B1 or 603 for acoust AND voc?

[sjino]

Eventually I'll get more mics, but for starting out I want one mic that can record primarily acoustic guitar, and also do a decent job with male vocals.

I've heard great things about the MXL 603 for recording acoustic instruments, but don't know if it can handle vocals.

The Studio Projects seems a bit more versatile, but I don't know if it will do as good a job as the 603 on acoustic guitar.

I know this is subjective, but if you had to buy one mic for recording primarily acoustic guitar with the occasional vocal, which would you choose?

Thanks in advance.

Steve

 

[H2oskiphil]

SDC's like the 603 are not generally known for their vocal quality.

You're going to have a compromise either way, but based on the comments of others about the B1's quality on acoustic instruments, I'd say that it would be the weapon of choice. It may not sound QUITE as good as the 603 on the guitar, but it won't sound like crap, by any means.

You lose less on the B1 on guitar than you would trying to use the 603 on vox.

 

[Wireneck]

I actually prefer the B1 on acoustics over the mxl 603. The b1 isn't that bad for vocals either. Its not my favorite, or go to mic for this application but I think you find that it is very usable for a first mic.

 

[DJL]

Eventually I'll get more mics, but for starting out I want one mic that can record primarily acoustic guitar, and also do a decent job with male vocals.

I've heard great things about the MXL 603 for recording acoustic instruments, but don't know if it can handle vocals.

The Studio Projects seems a bit more versatile, but I don't know if it will do as good a job as the 603 on acoustic guitar.

I know this is subjective, but if you had to buy one mic for recording primarily acoustic guitar with the occasional vocal, which would you choose?

Thanks in advance.

Steve

Try placing a MXL603S a few feet in front of a singer playing an acoustic guitar and hit record... it works good.

Also, rememeber that SDC mics are more accurate than LDC... but, the sometimes color is nice.

 

[still4given]

Only one mic? You can't go wrong with the SP B1. You'll be adding more but for those two purposes, IMO, the B1 wins.

Listen to I Come To A Mountain . It is just a quick recording I made with my B1. First the guitar track and then the vocal. Added a touch of reverb and that's it.

Blessings. Terry

 

[Flatpicker]

Eventually I'll get more mics, but for starting out I want one mic that can record primarily acoustic guitar, and also do a decent job with male vocals...

I hate the 603 on vocals. The upper mids are way too cloudy and harsh for me. It's an ok acoustic instrument mic, though.

MHO is to get either the B1 or and MXL V67G. I've heard very good recordings of each on both acoustic guitar and vocal. Not many people recommend it for this, but the V67 is a very good acoustic guitar mic. But then again, I like a full, open, and natural sound like you’d use on a solo acoustic as opposed to the bright-tinny sound you’d use for a dense rock mix. They’re different sounding mics, though, so you need to check out the mp3 clinic here at HR or jump over to Dot’s Listening Sessions and listen to samples. Of course, there are MUCH better sounding mics, but for <$100, this would be my pick.

For a second mic, if you're within driving distance to a Guitar Center, I'd go there and pick out a good sounding Oktava MK-012 way before I'd buy a 603, but that's just me.

 

[teainthesahara]

Eventually I'll get more mics, but for starting out I want one mic that can record primarily acoustic guitar, and also do a decent job with male vocals.

I've heard great things about the MXL 603 for recording acoustic instruments, but don't know if it can handle vocals.

The Studio Projects seems a bit more versatile, but I don't know if it will do as good a job as the 603 on acoustic guitar.

I know this is subjective, but if you had to buy one mic for recording primarily acoustic guitar with the occasional vocal, which would you choose?

Thanks in advance.

Steve

Check out the song "really" at the following link:

http://www.nowhereradio.com/teainthesahara/singles

Most of this song was done live and I used the mxl603 on everything except kick. This whole thing was recorded in a rectangular apartment with carpeted floors o) - we put 2 mxl603's in XY in the middle of the room, and played both acoustic guitars and sang at the same time, about 4 or 5 feet away from the mics. Used some "montana" something or other knock-off acoustics guitars. As DJL mentioned above, if this type of "backed off" sound is what you want, the 603 will work. I've got the B1 as well; it's easier to work with for a more "upfront" vocal sound, but the 603, with some technique, will work as well. The other tune posted on that link, "before", has 2 603's in XY about 1 foot away from the acoustic guitars.

hope that helps,
T

 

[sjino]

Thanks for all the feedback. It's very helpful to hear some different opinions.

It sounds like the B1 is what I need, and before I posted I was considering the B1 and 603 equally. I know there will be some compromises on vox with the B1, but at least it will get me by until I can get a true vox mic.

Thanks again.

 

[kid klash]

Go with the B1

Go with the B1... IMHO it'll do a better job with both of the sources you mentioned, and a whole lot more sources you didn't.

 

[DJL]

sjino... Flatpicker introduced some good thoughts... and it makes me wonder why you must only pick a B1 or 603S... why not audition some other mics also?

 

[sjino]

Hi DJL,

I picked out the 603 and B1 because they're in the same price range, and I knew both could do a good job recording primarily acoustic guitar and do vox in a pinch.

I'm definitely willing to consider other mics that meet these criteria. I also thought about the Oktavia 012s, but am a little concerned about QC. There might also be a couple of other MXLs that could work, but I don't know much about them either. Any suggestions?

S.

 

[DJL]

Hi DJL,

I picked out the 603 and B1 because they're in the same price range, and I knew both could do a good job recording primarily acoustic guitar and do vox in a pinch.

I'm definitely willing to consider other mics that meet these criteria. I also thought about the Oktavia 012s, but am a little concerned about QC. There might also be a couple of other MXLs that could work, but I don't know much about them either. Any suggestions?

S.

The first thing I'd do if I was you is... go to all the local music stores and audition all the mics in your $100 price range, like the MC319, 603S, SM57, V67G, B1 and etc... then make a list of the mics you got to test and liked, and a list of the ones you didn't. This way you'll know what some of the mics sounds like and this will give you a better idea of what you really want your mic to sound like. That's what I'd do first if I was you.

 

[sjino]

The first thing I'd do if I was you is... go to all the local music stores and audition all the mics in your $100 price range, like the MC319, 603S, SM57, V67G, B1 and etc... then make a list of the mics you got to test and liked, and a list of the ones you didn't. This way you'll know what some of the mics sounds like and this will give you a better idea of what you really want your mic to sound like. That's what I'd do first if I was you.

Sounds like good advice, DJL. I've heard recorded sample of both the 603 and B1, but there's nothing like hearing them in person. I was just concerned that whatever PA or system I heard the mics through at the music store would color them differently than on a home recording system. For example, I've used SM57s and 58s successfully in a live context, but they supposedly sound different in a recording context. Still, a live demo is definitely in order.

Thanks again.

 

[DJL]

Sounds like good advice, DJL. I've heard recorded sample of both the 603 and B1, but there's nothing like hearing them in person. I was just concerned that whatever PA or system I heard the mics through at the music store would color them differently than on a home recording system. For example, I've used SM57s and 58s successfully in a live context, but they supposedly sound different in a recording context. Still, a live demo is definitely in order.

Thanks again.

Your welcome... and have fun.

 

[notCardio]

What kind of voice, guitar, and music?

Not that I can help you much, but I think the answers to those questions might be important.
Is it quiet fingerpicking on a nylon-string, violent Richie Havens-type strumming on a steel-string, delta blues slide on a twelve string, or what?
Is your voice low and gravelly, high and clear, something in between?
Are you Fred Durst or John Mayer? Ya see where I'm goin here?

Based soley on what I've heard from others, I'd second the SP B-1. Make sure that's the SP B-1, and don't accidentally pick up the Behringer B-1. I knew you knew that.

Or, if you can manage the extra $100, consider either an AKG2000B or an AT3035 or even an SP C-1. The examples I've heard from that on some vocals were excellent, and still very good on acoustic. Just my opinion, which is obviously not shared by all.

I have the MXL v67 and I hate it on my voice. Could be user error.

I think the most important thing is that you get it from someplace that will let you return it, or at least exchange it for something else, if you're not happy with it. There is absolutely no way you're gonna know how it sounds on your voice until you use it AT HOME! Trying it out through a PA is not gonna help you much. I can't tell shit in the store. Maybe you can, but I doubt it.

God I wish I could do short posts!

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

 

[DJL]

Re: What kind of voice, guitar, and music?

I can't tell shit in the store.

You should be able to get a good idea of what mics you like more than others... so crank it up and don't be so dam shy.

 

[sjino]

Re: What kind of voice, guitar, and music?

Not that I can help you much, but I think the answers to those questions might be important.
Is it quiet fingerpicking on a nylon-string, violent Richie Havens-type strumming on a steel-string, delta blues slide on a twelve string, or what?
Is your voice low and gravelly, high and clear, something in between?
Are you Fred Durst or John Mayer? Ya see where I'm goin here?

Fingerpicking on a steel-string with 12-string rhythm background. I'll definitely be adding a nylon string down the road. And my voice is neither low nor high, but clear, kind of James Taylor-ish.

S.

 

[alanhyatt]

The first thing I'd do if I was you is... go to all the local music stores and audition all the mics in your $100 price range, like the MC319, 603S, SM57, V67G, B1 and etc... then make a list of the mics you got to test and liked, and a list of the ones you didn't. This way you'll know what some of the mics sounds like and this will give you a better idea of what you really want your mic to sound like. That's what I'd do first if I was you.

Sorry, I have to disagree here. What a mic sounds like in one location, is not what a mic will sound like in another. First of all you have room conditions to deal with that will be totally different. At a store, the mics will all go through a pre-amp he does not have...more than likely, it will a mixing console in a shoot-out situation at best using different cables... that does not work.

Loading factors will be different, reflections, standing waves or bass traps may occur in the stores room, or even sjino's room which will not give any accurate representation of what a mic will sound like between the locations.

The only "good" idea you will get in a store is how that mic sounds there. There are way to many variables to get a real referance of what it would sound like in sjino's place.

sjino, try to borrow these mics from friends, or work with a dealer that will sell you both, but let you return one. I know of some who will do that, so if you don't, e-mail me at alan@pmiaudio.com

This way, you can try them in your home.

 

[acorec]

Sorry, I have to disagree here. What a mic sounds like in one location, is not what a mic will sound like in another. First of all you have room conditions to deal with that will be totally different. At a store, the mics will all go through a pre-amp he does not have...more than likely, it will a mixing console in a shoot-out situation at best using different cables... that does not work.

Loading factors will be different, reflections, standing waves or bass traps may occur in the stores room, or even sjino's room which will not give any accurate representation of what a mic will sound like between the locations.

The only "good" idea you will get in a store is how that mic sounds there. There are way to many variables to get a real referance of what it would sound like in sjino's place.

sjino, try to borrow these mics from friends, or work with a dealer that will sell you both, but let you return one. I know of some who will do that, so if you don't, e-mail me at alan@pmiaudio.com

This way, you can try them in your home.

Yes, this is the best advice for anyone. I would add that in the store, you are most likely not really paying attention to the sound of the mic as much as you are getting caught up in the salesperson's hype. You usually go home with a mic that you will not really like the sound of over time in your setup.

 

[DJL]

Sorry, I have to disagree here. What a mic sounds like in one location, is not what a mic will sound like in another. First of all you have room conditions to deal with that will be totally different. At a store, the mics will all go through a pre-amp he does not have...more than likely, it will a mixing console in a shoot-out situation at best using different cables... that does not work.

Loading factors will be different, reflections, standing waves or bass traps may occur in the stores room, or even sjino's room which will not give any accurate representation of what a mic will sound like between the locations.

The only "good" idea you will get in a store is how that mic sounds there. There are way to many variables to get a real referance of what it would sound like in sjino's place.

sjino, try to borrow these mics from friends, or work with a dealer that will sell you both, but let you return one. I know of some who will do that, so if you don't, e-mail me at alan@pmiaudio.com

This way, you can try them in your home.

Oh, I agree that auditioning mics in your own studio is better than in a store... however, you can still get a very good idea of what mics you like and dislike when checking them out in a store, and many stores have small studios in their stores that you can use. You can also rent mics from music stores, sound companies, studios and etc. I also recommend auditioning guitars and etc before buying them.

Auditioning mics before buying them is the best advice on this mic forum.

The only ones I can think of who don't want us to audition mics before we buy them are distributors who mostly just sell their mics over the internet and don't have thier mics in all the music stores so we can audition them.