ecm 8000 for beginners?

[rhythmgtr5]

I'm pretty new to recording and I dont have any gear yet, but I will get an audio buddy and a sm 57 soon. Would an ecm 8000 be good for a beginner to use? A friend told me that condensors are really hard to work with. I plan to do a lot of acoustic records along with some really distorted guitars too (I play a wide range of music). my question is "Will I be able to handle a condensor mic even though i've never recorded before?" is it different than using an sm 57. i cant seem to word this question right...

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

I wouldn't say that condensor mics are harder to use or harder to handle, but they can offer more sensativity than a dynamic mic. The technique for using both kinds of mics is essentially the same: stick the mic somewhere near what you want to record and move it around until it sounds good.

The ecm8000, though, is an omni pattern mic. That means that it will pick up everything in every direction. The sm57 will only pick up what is in front of it- a cardioid pattern mic. Omni mics in general are rough on beginners. They aren't really hard to use, they just aren't forgiving.

Having said that, I'd probably pick up and ecm8000 very soon anyway. Its a great mic at a great price and I believe it won't be availible anymore pretty soon. I'd pick one up while you can. I've read here recently that they can be found for $25! I've read here that several folks have gotten really good results recording acoustic guitar with it.

There are many other low cost condensors around now that will work a lot better for things like vocals, though. The ecm isn't a typical home rec'ers kind of mic, but it is becoming one because it is so inexpensive.

Have fun!
Chris

 

[rhythmgtr5]

will I have to have a sound proof room to use condensors? How sensitive are they? Since I'm in college I spend most of the year in dorms with no sound insulation so there is always some noise coming in my room even with the door closed. Also, will an audiobuddy provide enough power to one?

thanks

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

Well...

Yes, condensors will pick up more of the ambient noise from around your dorm room. There are some tricks you can use to get around this to a degree- put thick blankets up over the doors and windows, use cardioid pattern mics, keep your mics as close to your instrument as possible (while still getting a decent sound, of course.) You won't have to sound proof the room, but do the best you can with what you have.

Yes, the audio buddy has phantom power for condensor mics.

Given that you are in a dorm room, the ecm8000 looks less useable. It will do a GREAT job of picking up every last sound that you don't want it to, unfortunately. You might be able to get away with close micing your acoustic guitar with it so that your guitar sounds much louder than any background noise, though.

In any case, you can still get decent recordings in that environment. I recorded a buddy of mine on the 2rd floor of a downtown apartment complex. We did Ok. One thing that saved our lives was shock mounts for the mics. That way, random door slams and feet going down the hall didn't vibrate directly into the mic.

Chris

 

[shackrock]

hmmm, where could these be 25 bucks at?

 

[rhythmgtr5]

One thing that saved our lives was shock mounts for the mics. That way, random door slams and feet going down the hall didn't vibrate directly into the mic.

Chris

condensors are that sensitive?

 

[TexRoadkill]

Condensor mics are that sensitive but Omni's are worse. You could use a cardoid or hyper cardoid with tighter pickup patterns. You definately want a shockmount and it will hear the background noise but if you are doing loud rock demos its not that big of a deal.

Don't plan on doing really quiet acoustic stuff with people yelling in the halls. If you get an ECM stick it as close to the sound source as possible to minimize room and background noise.

 

[Whoopysnorp]

But get one anyway. You never know when you'll just happen to be in a quiet place, and then you'll love having it. Better yet, get two. They're so cheap! Hey, if you want to hear what they sound like, here's a link:

This is a tune I did. The overheads on the drum kit are 2 ECM8000s. There is an SM57 on the snare, an SM57 between the two rack toms, and a Sennheiser e602 on the kick.

 

[geekgurl]

> hmmm, where could these be 25 bucks at?

Yes, anyone? Anyone?

 

[tubedude]

$25 then someone should speak up.. cheapest I've seen is like $39...

 

[tubedude]

Best I can find is $34.99, not including shipping. Mars cleared them out for $25, thats probably what someone is thinking of. They are out, so dont bother.

 

[darrin_h2000]

I got one at MF for $18.00us.

 

[Hugo]

Yeah, I was just about to ask the same question, being also newbie in recording area. I alway thought that condenser mikes should be very expensive and the price for ECM8000 was unbelievable for me. I found It is quite reccomended mike here so I was curious about useability of it.
Thanks for contributions! Hugo

 

[tubedude]

Darrin- post a link, then, they are listed as being $24.99

 

[TexRoadkill]

Just so you guys are aware. The ECM's are very different from what most people refer to as condensers. Usually people are referring to more cardoid types liket he MXL V63 or SP C1.

The ECM's are not a "in your face" vocal and guitar mic. They are more of an accent mic to use in close on acoustic instruments and as OH for drums. You will pick up a lot of room sound and any air conditioners or constant room noise will be tough to defeat.

Do not get them as your main mic but they are great supplementary mics.

 

[rhythmgtr5]

Darrin- post a link, then, they are listed as being $24.99

i see them priced @ musiciansfriend.com as $34.99, where do you see $24.99?

 

[tubedude]

Typo on my part, sorry... I just want to know where to find them cheaper if anyone does indeed have them cheaper.
I just sent someone a check for a used mxl v67 with shockmount for $100, and I think I'm going to go ahead and order the Rode Nt-5's just on a whim. Wrong thread, but I'm just thinking out loud.

 

[ChuckU]

will I have to have a sound proof room to use condensors? How sensitive are they? Since I'm in college I spend most of the year in dorms with no sound insulation so there is always some noise coming in my room even with the door closed. Also, will an audiobuddy provide enough power to one?

thanks

If you're in a dorm room, you've got a mattress. When I record acoustic with the ECM-8000, I place the mic about 9-12 inches from the 12th fret with a mattress behind it as a sound baffle. I think it helps a bit

 

[Bowisc]

McDonald's in including one ECM8000 in their Happy Meals for a limited time promotion with Behringer... scroll down for details.




























Just kidding.


Bowisc
NYC

 

[darrin_h2000]

For the 18.00 deal you will have to shop the distributers Clearence outlet Musicians friend has in KC. I belive that they are the only store that company has.