Help me spend $$$$!

[epic]

Sorry in advance for this long post - but I think it will help me make the best decision:

I have researched for weeks on different options to help build my home studio. I currently have a set up that consists of:

3.0 GHz P4 - 2 gigs of ram - Windows XP
Cubase SX
Reason 2.5
MOTU 896
RNC + RNP (preamp and compressor)
KRK V6 monitors
a few 57's and 58's - Oktava 319 - Audix D6
and an assortment of stands, cables, and 100' 16ch snake.

I work with mostly rock bands, but want to eventually expand to offer services to rap, acoustic, piano performance, and live events.

I have around $1000 to spend on some new mics - (this is where your advice comes in!)

options I have explored:
A) 2 Audio Technica 4050s for overheads, stereo micing, guitar cabs, vocals, ect
+ Mxl v69 for a little difference in color for vox or other instruments

B) Studio projects C4 + Audio Technica 4040 + a few audix d2s (for toms)

C) 2 Kel HM1s + Avenson omnis + Audio Technica 4040

any other suggestions?? Thanks for reading and for any advice.

 

[ermghoti]

I have the 4050's and they are almost impossibly usefull. If you shop, you can get them for $400 each new. Get a coulle sdc's, MXL 603's, Oktava 012's or the HM-1's, should be $1050-1100, and add a lot to your locker.

 

[homestudioguy]

Quantity or quality?

You have so many options!
How about.......

MXL V69M LDC Tube Mic---------------- $300
sE Electronics SE2200-A Class A FET LDC $300 ($600-sub total)
Pair MXL 603S Small Diameter condensors $200 ($800-sub total)
A Shiny Box 46C Ribbon Mic------------- $250 ($1050-total)

These 5 mics would give you a nice range of mics over and above what you have already.
Front End Audio sells all of the above except the Shiny Box Ribbon Mic and you can get that direct at www.shinybox.com
FYI there is a baseline Shiny Box model 46 at $150 that would give you $50 to help pay for some mods to your Octava 319 if needed.......

BG/HSG

 

[epic]

impossibly useful? haha - that is an interesting way to describe them. I have heard so many good things about AT mics - so it seems to be a great choice.

Ill look into the Shiny Box stuff - I havent heard of their mics before, but it would be real nice to have a ribbon mic...so I'll look into that for sure.

thanks for the responses so far...keep em' comming!

 

[wheelema]

Massive Master started a very interesting thread regarding his use of the M-Audio Solaris. Worth a read.

 

[LemonTree]

I can't stop using my SP B1s on drum overheads, acoustic guitar, vocals, tamborine, bongos, male vocals, female vocals, distance mics on guitar cabs coupled with a sm57 in close.

My EV RE20 gets a lot of mileage on kick, bass cabs, acoustic guitar and vocals too.

 

[chessrock]

I think it sounds like a good enough list. I take it you like condensers? Or do you already have enough dynamics on hand?

.

 

[ermghoti]

speaking of dynamics, a pair of sdc's, a 4050, and an RE-20 or SM7 would also be a nifty purchase.

The 4050 may not be the best choice for every source, but I am having a hard time thinking of what it would not be good on.

 

[epic]

I think it sounds like a good enough list. I take it you like condensers? Or do you already have enough dynamics on hand?

.

Yeah, I have 3 sm57s and 3 58s and a few other off brand dynamic mics - its good enough for drums and cabs - plus dynamic mics can be borrowed from other friends. I am looking at getting a good condenser line up started. I have heard mixed reviews about getting some SDC's though.

I just dont know if getting two 4050s is the best thing for the $ - but its looking like it might be that way until I can pull some more $.

 

[epic]

Update:
I went with a pair of Studio Projects C4s, which came in yesterday - and I picked up a AT4050 for $349. So I still have a little more cash left over for some more studio equipment. I have a few projects over the next few weeks bringing in some more money - So I want to decide on maybe 1 or 2 more mics or other equipment to make my studio set for awhile.

Shiny Box Ribbon mics have caught my fancy - but I am kind of scared about how delicate ribbon mics are. There is a part of me that really wants a ribbon for guitar cabs, and I have a few female vocalists doing jazz/broadway style vocals that a ribbon would probably sound good on.

I was also looking at picking up a pair of Kel HM-1 mics for toms or for an OH option for loud rock drummers.

any words from the forum?

 

[homestudioguy]

Update:Shiny Box Ribbon mics have caught my fancy - but I am kind of scared about how delicate ribbon mics are. There is a part of me that really wants a ribbon for guitar cabs, and I have a few female vocalists doing jazz/broadway style vocals that a ribbon would probably sound good on.
any words from the forum?

If I was in your shoes, I'd most likely do that or get a tube mic or BOTH!
I just ordered a CAD M9 Tube mic and am awaiting its delivery as I write.
I'll most likely get one more sE Electronics SE3 small condensor to have a pair of SDC's and then consider a Shiny Box 46C.
One step at a time though...
BG/HSG

 

[epic]

a tube mic would be sweet. The only one that I could afford would be the MXL V69 - which I have read many love or disgust reviews about. I have heard some recordings where it sounds nice warm and colored...and some where it sounds just a little brittle almost. So I dont know...maybe that stuff comes with having a tube?

Does anyone have some recordings with the Shiny Box mics?

 

[homestudioguy]

CAD M9 came in yesterday.

CAD M9 came in yesterday. $299 shipped.
Spent about 30 minutes with it through my Focusrite TrakMaster Pro on Vox.
Very nice sound.
Definitely has some highs but not overbearing.
Glad I bought it.
The case is a monster so everything is packed safely.
The power unit is a hefty sucker!.
7-pin 30 ft cable comes standard too.
Appears that each M9 mic comes with its own time delay spectometry chart.
Runs pretty flat until a bump at 6K then a drop back down at 9K then another jump at 12K
Will try it on acoustic geetar tommorrow.
Might be a better choice than the MXL V69 ME but I can't say with personal experience.