Hey guys, I was wondering when you all started obtaining a variety of mics? I'm still a bit new, But a have an obsession with studio microphones! I love hearing the different sounds I can get from different mics and I'm really wanting to buy this mxl tube I've found. But their is still many more important things I need studio wise. I've got a condenser and 4 dynamics already. Do you think getting the mic will be worth the wait for different studio gear?
A mic obsession.
- Thread starter Wack
- Start date
Shadow_7
New member
Depends on what you consider important.
I tend to increase my mic collection to better match my number of channels and preamps. If I only have 2 channels, there's not much need to have a lot of mics as I could only use two of them at a given time. I recently added two more channels of preamps, and felt compelled to add two more mics as well. Go figure... I prefer higher end stuff, but sometimes curiousity gets the best of me.
I tend to increase my mic collection to better match my number of channels and preamps. If I only have 2 channels, there's not much need to have a lot of mics as I could only use two of them at a given time. I recently added two more channels of preamps, and felt compelled to add two more mics as well. Go figure... I prefer higher end stuff, but sometimes curiousity gets the best of me.
kidvybes
New member
...if you're really "jonesing" for a tube mic, you're in luck...there is actually a very good sounding "toob" micrphone for cheap...check out the MXL 960...sounds very sweet right out of the box...add a better tube when you're ready (6072 tube) and you get improved performance for a small additional investment...IMHO no other tube mics in this price range sound this smooth...
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...273101&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=26020995
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...273101&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=26020995
hungovermorning
Dr. Caveman.
In my own humble opinion, get some ribbons. Totally different animal. I have a mic obsession as well, I should post some gear porn pics at some point. The weirder and more obscure the more I have to have them!
drumslinger
New member
Hey kidvybe,
I just might give that MXL 960 a try when I get back from Vegas. I've been wondering about tube mics and the MXL might be a good starter. Thanks for the tip.
DS
I just might give that MXL 960 a try when I get back from Vegas. I've been wondering about tube mics and the MXL might be a good starter. Thanks for the tip.
DS
Shadow_7
New member
Tubes seem a bit high maintenance to me. Upside down to regulate heat. 15 minute warmup. And other strange things that people do. Or I could be wrong.
You could always go with something like a Rode NT2000. Variable polar pattern and other settings. Fatheads for $220? They used to be $150 each. That's a pretty hefty upscale in only a few years.
You could always go with something like a Rode NT2000. Variable polar pattern and other settings. Fatheads for $220? They used to be $150 each. That's a pretty hefty upscale in only a few years.
motorfin
New member
The fat heads are only up to 175. Its the fat head II thats 220. Pretty much a cosmetic difference. Either way, these mics are underpriced and they just kill. Especially on guitar cabs.
Hey everyone, I thank you for the advice, Real helpfull on finding a mic. Not sure about the tube after reading a little bit up on them. Any one ever hear/have any experience with Piezoelectric mics? I've never heard of them, it was Recomended to me eairler today by father of a friend. CHeers!!
Shadow_7
New member
By fathead, I meant fathead II. They are good mics. But it's also $150 for a transformer upgrade(or was, the transformer is only $50 by itself). I was looking at a blumlein pair for $700-ish BITD. But I wanted to sample some other cheaper model first and the guy didn't respond to my second email. So I moved on to other pastures. They're a bit frail for my care and handling anyway.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piezoelectric_sensor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microphone#Piezoelectric_microphone
It looks like it's more common in guitar pickups (contact mic) and hydrophones. As a stand alone mic, it is too sensitive to handling noise. Or so the theory goes. Kind of hard to find those as just mics. Lots of piezo based / piezo like ones, but not actually piezoelectric. Or I could be wrong.
Electret mics are about as close as I come to one. Nice mics, but they tend towards a high noise floor. And doing basic things like shock mounts and wind screens improves them, even in conditions were such extras wouldn't necessarily be needed.