Bes mics ever
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Posted on Jun 09, 2004 11:30 am
Mauz
grrrrrrr
Member Since: Mar 29, 2004
Oops! Thats meant to say "Best Mics ever"
What do you guys think the best microphones are in the following categories:
Voice:
Acoustic Guitar:
Electric Guitar (micing amp):
Drums:
Bass (micing amp or strings)
etc...
Mainly looking at price vs quality
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guitwizzNothing doesnt give me gasMember
Since: May 25, 2004
Jun 09, 2004 12:43 pm Hi Mauz,
I like the akg c-1000, I use 2 of them for stereo miking on acoustic. Musicians friend has a great deal on a 2 pack!!
service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear
I also use a rode nt4 stereo mic that has 2 fixed x-y capsules and it really sounds great, but its a little pricey, but worth every penny.
Almost all of the large diaphragm condensers sound very detailed on acoustic also, but you dont get the stereo sound with one mic of course.
Just make sure your large diaphragm choice has a roloff on it, as acoustics tend to sound real boomy if not miked right, and the roloff is usually helpful. Its also good for some vocalists that have a lot of low end.
Studio projects makes the first large diaphragm "stereo" mike I have ever seen, (drool)
maybe someday!!!
Peace
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Jun 09, 2004 02:02 pm best all rounder, sm57 i reckon, easily!
Jun 09, 2004 02:17 pm I know for drums, I prefer to have the akg D112 on the kick. Audix has made a new kick mic that you might want to check out. I know that there is a lot of hype about it. I like to use shure sm57's on the toms and snare. I also dig them for live use also. They are also really good for miking guitar amps. For the price, I believe the SM57 is the way to go. I don't really have a preferece (yet) for overheads. I think that i've used everything from high-powered condensors to Shure SM 57' and 58's. I would suggest a condenser mic nonetheless.
I can't help you on the acoustic guitar thing. I 'm not that experienced yet with it all. Hope this helps!!!
MauzgrrrrrrrMember
Since: Mar 29, 2004
Jun 10, 2004 05:54 am Thanks for the tips. What about for vocals? That is what I really need to look into at the moment. Also want to get a good pre-amp that warms them up a bit.
MauzgrrrrrrrMember
Since: Mar 29, 2004
Jun 10, 2004 06:12 am Will the Rode NT1 do the trick or should I go for the NT1A?
vdalehubbardLost for words with all to say.Contributor
Since: Sep 12, 2003
Jun 10, 2004 06:31 am AKG D112 rocks. The Audix D12 is pretty much the same thing, haven't got to mess with it much to official say.
I just recently got an Shure 24, it's a pretty great mic.
Jun 12, 2004 02:49 am Well I guess I could say youget what you pay for ....The best mics ever is a strong statement...A telefunken U47 for vocals cant be beat, but it will also run you $8000-$16000. So to be realistic the rode mics are great for a budget. For high spl drums a sennhieser 421. Its always good to have a few sm57's. And for accoustic guitar( and brass or reed instrumets) a ribbon mic of some kind is sweet as can be. Also invest in a good solid preamp. ( Amek, high dollar) or the new focusrite platinum twin pack pro is very affordable and will make a huge difference in your mixes. I am a bit old school when it comes to recording. I use computers, but you cant beat some good old tubes or solid state pre's in the mix to make it sound like a real album!
guitwizzNothing doesnt give me gasMember
Since: May 25, 2004
Jun 12, 2004 03:03 am Hes right.....a TFpro (Ted Fletcher Audio) is what I am looking at for vocals right now.
Hes the "Joemeek" original designer....
If I was rich, I still wouldnt touch a u-47, in fear that I might drop it, even if I could buy another one. I alrready clamp my hands tight around my 103 in the box when I pull it out of the storage area......and thats a pretty inexpensive Neumann.
uhm knot paranoyd......
Jun 14, 2004 07:34 am Of the mics I own, these are the first ones I pull put;
Vocals - RODE NTK
acoustic - depends on the guitar - Oktava MK-012, or MXL 603, or Studio Projects B1
Guitar amp - SM 58
The others I don't have an opinion on since I haven't miced them.
Blessings, Terry
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 14, 2004 07:31 pm Well, I love my Oktava MK-319. But as stated by guitwizz in another thread, you need to be very carefull in picking one out. They are all handmade in Russia, and the quality has gone down over the years. Or maybe I would be better stating the quality is related to the day it was built, as some places in this country are the same.
Anyway, I am lucky and have a very old one when their quality was great. It is warm and clear and true. They still can be found in the newer ones, but make sure you get the salesman to bring them all out so you can plug them all in and see if you can find a good one. They are cheap to buy.
Otherwise, I have been hearing very good things about M-Audio's mics, very detailed and clear.
guitwizzNothing doesnt give me gasMember
Since: May 25, 2004
Jun 15, 2004 02:14 am Yes, very true. I have a 99 dollar mxl V-67 that is one of my favorite mics, not to mention one of the cheapest ones I have, it is the gold and green ripoff-looker of the 5000 dollar AKG mic, cant remember the model. But I have been apprehensive about buying a second one, because I may have a "great" one right now, and another may be different. I dont know if they have the same consistancy problem as the russian mics, but at that price point, something has to give....
DonMember
Since: Jul 06, 2004
Jul 11, 2004 10:01 am
I believe that for vocals I am going to go for an avalon 737 pre and run my neumann u-87 thru it. I am saving now for the Avalon. I have 2 akg 414 bulls for over heads on drums and acoustic guitars plus vocals if need be. I am using the evelution 604 's by seinhouser for toms , a sm 57 on my snare and a akg d112 on the kick drum. I have been working for 6 or seven straight years to build my little studio in washington. I would say the neumann is good for clarity yet can be a little harsh so am hoping a tube pre clears that up a bit. The Akg bulls are great mic's! and as far as the e-604's and d112 you can not go wrong I love them. now after all this time i am ready to start really recording. I think a person should come to places like this and find out what is good. Take the time to make sure the mics are going to do the job you need to have done. I myself would get the mikes that can do multiple tasks. I baught the 414 bulls because I could use them for overheads on the drums yet could use them for much more. Don
Jul 11, 2004 10:35 am I am poor - I have but one decent mic - A Shure SM58 which I use for EVERYTHING!!
But, since its just a wee hobby it does the job and I think, sounds good.
Would like a cheap condenser to compliment this tho - around £100 ($200)?
Coco.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jul 11, 2004 10:53 pm An NT1 would do fine on vocals and acuistic guitar. Shure M57 is fine for micing amps. Now the drum kit. The nymasis of the recording engineer. Cymbals = most any small diaphram condenser. Maybe not an Nandy. I use Senheiser 60-somethings on the toms and snare. Not bad at all in most cases. The kick......All depends. Open kick, closed kick, what genre or sound do you want. Anything from a 57 to a shure internal field effect. Then comes the drummers technique. If the drummer is a heavy metal grog, better find a few super cartioids. If the drummer is brushing out some fine jazz, upgrade the high hat to an NT3 and the snare to a good cartioid. C1K, Oktava 012 etc.
Jul 12, 2004 02:00 pm First of all, if you want bang for your buck that can get banged up, get a Shure SM57 and a Shure SM58. Use the 58 for brighter things (like vocals) and the 57 for ballsier things. I have used 58's for studio vocals for people ranging from Al Jarreau to Punk singers with great results.
Best mic? Overall, I prefer a Neumann U67 (which gives you warmth and clarity). Tube 47's are nice too. If you cannot get one of these, FET 47's and 87's will work.
AKG 414's are a great mic as well. You can set the polar pattern to hypercardioid for very TIGHT recording. I have gotten great isolation when recording hi-hats with this mic. It is a little bright, which is nice for ac gtrs, vocals (it was the mic of choice for many), pianos, etc.
AKG 451's are have a clearer top than the 414, and is prefered for ac. gtr by many.
SCHOEPS and a pair of Focusrite mic preamps. Your piano is done. Don't even put turn on the EQs.
Ribbon mics like the RCA 77, RCA 44 and recent versions are great for horns as they give you nice spit. I have had success using them for capturing instruments with unique midrange (like the Okinawan Sanshin). COLE ribbons are awesome for rock and jazz drum overhead mics (they are very smooth).
Drums....hmm...if you doubt the drummer, throw up cheap mics and be ready to give him a bill. But if you have faith that they will be nice to your mics, go for the best. Pull out the best matched pair for overheads (I prefer the Nuemann 67s or Coles). Use good mics on the toms (I prefer 87s or 414s...but sometimes use 421s or even SM57s). SM57 on the snare top. 414s on the snare bottom and hi-hat (remember hypercardiod!). Nice matched mics for the room. Maybe another nice matched mics for a close room (if you have lots of open tracks, mics, pre's, room, and time). Kicks usually get an AKG D12 (or the more plastic sounding D112), FET 47 (or tube, but watch your position and angle or it will be an expensive down beat), ATM250, 421, SM57, SM7, RE20 or whatever. Many people go with a combination of mics or build elaborate tubes for the kick using extra shells. I prefer to try to place the drums where they sound good and tune the room around them, rather than the other way around.
Bass: ATM250, Tube or FET 47, RE20...
Vocal: ** WHATEVER SOUNDS THE BEST FOR THE PERSON WHO HAPPENS TO BE ON THE MIC AT THE TIME ** If you do not take the time to try each of your decent to best mics, you will not know what will work best. Do NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT assume that the most expensive mic in the house is the RIGHT mic for what you are doing. Also, while clear mics like the C12 are very nice, may singers have a midrange that changes when they sing louder or higher in pitch. That nice clear mic that is great for the soft verse may be too edgy during the loud ad-lib.
There are many nice mics I did not mention, and some new mics I have not heard...but these things have worked for me so far.
One last thing...always make sure the musicians can hear themselves and each other clearly. Your job as a recording engineer is to make an environment conducive to musical creativity, and then CAPTURE that creativity.
Hope all this helps.
-Bruce Miller
(more TIPS and the "STARVING ARTIST MIX SPECIAL" at BruceAMiller.us)
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