first time mic purchase need a little help

[dvon1981]

didn't mean to ignore any of djl's advice i just have a limited budget. alot of people have no recomended the 603's and i've researced them and they seem to be what i want for micing acoustic and overheard mics. the sm57 seems to be fairly versatile. The B1 seems to have a lot of controversy around it at this site so i'm not sure how i feel about it, that and they seem hard to get which makes me a bit wary.

 

[DJL]

didn't mean to ignore any of djl's advice i just have a limited budget. alot of people have no recomended the 603's and i've researced them and they seem to be what i want for micing acoustic and overheard mics. the sm57 seems to be fairly versatile. The B1 seems to have a lot of controversy around it at this site so i'm not sure how i feel about it, that and they seem hard to get which makes me a bit wary.

dvon, the Marshall MXL603S works great on acoustic guitar, and IMO it blows the B1 away... and I prefer the Oktava MC-012's over the B1 and MXL603S's for overheads. I also think the MC-012, MXL603S, and B1 all suck on vocals... YOU really need to audition vocal mic's until you hear the one YOU like and buy it, don't let anyone talk you into buying your vocal mic without hearing it first unless you have extra money to throw away.

 

[Han]

The B1 seems to have a lot of controversy around it at this site so i'm not sure how i feel about it, that and they seem hard to get which makes me a bit wary.

As far as I can see, DJL is the only chap here that doesn't seem to like it. I'm beginning to wonder why.

Perhaps he can explain his aversion about it with some valid proove.

I am in the position to be able to compare mics to a number of other great mics. I have more than 40 of them, great classics like C451, KM184, M88, M201, MD421 mk1 and 2, MD441/541, Neumann M149 tube, the MXL V69/V77

I haven't heard the 603's but I will find out about them.

The M149, V69 and V77 are tube mics and very great vocal mics and when I compare a B1 to these mics and say the B1 is an awesome mic, considering it's only $80, would you believe me then?

The M149 costs more than $4k, the V77 must be around $ 330.-

 

[crazydoc]

As far as I can see, DJL is the only chap here that doesn't seem to like it.

Yup

Get a Studio Projects B1 - it's only $80 and you'll likely find many future uses for it, even if it isn't the greatest for a particular situation.

If for any reason you don't want it, I'll buy it from you for your cost. I only have one and could use another.

 

[DJL]

dvon1981, I'm sure there are others who don't like the B1 on their voice either who just aren't speaking up. Remember, don't let anyone talk you into buying YOUR vocal mic without YOU trying it first unless you can return it or have extra money to throw away. If you really think about what I'm telling you... you'll know I'm giving you very good advice despite what the Studio Projects pushers on this forum may say about me.

 

[crazydoc]

only question i have is for micing an acoustic guiatr i was reading two mics are best. so what is a nice pair of mics for just micing acoustic guitar(maybe doubling as vocal mics for recording purposes) at $100 per mic.

The hangup here is that you want the mics to do double duty - instrument and vocal, and they need to be cheap - under $100 each.
The 603's and 012's are out for vocals.
So what are the options?

Studio Projects B1's - $80 each
Oktava 219's or 319's hopefully can still be had at GC for $50 each if you talk 'em down (or another sale)
Marshall V67's - $100 each

The 219's have a bad rep (ringing, harsh?)
The 67's are nice on vocal, and some consider them adequate for accoustic, but they have a pronounced proximity effect which may limit them for instruments.

So what are we left with? The B1's or the 319. Or something better, used on ebay. By all means, get some mics and audition them if you can. But at these prices it's easier judst to buy them, and then sell or keep them if they're not what you want.

Also, as the mics don't have to be the same, a combination of the above might be even nicer - a 603 and a V67 would be my choice.

Maybe others will have more suggestions.

 

[Richard Monroe]

In spite of a certain bias, DJL is right in this case. First, no mic sounds good on all singers. Second, the B-1 would be very low on my list for main vocal mics. Chessparov, on the other hand, seems to sound great on it. I think of the B-1 as a utility mic, not unlike a C414, but without the pads, bass rolloffs, and multiple patterns. B-1 is one of those mics I put up when I wish I had another C414, but I don't. It is versatile, quiet, and cheap. While one of the most amazing mics in existence in the bang-for-buck category, there are a lot of other mics I'd go to for a vocal mic. That's just my voice. I know a couple of ladies who sound rather good through one. The important point DJL made is that a vocal mic should not be bought as a pig in a poke. I think the B-1 is a safe buy at its price point. Even if it sucks on your voice, it'll be good for plenty of things. I would buy it as a utility mic that you might be able to use for vocals.-Richie

 

[dvon1981]

As the new guy hear l'm learning fast(I hope). things i have decided:

1. getting a pair of 603's for guitar and overheards

2. auditiong alot of vocal mics

3. as far a micing electric bass goes should i use direct input? or pair direct input with amp micing? if the latter which mic for this job?

you guys have been awesome thanks so much

 

[Richard Monroe]

Dvon, whether you go direct or mic a bass has a lot to do with the pres you have available. For $500, Avalon U-5 kicks ass. When you have a good kick drum mic, stick it on the cab and blend it with the direct signal. The general rule is if you like the sound, your're getting it right. I would say though, current technology has made the high-Z instrument input on many pres just as good as a DI box. Before buying a DI box, I would buy a preamp that does that, and other stuff as well.-Richie

 

[DJL]

dvon, the Marshall MXL603S is a great budget SDC mic (it's one of the best) and sounds good on acoustic instruments like guitar and I highly recommend it for such... however, IMO the MC-012's are better than the MXL603S's as drum overheads. As for the bass... the Avalon U-5 is an awesome box... and the Sennheiser MD421 is one of my favorite mic's on bass amps (and kick, gtr amps, sax, etc).