1st Mic Purchase, which one?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jerseyshore
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Jerseyshore

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Im getting all my gear together and want to get a microphone. I will use it primarily for recording vocals, but enough versatility to record acoustic and distorted electric guitar would be nice too. The vocalist Im recording is a female who can sometimes be overpowering and peircing. We recorded her on a Blue Bluebird mic once already and she was really overpowering it at some points- but that was recorded into a Zoom HD16 all-in-one console by someone who I suspect didn't really know what he doing. (I dont really know what Im doing either) The only outboard gear I have is a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 recording into Reaper on a PC if that makes any difference. I was looking at these mics just because they're in my pricerange (~$200):
Rode NT1A, AKG Perception 220, Studio Projects B1 or C1

any others welcome
 
For the microphones that you have listed I would go with the Rode NT1a. ;)

Other than that I would search around for a used EV RE20 to get the jobs done.

And as for overpowering ..... proper microphone technique is essential. Have the singer move back a few inches or lower the input a bit.
 
Agreed! Rode are making some really nice mics you know. I'm a new convert to the K2.
 
Rhode offers some exceptional values, and if you only had $200 to spare, the NT1A would be a safe bet in my book. You might also look for a used AT4040 (I think they are about $260-$270 new). I've used one for vocals and acoustic guitar - very nice mic for the money and does an outstanding job. Of course microphones are a subjective thing, esp when it comes to voice. If at all possible, audition the mic before you purchase. You might find you really like (or dislike) the way a particular mic sounds with the voice you are trying to record.
 
"...but that was recorded into a Zoom HD16 all-in-one console by someone who I suspect didn't really know what he doing."


It is my opinion that learning HOW to use your gear has a lot more to do with making good recordings than which pieces of gear you have.
 
clivus said:
"...but that was recorded into a Zoom HD16 all-in-one console by someone who I suspect didn't really know what he doing."


It is my opinion that learning HOW to use your gear has a lot more to do with making good recordings than which pieces of gear you have.
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I agree. The quality was good on the good tracks but on the bad tracks he had the gain too high and the inputs were clipping which he insisted was ok. Now hes no longer in the band and I was able to get the raw tracks to work with, but unfortunately many are too noisy to save.
 
Jerseyshore said:
......but on the bad tracks he had the gain too high and the inputs were clipping which he insisted was ok.
Click to expand...

Sounds like somebody who thinks tape methods translate directly to digital methods. He is not smarter than a 5th grader!
 
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