general purpose mics

[Milkman]

Hi All,

I have a slight delimna on my hand. It is christmas time, and I am still selecting which mics I need. I currently run a Mackie 1202VLZ Pro into my SB Live Platinum 5.1...the quality suits me just fine. However, the weakest link in my setup right now are the microphones (fostex and radio shack). I also do own however a Shure SM57. I record (tracking) small demos, as well as my own work. It is quite apparent that I am only able to use 4 mics right now, and the cost of a preamp could be better spent in another area. thus, I think it is impractical to own very many more than 4 mics for the same purposes......correct me if my thinking is wrong for my type of setup. I need to invest in 3 mics that will do decent on the drums (with my sm57), and possibly one condensor in those that will work for vocals/acoustic guitar and marimba. I was thinking of another SM57 for a drum overhead.....but then there is the case of the ECM 8000...and the MXL 603.....boy, i wish i could afford all the mics in the world. Sorry for my ramblings. Thank you and Merry Christmas,

Milkman

 

[tdukex]

You probably don't want to hear this, but if you are serious about recording digital audio you should consider a different sound card like the Echo Darla or M-Audio Delta 44. Your SB Live is a weak (if not your weakest) link.

I'm no expert on drum micing, but I believe another 57 ($80) will serve you well on drums--one on snare and one on kick. Two ECM 8000s @ $35 each will work as overheads. For another $150, an MXL 67 will be a good vocal mic that can also be used on acoustic guitar--as can the ECM 8000s. Total expenditure = $300.

 

[Milkman]

Yup, I have heard that before...and I will look into purchasing a pro card as soon as someother things in my setup are sorted out...it just seems that right now getting rid of radio shack mics, and getting a pair of monitors should come first.

Thanks for the reply...the Marshall V67 looks nice. It says that it already has a preamp...does that mean I can just plug it in to a line slot on my Mackie? Anyone else have any other suggestions?

 

[Gidge]

no it doesnt have a preamp....it will need phantom power and preamp from your board, into the line in of your card...it is a very nice mic......with a Marshall mxlv67, a pair of ECM8000's, and the sm57 you already have, there isnt a whole lot you wont be able to do......

 

[Milkman]

i just checked at 8th street...and it is quoted at $209 US...that is a bit high...are there any other cheaper decent vocal/acoustic recording mics?

 

[Gidge]

http://www2.marsmusic.com/store/product_new.jhtml?catid=113&prodid=11913&skuid=0
$149 at Mars for the mxlv67m

http://www.abemusic.com/
and these guys will match it with the mxlv67g

and you cant go wrong with the ecm8000's...you can even do overheads with just one......

or get 2 ecm8000's for overheads and mic the kick with your sm57...skip the v67 and do vocals with the sm57 also.....

but if you want to step up in sound quality for vocals from the sm57, the v67 is about the cheapest way to do it, and it sounds pretty damn good to boot.....

 

[Milkman]

what is the difference between the mxlv67m and the mxlv67g? is it just that gold grille....would I notice a big difference in quality?

thanks guys! I guess my christmas wish list reads:

1sm57
2 ecm8000's
1 Marshall mxlv67 lol.....

~Milkman

Merry Christmas.

oh and also, i hear that if i use dynamic mics along with condensor mics on my board and turn on phantom power the dynamic mics may be damaged? is this myth true? thanks.

 

[Tonewoods]

oh and also, i hear that if i use dynamic mics along with condensor mics on my board and turn on phantom power the dynamic mics may be damaged? is this myth true?

No....
You might be thinking of ribbons, but even they are not problematic with PP if your cables are not screwed up....

Bruce Harvie
The "Mandolin Graffiti" liner notes are at:
http://www.bruceharvie.com

 

[TheMessStudio]

Hmmmm

Hey, if you cant afford the layla or darla, try the new SB audigy, its 24 bit and you can still use the sound fonts. I only need a stereo in to my computer so the 24 bit AD converters work great. (the HDR2496 takes care of the tracking)
as for a great vocal mic thats cheap....
the R0DE NT1 or the Studio Projects C-1
Both are great large diphragm mics. Been using the NT1 for a while, got nothing bad to say about it. (like it better than some of the AKGs and Shures i have) and the Studio projects mic has been rated on par with some Neumann mics!!!! and i believe its under $400!!!!

 

[tdukex]

Yikes! The guy already has a Soundblaster gamer card. You are recommending he swap out one gamer card for another.

 

[Milkman]

I don't think I will be buying an Audigy anytime soon lol.....I thought the Audigy still only recorded at 16/48...

thanks for the replies......does anyone have an opinion on which one would be better as a multi-purpose mic: the Rode NT-1, or the Marshall mxl v67?

 

[harley96]

Stay away from Abe music!!!!!!!!!!

Abe music sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!I bought a adat from them and when it arrived it didn't work.It cost me $30.00 for shipping to get it here then it cost me another $30.00 to ship it back to them.Yes,I bought it on ebay never again will I go that route.They gave me bad feedback when I posted a neutral response to the dismay of paying $610.00 for a adat + shipping for a adat that was beat up and worth probably $300.00.In there defense they did refund the $610.00 but it still cost me $60.00 for shipping for a product that clearly was broken before they even shipped it to me.There to big for there own good and rude to top it off.Warning!! Stay away from Abe music!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Milkman]

ok...i will stay away from them then

 

[Gidge]

of the 2, the v67 is your guy....

on the other side of the coin, i purchased from Abe's music directly.....they matched Mars price on it, shipped it for free, and I recieved it in 2 days in perfect condition....i know of a few others here who have dealt with Abe's and have good experiences but i cannot speak for them......

 

[Mark H.]

The V67M from Mars for $149 is a good choice. The matte black color is considered preferable by most users on this board to the V67G sold elsewhere for more money. If you want the MXL-57 shockmount from Mars, it will cost you $50 extra.

The better mix of mics (SM 57, pair ECM8000s, and a Marshall V67M) will give you lots of opportunity to learn different micing techniques, even while you're saving up for a better sound card. And they're all mics that you'll probably want to keep, even if you upgrade them later -- they're not throw-aways by any means, all workhorses. Likewise the Mackie, which will always be useful for some types of projects, regardless of what you own down the line.

Especially if you're recording to tape or minidisc (or using your equipment live) in addition to recording direct to hard drive, then it seems to me that your priorities are correct. When your micing technique is where you want it to be, then the need to upgrade your card will be obvious and become its own priority. However, in the meantime, you'll have a chance to learn a lot about the art of recording.

Best wishes,

Mark H.