A good mic for begginers?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Masters Of War
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Masters Of War

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I'm totaly new to recording and want to know what is a good all around mic for vocals, guitar, and harmonica, I'm looking to spend not much more than $100, any help would be much appreciated, thanks.
 
One more question, does it really matter what kind of mic stand you use, should I spend the extra bucks on a nicer stand?
 
Don't worry about the mic stand. I used a Rode NT3 which was on sale for $100 at Guitar Center for the song in my signature line. I like it. There are some Studio Projects and Oktava mics in that price range that have a good reputation, but I am not familiar with them.
 
I think your best bet might be the Studio Projects B1. It has an awesome reputation, and although I've only used one a few times, it seems like a really good deal. In fact, if you go to www.8thstreet.com I think they have a package (stand, cable, pop-filter, shockmount, and the B1) for under $150. If you don't need all that other stuff, they sell the B1 alone for about $80 I think. The B1 would work well for anything from vocals to amps to harp.
 
Shure SM-57. And do you have phantom power available? If not, the above mentioned mics would require you to get phantom power.
 
omtayslick said:
Shure SM-57. And do you have phantom power available? If not, the above mentioned mics would require you to get phantom power.
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Wrong, the NT3 will work like a charm on a battery.
 
SM57
You can record with it, use it live and hammer nails and the mic will keep working.
 
The SM57 on the dynamic side and the B1 on the condenser side. It's hard to go wrong with either one. Whatever one you get first, get the other one 2nd. And yes, you need phantom power with the B1.

Good luck. Have fun with it.
 
The SM-58 for sure. Its an industry standard. Can't go wrong.
 
Geeeeeez, where is Chessrock when you need him? Save up and get a Audio Technica 3035 or
Audio Technica 4033 or
Studio Projects C1 or
Cad M anything or
AKG 2000
 
Studio Projects ... or what BK said. I'm amused by JAsB19's comments, but I'll say no more for now.
 
Reading the title of this thread I *immediatley* thought SM-58. Hard as nails, and sounds fairly decent while doing it. You can use it for anything! SM-87 is a good "step up" for a vocal mic. They sound beautiful live :D

I'd save yourself some trouble and get a cheap notebook type mixer which has phantom power, like a spirit folio notepad
 
Admittedly the shures are nice mics in live applications, but in the studio ...... maybe if you can't find a hammer or there are high winds
 
LOL!

The Betas sound much better ... there are many more versatile and less idiosyncratic mics available for the money. Sennheiser E845 is my favourite, E835 is good too.
 
This raises a question for me.

How are condensors for recording harmonica?
 
Masters Of War said:
I'm totaly new to recording and want to know what is a good all around mic for vocals, guitar, and harmonica, I'm looking to spend not much more than $100, any help would be much appreciated, thanks.
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I recommend the Shure SM57.
 
Thanks for all the replies, I have just one more question, what is the difference between a condenser mic and a dynamic mic, and why would you want one type over the other, one again thanks for all the help.
 
Condensers are more detailed and more sensitive. If you are recording in an acoustically bad environment, or if there is lots of noise around, a dynamic may be better. Dynamics are also less fragile.

In most cases, I use condenser mics for everything other than close-micing drums and amps.

I would second the B1 recommendation to start out with.
 
Masters Of War said:
Thanks for all the replies, I have just one more question, what is the difference between a condenser mic and a dynamic mic, and why would you want one type over the other, one again thanks for all the help.
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If you plan on ever hand-hold a microphone or recording outdoors or other harsh treatment you want a dynamic. If you have a noisy room I would recommend a dynamic.

Condensers are really really sensitive by comparison. That goes for both their sound pickup and the way they must be treated.
 
Masters Of War said:
Thanks for all the replies, I have just one more question, what is the difference between a condenser mic and a dynamic mic, and why would you want one type over the other, one again thanks for all the help.
Click to expand...

It's about time to spend a few hours on Harvey's big mic thread.
 
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