Drums, Guitars, Bass, Vocals, Microphones?

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JonathanRay

JonathanRay

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Okay, my microphone questions are spread over a few threads so I'll just compress it all here.

I plan to be recording funk, jazz, rock, you name it. Tell me if this looks good.

Drum Microphones: ($400 Budget)
Snare: Shure SM57 - $90
Kick: Sennheiser E602 - $180
Overheads: Any suggestions?

Guitar (Acoustic/Electric): ($150 Budget)
Miking the amp: Shure SM57 - $90
Miking the guitar: Any suggestions?

Bass:
Miking the amp: Sennheiser E602 - $180 (Any other suggestions?)
Or just DI

Vocals: ($150 Budget)
Shure SM58 - $90 (Any other suggestions)

Any help would really be appreciated! I'm new to recording and don't have any expierence with these mics, but I need some versatile and not too expensive mics. Thanks.
 
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I'm interested in not going with just one brand, such as Shure. I'd like to mix it up and put together my own "kit." I've read some good things about Sennheiser so I thought I might pick up there E602. I'm still clueless for the overheads. As I get some more money I'll purchase seperate mics for the toms and high hat.
 
For budget drum overheads, I've heard good things about the MXL 993s. It's $200 for a matched pair on Musicians Friend, and I imagine that you can get them cheaper on Ebay. As for vocal microphones, I wouldn't recommend a 58 for recording. Vocal recordings done on live-use dynamics can sound pretty bad, in my experience. Not a balanced sound at all. They work well live, though. If you're willing to go $50 out of budget on your vocal mic, I'd check out a Studio Projects C1. You'll have to make sure that you have phantom power for all your condensers (in this case, the overheads and the vocal mic). A neat bass drum sound could be achieved with the e602 up close and the C1 further back, too. The C1 could be used as a trashy overhead, or as a hi-hat mic also. I've had some pleasing results using one LDC (large-diaphragm condenser) as an overhead for jazzier-type stuff.

So that's my two cents.
 
You're best bet will be to mix and match brands like you said. You can get a better bang for your buck than just buying a premade kit.

As for overheads, a matched set of MXL 603s would be within your budget. Many people here are also able to find some Oktava MC012s at the Guitar Center for real cheap, but from what I hear GC no longer stocks these. You can check around on Ebay (though quality can be sketchy...not exactly matched pairs), or the sound room (www.sound-room.com) sells a set of Oktavas with 3 capsules for $426...out of your budget.

If you can extend your overhead budget, Studio Projects C4 or Rode NT5s are also viable possibilities. If your not recording everything at one, the SDCs you get as overheads can double on acoustic guitar.

Also consider a LDC for use on vocals. The only one I have experience with is my Rode NT1-a which I like. Other possibilities are the AT 3035 (both of these are $200 at MusicansFriend).

Milkman

Edit: you might also consider something like an AKG D112 on kick...$200. I haven't used that Sennheiser, but have gotten good results with the AKG.
 
So are you planning on recording live or each instrument at a time or what because if you are going to be recording them one at a time you could get fewer, but better mics.
 
So it looks like you have about $880 to spend right? Here are some suggestions
snare: sm57- $90
Kick: Sennheiser E602 - $180 you seem to like this so go with it.
overheads:pair mxl 603s - $200

amp: sm57- $90
acoustic: assuming that you won't be recording drums and acoustic at the same time you could use those 603s.

bass: probably just go direct. I know berhinger makes one that is decent for about $150-200

vocals: mxl v67g- $100

So that brings you to about $810. You could decide to upgrade something if you wanted, or you may need that money for cables and stands. If you buy on ebay you could get this stuff for even cheaper.

I have not used all of these mics. I am just telling you a lot of what I have read here. I hope this helps
 
patlang12 said:
So it looks like you have about $880 to spend right? Here are some suggestions
snare: sm57- $90
Kick: Sennheiser E602 - $180 you seem to like this so go with it.
overheads:pair mxl 603s - $200

amp: sm57- $90
acoustic: assuming that you won't be recording drums and acoustic at the same time you could use those 603s.

bass: probably just go direct. I know berhinger makes one that is decent for about $150-200

vocals: mxl v67g- $100

So that brings you to about $810. You could decide to upgrade something if you wanted, or you may need that money for cables and stands. If you buy on ebay you could get this stuff for even cheaper.

I have not used all of these mics. I am just telling you a lot of what I have read here. I hope this helps
Click to expand...
This is assuming you are recording live except for acoustic guitar
 
Very versatile mics... and not too expensive.

JonathanRay said:
Okay, my microphone questions are spread over a few threads so I'll just compress it all here.

I plan to be recording funk, jazz, rock, you name it. Tell me if this looks good.

Drum Microphones: ($400 Budget)
Snare: Shure SM57 - $90
Kick: Sennheiser E602 - $180
Overheads: Any suggestions?

Guitar (Acoustic/Electric): ($150 Budget)
Miking the amp: Shure SM57 - $90
Miking the guitar: Any suggestions?

Bass:
Miking the amp: Sennheiser E602 - $180 (Any other suggestions?)
Or just DI

Vocals: ($150 Budget)
Shure SM58 - $90 (Any other suggestions)

Any help would really be appreciated! I'm new to recording and don't have any expierence with these mics, but I need some versatile and not too expensive mics. Thanks.
Click to expand...
I recommend the following mics for starting a good budget mic locker…

Beyer M201
Sennheiser MD421
Audio-tech ATM25
Shure SM57
Matched pair of Oktava MC-012’s
CAD M179

With the above mics you should be able to record everything you want... plus some.
 
That's an excellent budget locker! If the MD421s are too expensive at first then get a couple of Sennheiser E835s - not in the same league but you won't be disappointed with them either. In fact, not being a big SM57 fan myself, I'd probably get at least one E835 or E845 anyway. I don't see what you'd want the 57 for if you have an M201 and an MD421.

DJL knows more about bass DI than I do, but I would say that you could do with something more than just the Behringer DI100, which is reasonably transparent for a cheap box but certainly doesn't add a lot of spice.

The Behringer MIC2200 might work for you, with a little EQ-ing (it's actually a very decent box for the money IMHO), but what you REALLY want is like a Sansamp or something, I think.
 
The other mic you should check out is the Audio Technica ATM25 - my drummer friend just bought one and it sounds absolutely mint! If I get a chance to play with it myself I'll post some more detail on it.
 
Wow, thanks for all the help! Yes I'll be recording live most of the time. Here's what I'm looking at so far...

Drums:
SM57
Sennheiser E602
MXL 993 (pair)

Amps:
SM57

Vocals:
??? (Note: I'll need around 3 vocal mics for recording lead & backup singers.)

I'm still unsure on what to go with for the vocal mic. I plan on purchasing not only the above mics, but also stands, clips, cables, Mixer, MBox, iso headphones, and any additional cables. Thanks for all the help!
 
Not MXL993, I don't think. Oktava MK012, Studio Projects C4 or MXL603 are the ones that most users like.
 
noisedude said:
Not MXL993, I don't think. Oktava MK012, Studio Projects C4 or MXL603 are the ones that most users like.
Click to expand...
I agree, (although I don't have experience with them) it seems like almost everybody likes those other mics more the the 993. Again for the vocals I have heard great things about the mxl v67g especially for male vocals. I have even heard it some times gets use in professional studios.
 
noisedude said:
Not MXL993, I don't think. Oktava MK012, Studio Projects C4 or MXL603 are the ones that most users like.
Click to expand...
I'm guessing that means you don't have any personal experience?
JonathanRay said:
Thanks for all the help!
Click to expand...
You're welcome... all the mics I recommended above I own and use all the time.
 
Thanks for the replies. If you guys don't reccomend using the MXL993s then I guess I can go with the MXL603? If they seem to be popular, I can squeeze them into my budget. The Octava MK012 and Studio Projects C4 seem to be a bit to expensive.

How do you guys think the E602 on kick, SM57 on snare, and a pair of MXL603s as overheads will sound? Hopefully I'll be able to record many genres on drums using that setup. I'll get more mics for toms, high hat, etc. as soon as I get the money.

Thanks!
 
Yeah for some genres, such as metal, you ussually need to close mic all the drums, but for other genres, such as jazz and blues, 4 mics will work just fine.
 
From what I've been reading, I'm starting to lean towards the AKG D112. It sounds like a really versatile mic, much like the SM57 on snare. Any opinions? Thanks!
 
JonathanRay said:
From what I've been reading, I'm starting to lean towards the AKG D112. It sounds like a really versatile mic, much like the SM57 on snare. Any opinions? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Many people reccommend the D112 for kick and bass guitar.
 
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