Good microphone

[Kres7787]

I am trying my best to find such answer on the net but as you can imagine there are too many microphones and too many different posts around to be able to digest the information into 1 best model.

We'd need a microphone for recording vocals, trumpet and guitars. A bit too much to bundle under 1 mic probably but, maybe there is some out there that could serve a decent purpose for that. Price range between 500-800$.

Our music is ska/reggae. But we also kick in distortion here and there. Ok let me not complicate this more...

Any suggestion will be warmly embraced!

 

[Kres7787]

I believe I will answer this myself. Rode NTK. I've checked around the net and found all consumer reviews to be really great, and of course I heard of it a few times here on HR. An expensive mic for me, but seems to work best in that price range overall.

 

[Big Kenny]

I think you could get a Shure SM7 and an NTK for under $800. I also think there are better choices than the NTK but YMMV

 

[Kres7787]

If better choices mean more cash, well I wouldn't give more money then that.

I am supplying this for my band and we're filled with poor scumy students. It is all going from my pocket. 8 of us and would be hard for 7 of them to collect 100$ all together.

What would you recommend Shure SM7 for?

 

[Kres7787]

I believe I will also be able to record drum snare or cymbals with that NTK, so costs lot but has more purposes.

 

[Rimshot]

Another mic.......

The EV RE 20 is a wonderful dynamic broadcast mic that has a wonderful range and is less fragile than the SM 7 and tolerates very high SPL's really well.

 

[hairylarry]

Three suggestions

Hi,

You'll have to find these used but they are excellent mics and inexpensive.

Audio Technica AT4054 - Cardiod condenser vocals mic $150-200 used.
Great for vocals, room mic, acoustic guitar, etc.

Peavey 520i or 520tn - Cardiod dynamic about $100 used
Good for anything bassy and loud bass cab, horns, shouting vocals, even kick.

Beyerdynamic M400 Soundstar Mark II - Cardiod dynamic vocals mic about $150 used
Classic vocals mic also good on cabs, drums, room.

You could probably get all three of these and still have enough for one of the more expensive mics mentioned above.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

 

[Shadow_7]

http://www.studioauditions.com/jamroomsessions_home.php

Some sound samples of various mics can be had there. Unfortunately they don't have many brass samples.

For that particular assortment, perhaps a Sennheisser MD421II. Or Avenson STO-2's. Maybe even an AT4033 if it's a female vocal. A bit of a variety there though. Normally you'd probably use an LDC on guitar, a Ribbon on brass, and a Dynamic on vocals. Not that that's written in stone. Whatever works, works.

 

[Big Kenny]

I believe I will also be able to record drum snare or cymbals with that NTK, so costs lot but has more purposes.

Not at all, NTK has a high end peak (5-12 or so, sold mine, can't remember exactly) that will sound like crap on those applications. It's a good vocal, but I don't think it has enough other applications to make it a workhorse. And you don't want a $400- $500 mic hangin' around with a drummer.......

 

[Daisy]

I'm with Big K on this one.

That "conclusion" you've somehow come to based on a google search or whatever it was ... is just kind of weird.

A really goofy pairing of mic to applications, with sort of a goofy mic to begin with.

 

[Kres7787]

I came to realize that yes. So I'm back at starting point somewhat, though knowing more on what to do next, probably, or what to not do next more precisely. Thanks to Shadow_7 link, I heard all sorts of samples on different mics. Really good link!

Hence at the moment I am really liking how Shure SM58 sounds like for guitars, both acustic and distorted. Vocals aren't that bad with it either. I also like SE Electronics 2200a. Both are cheapish mics and could be bought much more easily then those others such as Rode NTK. And seems as higher you go with the price the more limited and specific the mic gets. But don't hold me to it. 2200a being the more expensive one and seems like a better choice and an all around mic.

Critics at this step please? So 2200a or SM58.

Thanks a lot for your comments and help. You can imagine that it is priceless to me at this point. If I stayed at the initial choice, I would have crap now...

 

[Kres7787]

Though, SE Electronics Z3300a sounds damn sexy for guitars, male female vocals (we got both). But almost at double higher price.

God I hope I'm on the right path with those 3 "final" mics?

 

[Kres7787]

Audio Technica 3060, expensive but appears to be the best of all mentioned above. :\

 

[dgatwood]

For that particular assortment, perhaps a Sennheisser MD421II. Or Avenson STO-2's. Maybe even an AT4033 if it's a female vocal. A bit of a variety there though. Normally you'd probably use an LDC on guitar, a Ribbon on brass, and a Dynamic on vocals. Not that that's written in stone. Whatever works, works.

Normally, you'd use an LDC on amplified guitar, an SDC on acoustic, a ribbon on brass, and whatever works for a particular vocalist.

Some folks like LDCs for vocals, and for live use, yeah, they work well---they don't sound as dull as moving coil dynamics, but IMHO, they often sound a little too bright for voices like mine; tube condensers often fill the bill in those cases. Some voices really need rounding off and beefing up, so you might find a dynamic works better. I find that ribbons also often work well for that. There's a giant YMMV, depending on the singer.

 

[Big Kenny]

You need to go and try out some of these mics and stop reading all the crap and hype and opinions of others. This is like car shopping with my kid...GEEZ!

 

[Kres7787]

You lost patience with me already?

The shop is some 500km from me, so I need to know ahead... As closest as possible at least. Hence what I'm trying to do.

I got some learning to do as I don't really know what LDC, SDC, Ribbon are...

 

[Big Kenny]

READ THIS, then we can talk....
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=27030

 

[XLR]

I am trying my best to find such answer on the net but as you can imagine there are too many microphones and too many different posts around to be able to digest the information into 1 best model.

We'd need a microphone for recording vocals, trumpet and guitars. A bit too much to bundle under 1 mic probably but, maybe there is some out there that could serve a decent purpose for that. Price range between 500-800$.

Our music is ska/reggae. But we also kick in distortion here and there. Ok let me not complicate this more...

Any suggestion will be warmly embraced!

If I was in your shoes I'd buy an couple SM57s and a matched pair of Naiant omni condensers. With skill, you could make excellent recordings with them. And you'd be several hundred $ under budget so could buy a bit of studio time somewhere they have a good mic cabinet, and learn about more expensive mic's the only way that's sure-fire... by using them and hearing the results. Talking about how microphones sound is by nature misleading.

But absolutely... read the mic thread that was recommended by Kenny. A good start that can help one to see through common misconceptions about mic's.

 

[jdier]

I am trying my best to find such answer on the net but as you can imagine there are too many microphones and too many different posts around to be able to digest the information into 1 best model.

We'd need a microphone for recording vocals, trumpet and guitars. A bit too much to bundle under 1 mic probably but, maybe there is some out there that could serve a decent purpose for that. Price range between 500-800$.

Our music is ska/reggae. But we also kick in distortion here and there. Ok let me not complicate this more...

Any suggestion will be warmly embraced!

Easy.

Super cheap? SM57

Little more dough? SM7 + Senn 421

Either option leaves you with mics that you will use for the rest of your life.

 

[Shadow_7]

I got some learning to do as I don't really know what LDC, SDC, Ribbon are...

It's not that complicated.

LDC == large diaphram condensor
SDC == small diaphram condensor
Ribbon == piece of crimped metal between two magnets

Each has their own characteristics. LDC's are good for capturing details in sound, especially lower frequencies. SDC's probably good for the higher frequencies. Ribbons are good for filling in the mid frequencies. I'm probably over simplifying it or otherwise getting it wrong. I'm sure someone will correct me.

And there's Dynamics, Electrets, and probably some other types I'm missing. Each is generally designed for a specific application. Like dynamics that reject sound from the rear and sides and work well for live performances on stage where feedback would otherwise be an issue. Some types specialize in close micing, others in distant micing. And various other types / flavours of mics. Hence the dilema of asking for one mic for multiple purposes.