mics for home recording

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Member Since: Mar 15, 2008

can anyone give me any tips on which mics to look out for for home recording.gonna be micing my amp up and recording through the presonus inspire recording guitars and bass.also will i need a seperate mic for the vocals or will one mic do it all?

cheers

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Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Apr 04, 2008 08:22 am

Guitar cabs do well with a shure sm57. They're usually 99$. They've been used on tonnes of recordings, and is considered quite a staple of recording studios.

I know there's a few more real common guitar cab mics, but I can't remember atm.

Ribbon mics, i've read, are real good on guitar cabs, some being lo-cost, while the royer is very well acclaimed (with a hefty $$$ to go with it).

For home recorders, running Bass direct is often better, as it's difficult to get bass recorded really well in our sonically-challenged spaces. This is opinion, of course.

Vocals often fair better with Large Diameter Condensors (LDC). LDC usually impart a nice 'airyness' or sparkle to the sound. They are more sensitive and will pick up slight nuances of performances that a dynamic may miss.

LDC can also be used on guitar cabs, but be careful with SPL, as you don't want to damage a LDC.

I think MXL has a combo deal, a pencil SDC and a LDC together. Between the two, I think that would cover a lot of ground, if you're just getting started. You could add a SM57, and then you'd be pretty well set for some time, covering almost all bases that you'd probably run across.

Condenser mics need phantom power, which the inspire should provide. Phantom power won't damage a dynamic mic (sm57).

So, you could do all with one mic. I would suggest a SM57, if you had to pick one. But vocals won't be as 'sparkly' as with LDC.

I think Flame on here has done quite a few vocals with a 57.

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


Apr 04, 2008 12:07 pm

Yeah my "first mic" recommendation is always an SM57. Its one of those great investments for anybody that plans on recording. Just don't forget to get a pop filter or windscreen if you plan on singing into it.

MXL is also a good suggestion for someone starting out. The MXL990 isn't a great mic, but it is a great mic for the price. They're like $60 at Musician's Friend now, you just can't beat that. Plus I like to use it in conjunction with an SM57 to record electric guitar. Although if you're going to play loud, it doesn't deal with high SPL very well. MXL made another version of the 990 that has a 10dB pad and a low-end rolloff switch on it for like $10 or $20 more though.

Member
Since: Mar 15, 2008


Apr 05, 2008 04:47 am

il check em out.again much appreciated for the help

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Apr 05, 2008 11:23 pm

Aside from the 57 for the guitar cab if your budget allows for a second mic you can look at the Audio Technica AT3035. It is a pretty decent price and an excellent mic that will grow with your needs for vocals. The price point is very good for the quality of mic you get with that one. Not as cheap price wise as the MXL line but a bit of a step up and covers a little more ground.

The MXL mics are nothing to frown at though at all and are used by many as well.

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