Help picking out new microphones.

[benherron.rrr]

Hi there.

I could do with some suggestions picking out some new microphones. First of all, my budget is rather small but quite flexible, Aka not looking for high end mics but not too cheap either.

First of all and most importantly, I have recently aquired an upright piano which I will get in the next couple of weeks. So I am looking a couple of mics to record that. My chain of thourght is a pair of small diaphram mics, as I dont have a stereo pair as of yet. I was thinking about a pair of Avantone CK-1's. but could do with some of your recomendations to help me find the right pair. It would be quite good if they were good for recording acoustic guitar as well.

The Second mic I need is a vocal mic. I am currently using an SE22000t for recording my vocals. I have found that it seems to be a little harsh at the top end for my voice. Even though its a tube mic, which is supposed to be a bit warmer, it just sounds a little airy and clinical for me. I belive that I would benifit from I warmer sounding mic that brings out the Low-Low mids a bit better to help balence out my rather delicate voice, help bring out the punch which I know isnt been accented with my SE.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions the would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Shadow_7]

What is your acoustic space like? Do you want the room as part of the recorded sound?

SM81 should do piano and guitar well. And directional so you can take some of the room out that way. But not for all things and all occasions IMO. And various other options.

Have you tried the changes you want to your existing results to see if you really want that, and how much? EQ can go a long way towards making your existing mics serve you a little longer. At a minimum it lets you know to a measurable extent, that which is different from your current mic and it's specs. For a direct comparison with another mics specs. Verify with samples of one in use before actually buying if you can. Unless you have some try before you buy options.

Most of the gains in my recordings has been how I handle the content in post. Most everything else has been rigging and general upgrades.

 

[benherron.rrr]

What is your acoustic space like? Do you want the room as part of the recorded sound?

SM81 should do piano and guitar well. And directional so you can take some of the room out that way. But not for all things and all occasions IMO. And various other options.

Have you tried the changes you want to your existing results to see if you really want that, and how much? EQ can go a long way towards making your existing mics serve you a little longer. At a minimum it lets you know to a measurable extent, that which is different from your current mic and it's specs. For a direct comparison with another mics specs. Verify with samples of one in use before actually buying if you can. Unless you have some try before you buy options.

Most of the gains in my recordings has been how I handle the content in post. Most everything else has been rigging and general upgrades.

The acoustic space is ok, not great. Im just using my bedroom to record in while im still at home and am currently working on some minor acoustics. but appart from a very little slap back reverb, its rather dry maybe a bit bass heavy. Although, im not still trying to work out where Im going to put this piano. Recording wise I think for the most part I will be recording it as dry as I can although something with multiple capsules/polar patterns would be good, if not for anything other than experimentation. Mainly just needing a stereo pair for the piano, my acoustic guitar set up is serving me well but its always nice to have options.

 

[Danfanmen]

The acoustic space is ok, not great. Im just using my bedroom to record in while im still at home and am currently working on some minor acoustics. but appart from a very little slap back reverb, its rather dry maybe a bit bass heavy. Although, im not still trying to work out where Im going to put this piano. Recording wise I think for the most part I will be recording it as dry as I can although something with multiple capsules/polar patterns would be good, if not for anything other than experimentation. Mainly just needing a stereo pair for the piano, my acoustic guitar set up is serving me well but its always nice to have options.

I had a transfer student from Canada mention these great condensers from a company called Naint or something similar. Supposedly they're manufactured not too far from where I am located. Supposedly they're high quality and low cost though I have no personal experience with them.

 

[moresound]

I had a transfer student from Canada mention these great condensers from a company called Naint or something similar. Supposedly they're manufactured not too far from where I am located. Supposedly they're high quality and low cost though I have no personal experience with them.

If I were you I'd pick some up quickly the owner is switching gears and just making preamps and such, instead of microphones in the near future.

 

[dgatwood]

I had a transfer student from Canada mention these great condensers from a company called Naint or something similar. Supposedly they're manufactured not too far from where I am located. Supposedly they're high quality and low cost though I have no personal experience with them.

Yeah, Jon does good work. I'm not sure I'd pick them for a stereo pair (I tend to use cardioids for that, and his mics are generally omni), but I find them to be great general-purpose mics. They're definitely worth having a few of in your mic locker.