$200...one good mic or a mic and a pre?

[StrokeMidnight]

Alright, so I'm building up a studio. I just built a computer and installed all my software. Originally I was planning to use it just as a MIDI studio for my film scoring and such, but now I think I'm going to use it to record as well.

So far the gear I have is a Core i7 PC, Presonus Firebox, M-Audio Keyrig 49, Samson CO1U Microphone (I really dislike it and I think it's almost broken), Sennheiser HD280 Headphones, PRS Custom 24, VOX AD50VT, and various software from East West Quantum Leap.

Since I've been having problems with the mic I have (Samson CO1U) I thought that the next thing I should buy would be a new microphone. I've been looking into the Røde NT1-A , but I wasn't sure if I should go with that or something like the Studio Projects B1 and a pre-amp. One thing that appeals to me a lot about the Røde is the $1 M series mic it comes with because then I'd already start building up a mic cabinet. I first thought that it would be best to get a good mic, then save up for a good pre instead of having a so so mic and a so so pre, but if the Røde NT1A won't sound good without a pre it would be pointless to buy it first.

Are there any other mics around $200 that you'd recommend? Right now I need something that's good all around so that I can record my guitar and vocals.
So, I thought maybe some of you guys could help me out. Thanks in advance!

 

[darrin_h2000]

I bought 2 AT3035s for 50 bucks each used...find them on Ebay...beats anything Chinese period.

 

[StrokeMidnight]

Isn't the NT1-A better than the AT3035 though?

Used mics worry me because you have to put your mouth up to them.

 

[darrin_h2000]

Ive had a Rode NT1...it was a noisy mic compared to the AT3035.

Plus you never put your mouth next to a condencer....allways use a screen unless if you want to ruin capsules.

 

[Shadow_7]

That didn't stop you at karaoke last night... (just kidding)

With the firepod, you're probably going after just a mic (or two).

I don't have a problem with used mics, but I'm an instrumentalist and buy mics used by other instrumentalists. No intentional vocals for said mics. And other ways to compensate. Is the mic grill dish washer safe? I know some mics have mic elements that can be replaced. The SM81 that I used to own two of, is a $350 mic, but the mic element is only around $150. Which includes the grill and everything AFAIK. Sm58's have replaceable grills for cheap. And other quirks.

As far as which mic, I don't know. Are you looking at recording just voice, or a little of everything? Voice over only, or actual singing? Male or Female? Group or Individual? In studio, or on location?

 

[darrin_h2000]

What are they afraid of its not a toothbrush...and very few hookers lick condencer mics...and if they did the viruses die after a few hours because they are not a good breeding ground for bacteria...they dry up and die.

The stores just dont want to take them back so they make up a thing that they cannot because of the germs...but they take them as trade ins

 

[StrokeMidnight]

That didn't stop you at karaoke last night... (just kidding)

With the firebox, you're probably going after just a mic (or two).

I don't have a problem with used mics, but I'm an instrumentalist and buy mics used by other instrumentalists. No intentional vocals for said mics. And other ways to compensate. Is the mic grill dish washer safe? I know some mics have mic elements that can be replaced. The SM81 that I used to own two of, is a $350 mic, but the mic element is only around $150. Which includes the grill and everything AFAIK. Sm58's have replaceable grills for cheap. And other quirks.

As far as which mic, I don't know. Are you looking at recording just voice, or a little of everything? Voice over only, or actual singing? Male or Female? Group or Individual? In studio, or on location?

It's actually the firepod, in case that makes any difference.

I'm really looking to do a little of everything. I'll eventually get more specialized mics, but I don't have the budget now and I really want to start some recording.

I don't think I'll be doing much female vocal recording, maybe a little, but it's mainly for me in terms of singing. I don't think I'll be doing any backing vocals and if I did I'd probably over dub them instead of have them sing at the same time. Voice overs I'm planning to do because I make a lot of films and I thought overdubbing dialogue would help improve them. Most of the time in studio, maybe a couple times not in studio, but almost always in.

I'm starting to consider going used...I saw some AT4040s on eBay that seem well priced. How do they compare to the AT3035s as an all around mic?

 

[darrin_h2000]

You wont get two of those for under $100...but they are good mics...the AT40 series is a step up from the 30 series...but there is nothing wrong with the AT3035...If I didnt have a KSM32 Id use them everywhere I use it too.

I have done over dubs in post before and you really want a mic like the KSM32 or AT3035 that the focus is on acuracy...and fitting into an environment...narraration you want something like the KSM44 or AT4047...it will make it stand out.

 

[StrokeMidnight]

Well what's the real advantage of getting a pair? Stereo recording?

Also, what about an ADK Hamburg?

 

[darrin_h2000]

It will leave a bunch of options open that you didnt have with just one...and stereo is one of them

IDK about the ADK...I pretty much stick with the AT...AKG...Shure...and try to avoid the off brand stuff.

 

[joeruffatto]

I have and use the NT1-a, I like it a lot. It's very quiet and versatile; I've used it for vocals, drums (as an overhead in recorderman technique along with a Rode Nt-3, and as a second kick mic placed a few feet in front of the kick drum), I've used it as a guitar cab mic a few feet off the cab to get a second track (along with a sm57 right up close). If I was starting out, I'd buy an NT1-a and get the M-3 for a buck. IMHO You could do a lot with those two mics for under $200.00:

 

[StrokeMidnight]

Hmmm I wish I could hear the different microphones. I'm sure that would help a lot.

Do any of you have any recordings you've done with the mics?

 

[darrin_h2000]

Just go to youtube and punch in the models.

One of the reasons I advise from going with the off brands is that you will grow out of the rode or chinese mic in a very short time...and you have to take a huge hit selling them second hand...the major brands you will tend to keep and not grow out of and if you can sell them sometimes you get more than you paid used.
I think the AT3035 is good enough in this useage that it is a keeper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FS4aHUxNTM

 

[StrokeMidnight]

I found a bundle online, $250 for a new NT1-A with shockmount, AT2020, 2 pop filters, 2 cables, and of course the $1 mic offer.

Does that sound like a good idea?

EDIT: I think I'll actually go with the AT3035. Not sure about a pair, but at least one of them. Thanks for the help.

Would you recommend a preamp like the ART Studio Tube MP?

 

[drossfile]

I found a bundle online, $250 for a new NT1-A with shockmount, AT2020, 2 pop filters, 2 cables, and of course the $1 mic offer.

Does that sound like a good idea?

EDIT: I think I'll actually go with the AT3035. Not sure about a pair, but at least one of them. Thanks for the help.

Would you recommend a preamp like the ART Studio Tube MP?

for the love of all that's good and decent, stay the hell away from the art "tube" mp--doesn't matter which model--at all costs. it sounds awful. i have one, and i can attest to its horrendousness. i tried it on several different things, and it's been collecting dust for a few years now.

best value out there is the m-audio dmp-3. just keep in mind it's a pretty trasnparent pre, practically no color to it. if you're looking for color, others can chime in on a recommendation. but i can assure you, the only "color" you'll get from an mp is a really stinky brown.

 

[darrin_h2000]

Id avoid ART and presonus or any other company that makes a preamp that uses a tube as a light to show you it is on...they are noisy and unuseable...there are a few solid state units like the DMP3...and for arround the same price there are some interfaces...I normally recommend the Line6 ux2 but there are some M-Audio ones cheaper that will do the trick for what you are doing now.

 

[drossfile]

Id avoid ART and presonus or any other company that makes a preamp that uses a tube as a light to show you it is on...they are noisy and unuseable...there are a few solid state units like the DMP3...and for arround the same price there are some interfaces...I normally recommend the Line6 ux2 but there are some M-Audio ones cheaper that will do the trick for what you are doing now.

yep. presonus bluetube is equally awful.

 

[darrin_h2000]

Actually with 2 channels...it just might be twice as awful

 

[drossfile]

Actually with 2 channels...it just might be twice as awful

good point.

 

[Shadow_7]

It's actually the firepod, in case that makes any difference.

Not really. I think it's had both names in the past couple of years. Just like my Chevy is actually a Daewoo.

The 40xx series is pretty nice. I had a 4033a, which the 4040 was meant to replace. A bit whacky in the EQ / frequency response, but still a nice mic. The 4040 is supposed to be a little more neutral, but still LDC weird iirc.

Two mics are usefull. Better odds that at least one is pionting at the intended source. A backup if one fails, and if they're closely matched, then stereo recording is an option. Or you can just point them both at the same source and set one high gain, and the other low gain, and use whatever one fits the segment of time that you're interested in. Particularly useful if you're in the group that you're recording and can't monitor the levels properly.

As for me I like stereo recording. Even if there isn't much difference in the image between mics. It still enough to give you some spacial reference, which makes it easier to pick out certain sounds based on directionality. Where mono tracks are almost painful for me to listen to these days. You keep wanting to hear a spacial reference, but it's just not there.