Help on rounding out my "mic locker"

[Azimuth]

Hello everyone, I try not to be too newbie-ish but before I spend my money I'd like to have some feedback on some conclusions I've reached mainly by reading this site.

For starters, I now have a Studio Projects T3 for vocals, etc (love it's sound), a Shure Beta 52, 3 SM-57s and an old Audio Technica Dynamic something-or-other I used to use when I ran a DJ service.

Anyway, I'm just getting back into recording an I mainly have my gear to record me but I love this stuff so I am starting to record others as well. Mostly rock music (big drums, loud guitar, etc...) but certainly some choir and instrumental stuff so I'm hoping to have most of the basics covered. Like most of us having 100 different mics is pretty much out of the question if I intend to keep my wife happy so please give me some feedback with the following.

I know I need SD condensors so I'm looking at the MXL603s but if there is a significant improvement I would be willing to spend more for another mic. It appears however that many of you love these and if they are so good then they are a great buy.

For micing drums I'm thinking I can use the Beta52 for the kick (no, I'm not going to trade it on another mic ...yet) and the 57s on the toms. I don't have a clue what I should use for the snare (get another 57?) or if I should double mic the snare (top and bottom) to get the "smack" sound I love. As for overheads I am looking at getting 2 of the Studio Projects C3s for many purposes and wondered if they would work -anyone tried it? Would a SD condensor be better like the 603s? I've read many threads on overheads but still not sure. Oh, should I run a 603 or other on the high hat as well? I thought I could run the T3 as a room mic to see how it would sound. I have loads of tracks available so using a bunch of mics is not a problem.

Well, that about sums it up. I don't live anywhere where I can test these mics out so I've got to go on a bit of faith.

so...

1. MXL603s or better for acoustics, piano, etc...?
2. What do I use on the snare?
3. Would LD Condensors work well as overheads or should I use something else?
4. Should I mic the high hat seperatly and if so, with what?

Thank you for your patience and advice -this is a great forum.

Jason

 

[Gidge]

i think you should definitely get the 603's for overheads and acousitcs and piano

id use a 57 on snare and the other 2 57's on toms...if you need to free up those 57's for guitars, and you do wanna mic toms, Harvey Gerst has recommended these:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.a..._name=CTLG_002_003_005_000&product_id=33-3032

i would not mic the hihat....if mic'ed correctly, your overheads should pick up the balance of all of your cymbals....as a matter of fact, your overheads should get the balance of most of the kit including snare and some kick....

will you be recording like a band, or overdubbing?.....

right now you have a pretty decent mic collection:

i think everyone should have a few sm57's
one LD condenser
pair of SD condensers
kick mic dynamic
1 ribbon mic (if you win the lottery)

 

[Gidge]

and yes, use that T3 as a room mic...walk the room while the kit is being played and find that sweet spot where you hear the kit in perfect balance....put it there.....

kick - beta 52
snare- sm57
toms - sm57's or the Radio Shack 33-3032's
overheads - 603's
room - T3

 

[Azimuth]

Thanks Gidge!

I just noticed your new title -very funny.

For now, just overdubbing -not ready for recording a live band unless it was a BYOM (Bring Your Own Mic) event.

I notice 8th Street has a pkg with 4 603s including 25' cables for a little over $300 -looks like a good deal.

What about the overheads? The SD or LD condensers? I've noticed that Harvey seems to like the TR-40s for his studio -am I wrong there?

So many mics ...so little money!

 

[Gidge]

"The ECM8000 (and my Audix TR-40) omnis give me a good deal of clarity whereas the 603S seems a little fuller sounding. If the drummer does a lot of HH/cymbal work, I might use the ECM8000s to bring out that detail, whereas a power drummer might sound better with the Oktavas or the 603s. "
HARVEY GERST

 

[TexRoadkill]

If your in a buying mood the ECM's are to cheap to pass up and pretty usefull.

There are some big sales on the GT mics right now but I've never used 'em so cant recomend them.

 

[Azimuth]

Thanks again Gidge -you're saving Harvey some grunt work! Sounds like the 603s are in fact a great deal for me as cymbals aren't a real focus in my music.

I'll probably get a pair of the ECMs just because of their price!