Budget All Round Mic Reccomendation

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bfsuk

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Hey,
I've just started setting up my own home studio after getting a Tascam 788 for Christmas. I'm only 15 so don't have a lot of experience in recording so I was wondering if anyone would be able to help reccomend a mic to me that would do for all round recording but mainly vocals. I currently own:

A Shure PG58
A Sennheiser E818 Sll
A Realistic Stereo Electret Condenser

I recorded my band last weekend and used the Realistic for drums which worked pretty well. I used the Shure for Guitar, went through my Behringer Bass V-Amp for the bass and used the sennheiser for vocals. I wasn't completely happy with the overall sound though. The bass sounded fine, as it was going staright in through the amp modeller. The vocals were the main problem though, they seemed a lot different on the recording than they sounded in the room and to how they do live. I know they will sound different but I didnt expect them to sound a lot differently through the same mic.

I've done a bit of research and have been looking at 2 condenser mics and was wondering if anyone could either give feedback on these 2 or reccomend another one that would do for my purpose. I will have no more than £100 to spend but am hoping that I could really improve the sound with a condenser.

The 2 I've been looking at are:

Red 5 RV8
Samson CO1

My whole studio set up at the moment isn't that great so if i'd benifit from something other than a new mic please give reccomendations.

Tascam 788
Behringer Bass V-Amp
Shure PG58
Sennheiser E818 Sll
Realistic Stereo Electret Condenser

Thanks in advance for any help, it is really appreciated by a 15 year old who is wanting to make decent sounding recordings but only knows the basics of it all.

James
 
Hey,
I forgot to mention that my band is a punk / rock band recording mostly out own songs. I thought it might help if people knew what type of music I'm recording.

James
 
You could also try looking at the Studio Projects B1. Only £64, and most people here seem to think it's okay.

I don't think the Samson mic gets a lot of respect; but The RV8 and B1 are pretty safe bets.

Also in the <=£100 range: the ADK A-51 Std Type V.

So, my list of sub £100 LDCs would be:

Studio Projects B1
Red5 Audio RV8
ADK A-51 Std Type V
 
Check out the Mic FAQ at the top of this forum. It should give you a good summary of useful budget mics. I would start with a couple of SM57's.

(Punk band from Lancashire, huh? Do you guys do a cover of the Fall's "Lucifer Over Lancashire!")
 
What's so bloody wonderful about the SM57? The damn things are all mids with hardly any top or bottom worth speaking of. :confused:



Whoops, sorry, I forgot. They sound great through £500+ pre-amps :rolleyes:
 
Hey,
Thanks for the replies. If i'm getting any of these mic's am i going to have to spend as much again on a decent pre-amp? would the behringer tube pre-amp at £35 work aswell or would i benifit saving up and getting a more expensive pre amp?

James
 
I believe the 788, like ALL porta-studios, has preamps built in (if you see XLR jacks and/or switches labelled "mic/line" then it does).

Whether or not it also provides Phantom Power (which you'll need for Condenser mics) I have no idea. But you don't need to get another pre-amp for that. Just buy a Phantom Power Supply.
 
Hey,
Yeah the 788 does have pre-amps but does not supply phantom power. i wasnt sure if you could get phantom power supplys without getting a pre-amp you see.

James
 
Sure you can. This, for example. It's only about £50 (including VAT and postage) and it gives you TWO channels of PP; whereas the Mic100 only gives you one.
 
James,

oops! Didn't notice that you're in the UK. But Mark's got you covered.
 
Hey,
That looks like a decent one, and won't break the bank. I should be getting a new mic in a week or two - in the mean time I just need to decide on which to get. The studio projects one looks to be a good one - and a couple of reviews of it i've read rate it really good for the money. I may consider that one.

James
 
YPU'VE GOT TWO HOURS TO GET TO EBAY AND BUY ONE 58 AND TWO 57'S FOR UNDER $150
GO BOY
In HIs Name
BK
 
I would, but I dont really want to buy mic from the USA when i live in the UK. It'd be a bit of a problem if they didnt work or something.

James
 
Hey,
Are the Yamaha mixers a lot better than the Behringer ones? I could get a behringer one with mic pre-amps £20 or so cheaper. would i be best doing that or going for a yamaha?
And would I benifit much from a mixer?

James
 
Since you already have a mixer built in to the 788 I'd say a second one would be surplus to your needs right now.


But, you know, Yanks and outboard pre-amps... (even if the MG10/2 doesn't exactly fall into that category, the principle's the same) :rolleyes:
 
I'd recommend a B1. I got one the other day with a VTB-1, and the difference between that and my previous "newbie" setup is collosal. If you just want a bog standard mic, thats your one.
 
CanopuS said:
bog standard
Click to expand...
Definitions of bog:

* noun: wet spongy ground of decomposing vegetation; has poorer drainage than a swamp; soil is unfit for cultivation but can be cut and dried and used for fuel
* verb: get stuck while doing something
Example: "She bogged down many times while she wrote her dissertation"
* verb: cause to slow down or get stuck
Example: "The vote would bog down the house"

Don't see any adjective definition.
Must be some limey slang term, but I'd like to learn how to use it - looks useful. :)
 
Mark7 said:
What's so bloody wonderful about the SM57? The damn things are all mids with hardly any top or bottom worth speaking of. :confused:



Whoops, sorry, I forgot. They sound great through £500+ pre-amps :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

LOL! I couldn't agree with you more.
 
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