NLAlston
New member
Hey All,
Which is best for digital home recording - Dynamic or Condenser Microphones?
Which is best for digital home recording - Dynamic or Condenser Microphones?
D
donkeystyle
New member
both
J
jslator
New member
NLAlston said:
Yes.
NLAlston
New member
Please excuse my naivety, but I really don't know squat about mics. All that I do know is that I need something better than what I am now using. Dynamic or Condenser, large, medium or small diaphragm - and a host of other issues surrounding the selection of a mic, truly has me mind-boggled. Maybe it wouldn't be such a rough route if the purchase of a mic could be made with the understanding that it would be brought back due to dissatisfaction. But I've been informed that there is a health issue at play, here, (regarding the sale of mics) and that such items could not be returned. So please understand my need for having to field such questions. I am just trying to get the absolute best that I can, with what little monies that I have left to work with.
Blessings,
Nate.
Blessings,
Nate.
P
pundit
New member
Ditto... both.
The standard general purpose dynamic mike is the Shure SM57.... relatively cheap at around $80. It will work on most things from guitar amps, to drums... even vocals.
Condenser mikes will generally give you a crisper more present sound than a dynamic mike. The are generally better for capturing the sound of an acoustic guitar, cymbals, hi-hats and of course vocals.
A commonly used studio condenser mike would be something like the Neumann U87. At over $2000 it's probably out of your league.
There are quite a number of realtively good value condenser mikes available for under $300 these days. Check out Rode, Studio Projects, Marshall, ADK to name but a few.
The larger diameter capsule condensers (1") are generally more suitable for vocals and often bass instruments... though they are also often used as drum overheads in omni directional mode.
Smaller diameter condensers (1/2") such as the AKG451 and Neumann KM184 tend to have a faster brighter response and are suitable for acoustic guitars, high hats and crisp sounding drum overheads and piano tracks.
Bear in mind that most condenser mike require phantom power, so make sure your mixer or preamps have 48 volt phantom power.
Good Luck
P.S. You probably won't go wrong with something like a Studio Projects B1 condenser for around $79 in store price.
The standard general purpose dynamic mike is the Shure SM57.... relatively cheap at around $80. It will work on most things from guitar amps, to drums... even vocals.
Condenser mikes will generally give you a crisper more present sound than a dynamic mike. The are generally better for capturing the sound of an acoustic guitar, cymbals, hi-hats and of course vocals.
A commonly used studio condenser mike would be something like the Neumann U87. At over $2000 it's probably out of your league.
There are quite a number of realtively good value condenser mikes available for under $300 these days. Check out Rode, Studio Projects, Marshall, ADK to name but a few.
The larger diameter capsule condensers (1") are generally more suitable for vocals and often bass instruments... though they are also often used as drum overheads in omni directional mode.
Smaller diameter condensers (1/2") such as the AKG451 and Neumann KM184 tend to have a faster brighter response and are suitable for acoustic guitars, high hats and crisp sounding drum overheads and piano tracks.
Bear in mind that most condenser mike require phantom power, so make sure your mixer or preamps have 48 volt phantom power.
Good Luck
P.S. You probably won't go wrong with something like a Studio Projects B1 condenser for around $79 in store price.
D
donkeystyle
New member
there's some good advice already but i'm gonna respond again..........
the reason i answered with my sarcastic "both" was because your question was rather broad.
i think you should go for both a dynamic and a condenser.........and if you record bands, get at least 2 condensers and a bunch of dynamics.........
everyone that knows more about mics than i do would be able to help you better if you described the type of music you want to record and if you are recording multiple instruments...........
actually the type of instruments ur gonna record would probably be more help.
the reason i answered with my sarcastic "both" was because your question was rather broad.
i think you should go for both a dynamic and a condenser.........and if you record bands, get at least 2 condensers and a bunch of dynamics.........
everyone that knows more about mics than i do would be able to help you better if you described the type of music you want to record and if you are recording multiple instruments...........
actually the type of instruments ur gonna record would probably be more help.
NLAlston
New member
Pundit ~ thanks much.
Due to the more affordable purchase price, I am mainly considering between two mics: the Studio Projects B1, and the Samson C01. They are selling for $79 & $69, respectively, and - though they are both very far away from the "big" dogs - either of them should easily surpass the offerings of the current mic that I am using. I just read a review where the author made mention of the "Samson C01" being a little on the noisy side, and I wonder if that should be reason enough for me to lean toward the SP-B1. Then too, there could be a noise issue with that particular mic also; one that I just haven't learned about. Oh well, whether $69 or $79 - I really can't go too wrong in this, I guess. By the way, I am working with a Yamaha AW16G (digital recorder) which does indeed have the 48V Phantom Power.
Donkeystyle,
You are absolutely right; I guess it would be more helpful if I were more descriptive as to my application. As mentioned above, to Pundit, I am working with a stand-alone DAW which does have Phantom Power capability. All of my instrumentation is done on my Yamaha QY700 Music Sequencer, and "lined" into my AW16G. There is no 'band', or instruments that I have to be concerned about setting mics to. In short, my only need for a mic is for the recording of my vocals. For the most part, I sing with a strong, bass voice, and would hope to get into something - rather inexpensively - that would do a good job of capturing my vocal expressions.
Once again, thanks.
Blessings,
Nate.
Due to the more affordable purchase price, I am mainly considering between two mics: the Studio Projects B1, and the Samson C01. They are selling for $79 & $69, respectively, and - though they are both very far away from the "big" dogs - either of them should easily surpass the offerings of the current mic that I am using. I just read a review where the author made mention of the "Samson C01" being a little on the noisy side, and I wonder if that should be reason enough for me to lean toward the SP-B1. Then too, there could be a noise issue with that particular mic also; one that I just haven't learned about. Oh well, whether $69 or $79 - I really can't go too wrong in this, I guess. By the way, I am working with a Yamaha AW16G (digital recorder) which does indeed have the 48V Phantom Power.
Donkeystyle,
You are absolutely right; I guess it would be more helpful if I were more descriptive as to my application. As mentioned above, to Pundit, I am working with a stand-alone DAW which does have Phantom Power capability. All of my instrumentation is done on my Yamaha QY700 Music Sequencer, and "lined" into my AW16G. There is no 'band', or instruments that I have to be concerned about setting mics to. In short, my only need for a mic is for the recording of my vocals. For the most part, I sing with a strong, bass voice, and would hope to get into something - rather inexpensively - that would do a good job of capturing my vocal expressions.
Once again, thanks.
Blessings,
Nate.
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C
chessparov
New member
NL, actually the Studio Projects B1 is supposed to be quite a good
microphone. It would probably be in your best interests to forget
about the $10 difference (and the Samson too).
If it's in the budget, you could also get a good dynamic microphone in addition to record with.
Keep in mind that if you sell something like a Shure SM57 someday, you'll get most or all (if bought used) of your $$ back
if you should choose to sell it. Plus there's a certain educational value in having both types.
Selecting microphones based on application, as previously stated,
is the way to go.
So...
What are you recording, and what style of music is it?
How fussy are you about sound quality?
What's your budget?
Chris
microphone. It would probably be in your best interests to forget
about the $10 difference (and the Samson too).
If it's in the budget, you could also get a good dynamic microphone in addition to record with.
Keep in mind that if you sell something like a Shure SM57 someday, you'll get most or all (if bought used) of your $$ back
if you should choose to sell it. Plus there's a certain educational value in having both types.
Selecting microphones based on application, as previously stated,
is the way to go.
So...
What are you recording, and what style of music is it?
How fussy are you about sound quality?
What's your budget?
Chris
NLAlston
New member
Hi Chris,
A few answers to some questions you asked of me:
What are you recording, and what style of music is it?
I am recording my vocals, and my music is in the easy listening, contemporary christian category.
How fussy are you about sound quality?
I tend to be very particular, but also understand that limited finances may cause me to have to descend a couple of rungs on that ladder.
What's you budget?
$100 - absolute max.
Your suggestion that I might fare better with the SP-B1 was well taken, and methinks that I will be ordering it tomorrow.
THANX.
A few answers to some questions you asked of me:
What are you recording, and what style of music is it?
I am recording my vocals, and my music is in the easy listening, contemporary christian category.
How fussy are you about sound quality?
I tend to be very particular, but also understand that limited finances may cause me to have to descend a couple of rungs on that ladder.
What's you budget?
$100 - absolute max.
Your suggestion that I might fare better with the SP-B1 was well taken, and methinks that I will be ordering it tomorrow.
THANX.
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J
jslator
New member
NLAlston said:
Given your style of music and budget, that's probably not a bad choice. You might also want to check out the MXL 67-somthing-or-other (I forget the exact model name, but "67" is in it). I haven't tried one, but I think they're about the same price as the B1 and I know some who quite like them.
D
DJL
Self Banned
NLAlston,
The Studio Projects B1 is a good microphone.
The Studio Projects B1 is a good microphone.
R
Richard Monroe
Well-known member
I support the B1 also. Check my web site at www.bardwire.com, click on pictures off the projects page, and you'll see that I own quite a few mics, and the B-1 is still there.
Also, before you toss the box, note that there is a colored dot on the box. Note the color, because later, you may want a second one, and if you have a pair with the same color dot, they'll be better matched. Good luck- Richie
Also, before you toss the box, note that there is a colored dot on the box. Note the color, because later, you may want a second one, and if you have a pair with the same color dot, they'll be better matched. Good luck- Richie
Stefan Elmblad
New member
Both is more or less a must.
NLAlston
New member
jslator said:
Chris,
What I did happen to find, in the Marshall line that was comparably priced with the SP-B1, was the MXL-1006. Music123 is selling this mic for $79.99. The same mic with battery power (no need for phantom power) is selling for $119.99. Decisions, Decisions. I don't know; I guess I'll just flow with the Studio Projects B1.