Which Mics to Buy to Start me Off???

[jesse89]

I am currently in the process of researching and buying recording equipment to build a home studio. I am already planning to purchase my software and recording unit (Pro Tools M-Powered with M-Audio Fast Track Ultra Recoding Unit - 4 Channels) . I just want a few mics (probably 2) that can start me off. I am planning to buy more later, but I need some soon to start recording. I'm looking for reasonably cheap mics, and I plan on using them for vocals, electric guitar, and also for drums. I know that recording drums with 2 mics is not the best option but it is what i will have to do at the moment on my budget. So my question is... What 2 microphones should I buy?????? Any thoughts on the matter are greatly appreciated! (I am willing to spend roughly $100-$200 on each mic)


-Jesse

 

[Seafroggys]

Two Neumann U47's...that'll do everything well.

 

[Micter]

Two Neumann U47's...that'll do everything well.

LOL That's what one gets for not giving their budget when asking for help.

Seriously!

 

[darrin_h2000]

Get 2 Shure SM57s...then build from there...you should have gotten an 8 input interface...you cant do it with 2...unless if you just want to do folksingers...loops for drums might be all you can do...but most bands wont go for that.

 

[jesse89]

I think the sm57s sound good, but will they pick up the dynamic ranges of all the drums/cymbals? I have seen a lot of people using condenser mics to record drums when short. I was looking at maybe the MXL 990/993 Studio Package or the MXL 2003/603S Microphone Pac Plus. Will either of these packs do it for an ok drum sound?

 

[hairylarry]

4 mics

Jesse,

I really think 2 mics is too few. Fortunately 4 mics could be had in your budget.

A couple of the Naiant's will be good for drum overheads and acoustic instruments. An AKG D770 for a vocals mic will also work for snare, cabinets, instruments, etc. So far you're out under $200.

For the kick drum I recommend the Audio Technica ATM25. (This is not the Pro25 which I have not tried but is less expensive. Input requested from Pro25 users.)

The ATM25 is a good kick mic and also a very versatile horn and cabinet mic.

You will have to buy some of these mics used so I can't give you exact pricing but you should be around $300.

Of course there are many other options. some of them are discussed at length in my fifty dollar mic thread.

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=273636


Thanks,

Hairy Larry

 

[Clit Torres]

Cad M179's

I'd go with a pair of Cad M179's. If you get them used, you can free up some cash for a third mic.

 

[darrin_h2000]

Dont lose sight that he picked an interface with only 2 inputs...it wont be an issue if he picked an 8 input one.

In a perfect world he would have gotten the AT-25...2 SM57s for snare...2 SM81s for overheads.

A C214 or KSM32 for his main LDC and an SM7 for male singers

If found used you can get all that for under $1000.

 

[jesse89]

An AKG D770 for a vocals mic will also work for snare, cabinets, instruments, etc. So far you're out under $200.

For the kick drum I recommend the Audio Technica ATM25.

Hey Larry thanks for your post! I'm not sure im into the naiant's but i do like the AKG D770s and the Audio Technica ATM25. They look like a bargain for their pricing.. problem is, i cant find too many places that sell them, esp. places that ship to Australia (where I am)... got anywhere in mind??

 

[M10K]

Get 2 Shure SM57s...then build from there...you should have gotten an 8 input interface...you cant do it with 2...unless if you just want to do folksingers...loops for drums might be all you can do...but most bands wont go for that.

Now Darrin...this is just misinformation, plain and simple.

 

[darrin_h2000]

So...you know a band that is going to let him record them with just 2 mics?...you need a minimum of 4 just to get the drums tracked.

 

[scrubs]

1 Shure SM57
1 CAD M179

/thread

 

[M10K]

So...you know a band that is going to let him record them with just 2 mics?...you need a minimum of 4 just to get the drums tracked.

Perhaps YOU need a miniumum of 4 mics to get drums tracked, but that doesn't mean that other folks cannot get quality drum sounds with just 1 or 2.

 

[darrin_h2000]

But still...even if he thinks he can..his customers will just walk away...true you can do some things with 2 inputs...but not record a band...he might as well have bought a Zoom H2 or something that can probubly pull that off decently.

If he is just recording himself with a guitar fine...but Ive never walked into a studio that only limited you to two channels.

 

[Seafroggys]

Its called marketability and commercial power.

Some people in the art field don't realize those two things exist.

 

[M10K]

But still...even if he thinks he can..his customers will just walk away...true you can do some things with 2 inputs...but not record a band...he might as well have bought a Zoom H2 or something that can probubly pull that off decently.

If he is just recording himself with a guitar fine...but Ive never walked into a studio that only limited you to two channels.

...I never saw a mention of customers from the OP. I'm done hijacking this thread, everyone carry on now.

 

[darrin_h2000]

How else was he going to make his studio economically viable???

 

[mshilarious]

We could try asking . . . OP, do you plan on just recording yourself and your friends, or are you trying to make money?

 

[omtayslick]

We could try asking . . . OP, do you plan on just recording yourself and your friends, or are you trying to make money?

And also a budget.

 

[mshilarious]

And also a budget.

That's in his post; $100-$200 per mic.