Your Advice For My Next Mic

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zackformula

New member
Here's what I have:

AT4040
Shure 57
ATM25
Studio Projects C4 (pair)

I'm trying to figure out which mic(s) to buy next. One of the things I will be doing is recording live practice sessions with myself (drums/vocals) and a guitarist/vocalist). I also do regular recordings of bands and rappers as well.

Right now I use the 4040 (or C4's) for drum overhead, ATM25 on kick, 57 on snare or guitar amp.

Looking for suggestions on what to get next and/or how to use what I have. My budget is $200 right now. (I'd like to get one, maybe 2 mics). I have been thinking about Shure Beta57 and Studio Projects B1).

Thanks!
 
I don't know that any of those mics or that budget will get you anything better than what you already have. That said, what do you need a mic for? How many tracks do you have available for live recording?
 
For $200, my stock recommendation is the CAD M179 - pretty versatile multi-pattern condenser.

However, my real recommendation would be to save a few more bones and get a really good dynamic (Shure SM7B, EV RE20/27, Sennheiser MD421, Heil PR30/40).

Other considerations would be a tube condenser or a ribbon.
 
thanks.

rory, to answer your questions. I have 8 tracks available for live recording. And I'm thinking I need another mic for vocals, or maybe snare/guitar cab.

the 'really good dynamic' route may be good too.
 
I agree with Scrubs. Save up a few more bucks and get a good industry-standard dynamic mic. Either a 421 or SM7. I'd go with the 421.

I'll also throw in that Id recommend you sell the C4's and get another 4040. A pair of 4040's on OH's is a more solid choice than a pair of C4's. If you got a 421 now, and then another one later - and sold your C4's - you could wind up with:

4040 (2) vox, acoustic instruments, OH's, amps
421 (2) - toms, vox, amps, instruments
ATM25 - kick, bass amp, occasional lo-fi vox
SM57 - snare, vox, amps, instruments

Which would be a really solid foundation for a microphone collection. And better to have fewer good, classic mics that pros actually use to track records with - than a bunch of cheapie mics that sound OK.

My 2¢.
 
zackformula said:
thanks everyone! I think I'll save up for that 421!
Click to expand...

Good choice. You can use it for kick, toms, vocals, electric guitar and lots of other sources. You won't regret it.
 
zackformula said:
thanks everyone! I think I'll save up for that 421!
Click to expand...

You won't regret it. I own four of them, I love 'em and use them on about half of my projects. I have a pretty big mic collection, so half of the time is alot! :D
 
4040 (2) vox, acoustic instruments, OH's, amps
421 (2) - toms, vox, amps, instruments
ATM25 - kick, bass amp, occasional lo-fi vox
SM57 - snare, vox, amps, instruments
Click to expand...

I totally agree with this set-up. Good recommendation. :cool:
 
before you buy read up on the heil mics

I love my PR 40 .

Heil Sound PR-40 Dynamic Studio Recording Microphone Features:

Large 1-1/2" aluminum diaphragm
Wide frequency response, down to 28Hz
End fire, cardioid pattern
Low handling noise
Natural articulation


Electro-Voice RE20 Dynamic Cardioid Mic Features:

Professional-quality dynamic cardioid microphone
Heavy-duty internal pop filter reduces proximity effects
Internal element shock mount reduces vibration-induced noise
Blast and wind filters cover each acoustic opening
Bass roll-off switch
Frequency response: 45Hz-18kHz

Sennheiser MD421 MKII U4 Microphone Features:

5-position bass control
Very effective feedback rejection
Highly directional cardioid pickup pattern
Rugged construction

strait out of musicians friend

plus its got better magnets , puppy sounds like a condenser , kills on kick
great on vocal. its a no brainer to me. its only threat is the 441

as for selling gear I would put an ad in gearslutz
or as said before, here
 
Last edited:
just got my 421 and tried it out over the weekend.

holy crap this thing sounds good on guitar amp!

thanks again for the recommendations on this one.
 
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