BEST MIC for home studio

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tommymac

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I just wanted to get a bunch of opinions about people's own home studio mic experiences. My current set up is with a Digidesign Mbox and a laptop, a couple guitars, piano, and a fairly decent "regular-looking" mic, mainly used for stage shows. It'd be awesome if some of yall could let me in on some of your own studio mic knowledge. Right now, I'm looking at the Audio Technica AT3035 Cardiod Condenser. I don't really know much about it except that it sounds appropriate for a home studio. Any and all feedback would be wonderful. Thanks
 
As far as I know, the MBox doesn't have phantom power capability, since it's powered entirely through USB. Phantom Power is the way condenser microphones get the power they need to function. Typical stage vocal handheld type mics are dynamic mics, and thus do not require any sort of powering in order to function. It sounds like this is what you're using right now, which is why it works with the MBox.

Generally speaking, condenser mics are superior for many/most recording purposes. However, the AT3035 you mentioned, or any other condenser (aside from the few battery-powered ones that exist) will require phantom power in order to operate. So you'll either have to get a preamp that provides phantom power, or just get a phantom power box if you want to upgrade to a condenser mic. You can get a phantom power box for around $40 pretty easily, and some may even be quite a bit cheaper.

To start off, you might want to get a very versatile condenser mic that you can use to record acoustic guitar, vocals, mic a guitar amp, etc. The Studio Projects B-1 is supposedly ideal for this purpose, though I haven't used one yet. And at $79 brand new it's hard to beat the value. I'd say that's your best bet for a first condenser mic. You can get one from www.8thstreet.com, among other places.
 
I love my AT 3035, it sounds great on my voice and I also use it for cymbals sometimes. I would imagine it would be good for piano although I've never used it for that.

The phantom power is an issue though...if the Mbox doesn't have it you may consider getting a mild priced preamp or mixer to power condensor mics.
The studio project mics are good, so is the ADK A51 in that price range.
 
The mBox does have phantom power, so you're in the clear for condensor mics.
 
tommymac said:
I just wanted to get a bunch of opinions about people's own home studio mic experiences. My current set up is with a Digidesign Mbox and a laptop, a couple guitars, piano, and a fairly decent "regular-looking" mic, mainly used for stage shows. It'd be awesome if some of yall could let me in on some of your own studio mic knowledge. Right now, I'm looking at the Audio Technica AT3035 Cardiod Condenser. I don't really know much about it except that it sounds appropriate for a home studio. Any and all feedback would be wonderful. Thanks
Click to expand...

Here's a perfect little starter microphone package for home recording studio's.

Two small, and one large diaphragm condenser mic package...

The Marshall MXL 603SPR http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=6450&Category=Microphones

And the Mashall MXL V67G http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=6458&Category=Microphones

And two "Must Have" type dynamic mic's...

Shure SM57
Sennheiser MD421
Checkout ebay for best prices.
 
If I were you I would go with the studio projects C-1. It has a bass roll off and most importantly a -10db pad. That will cover vocals, and guitar amp, and other things.

Otherwise try a nice dynamic mic like a Sennheiser 441 or Beyer M88. Another very low cost alternative is the Electrovoice 635a. You can normally pick up the 635a on ebay for less than $50. It sounds great on guitar amp and many others. I own all 3 and they are all 3 very very useful.

Beez
 
I'm curious, what "regular looking" microphone do you already have?

Since you're starting out, you may want to get one of the condensers
mentioned here that cost $100 or less.
Then you can add others, like the dynamic mikes suggested here, to round
out your options.

Other excellent multi-purpose dynamics are the Electro-Voice EV RE16
and RE15. Just scored two RE-16's used on e-bay for $30(!) each
and really like them for vocals. Very smoooth.

The microphone collectors aren't aware of them that much yet.
New the RE16 sells for around $200, so they're a great value used.
They were the models used by Elvis on his '68 "Comeback Special",
for example. Electro-Voice holds the Variable-D design patent that
mitigates "proximity effect" with cardiod microphones like these.
The bottom line is that they are easier to "place" as a result.
The EV 635a is also simpler to use as it's an omni.

Chris

P.S. I also have the B1 condenser and am very happy with it.
 
I'm curious, what "regular looking" microphone do you already have too? Oh, and the B1 is nice but for only about $15 more you could get a Marshall MXL V67G microphone.
 
BTW the MBOX does include phantom power. Remember that it is just a USB 1 device with only two mic imputs and the ability to record two tracks at a time.
 
I really appreciate all the comments. The mic I currently own is a Samson R11 - I got it from a local music shop a couple years ago. It's pretty good for live singing, but I don't think it's fit for studio work.

The reason I mentioned the Audio Technica 3505 was because my band recorded a demo at a local studio a while ago, and the studio used the AT3505. Aside from that, I don't know much about it.

The Studio Projects C-1 looks pretty versataile, and above all, versatility is what I'm looking for. I plan on recording vocals, amps, acoustic guitars...My question is how much better is the C-1 than the B-1 or the Marshall V67G?
 
Some people actually argue that the B-1 is better than the C-1, but ultimately it's a matter of preference. I've read a number of reviews where the B-1 was cited as a MUCH more versatile mic as compared to the C-1, but that on certain voices the C-1 really really shines.

The v67G (or any other v67 model; they're all the same mic, but have different looks) on the other hand is said to be an excellent vocal mic for most purposes, but probably not nearly as useful recording acoustic guitar, micing amps, etc. as the B-1. I'm not sure how the C-1 compares in this regard.

I'd say that if you're just buying one condenser mic now, it might be best to buy something really versatile and reputable (but inexpensive) like the B-1. And once you get the hang of using the mic, THEN you could try getting a v67G for vocals, or a C-1, or a small diaphragm condneser (or even a pair of them) for recording acoustic guitar, like the Oktava MC-012 or the MXL-603s.

For now though it's probably best to stick with the basics, and learn the ins and outs of mic placement, and recording in general, for using a mic properly is often WORLDS MORE IMPORTANT than which mic you use.
 
tommymac said:
The Studio Projects C-1 looks pretty versataile, and above all, versatility is what I'm looking for. I plan on recording vocals, amps, acoustic guitars...My question is how much better is the C-1 than the B-1 or the Marshall V67G?
Click to expand...
All three of those budget mic's are good, and as stated above... it really is a matter of opinion. So, with that in mind... most of the time I prefer the Marshall MXL V67G over both the SP B1 and C1. Plus the Marshall MXL V67G cost less than the C1.

Marshall MXL V67G
http://www.mxlmics.com/mxlv67g.html

And the Marshall MXL V67G is only $99.95 at... http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=6458&Category=Microphones
 
Also consider what comes with the mic. Many mics come in sets including cases, shock mounts, windscreens, etc. How much each of these is worth is up to you, but I do think that most folks will want a shock mount with a LD condenser.

Right now I am looking at buying my first pair of LD condensers. I am going for the MXL V93M which is the same as the 2003.
 
Tommy, determining whether one microphone is "better" than another isn't always that easy. Sometimes a microphone that's soloed doesn't sound as good, then when you go to mix it becomes "best"!

That's why I usually take a few months+(!) to work with a given vocal microphone-unless it's blatantly obvious it's wrong.
Effective placement of most microphones isn't an overnight process.
And much of this has to do with individual taste, and is not neccesarily objective.

I'm planning to put some of my microphones up for sale soon,
however, if you wish to send a "PM" (private message) to me,
feel free to do so, and we can discuss it. Letting me know what
kind of sound you're aiming for would greatly help.

Your style(s)/genres of music play a large part in proper selection also BTW.

Chris

P.S. No matter what, replace that Samson!
You can do much better IMHO.
 
I'm not familiar with the M Box but my son borrowed my KMS 105 and it did not work on his system. Turns out his phantom was low voltage not full 48 volt supply. Check that voltage spec before you buy mic.
 
If I could do it all over again when just starting up my studio, I'd invest in a Rode NT-1 right away. I honestly think that it is one of the best mics that I've ever heard for guitars. I had an SM81 when I got my Rode and now I don't even use it anymore. I've also got a Studio Projects C-1 that I use for most of my vocals. By the way, the only NT-1 that you'll find in stores anymore is the Anniversary edition, which will run you something like 180.00 which is worth every penny. However, you can swipe a new NT-1 off of Ebay for about $120.00. Happy shopping.
 
EVEykel said:
If I could do it all over again when just starting up my studio, I'd invest in a Rode NT-1 right away. I honestly think that it is one of the best mics that I've ever heard for guitars. I had an SM81 when I got my Rode and now I don't even use it anymore. I've also got a Studio Projects C-1 that I use for most of my vocals. By the way, the only NT-1 that you'll find in stores anymore is the Anniversary edition, which will run you something like 180.00 which is worth every penny. However, you can swipe a new NT-1 off of Ebay for about $120.00. Happy shopping.
Click to expand...

Hey Evilkill, what did you like so much about the NT1 on guitars? How did you position the mic and how did you find it compared to the SM81 and C1? I guess it depends on what you're recording but I prefer the NT1000 over the NT1 for most applications. The NT1000 is quieter and it sounds like the high freq.s are smoother. I guess if you are recording something a little dull or you just want that extra bite to cut through the mix, the NT1 is more than handy too.
 
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