Mics Mics Mics

[andydeedpoll]

hey there.

ive been looking into buying my first mics to start recording a whole variety of instruments (drums, bass guitar, electric and acoustic guitar, vocals, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, violin...) i was thinking i might have to spend something close to 500 to get two or three mics that i could use for these different instruments, when someone suggested i got a drum mic set with a bass drum mic, a couple of condensors and a couple of dynamics for snare and toms.

after half an hour of bargain hunting on the ol' internet, i found this... http://www.dv247.com/invt/20253

a friend told me he'd always say spend an extra hundred and get Shure.

any opinions?

thanks in advance.

Andy.

[mshilarious]

Originally Posted by andydeedpoll

hey there.

ive been looking into buying my first mics to start recording a whole variety of instruments (drums, bass guitar, electric and acoustic guitar, vocals, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, violin...) i was thinking i might have to spend something close to 500 to get two or three mics that i could use for these different instruments, when someone suggested i got a drum mic set with a bass drum mic, a couple of condensors and a couple of dynamics for snare and toms.

after half an hour of bargain hunting on the ol' internet, i found this... http://www.dv247.com/invt/20253

a friend told me he'd always say spend an extra hundred and get Shure.

any opinions?

thanks in advance.

Andy.

I like your original idea. I wouldn't recommend the drum mic kit approach, because you'll get a lots of mics of middling quality.

I'd take $200 and buy a used Beyer M88 (amps, horns, kick, vocal), and $300 on a large diaphragm condenser (overhead, vocal, violin) of your choice. You'll won't have drums in stereo, but you'll have two nice mics that you won't outgrow.

When you feel like you need more, a kick mic and a pair of small diaphragm condensers (or a second LDC for stereo) would be next, and then you'll have a pretty complete basic set of mics.

[andydeedpoll]

thanks for the advice, and i'll definetly look into it.

andy

[Dom Franco]

I'd agree with the purchase of a good quality condensor $250-300 dollars and spend the rest on a few used or discounted Shure SM57's or SM58's

You will have a nice vocal and accoustic Condensor mike, and the Shure dynamics are industry standards for Drums and Electric guitar cabinets.

Save another couple hundred dollars and add a kick drum/bass mike and maybe a small diaphram condensor, and you will be ready for most recording situations.

DOM

[Cloneboy Studio]

Definately buy a small diaphragm condenser. Those seem to be partially overlooked right now and they will get you out of a jam with high hats, acoustic guitar, piano and strings. Heck, get some C451's for overheads if you want a tight, airy sound.

[manning1]

in my opinion. mics like monitors are the most overhyped items.
many times just marketing to make money.
however i have respect for anything beyer.
and budget mics like mcasp1. 40 bucks.
i have a budget ugly looking junk mic here that sounds better than akg's on certain things that ive owned.
yes there are bad cheap mics - but also little pearls of mics if you hunt.
google for the tape op article , making your own mic for 20 bucks.
but now hardly worth it due to sp1 pricing.

[KevinDrummer]

Manning,

What's an "mcasp1"? I'm in the market to get some good but inexpensive condensor overheads and I saw your post. $40 sounds good to me. Please post soon, I'm on my way to Guitar Center at lunch! Thanks