Microphones

[thebigredhotdog]

Hi. I'm new here. I introduced myself in the reverb area. I wish to find all the best microphones for my home recording. I have one of each instument and would like to record all of them during a single performance. Which microphones would be the best for me?



Thanks,

The Big Red Hot Dog

 

[PhilGood]

Which microphones would be the best for me?

The ones that sound best for each instrument.

 

[whyseye]

You have to use all of them....duh!

 

[Farview]

You have one of each instrument? That's a lot of instruments.

 

[dgatwood]

You have one of each instrument? That's a lot of instruments.

Yeah. Okay. Let's start with the basics and how I'd probably mic them (more of a best guess starting point than anything else, as I mostly record more obscure instruments like rain sticks and piano):

mbira: MK-012

shakuhachi: Naiant omni

koto, zither, and hammered dulcimer: Peluso P28

djembe: AKG D112 low with MK-012 or SM81 near top; roll off the lows on the condenser to that it mostly captures finger hits.

tabla: similar to djembe, but use Beta 52 instead of D112

sitar: MK-012 to tame the highs a bit

sarangi: Studio Projects C4 pair to brighten the sound a bit

shehnal/kuzhal: SM81 pair from a distance

nadaswaram: distant mic with MK-012 stereo pair or close mic with MK-012 using 10 dB pad

Oh, you mean instruments people have heard of?

Perhaps you should rephrase your question to be more specific....

 

[Richard Monroe]

Yo Dgatwood! What useless info. How is he supposed to use that info to mic up his zarb, vina, bazouki, balalaika,tympani, kalimba? Huh? What about his jaw harp, kithara, lyre,bullroarer, Shofar and samisen? The bitch is going to be mic'ing them all at the same time, which will take over 12,000 channels! Just imagine the cables involved!! Then there's the mixing. I can't even think about it.

To the original poster-We might be able to help you if you tell us exactly what you are trying to do, and what you have to do it with. There are people out there who have over half a million dollars sunk into microphones. I'm guessing that's not where you plan to start.-Richie

 

[Daisy]

I introduced myself in the reverb area.

So that must be where the echo is coming from.

 

[JTC111]

Yo Dgatwood! What useless info. How is he supposed to use that info to mic up his zarb, vina, bazouki, balalaika,tympani, kalimba? Huh? What about his jaw harp, kithara, lyre,bullroarer, Shofar and samisen? The bitch is going to be mic'ing them all at the same time, which will take over 12,000 channels! Just imagine the cables involved!! Then there's the mixing. I can't even think about it.

I can't believe both of you guys didn't even mention the bodhran. I detect a very strong anti-Celt bias in both your posts! Goddamn Roundheads!!!

To the original poster-We might be able to help you if you tell us exactly what you are trying to do, and what you have to do it with. There are people out there who have over half a million dollars sunk into microphones. I'm guessing that's not where you plan to start.-Richie

Do you think the OP is for real? I went and read some of his posts in other threads and I'm not convinced he isn't a troll. And for some reason, when I read his posts I hear Borat's voice in my head.

 

[mshilarious]

I can't believe both of you guys didn't even mention the bodhran

Bodhran is so 1995

 

[rayc]

Of course you'd have to use a matched stereo pair for the bullroarer & a space big enough to swing a cat (that's on the end of a 40cm string).
Or maybe the Recorderman method?

 

[mshilarious]

Of course you'd have to use a matched stereo pair for the bullroarer & a space big enough to swing a cat (that's on the end of a 40cm string).
Or maybe the Recorderman method?

Tape the mic to the bullroarer

Use duct tape though, not gaffer's tape. Trust me on that one.

 

[antichef]

I have devised a revolting instrument:

Can you tell the OP and me which microphone will work best for this? I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I'm also wondering which plugins will be best for the track.

 

[gareth.h.rees]

I have devised a revolting instrument:

Can you tell the OP and me which microphone will work best for this? I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I'm also wondering which plugins will be best for the track.

Probably someone else, holding one of these:

 

[mshilarious]

Probably someone else, holding one of these:

I think I used to date that microphone

 

[yrdbrd]

sorry to hijack this thread, but i have a similar question...

i have one of each microphone, if i use them all to record one instument which instument would be best for me to record (that one in the picture or should i get something else)?

 

[thebigredhotdog]

Hi yrdbrd,

Maybe you and I could trade instruments for microphones. Let me know what you need. I have one of each except the banjo.



Deeply,

The Big Red Hot Dog

 

[yrdbrd]

sorry dog,

i dont trade, sell or give-away any of my equipment (i might loan, to the right person) but mostly i collect... lol

"I wish to find all the best microphones for my home recording."
if i was recording my home i'd probly just use whatever was easy to hookup... my home sounds like $hit
the "best mic" is the one that sounds best on whichever instrument you are recording

"I have one of each instrument"
thats just crazy... no-one has all the instruments ever made...

"and would like to record all of them during a single performance"
put up a sm57... if that don't sound right, try something else

"Which microphones would be the best for me"
no-one here can answer that... u have to decide for yourself whats best for you...

things to consider:
-what kind of music (blues/jazz/classical or my favorite...zydeco-grunge-funk)
-what specific intruments will u be recording
-in what environment (big room/small room - basement, living-room, bathroom)
-your question does not give these guys enough information to provide you with a coherent answer
-i realize there may be a communication issue here/ again sry but i been drinkin and was just kidding around
-if you could provide (your specific needs) what instruments, what kind of music in what kind of environment the good people here will be more responsive

some good (inexpensive for the home recordist) mics to have around

a few dynamics of some kind - Shure sm58 / sm57 etc.
a couple of small dia condenser microphones - MXL 603, ECM8000 or similar
at least one large dia condenser microphone - KEL HM-1, Studio Projects B1, MXL 67g or similar
a ribbon or two - apex 205 / 210 / 215 there are many, many others...

what i have listed here are some that "I" have that "I" like...

all i can really say is that YOU have to decide what works best for YOUR given situation.... experiment


Peace

 

[yrdbrd]

so... if i put all my mics on a banjo... will it make the banjo sound best?

hey, that guy in the first pic thats blowing in the ear of the severed head that has a flute in his nose...
he has another guys nose for a dick... now, that is revolting

so, where would u place the the servered robots head to get the best
image of whats really going on... you know, so the listener could really feel like they were there...

 

[Randy Yell]

You may think it's music coming out of the head's nose but it'snot.

 

[Big Kenny]

Bodhran is so 1995

wasn't he the king of Siam?