Steenamaroo
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What interface/preamps are you using Chris?
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ChrisThePlant
New member
Thanks for all the responses guys! I'm going to start with hip hop vocals, but would like to use that same mic (the sm7b?) for guitar vocals as well very soon thereafter.
I'll grab those three mics - should be just right.
I'm not sure if the large/small diaphragm issue will come in here - I'm a relative newb when it comes to mic technicalities - I was borrowing my friends' MXL and 58 and 57 for awhile - was using the 57 to mic the guitar and the condenser for vocals, so forgive the obvious ignorance of this post.
I have never heard of using a dynamic mic for vocal recording - I always used my friend's mxl condenser. In general, when do you guys use a condenser vs a dynamic?
Think I should get a pair og the 67g's for a stereo effect? Why the 67g over the NT1-A?
I'll grab those three mics - should be just right.
I'm not sure if the large/small diaphragm issue will come in here - I'm a relative newb when it comes to mic technicalities - I was borrowing my friends' MXL and 58 and 57 for awhile - was using the 57 to mic the guitar and the condenser for vocals, so forgive the obvious ignorance of this post.
I have never heard of using a dynamic mic for vocal recording - I always used my friend's mxl condenser. In general, when do you guys use a condenser vs a dynamic?
Think I should get a pair og the 67g's for a stereo effect? Why the 67g over the NT1-A?
guitaristic
prophet of Dave
I would hold up just a minute! The sm7b takes a pretty good preamp in order to work effectively! Otherwise it'd be a waste of cash for you! What will you be using?
Steenamaroo
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A lot of great vocals are recorded using dynamics. Especially re20 and sm7b.
If someones scary loud i'll almost certainly put up a dynamic.
Sometimes I'll use one if there's background noise to contend with. I'm not saying dynamics are less sensitive or whatever before the brigade explodes, but generally speaking I use them in closer proximity with lower gain than i would with a condenser, so room noise is less of an issue.
You'd have to try very very hard to get plosives out of an re20 or sm7b with the foam shield on.
I'll use an sm7b a lot if someone is really sibilant, esp with the foam filter over it.
In cases like this, I would avoid nt1a or mxl990 (i have both) because I find they really emphasise the highs unnaturally.
YMMV.
The story goes that ruben used an sm7b for Anthony Keidis because he has that lithp thing going on. IDK if that's true or not, but I expect rep for spelling it lithp.
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ChrisThePlant
New member
Just now, I realized the last time I posted that there were three pages...thought there were only one. Good thing I didn't buy anything yet. 
I have a Behringer 1622FX board that I currently use. The preamps are crap, but they do the job (kinda). I'm taking the sub 1 out from there and going into a Sound Blaster X-Fi card's line in, and using main as the combined sound from the found card's audio out. This allows me to have things playing and only record the vocals/whatever else. I realize this isn't the best setup, but it's helped me learn how to use the board and helped me get live leveling down - certainly an acquired skill.
I really really really want to get a good interface, but I don't have one yet. I plan to have it replace the board/sound-card setup. I would like whatever mic(s) I buy to sound good on both, though I understand if I can't get great sound out of the 7b until I get the good interface.
In terms of use with guitar, I want to get a mic now that I can use for guitar, not a bunch of mics and then a "when he decides to record guitar." It's happening naaaooowww! *arnold voice*
For right now, I'll be recording mostly rappers. When I get my taxes, I'll likely get the interface and then focus more on the guitar more. I'll likely tinker with whatever mics I buy with guitar/vocals in the interim, but nothing serious until I can make it sound good.
What about this request:
As an aside, how often are two mics used for vocals? I read a technique about guitar recording that used 2-3 mics to capture a dynamic sound from the guitar, and I was thinking the same could be done for voice? Not sure I'd do it until I could record each track independently though.
I have a Behringer 1622FX board that I currently use. The preamps are crap, but they do the job (kinda). I'm taking the sub 1 out from there and going into a Sound Blaster X-Fi card's line in, and using main as the combined sound from the found card's audio out. This allows me to have things playing and only record the vocals/whatever else. I realize this isn't the best setup, but it's helped me learn how to use the board and helped me get live leveling down - certainly an acquired skill.
I really really really want to get a good interface, but I don't have one yet. I plan to have it replace the board/sound-card setup. I would like whatever mic(s) I buy to sound good on both, though I understand if I can't get great sound out of the 7b until I get the good interface.
In terms of use with guitar, I want to get a mic now that I can use for guitar, not a bunch of mics and then a "when he decides to record guitar." It's happening naaaooowww! *arnold voice*
For right now, I'll be recording mostly rappers. When I get my taxes, I'll likely get the interface and then focus more on the guitar more. I'll likely tinker with whatever mics I buy with guitar/vocals in the interim, but nothing serious until I can make it sound good.
What about this request:
Then I'd only have 2 mics, so I wouldn't get the kind of sound mentioned in post #16, right?
As an aside, how often are two mics used for vocals? I read a technique about guitar recording that used 2-3 mics to capture a dynamic sound from the guitar, and I was thinking the same could be done for voice? Not sure I'd do it until I could record each track independently though.
Ninja_Drummer
New member
I'm no where near as experienced as some of these guys are but I'll add my own two cents and tell you to just work with one mic for vocals. While it is nice to have two for options and ambience purposes, it just adds too much stress on yourself mixing-wise and you'll find that you'll rely on those two mics for recording more often. Focus on one mic, learn its capabilities and weaknesses THEN, once you've gotten the hang of that, start thinking about extending your library.
If it were me personally, I would ditch buying three mics and buy two, a LD and a dynamic (sm57 in particular).
I would leave aside about $300 at least to buy a good interface with decent preamps. Not sure what's a good bang for your buck interface out there on the market right now, so you'll probably have to ask the other guys. But if you plan to record just the things you've listed, then I'd try looking for a good solid interface with 4 inputs and more than decent preamps, maybe something like a firebox interface. If you plan to add in some more instruments and want to record the band live, (i.e. electric guitar, drums, keys), then I'd recommend buying an interface with something along the line of 8 inputs with decent preamps. It all boils down on what you plan to do in the long run and how you plan to do it.
guitaristic
prophet of Dave
You really don't want to mic an acoustic with a 57 anyways like post 16 suggests. It doesn't sound horrible, but the track doesn't sound too great by itself, which is a big deal if you're solely doing acoustic music.
I'd take an LDC or SDC over a 57/SDC (ambience) combo anyday!
Steenamaroo
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What mics do you currently own if any (sorry if you've already mentioned, i can't see it.
I would strongly recommend upgrading the interface first if you have any mics at all.
I've seen so many people complain about and then sell mics because they sound "like shit"..
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through their pc line in! lol.
Personal preference but I'd rather have a 58 and great pres than neumanns and behringer/line in.
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ChrisThePlant
New member
I currently don't own any mics, that's the reason for this post. A friend let me borrow his MXL, which I used in my Behringer, with somewhat satisfactory results while rapping. I think I could do the same with a better mic...of course I understand it won't sound "great" but I plan to buy the interface within a couple months.
Regarding the interface, I completely agree that what I'm using is shit, and that I'll get shit sound from it when comparing it to a nice interface. However, when I buy an interface, I want to buy one that will last - I see the interface as being the pivot point for the studio, allowing me to expand my horizons recording-wise. I don't want to replace the interface in a year because it doesn't allow me the freedom to record on the fly during a jam session or something. I don't ever - at least not for a few years - want to have to say "I don't have enough preamps," so I anticipate spending good money on the interface, making the mics + interface exceed the price cap.
If I were to just purchase the mics, think it would be better to buy 2 or 3? There was talk of the 57, the sm7b, the re20, mxl v67g, etc. If the best bang for the buck will come from the sm7b and a new interface, I'll go that route and upping my budget a bit. I also don't mind buying 3 mics and not using the 7b until I get a good interface, just so I have it under my belt.
Thoughts?
Regarding the interface, I completely agree that what I'm using is shit, and that I'll get shit sound from it when comparing it to a nice interface. However, when I buy an interface, I want to buy one that will last - I see the interface as being the pivot point for the studio, allowing me to expand my horizons recording-wise. I don't want to replace the interface in a year because it doesn't allow me the freedom to record on the fly during a jam session or something. I don't ever - at least not for a few years - want to have to say "I don't have enough preamps," so I anticipate spending good money on the interface, making the mics + interface exceed the price cap.
If I were to just purchase the mics, think it would be better to buy 2 or 3? There was talk of the 57, the sm7b, the re20, mxl v67g, etc. If the best bang for the buck will come from the sm7b and a new interface, I'll go that route and upping my budget a bit. I also don't mind buying 3 mics and not using the 7b until I get a good interface, just so I have it under my belt.
Thoughts?
guitaristic
prophet of Dave
Hmmm...well, a lot of this depends on what you want to do! First off: are you a loud rapper? If so, I'd definitely get a dynamic mic like the sm7b. If not, I'd get a nice LDC mic, such as the Sennheiser MK4 ($300...awesome reviews!) and an SDC (maybe a pair...tons of options!).
guitaristic
prophet of Dave
Yep, same here! If the beginning sections of the chain aren't good, then it's not gonna come out good!