Cheap Room Mics?

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Myriad_Rocker

Myriad_Rocker

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Just recently (last night) started to put together a new band. We'll be practicing in a different place than we record so I had the idea of putting together a demo PC and loading a simple sequencer on it to capture one stereo (or mono) track of what we're playing. This is so we can record our ideas as we have them in practice and take them to my home studio to do the actual recording. My home studio is not portable in the least so it's not a good solution to bring it with me to practice.

Here's the deal...I'm not that concerned with the quality of the recordings just as long as we can hear them well enough to use as a template when we go in to record them. I don't want to spend very much at all. I already have several computers available to me that aren't being used so I'm going to make the demo PC out of one of those. The other guitarist in the band has a Line 6 usb interface (the one with two channels...the UX2 or something) and that's what we'll use for pre's.

So...what mics should I look at? Ideally, I'd like to have two. One at each end of the room. Should I go dynamic or condenser? SDC or LDC? I would assume SDC but hey, I don't claim to be an expert.
 
Check out the MSH-1A SDC review. MadAudio used them for room mics and was very happy. Very good for lots of things, and economical. Read more here.
 
i second the MSH-1A SDC... i used 2 last night in an x/y configuration.. and it was the best room sound i've had yet... i wasnt trying to make a record.. just record the practice for a reference.. but the sound turned out great... i'd say this would be exactly what youre looking for....
get the mics with stereo stand adaptor for $70ish bucks -- well worth the price... plus theyre made by our own mshilarious..
 
Very cool.

Can those handle the high SPL's of a practicing rock band? :)
 
Myriad_Rocker said:
Very cool.

Can those handle the high SPL's of a practicing rock band? :)
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The last time I put up a decibel meter in the middle of a rather loud three-piece, I got 95 dB. Any mic will take that, or even double that (105 dB).
 
Yes, I believe the MHS-1A"s can handle up to close to 120db so they should be good as Room mics even in some of the Loudest of settings.....


Cheers


PS: i think soon I am going to start selling DIY Mic building Kits useing a very simular Curcuit to the MHS-1..The Kit will come with a Mic Capsule a small 1in square PCB, all the Resistors,Caps,Diodes needed and an XLR with basic instructions...The kits will probably sell for about $10-$12 US each + shipping ($2-$3)..I probably won"t start selling them for a couple weeks but if anyone is interested they can PM me for an advanced Order or for more information....
 
apl said:
Check out the MSH-1A SDC review. MadAudio used them for room mics and was very happy. Very good for lots of things, and economical. Read more here.
Click to expand...
I'd say that with authority, but I'm still waiting for mine since 7/29/06.
 
seismetr0n said:
i second the MSH-1A SDC... i used 2 last night in an x/y configuration..
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Using omnis in an x-y? Is there much of a difference if you switch to mono?

Just seems like coincident omnis would not really give much of a stereo spread, no?
 
leddy said:
Using omnis in an x-y? Is there much of a difference if you switch to mono?

Just seems like coincident omnis would not really give much of a stereo spread, no?
Click to expand...

They are setting them up more like an ORTF setup (really just a spaced pair that isn't that spaced as ORTF requires directional mics) because coincident omnis would be kind of worthless. Omnis have some directionality, but not a ton.
 
Get a pair of the MSH mics and tape them flush against the walls, at about ear height or a little higher (6-7 feet up).
 
you know youre right.. i didnt even think of that...

and i checked no there is no stereo spread....

but it still sounds great..

:)
 
Myriad_Rocker said:
Ideally, I'd like to have two. One at each end of the room.
Click to expand...

Two is good, but don't put one at each end of the room. As others have suggested, put them together.
 
For the price, they're a steal. I'm placing my order this evening.
 
Got the MHS-1A's and recorded some acoustic...no particular mic positioning....just threw them up.

In fact, I just plugged them straight into my Fireface 800 on the front and played in front of it while I recorded.

All I can say is...these mics are fantastic for the price!!!!!! I love them!!!!!

Seriously, I couldn't have picked a better mic.

Now....I've been running them with phantom power....are you supposed to or no?
 
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