best microphones on a limited budget

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grn

grn

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I have a band (www.escapev.tk), we cut an album, did EVERYTHING ourselves - recording, producing, mixing, distributing, etc.

we sold all 100 copies we made in 2 weeks. now we have about 400$ to work with, give or take... because I may put more of my own personal money in. my question is this: what mic's should I DEFINITELY get in order to improve the quality of my home studio? what are some all around good mic's and where can I get them?

I'd like information on: Studio Projects B1, Shure SM57

any other suggestions? I'd also like info on what each mic is used for and ways that you mic certain things - mic placement, what you do to get the sound you want (especially for piano, vocal and drum).

any information is MUCH appreciated. thanks!
 
What are you working with, mixer/computer/how many tracks
I need more info to give you any real advice.
 
for drums, I like an AT ATMPRO25 used for about $60 for kick drum, a shure sm57 on snare, and a pair of Marshall MXL603's for overheads.....

for piano, the 603's can do double duty......

for vocals, the sm57 will work but if you wanna go the condenser route, a Studio Projects B1, or Marshall MXLv67 or v93 would be great......

as far as positioning, its a lot of experimenting...maybe do a forum search for some good starting points but theres so many factors and variables on positioning........
 
working with computer... 1.3ghz, 256mb ram (soon 512mb), one input on sound card (will soon be upgraded to 8), using acid pro 4.0 to record. want to record, guitars (acoustic/electric/bass), vocals, piano, and drums...

also, how would I make a room sound better acoustically?
 
grn,

I just downloaded your band's sampler from your website. You guys are amazing! Awesome songwriting, very nice lyrics, you guys are an inspiration for bands that are starting out. And the sound quality can easily compete with professionally made CD's from just a few years ago. It even has that nice "rough" sound which makes it feel so personal. True, bringing the drums up a little to make it sound more "present" will help but guitars and vocals are great.

Stand Up and Happy 2-14 are the best. Keep it up, I know I'll be hearing more of you guys in the coming years.
 
Well, since you made your first album I presume that you already have at least one mic. So what is it? I mean not much point in saying you should have an SM57 if that is what your one current mic is!!
 
I'm gonna second the previous post.

I like the MXL V67 for vocals, the V93 for acoustics and amp micing, the 603's for acoustics and overheads and a pocket full of Shure 57's.

To size down the list, i'd go with 1 V67 or 93, a pair of 603's and a pair of 57's.

Next, you'll be wanting to look at preamps..

Blind Cowboy...
 
For $400, I think I'd get 2 57's, 2 603's and either a B1 or a V67. You could get a lot of mileage out of that setup.
 
grn, a reasonable game plan would be to get the B1 and SM57.
Then...

Get a nice parametric EQ, like a DBX 242 (mono), they run about $100
or under used on e-bay. The Aphex 109 is a decent parametric at the
project studio level, and can be run as a dual mono/stereo unit, in the
same general price range.

The B1 and SM57 respond well to "EQing" and that will be important
when tweaking vocals in the mix. Be brave and try it! :)
This is what the "pro's" usually do...

Chris
 
Just remembered...

There are some wierd frequency bumps on a AT4033.
They tend to sound better in conjunction with a reel to reel set-up
to smooth them out. If your vocalist has any "nasality", they'll bring
it out more. Not that it can't work on the right singer/song.
In the AT line, the 4050 is much smoother BTW.

Also suggest that any Oktava microphones you need to depend on
should be purchased through www.oktava.com over GC.
Scott Dorsey has found many mic build errors on the Banjo Depot type
Oktava's when he has opened them up for repair.

Chris
 
I appreciate all this info, and thanks for the comments about my band. I don't know much about preamps, like what they do ;) I really just want some mic's that will help improve overall quality. right now our best mic was about 40$, and it's an audio technica I believe... don't know much more about it, but it has the cleanest sound out of any mic we own.

I keep hearing excellent things both on this board and from others about the shure 57's... so I'm leaning towards those. I can use those on practically any instrument, no? what would I mainly use Studio Projects B1 for? Thanks again!
 
Here's a basic microphone locker building block... to help you get started.

First... with some dynamic microphones, like some Shure SM57’s and a Sennheiser MD421 you could record vocals, guitars, bass, horns, and all kinds of stuff. IMO, the Shure SM57 and Sennheiser MD421 are “must have” dynamic microphones.

You’ll also want some small diaphragm condenser microphones and if you’re on a low budget, try the Marshall MXL 603SPR matched stereo pair or the Oktava MC-012’s.

Now, all you have to do is audition some large diaphragm condenser microphones and pick out your favorite one(s).

With a few dynamic microphones, and a pair of small diaphragm condenser microphones along with a large diaphragm condenser microphone and a DI box, you can record almost anything.
 
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well it's all digital, so can't I use an EQ thru my computer?
 
eq's all have a different sound and personality. In the software eq's, be careful. Cheap ones can sound REALLY cheap. What you hear is maybe 10% eq and 90% artifact...

Good eq's can be pretty subtle to an inexperienced ear, but dramatic in a mixing situation.

I don't think software is up to the quality of hardware yet, but software IS very convenient. If you go with software, definitely get the best you can afford.

peace.

matt
 
well i got 2 sm57s that i bought from a pawn shop and listened too, and sounded really differnt. One coulda been a fake;) hehe but on the other hand maybe it was just a unique occurence. dont kno cause i havent used alot of mics. the sm57 hasnt broken on me at least so far and thats saying something.
 
SM57's are known to sound different from each other due to tolerance
differences, when they are made.
Since you (normally) should EQ a vocal done with one, when mixing,
it lessens that factor to a degree.

Chris
 
Given where you're starting mic-wise, almost any decent mics should help. First, the mics you asked about- SM57 is the cheap Ho of dynamics. It's been around for many years because it doesn't suck on anything, and is just right for some things, especially snare, guitar cabs, and some vocals. If you can find a professional studio that doesn't have a few, don't record there. It's a no-brainer at $80. I am also a fan of AKG dynamics, especially D770. In the somewhat more pricey range, you get into Beyer dynamics and Sennheiser MD421, more studio standards, which are also great stage mics. Towards the top of the heap, you get Shure SM7 and Sennheiser MD441, which are dynamics to die for, $300-500.
Studio Projects B-1- A cheap, versatile studio workhorse. Good for acoustic guitar, or as drum overheads (a pair), and on some vocals, actually not too bad on rack toms. Marshall also makes a series of pretty good large diaphragm condensers for cheap, especially V67.
Small diaphragm condensers- usually used in pairs. Marshall MXL 603 works well for cheap, as does Oktava MC012. I like the 603's better on guitar/piano, and the Oktavas better as overheads. I also use a pair of Studio Projects C-4's, which I like a lot.
Kick drum mics- ATM Pro25 is the budget winner, AKG D112 and Audix D6 are very good, EV RE20, is highly recommended, although I have not used it personally, and the Sennhiser MD421 mentioned above is a favorite of several people I know.
That's the story. In order to begin a good mic locker, you need some basic dynamics, a couple of top shelf dynamics, a dedicated kick mic, a pair of small diaphragm condensers, a large diaphragm condenser for a main vocal mic, and 1 or 2 large diaphragm workhorses (usually not as good for main vocals, but wicked versatile on instruments).
My personal recommendations in the cheap division of these categories are:
Basic Dynamic- Shure SM57, AKG D770
Better dynamics- Sennheiser MD421, MD441, Shure SM7B
Main vocal mic- Marshall MXL V67, Oktava MK319
Workhorses-Studio Projects B-1, AKG C2000B
Kick- ATM Pro25, AKG D112 (no, I don't like Shure Beta 52)

Any of the mics listed above will help. Best of luck-Richie
 
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