Buying a Fostex MR-8 and these supplies...

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uhhuhhim

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Hi,

I'm buying one of these MR-8's. Just need a basic review of all the accessories that I have chosen:
Fostex MR-8 (Black)

Condensor Mics Are these both condensor mics or is one of them a dynamic?

AKG K-44 Headphones

Mic Stand

Pop Filter

2 XLR Mic Cables

Phantom Power for Mics

Simple Tech 512 MB Flash Card - buying this later.

Can everyone just please take a look at these items and give me a basic review/opinion of what I'm going to get or let me know if I need any other accessories? Are both of the mics condensor mics? Because I know you're not supposed to use phantom power on dynamic mics. As far as I know, that Simple Tech card is compatible with the recorder.

Pleaset le me know what you think...

uh huh him.
 
Well, for what it's worth, both mics are condensors. Phantom power will not hurt dynamic mics because the mic just ignores it, BTW.

The XLR cables, however... you might get them for now, but consider buying some later on. It's been my experience that the cheap cables will give you problems with noise, etc. And they don't last very long.

Everything else seems to be alright. But this is only my opinion. I am sure that others can tell you more...
 
To deadhippy: I will mostly be recording acoustic guitar which will be electrified by the effects on the recorder since I don't have an amp.

Richard, why do you dislike the mics I have chosen? Unfortunately, I do not think that I can afford to buy $200 mics. That is why I chose what I chose. Should I use dynamic mics then? And are there any packages for those (one for vocals and one for instruments that you can buy together)? Or is there one universal microphone I could buy that I could use to record both instrument and vocals?

Please keep the advice coming. this is my first time buying something like this.
uh huh him
 
uhhuhhim said:
To deadhippy: I will mostly be recording acoustic guitar which will be electrified by the effects on the recorder since I don't have an amp.
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I don't think distorting an acoustic is going to sound that good. The frequency ranges are too different. But I could be wrong... I have never tried it, except once through my amp with a friend's acoustic/electric. I got nothing but feedback doing that. But it may be different if you put the distortion on after it's recorded.
 
Anything would be better than what I am doing now. I am recording with Cakewalk Home Studio and I'm using a cheap, plastic computer microphone. Imagine what the distortion sounds like when I try to put it on my guitar, especially with all the background noise that's already going on.

Rokket, do you know a good microphone that can record both instruments and vocals? Like anybody, I am trying to save money. All I am really hoping for is decent sound quality. Any suggestions?

uh huh him
 
uhhuhhim said:
Anything would be better than what I am doing now. I am recording with Cakewalk Home Studio and I'm using a cheap, plastic computer microphone. Imagine what the distortion sounds like when I try to put it on my guitar, especially with all the background noise that's already going on.

Rokket, do you know a good microphone that can record both instruments and vocals? Like anybody, I am trying to save money. All I am really hoping for is decent sound quality. Any suggestions?

uh huh him
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Well, there really isn't a right answer to that question. Different voices are better with different mics. But you can't go wrong by getting a Shure SM57... everyone seems to like them. They are a workhorse, and can do both adequately enough. They retail for about $100 US, but you can always find good deals on them.
Check out Musician's Friend. They always have a sale going on. Just beware of the package deals. I was told that they always bundle some shit they can't sell in with a top seller. And there is usually a reason why something isn't selling, you know?


Check out this thread, it's loaded with information:

http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=105367

It should answer any questions you have about mics...
 
My apologies, Uhhuh, I saw the list price on that package, and thought the budget was $200. Well, the small diaphragm mic in the package is similar to an MXK603, which isn't really a bad mic. I don't like the 990 because it is thin, grainy, has a hyped high end, and typifies everything that people say they don't like about cheap Chinese mics. If the budget is $100, I think you would do better to choose one mic. For a condenser, I would choose Marshall MXL V67 or Studio Projects B-1. For a dynamic, I would choose Sennheiser e835, which I generally prefer to the SM57. It's a choice- the condenser will probably sound better with the MR-8's inexpensive preamps, but the dynamic will be less sensitive to room noise. I think the condenser will be a better choice for now. Dynamics need a real preamp, and if the MR8 is anything like my PXR4 Pandora, it won't do that well with dynamics.-Richie
 
Richard Monroe said:
My apologies, Uhhuh, I saw the list price on that package, and thought the budget was $200. Well, the small diaphragm mic in the package is similar to an MXK603, which isn't really a bad mic. I don't like the 990 because it is thin, grainy, has a hyped high end, and typifies everything that people say they don't like about cheap Chinese mics. If the budget is $100, I think you would do better to choose one mic. For a condenser, I would choose Marshall MXL V67 or Studio Projects B-1. For a dynamic, I would choose Sennheiser e835, which I generally prefer to the SM57. It's a choice- the condenser will probably sound better with the MR-8's inexpensive preamps, but the dynamic will be less sensitive to room noise. I think the condenser will be a better choice for now. Dynamics need a real preamp, and if the MR8 is anything like my PXR4 Pandora, it won't do that well with dynamics.-Richie
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Richie, take it from a guy who owns one, he'd be better off with the condensor and phantom power supply. The MR-8 pre's are seriously lacking...
 
What about the Shure SM57? It's good for both instruments and vocals...I'm trying to save money, but I want a little quality too. What about the AKG D 9000?

This is racking my brain...

Are there any condensors that can record both instruments and vocals? I really do only need one mic.

Please keep the advice coming.
 
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uhhuhhim said:
What about the Shure SM57? It's good for both instruments and vocals...I'm trying to save money, but I want a little quality too. What about the AKG D 9000?

This is racking my brain...

Are there any condensors that can record both instruments and vocals? I really do only need one mic.

Please keep the advice coming.
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I couldn't find anything in your price range, but I did find this:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/search/detail/base_pid/273170/


It's a pair of condensors, one for vocals, the other for instruments.
 
I just picked up a used AT 3035, and while it can't touch my AKG C 414B, it's sounding pretty good so far doing acoustic guitar and vox running through my Yamaha MG10/2 pre's...

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--AUTAT3035

For saving money, you would do well with a couple of 57's, but if you're not opposed to recording the guitar THEN the vox, one mic can go a long ways with some good pres...

Hope this helps!

:)
 
set up

You may want to get a mixer for tweaking your takes. Behringer and Mackie have decent mixers with pre's built in that may be within your budget. Great for someone starting out in home recording. Since the mr8 has no eq, a mixer can help refine your original takes with less editing at mixdown. If you know what your doing you can get good results with a mxl990. I knew when I bought it that it wouldn't be a great mic,since it was so cheap. But I managed to get some good recordings with it.I've bought a tube mic recently and am real happy with it, but a lot more money. Of course the SM57 is a given. If you can find a local music store or an online music store that will let you return mics you can try some out and then buy what fits your needs. Good luck, Pj Happy overdubbing!!!
 
pjh6467 said:
You may want to get a mixer for tweaking your takes. Behringer and Mackie have decent mixers with pre's built in that may be within your budget. Great for someone starting out in home recording. Since the mr8 has no eq, a mixer can help refine your original takes with less editing at mixdown. If you know what your doing you can get good results with a mxl990. I knew when I bought it that it wouldn't be a great mic,since it was so cheap. But I managed to get some good recordings with it.I've bought a tube mic recently and am real happy with it, but a lot more money. Of course the SM57 is a given. If you can find a local music store or an online music store that will let you return mics you can try some out and then buy what fits your needs. Good luck, Pj Happy overdubbing!!!
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Along those lines, look into the Yamaha MG series mixers too.
The 10/2 is next on my list.
 
"What about the Shure SM57? It's good for both instruments and vocals...I'm trying to save money, but I want a little quality too. "

I don't think you'd regret buying a 57. It sounds good on vocals and guitar. There are plenty of better mics for both, but while you are learning to record, you will not notice that much difference. Later on you can pick up a better mic for vocals and later a better mic for guitar. You will always find uses for the 57.
 
shure sm 57

no self respecting recording engineeer woud be cought dead without a coule of 57's in his mic bag.... you can not go wrong with that mic, its GEAT for acustic, micing guitar amps, even some vocals...
 
headphones?

What about a better pair of headphones? The AKG K44 Headphones are the cheapest, that is why I wanted to get those, but I have been thinking that I should get a pair that can offer better isolation of other sounds...any suggestions on headphones? I will definitely be purchasing the sm57 ;)

uh huh him
 
uhhuhhim said:
What about a better pair of headphones? The AKG K44 Headphones are the cheapest, that is why I wanted to get those, but I have been thinking that I should get a pair that can offer better isolation of other sounds...any suggestions on headphones? I will definitely be purchasing the sm57 ;)

uh huh him
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A lot of people use the AKG K44's. I just have a pair that I picked up at a music store here in Japan. I don't remember what they are, but they have a relatively flat response and decent isolation. When I get home I will check them out and post again what they are. When you use headphones, you have to remember that you are not getting a true picture of your mix because the speakers are close to your ears, and a lot of them enhance the bass...
 
Ok, cool. When I buy something, no matter what it is, I always read the user reviews. I don't know, I guess someone who's been around a lot of audio equipment has a better ear than someone who is just starting and maybe they can weed out what really is good, what is ok, and what is bad. The AKG 44's had a lot of mixed reviews, so I thought I'd ask. Let me know :)

uh huh him
 
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