Getting all new mics

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sjaguar13

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My friend and I are doing some recording and we hate our mics. We have a couple generic dynamic mics and a Shure SM57. That's all we got. We need to be able to record a band. We are using an Aardvark Q10. Here's what we're thinking:

Studio Projects C1 on vocals
AKG D12 on bass drum
SM57 on snare
SM57 overhead drums
SM57 overhead drums

Bass and guitars will either be direct or we'll use a SM57 on their cabinets.

We've got about $600.
 
Sounds good except for the overheads. What kind of budget do you have in mind?
 
Oh, sorry, I see your budget. Um try looking into a condensor mic(s) for overheads. Maybe mk012, mxl603.
 
After I typed that, I was thinking the same thing. I don't know anyone who uses SM57s as overheads. There's another problem. One drummer we know uses two bass drums. Should we get two D12s or not? They aren't a real cheap mic. I should only get about 2 or 3 SM57s and then get two small condensors?
 
Ouch, two kicks. Um, do you have to use the d12? EV makes a good kick mic that I use all the time. I think its a N/D3308. I will check and see. You can probably get two of these for the price of one d12. But the overheads, I wouldnt skimp on those. Thats what gives your kit its presence and sizzle.
 
Okay, now I'm torn between Studio Project B1 or Oktava MC012 as the overhead mics. Oktava MC012 cost more, but are high quality. The Studio Projects are cheaper, so I could get two decent bass drum mics, but if the overhead mics are a major factor in the drum sound...I don't know. I have no idea what to get for the bass drum(s). The Beta 52 isn't that much cheaper.
 
If you're on a tight budget, one good overhead mic is better than two crap.

With that said, the Behringer ECM8000 is as cheap as you get for overhead, and they can give you a professional result too.

2x ECM8000 overhead
1x SM57 for snare

That's the real cheap way and still good sounding. The ECM8000 may capture so much of the set that kick mics are unneccesary. If budget is tight, try that first.

If you need more control over the kick sound, you should have enough money over for 2 kickmics. And possible another SM57 for the bottom of the snare.
 
I've had VERY good results with the ECM8000 as overheads. If you use those, it's better to take scratchtracks of the guitars direct, and overdub them lateron. This way, you have no guitaramps bleeding in the ECM8000. They are omnis...

As for the kickmic... If you're gonna record this guy alot, you might want 2 kickmics. If you're just gonna record him every once in a while, I'd get one kickmic, and use an ordinairy SM57 on the kick... There's lots of more important issues to be handled before getting that guys double kick to point... :rolleyes:
 
the ecm8000s are 'officially' measurement mics, arent they?
 
ECM8000 is for measure, but all that means is that they're ruler flat.
 
I would go with 603s for the overheads rather than the B1. That will save a little. Then you could go with either a B1 or a V67G for the vocals. Between those you should have enough for the extra kick.
 
You didn't mention if you were going to be recording everything at once. If not, the B1 will work as overheads, on guitar cabs and on vocals.

Here's a nice article about putting together a mic cabinet:

http://www.mojopie.com/micproj.html
 
More than likely, everything will be recorded at once. Should I go with the ECM8000s, or would the B1s be better, even though they are a little more, because I could use them for other things? Should I go with the V67G? It's about half the price of the C1, but I heard a lot of good things about the C1. The ECM8000, V67G, 3 SM57s, with those, I should be able to get two bass drum mics, probably the Beta 52, but should I not worry about that drummer? Right now, they're looking to record a 4 song demo. Should I spend a little more for the B1s and C1, or is the quality not going to be a significant difference that I should go ahead and get the cheaper ones now, and maybe get the other mics when I have more money or when I really need them?
 
If you're recording everything at once the ECM8000s would probably not be a good choice since they are omni are will pick up alot of guitars, etc. You might be able to pick up a couple of Oktava MC012s at Guitar Center at $50 each. Alot of people like them as overheads. The 57s are good for guitar cabs and snare. Get an affordable kick mic (or two). If you only have $100 after that then get the V67. From what I've read, it'll work for you just fine for vocals. Good luck!
 
I can get the MC012s and B1s for pretty much the same price. I don't have a local Guitar Center close by. Everything probably won't be recorded in the same room, though. Should I just get the B1s?
 
If they're going to be used strictly for overheads I would give the edge to the Oktavas. I'm hardly an expert though. Let's see what other people say.
 
There's Oktavas MC012's on ebay, for $69.00 a piece. Person selling is newmusicgirl. Not sure if you were looking to save a bit of $$$,,,,,,,but check them out!

hope this helps-
Dano
 
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