Advice on mics for a beginner please!

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Hello,

I'm decided on what I want to get for my first recording setup, but I've decided to complicate things a little further by stretching my budget for another mic. Now, I'm thinking I should get another mic for my drum kit (either as another overhead or for the snare, any suggestions?) which would be a SM-57, or a dedicated vocal mic, a 58. Would I be able to use to 58 for drums, or would I be better off using the 57 for drums and whatever else I may need, as it is supposed to be such a flexible mic? Sorry my questions are a bit confused, I haven't got this entirely straight in my head either!

Thanks,

Tom
 
What do you have?

What mics do you have already? This would help answer your questions...

As for SM57 vs. SM58 - in general they are very very similar - some people argue that the SM58 is just a SM57 with a windscreen - others say that there is a subtle difference in frequency response.

My theory is that you could use either for both drums and vocals (and people do in fact use both for drums and vocals.) They are very versatile - you could save yourself $20 - $30 if you buy an SM57.

However, they probably won't be very satisfactory for use as overhead mics - because they are meant to handle high volumes (like snares, etc) they aren't as good at picking up subtle sounds such as the "shimmering" of cymbals. People have used SM57s for overheads, though.

You would probably want to get a pair of small diaphragm condensers for overheads - Oktava MC012's or Behringer ECM8000 or something else (do a search) or you could build your own.
 
Re: What do you have?

baniak said:
What mics do you have already? This would help answer your questions...

I will have an SM-57 and a AKG D112.

As for SM57 vs. SM58 - in general they are very very similar - some people argue that the SM58 is just a SM57 with a windscreen - others say that there is a subtle difference in frequency response.

My theory is that you could use either for both drums and vocals (and people do in fact use both for drums and vocals.) They are very versatile - you could save yourself $20 - $30 if you buy an SM57.

Where I'm getting the mics from they're both £70, so the price isn't an issue!

However, they probably won't be very satisfactory for use as overhead mics - because they are meant to handle high volumes (like snares, etc) they aren't as good at picking up subtle sounds such as the "shimmering" of cymbals. People have used SM57s for overheads, though.

If I were going to have a 3 mic drum setup, would it be better to have the 'extra' mic on the snare, or as another overhead? If it was to be a snare mic, then surely I could have the 58 on the snare and for better vocals than the 57 can offer..?

You would probably want to get a pair of small diaphragm condensers for overheads - Oktava MC012's or Behringer ECM8000 or something else (do a search) or you could build your own.

I'm not at that sort of budget - I will be using 3 mics for all of my instruments (drums, guitar, bass) and vocals at the moment.

Thanks very much for your input so far!
 
Your best bet would be to get a mic that would be versatile for overheads and probably for toms as well - since you already have an SM57 for snare I wouldn't bother using a second mic for the snare...

But you should (for versatility) get another SM57, and just use it for overheads...

Or you might look into getting an Electro Voice EV635a - which is cheap, and versatile, and has an omni directional pattern, so it might pick up more sound as an overhead. These go for $60 or so in the states, I don't know how much it would cost for you (£70
is pretty steep for an SM57...)

You need a mic that will pick up toms and cymbals. I think the SM57 you have now will work well for vocals - there have been alot of albums with vocals recorded through the SM57.
 
I would get a Marshall MXLv67 from Mars ($79)...very nice LDC that would work as a nice vocal mic and also a nice drum overhead mic.....
 
Hey Gidge, I'm going to get one of those MXL-v67 mics for vocals, but I can't find one cheaper than $99...can you help me out there?

Jed
 
now that you ask, i cant believe noone caught my typo....i meant samash, not MArs...:D

www.samash.com

just type in v67 in the search and the v67B will come up at $79 and the v67G will come up $99.....the only difference is color.....the B just comes with a mic stand adapter, not the shockmount...cant tell if the G does.....
 
I was deciding to choose 57 or 58s for drum overheads and other uses, such as a 2 mic set up for guitar/amps. Naming all these other mics is throwin a lotta confusion at me!
 
baniak said:
Your best bet would be to get a mic that would be versatile for overheads and probably for toms as well - since you already have an SM57 for snare I wouldn't bother using a second mic for the snare...

But you should (for versatility) get another SM57, and just use it for overheads...

Or you might look into getting an Electro Voice EV635a - which is cheap, and versatile, and has an omni directional pattern, so it might pick up more sound as an overhead. These go for $60 or so in the states, I don't know how much it would cost for you (£70
is pretty steep for an SM57...)

You need a mic that will pick up toms and cymbals. I think the SM57 you have now will work well for vocals - there have been alot of albums with vocals recorded through the SM57.

The first SM-57 was to be used for an overhead, so would it be best to use the second for snare or another overhead? Haven't been able to find the 57 or 58 in the UK for any less than £70, could you help me with that?
 
assuming youll have the D112 on the kick, id put the sm57 on snare and then with the other 57 or 58 do this:

put a finger in one ear....have someone play the drums and walk all around, get up on chairs above the kit, just go everywhere....find that spot where you are getting the best balance of the whole kit and put the mic there......this will be your "overhead".....

i need to ask, what recording gear are you using such as mixers,preamps,soundcards,etc?

also, i know we threw alot at you but id seriously consider a LDC mic such as the v67 i mentioned as a vocal mic and drum overhead......
 
Gidge said:
assuming youll have the D112 on the kick, id put the sm57 on snare and then with the other 57 or 58 do this:

put a finger in one ear....have someone play the drums and walk all around, get up on chairs above the kit, just go everywhere....find that spot where you are getting the best balance of the whole kit and put the mic there......this will be your "overhead".....

Ok thanks, will do!

i need to ask, what recording gear are you using such as mixers,preamps,soundcards,etc?

Mixer: Behringer MX1604A
Soundcard: Audiophile 2496
Moniters: Tannoy Reveal Active
Headphones: AKG K 270 Studio

also, i know we threw alot at you but id seriously consider a LDC mic such as the v67 i mentioned as a vocal mic and drum overhead......

No luck in finding that mic in the UK unfortunately! I am new to this, so I really don't know a whole lot about microphones.

Thanks again!
 
Gidge said:
I was looking at that MXL990 that was on the link..... L75.00

the cheapest i found the v67 in the UK is L149.00
http://www.turnkey.uk.com/tkweb/stockdetail.jsp?sku=MXL-V67G&context=CLEARANCE

That's really too much... I'm already £500 over budget hehe. So looks like I will be sticking with Shure... 57 or 58? Say I'm going to have one overhead and one on snare as well as the kick, which is what you recommend, I could use a 58 on the snare which would then be better for vocals right? Thanks.
 
Badgie!

One ECM8000 will set you back a mere £40 (the only place you seem to be able to get them is through AOS's On-line shop, so £10 is for P&P). It's an omni pattern small diaphragm electret-condensor with a pretty flat frequency response from 15hz to 20K. I have a pair and I really am glad I took the risk. Now, come on £40 isn't a lot is it!? :D
 
Mark7 said:
Badgie!

One ECM8000 will set you back a mere £40 (the only place you seem to be able to get them is through AOS's On-line shop, so £10 is for P&P). It's an omni pattern small diaphragm electret-condensor with a pretty flat frequency response from 15hz to 20K. I have a pair and I really am glad I took the risk. Now, come on £40 isn't a lot is it!? :D

It's an omni pattern what-now?! Stop tempting me, I've already sold my grandma!! :D
 
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