one...lol.


Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Oct 20, 2005 02:28 pm

Thats the compressor I have...it's worked fine for many years

JR Productions
Member
Since: Mar 03, 2005


Oct 20, 2005 02:37 pm

I record my vocals with a 57 mostly because I dont have enough cash, but also because my room is not the best either. Like tadpui said, you really can use that mic for nearly everything. The compressor is also a good buy...what mic are you using now?

The Eternal Student
Member
Since: Oct 08, 2005


Oct 20, 2005 02:41 pm

Not a thing, this'll be my first mic ever. (very newbie right here, my interface is showing up today..lol). So versatile = very desirable for me at this point.

You use that compressor dB? I liked the looks of it because it had both XLR and regular 1/4" jacks too (cheaper ones didn't have XLR).

JR Productions
Member
Since: Mar 03, 2005


Oct 20, 2005 02:47 pm

More power to the 57 then. It was my first mic and now I have accuired another. I have used it on vocals, acustic guitar, snare, Hi hats, overheads, guitar amp, bass amp, bass drum (with another mic), toms, saxophone and will try it on anything else that i have to record.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Oct 20, 2005 02:49 pm

the SM57 is still the only mic I have, I HAD a Oktava, it blowed up and I never replaced.

God Bless the SM57.

The Eternal Student
Member
Since: Oct 08, 2005


Oct 20, 2005 04:03 pm

Sm57 sounds like a winner... I'll get one of those and see what it sounds like before forking out the bucks for a compressor/noise gate. =) Thanks for the suggestions fellows.


Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Oct 20, 2005 04:06 pm

The greatest all-purpose-take-a-beating mic in the world...

Like Noize2u said once, ya can mix your drink with it, put it on a mic stand and use it for the gig...

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


Oct 20, 2005 04:13 pm

Yeah, I'd never argue with getting an SM57 as your first mic. Definitely get a pop filter if you're going to sing into it tho! There's no built-in windscreen like the SM58, so it'll really pick up those plosives. I think MF.com has a couple that are under $20. I suggest the gooseneck one because I got one that isn't a gooseneck and its a pain the neck for sure.

The Eternal Student
Member
Since: Oct 08, 2005


Oct 20, 2005 04:17 pm

Maybe I'll have my first DIY project be making one out of pantyhose. =) www.homerecordingconnecti...story&id=35

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


Oct 20, 2005 04:22 pm

Wasn't it Walt that was using a bra stuffed with damping material, with the cups over his ears during tracking to reduce bleed into the mic from the headphones? I can imagine your wife walking in when you're wearing a bra on your head, singing into a pair of panty hose. She'll really endorse your new hobby then :D

I swear, the high-heels are strictly for acoustical enhancement!

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Oct 20, 2005 04:36 pm

lol Yeah, that was Walt .


Quote:
Like Noize2u said once, ya can mix your drink with it, put it on a mic stand and use it for the gig...


That's one recording technique I could prolly master .

Eat Spam before it eats YOU!!!
Member
Since: May 11, 2002


Oct 20, 2005 04:40 pm

If you want a very directional condenser microphone the type to get are termed "shotgun" mics and are typically used in film/video work. I use a Sennheiser ME66K6 and for a mere $500 it kicks ***... the highend response makes my Rode NT1's seem like a joke and it can be powered by a regualar AA battery for field use.

JR Productions
Member
Since: Mar 03, 2005


Oct 20, 2005 04:53 pm

I think if i had 500$ to spend on a mic that didnt pick up a lot of my room because the room sounded bad, I would spend 300 on tuning the room or building an iso box. Thats interesting though i never thought that one of those mics would sound good on studio vocals.

The Eternal Student
Member
Since: Oct 08, 2005


Oct 20, 2005 05:27 pm

Yeah, I always wondered what those shotgun mics were good for, since they have such a cool name. I didn't realize you could use them for vocals either. Sweet action.

Probably out of my price range right now though. :-(

Related Forum Topics:



If you would like to participate in the forum discussions, feel free to register for your free membership.