Mic recommendations

[Rothko]

Okay, so I'm running a modest home setup based around a Tascam 488. I pretty much just started getting this going and I have very little gear. Anyway, thus far I have been relying on the trusty SM57, and I was wondering if anyone has some recommendations for a good second microphone. This would be for recording mainly acoustic guitar / vox, but occasionally other less ordinary stuff. Perhaps something with a particular idiosyncratic style, something with a bit of character. My budget would be within about £400 at the absolute outside.

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[Armistice]

So the standard wisdom is that you'd use different types of microphones for an acoustic guitar (SDC) than a voic (LDC) - however if you're coming from an SM57, then anything's going to be an improvement, I reckon...

I'd say the critical factor therefore is making the mic work for your (I assume it's you who's doing the warbling!) voice - so perhaps a bit of info about what your voice is like / style of singing would also help.

For instance, I have quite a deep voice (think Darth Vader meets God ) so mics that would work, say, for Justin Bieber, tend not to work so well for me - whereas mics that give me more "top" and less "bottom" do - at least at this semi-budget end of the spectrum where most of us live...

And if you haven't already found it, there's buckets of information over at the microphone forum...

 

[Rothko]

Yup, its my voice. I have a pretty ordinary tenor, solely in terms of range I would probably be along the lines of Bowie, only not as eccentric stylistically. As far as the actual sound of my voice goes, I'm probably most similar to Conor Oberst. I tend to almost whisper a lot, but I also like to belt shit out.

I would want to try this thing on other stuff besides vocals, though. Bear in mind I'm not looking for pristine quality so much as a certain aesthetic. I'm a huge fan of Phil Elvrum's recordings as Mount Eerie and the Microphones, full of tape hiss and warmth. Lo-fi is probably not an approach that is taken very seriously around here, but that is likely the best description of what I'm after.

 

[moresound]

Yup, its my voice. I have a pretty ordinary tenor, solely in terms of range I would probably be along the lines of Bowie, only not as eccentric stylistically. As far as the actual sound of my voice goes, I'm probably most similar to Conor Oberst. I tend to almost whisper a lot, but I also like to belt shit out.

I would want to try this thing on other stuff besides vocals, though. Bear in mind I'm not looking for pristine quality so much as a certain aesthetic. I'm a huge fan of Phil Elvrum's recordings as Mount Eerie and the Microphones, full of tape hiss and warmth. Lo-fi is probably not an approach that is taken very seriously around here, but that is likely the best description of what I'm after.

You may want to split your funds and get a good microphone preamp that would be a good match with a new microphone.

What is the exchange rate between us?
I always ask what is that in real money. But the pound vs.dollar? There should be an international artist exchange.

 

[Rothko]

Erm, that's roughly $630 in US greenbacks I believe.

A preamp you say? What are the advantages of that as opposed to just splashing the lot on a mic?

 

[moresound]

Erm, that's roughly $630 in US greenbacks I believe.

A preamp you say? What are the advantages of that as opposed to just splashing the lot on a mic?

OK now we are talking real money.
As for a preamp, other than the ones that are in your Tascam (the XLR ins with the trim or gain control) You could get any thing ....but that is only if your not happy with those that are on you Tascam.

But an example of a microphone/microphone preamp combo would be a MXL 67g microphone and a Golden Age pre73 preamp, this would fit in to your budget!

But there are countless combinations many are listed here at HR.com just use the search button at the top of the forum pages.

And as for just a microphone purchase? I just for the first time in my life purchased an EV RE-20, and to tell you the truth. I'm very happy with it and it will get a lot of work in the studio on many different sources.
And again the RE-20 should be with in your budget.

Now you don't have to purchase new! I got my RE-20 right here on HR in the free adds forum at less than half the price of a new one, and this microphone looks like it just came from the factory!

Try looking on ebay or what ever you have that would resemble our Craigs list. BUT ~ buyer beware ~ there is a lot of scums out there.

 

[Rothko]

Thanks a lot man, I'll look into that one. I'm pretty happy with the 488's preamps but then I'm no expert and probably wouldn't know a bad preamp if I heard one.

I was also thinking maybe it would be worthwhile to get a few cheaper mics, go for quantity over quality since I'm not after ultra fidelity? I was looking at a pair of MXL 603's, I like their tone on an acoustic guitar as displayed in another thread, and that would leave me with a load extra cash for another model. I figure the more mics you have, the more adaptable your setup is going to be.

 

[moresound]

Did you take a look at the MXL V67g?
Also take a look at the Naiant X-S, get a pair of those for $39. each!
An other preamp would be the M Audio DMP3.

 

[DrewPeterson7]

What are you using currently for an audio interface?