Buying new microphones for miking an amp and acoustic guitar

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Member Since: Jan 17, 2010

Hey, so I'm recording my amp and I've got a Behringer 1204fx mixer that goes into the computer and I've got a shure sm57 and I want to get some better mic (and the sm57 is not even mine so I want my own mic as well). I'd like to capture a joe satriani kinda tone with lots of midrange and I'd like a full and fat sound and be able to capture acoustic guitar as well. So I came across this satriani mic pack including a Cad d189 and a Cad Trion 7000. Do you guys know anything about these mikes and do you recommend them or other mics ? The D189 is just a regular dynamic mic and doesn't look much different from the sm57 and the trion 7000 is a ribbon mic (dual or dynamic ribbon, like I know what that means ??) And would the trion be good for recording acoustic guitar as well ?

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Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Feb 10, 2010 12:30 am

Ribbons are very well regarded, but I don't know about quality of that pair:

Quote:
includes the guitar virtuoso's favorite CAD mics for capturing his amps on stage and in the studio


Wow, that's not some marketing fluff, eh? I think I can safely say that JS doesn't use these mics for recording his sound on stage or in studio.

But anyway, for us home recorders, I would suggest doing some research. Type in the names of them in google, and see if they come up in microphone forums. An hour or so of looking may save you from a grumbly decision. Not to say that they aren't worth it, but I haven't heard of them, though I have heard of CAD.

That said, I've got a pair of Rode NT5 that I use for acoustic, and have been very happy with. They're just over 400$ now, i think, so that may be out of your range. I haven't tried them on guitar cab yet, as I don't do much MIC recording on electric. Usually I model in the PC.

Honestly, I think you're 57 is a good workhorse for cab recordings. You may be well to get another one to replace your friend's. Add to that, maybe an Audio Technica AT2020 or 30 series, and you could use both for recording.

I know some on here use an Oktava ? 319 something on guit cabs with great results. But I don't know how that would record acoustic.

Here's a forum I looked through some when researching mics. They (SW) are sales, but their sales techs are pretty knowledgeable. The members aren't sales techs, but the mods are.

www.sweetwater.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=11

Member
Since: Jan 17, 2010


Feb 10, 2010 03:01 pm

Yeah I know he doesn't use those mics, of course not.
So you don't think it's worth it? The ribbon mic do seem to be a really good mic though.

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


Feb 10, 2010 05:47 pm

I just went to MF.com to check it out and that pack has already been discontinued! I don't know exactly when they were introduced, but I don't think it was that long ago, like just a year or two. That doesn't speak well for those mics if they were that short-lived.

Those cheap ribbon mics are gaining popularity amongst home recordists because they can be made to sound pretty good with some modifications. I know that the Nady ribbon mic is pretty popular amongst those who like modding mics.

I agree with PJK that getting an SM57 to call your own would be a good investment for any home studio. They're just so rugged and versatile that every home studio can find a few uses for one or more SM57s.

As for a condensor mic for acoustic, vocals, and a room mic for electric guitar, there are lots of choices out there. I don't have a lot of experience with different mics, but I do know that there are tons of great options that are within the budget of just about any home recordist.

But the first thing would be to establish your budget. How much are you looking to spend on both mics together? An SM57 will cost about $85 new, and you can scour eBay and find them as low as $50 occasionally.

Then mid- and large-diaphragm condensors start at the ultra-cheap end of the spectrum as low as $60. $150 starts to buy you better condensors, and at $200, several quality options open up.

But when it comes to capturing quality guitars, your recording space will have a lot to do with the outcome as well. You probably want to factor some acoustcial treatments into your budget.

Member
Since: Jan 17, 2010


Feb 10, 2010 06:16 pm

So I should just buy an condenser mic instead of the ribbon mic? My budget is somewhere between 200 - 300 dollars. though the package is discontinued doesn't mean they don't sell the mics though. But I guess that package didn't sell to well.

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


Feb 10, 2010 08:17 pm

Ribbon mics are fine too, they're great for vocals and for guitar cabs. It's just that there are probably way more good condensor mics in your price range than good ribbon mics.

I don't know a lot about the ribbon mics that are on the market so I may be wrong. I'm going to look around a bit to see what kind of options are available for ribbon mics less than $300. I'm kind of curious myself.

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


Feb 10, 2010 08:58 pm

There are more entry-level ribbon mics out there than I thought. I hadn't really looked at the whole market before.

Of all of the options below $300, the Cascade Fat Head 2 stands out the most. Google it and see if the press it gets convinces you that it's a good deal...hell I'm not even in the market for a ribbon mic and I'm tempted to buy one, judging solely by what I've read tonight :-)

Now keep in mind that I've never used these mics before so I can't endorse them beyond relaying the opinions of people on some other forums whose opinions I've come to trust. From doing some reading, here are a few more to maybe include in your search for a ribbon mic:

- MXL R144 for $100 might not be a bad gamble. Good price and a few good reviews from fellow amateurs.
- Nady RSM-4 for $70. I saw several people recommend an inexpensive mod to swap out its transformer for a nice increase in sound quality
- Nady RSM-8A for $125. It sounds like a good upgrade over the RSM-4 for a nominal extra price.

Zzounds.com is proving to have the best selection of entry-level ribbon mics. Here's what they have to offer for less than $300. Again, I have no experience with any of those but hopefully it'll at least get your shopping started. I see that CAD Trion 7000 in that list as well :-)

These super-cheap ones are intriguing me. For $100 plus the price of a $30 transformer, a little bit of soldering and patience, you might be able to end up with a mic that would sound superior to most condensors in that price range. Hmmmmmmm.....

Oh, one thing I did notice while looking around is that these ribbon mics have some vastly diferent gain requirements. Some are active, some are passive, and I saw a big swing in the signal strength these gave out from model to model. Pay close attention to the power requirements and output gain specs when you're shoppping for a ribbon mic.

SM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic's
Contributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002


Feb 10, 2010 10:35 pm

I do own a Cascade Fat head and it is a wonderful mic for the price . I like it on guitar cabs, as well as the trusty 57 . It had to come up with an all around vocal mic , because everyone is different. The cascade is not my first choice when it comes to vocals. a good entry condeser (not so entry) is the Rode NT-1 , you can do far wose. There are a lot of 100-300 mics out there, a lot that are good, the problem is quality control , sometimes you get a lemon . Now you don't have to spend an arm and a leg on a shinny expensive mic . I have not had any problems with MXL mics , that said i've yet to find an all pourpose mic ( the shure SM7 comes close) every mic i own i've found a use . to start i'd suggest a good dynamic mic (shure SM57, Audio-technica Pro 63) for you cab and or vocals, a decent large condenser for vocals(rode NT-1 , AT3035 , shure SM27) and a SDC (small condenser) or pair (rode NT-5, SM81, on the pricier side) (mxl 603 or 604 on the cheaper side) . there are a lot of option out there.

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