Equipment decisions...need help

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MikeDMusic

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Hey,
Here's the deal. I am building a home studio. I am recording mostly singer/songwriter stuff with acoustic guitar, upright piano, drums, bass, vocals, and possibly some live strings. I am recording on a DP platform with an 828 MkII. For my LDC I am looking into either a Shure KSM 32 or 44. I've heard around town that the 32 is more true to life and the 44 is slightly more colored but more versatile because of it's different polar patterns. I was also looking at buying the shure drum mic kit with the 3 sm 57's and a beta 52 for mic-ing drums, plus i'm sure the sm57s would come in handy for lots of other stuff. On top of that I have heard a lot about the sm81 for acoustic guitar and drum overheads. What do you think? So those are what i'm thinking for microphones. Now I wanted to know what would be an upgrade from the mic pre's in my 828mkII. Would it need to be a tube preamp...what are the pros and cons to tube pre's. I've looked at the Dbx 386 dual tube pre...but would this be an upgrade from what I have now. I've also heard a lot about good solid state mic pre's like the presonus mp20...I just want something that will work well with my microphones, boost the presence and clarity of my recordings and also make them warmer and richer. ANY SUGGESTIONS? This stuff costs a lot of dough and I need to make educated decisions. Please help.

Mike D.
 
If you got the drum mic kit, the 44, and a pair of 81s, that is a very solid mic kit, if a bit of an endorsement for Shure :)
 
I'd go for the 44. If you can afford the 81, great. If not, there are less expensive options. I would not buy a DBX 386. How many inputs do you need?
 
I'll second the sentiments of others. KSM44 and a pair of SM81's are keepers. I also think you can do better than DBX386, which is *not* a tube preamp. It is a hybrid solid state pre that uses a small tube in the front end for distortion, and so some marketing weenie can call it a tube pre. Your research on mics seems to have been rather good, but you know less about preamps. First, I strongly recommend a 2 channel preamp, which will be good for stereo recording, or 2 single channel preamps of the same type, for the same reason. It's simply a matter of the budget. Preamps are like cars- you can spend as much as you can stand, and as the price goes up, they get better. M-Audio DMP-3 is your basic Honda Civic. It starts in the morning and gets you to work. Avoid all "tube" preamps under $500 per channel.. Give us the budget, and the # of channels, and we'll make recommendations.-Richie
 
Keep in mind the KSM32 is not a true Large Diaphragm mic, the 44 and 27 are. That does not mean not to get the KSM32 though. It is a great sounding mic.

There really are no pro's to cheap tube preamps. In fact I think you can't get into a real decent tube preamp for under about $900. There are some pretty nice options on preamps though in the $500 and down range. My favorite is the D&R 2 channels pre for around $400. Other solid contenders would be a RNP, or a Summit (which may be an exception to the $900 tube preamp assumption I made earlier). Others around here also like the Groove Tubes Brick, and the Safe Sound, but I have not personally had any experience with either yet.

If you are interested in the D&R preamp let me know and I will get you the number for paul in Texas. Thats really the only place in the US to get them:)
 
The later MP20's have a cheaper transformer in them, that's why the old one's are more respected. Some people have modded the newer ones as a result too.

Another good dual channel pre for under $200 used is the Symetrix SX-202.
You could have www.audioupgrades.com modify the box later for enhancement BTW.

IMHO another fine value is the "new" Joe Meek line because you get the opto-comp/EQ section, along with solidly pro level clean mic pre(s).

Chris
 
chessparov said:
The later MP20's have a cheaper transformer in them, that's why the old one's are more respected. Some people have modded the newer ones as a result too.

Another good dual channel pre for under $200 used is the Symetrix SX-202.
You could have www.audioupgrades.com modify the box later for enhancement BTW.

IMHO another fine value is the "new" Joe Meek line because you get the opto-comp/EQ section, along with solidly pro level clean mic pre(s).

Chris
Click to expand...
Yeah I already have a joemeek three q and a Audio Technica 3035...I like the sound of them together...but I feel like I could do way better. I'm definately getting a new LDC but I'm not sure if I should sell the Joemeek. Is there something substantially better for around or under $500 that could do the trick? I don't think I have enough money for a pair of sm81's, just one would be a stretch. And I feel like I could probably live without it. About the drum mics...what would be a better combination for mic-ing a drum set with my set up? Also while I have this vast wealth of knowledge at my fingertips I was looking at a pair of KRK V4 monitors because I heard they are very accurate and will translate well to most stereo systems. I need a pair for $400 or under. Thanks a lot you guys you are a great help.
Mike
 
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