Condensors for cassettes

  • Thread starter Thread starter Terrace
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Terrace

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Hello Everyone.
I've been considering getting a Condensor Mic (Rode NT1)and a Preamp (ART/Joe Meek) to use with my Tascam 424mk3. My Question is will it be worth getting this additional gear, just to put sounds on a cassette? I've been reading a ton of recording info, that points to the inferior fidelity quality of a cassette multitracking. So does anyone have experience with this set up?
 
Pay no attention to those digital zealots! Before digital, all we had was analog and it sounded great. Besides, in 5 years you'll be able to get all the great digital gear second-hand for dirt cheap! :)
Anyway, the RODE sounds like a good deal. Aesthetically, I find the Audio Technica AT3525 to be more attractive, and it costs about the same, yet it also comes with a shock mount. I would try something different for power, although you can't beat a tube amp. On the other hand, it all depends on how many condenser mics you plan on using (I plan on getting a few) but my point is, you don't want to be spending an additional $100 for every preamp you need for all those mics which require phantom power.

Isaiah
 
Absolutly you want condenser mics! It just wouldn't make sense to buy something like a Neumann (over kill) for a cassette.
 
AS FAR AS PREAMP, IM USING A JOEMEEK VC3Q. IV HAD IT FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND IM JUST STARTING TO FIGURE IT OUT(SOMEWHAT)' ITS A PRE/COMP/EQ SO ITS GOOD BANG FOR THE BUCK{$300.}, BUT DIFFICULT TO USE FOR A COMP. BEGINER {ME}. BUT WHEN I DO GET IT RIGHT, ITS MAGIC, ON VOCALS ESPECIALLY. ANYWAY, EVEN USED AS JUST A PREAMP (COMP&EQ CAN BE TURNED OFF}IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERANCE,ON TAPE OR DIGITAL. AND I AGREE, TAPE IS COOL. I LOVE MY NEW DIGITAL RECORDER, BUT I FIND MYSELF TRYING TO USE GIZMOS TO GET MORE OF A TAPE {WARM} SOUND. CALO
 
I have/had a similar setup - an ART Dual MP preamp, an AT 4033 condenser, an AKG C1000S condenser, and a Tascam 414 4-track.

I first started using an SM57 and SM58. When I bought my condensers I was still on the 4-track but knew I'd eventually start using a PC, which I did about two months ago. Even on the 4-track there was a noticeable improvement in sound quality using the condensers. Of these two I get much better results with the AT on both vocals and acoustic. However, I usually use both and either blend the two or pan them L/R.

If you're going to stay on the 4-track for a long time then you really don't need to spend $1000 on a mic. You'd probably get the best bang for your buck with something like an NT1. I don't have one, but people here seem to agree it's a great mic for the price.
 
Great This is exactly what I wanted to hear!

Even though I am reluctant to admit it now, eventually I do see myself moving into a more computer based recording set up. but for now I am Happy with my 4 track deck.

Thanks for the good responses everyone.
 
4tracks are great,and a Rode NT1 or another comparable condensor mic will make the recordings shine.
 
Go for getting mics. The Tascam Porta Studios are way cool, I mean they have more technology in one of those little boxes than the Beatles ever had. They used condensor mics, why shouldn't you? Also, I think analog just sounds good for certain things, like when I am doing real blues, I prefer to record on cassette, or better yet, open reel. I like the warmness of analog, and it makes it feel better to me, anyway. I do digital and analog, and either way, you won't regret an upgrade in the mic dept.
MIKE
 
AKG C1000

give the AKG C1000 a try, it's great for most things. When i record vocals on it, it cuts straight through the mix, it's great!
 
Like DaveO (hi DaveO!), I am recording to a Tascam 414 with an AKG c1000s, but I only have the little single Art MP. As posted by others, this condensor and pre combo has really upgraded the sound I'm after. And it makes my ol' sm 57 sound much better, too.
 
Hey Raj,

If I remember correctly you had an accident and banged up your hand a while ago. How's that coming?

I agree that a preamp (such as the ARTs) can also improve the sound of an SM57. I did that for a while when recording electric. However, my friend that I'm recording with now just got a POD about 6 weeks ago, so we're recording the guitars direct as often as possible now.

Terrace, what did you plan to record with your condenser? Vocals, guitar, both, etc.? If you want to be able to do vocals, you'd probably want a large diaphragm condenser, such as the NT1. It would probably also do a decent job on acoustic as well, but I base that on the results I've gotten from my AT (I like that even better than my small-diapragm AKG on acoustic).
 
My top reason for wanting a large diaphragm condenser is to get nicer vocal tracks. but I'll apply it to anything that sounds good through it. Experimenting is what it is all about!
I did look at reviews on the akg c1000s, and that looks to be a possible future upgrade from my sm57(does anyone not use one of those, hehe)
 
I haven't really used one but based on opinions I've seen here you may want to look closer at the NT1, especially since it costs about the same as the C1000S. It would probably be a better vocal mic, and might even be a better all-around mic, than the C1000S. Do some more searching on both mics in this forum - you should find a lot of opinions on both.

I'm not trashing the C1000S. I was very happy with the results I got compared to the SM57 and SM58 I used before I bought it. However, after using it more and buying my second mic (my 4033) it didn't sound quite as good as it used to. I still use it, but mostly as a 2nd mic that I blend in with the AT.
 
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