How's this for a selection of mics?

[jordan_ellipsis]

Hi guys, i'm looking to buy some mics pretty soon and was wondering if you could pass your judgment over my choices, maybe suggest better purchases. I want to record mainly rock music therefore the biggest obstacle is the drums. I will be using an mbox 2 along with a flying cow a/d d/a converter with Pro Tools so i'l have a maximum of 4 inputs available. I was planning on buying:

2 rode nt2000's at £269 each
1 Shure SM57 at £75
1 AKG D112 at £99

The rodes i would use as overheads for drums, and also for vocals. I'd use one in combination with the AKG or SM57 for recording guitar amps.

The SM57 is for the snare drum, and the D112 is for the Kick.

Are these good choices or would you reccomend something else for similar prices?

 

[TragikRemix]

hey, that will work just fine.

im not familiar with NT2000, but you could always get a pair of NT5's instead.

but then again, if you want to use them for vocals.. well, i guess either would technically work.

just be prepared to invest in studio boom mic stands for those LDC's as overheads..
that's a must, or they will fall and stuff.

 

[hungovermorning]

I'd swap out one of the Rodes for a Ribbon mic, but the other ones look like a very good start. Ribbon mics are good.

 

[phaqu]

Im not totally sure of the conversion rates but that seems kinda high for a 57. Usually theyre around $80-$90 here, new.
Anyway,for maybe around the same amount of money, Id scratch 1 of the 2000s and get a decent pair of SDC for overheads.
The 57 and D112 will work in a lot of different situations. Ive used them both, a lot.

 

[homestudioguy]

Hi guys, i'm looking to buy some mics pretty soon and was wondering if you could pass your judgment over my choices, maybe suggest better purchases. I want to record mainly rock music therefore the biggest obstacle is the drums. I will be using an mbox 2 along with a flying cow a/d d/a converter with Pro Tools so i'l have a maximum of 4 inputs available. I was planning on buying:

2 rode nt2000's at £269 each
1 Shure SM57 at £75
1 AKG D112 at £99

The rodes i would use as overheads for drums, and also for vocals. I'd use one in combination with the AKG or SM57 for recording guitar amps.

The SM57 is for the snare drum, and the D112 is for the Kick.

Are these good choices or would you recommend something else for similar prices?

Looks good to me.
Very useable group
You could, however, use one NT2000 in front of the set AND FOR VOCALS and forget the other NT2000 and AKG D112 and buy 2 SDC's like the MXL 603's or Studio Projects C4's as overheads then you'd have a pencil mic for acoustic guitar.........

 

[jordan_ellipsis]

Ok, thanks for your replies so far. It seems that no one is really in favour of the NT2000's - is this for any particular reason. Is it the case that there are better options for overheads? If so, will alternatives be as good at other micings, like amps?

 

[hairylarry]

sdc pair

Hi,

I don't know anything about the Rode mics but I don't read what's being said as down on Rode. I think what is being said is a pair of SDC and a Rode or other vocal mic would be more versatile.

The 603s are good. I recommend the Audio Technica Pro37 too.

The SDC stereo pair is great for overheads and for recording acoustic instruments. And they aren't too expensive.

I also recommend an omni pair. They're cheaper and even more versatile.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

 

[jordan_ellipsis]

Sorry, excuse my lack of knowledge on the subject - but what is an SDC mic?

 

[MadAudio]

Sorry, excuse my lack of knowledge on the subject - but what is an SDC mic?

Small Diaphragm Condensor

 

[phaqu]

I wouldnt say drop the Rodes 2000 all together. I would just get one ( although Ive never used that model in particular). For me, its really a matter of preference. I like sdc mics on my overheads, and for the price of one Rode 2000, you can get a pair of them. And yes, you can use them on a lot of other things. Just pad them if its too loud at the source. You could also check out the used market. It can save some dough for you.

 

[jordan_ellipsis]

Yeah i'm planning on looking at ebay etc for some bargains

With four inputs, is the ideal setup of mics:

2 overheads, 1 kick and one snare?

If so, should i mic above or below the snare with something like a shure SM57?
What about the d112 on the kick - should it be inside or out?

Any help os greatly appreciated, as you can tell i'm not exactly the most experienced person in the world, so just trying to gather as many tips as possible.

 

[homestudioguy]

Ok, thanks for your replies so far. It seems that no one is really in favour of the NT2000's - is this for any particular reason. Is it the case that there are better options for overheads? If so, will alternatives be as good at other micings, like amps?

At $600 U.S. apiece, total $1200, you may be passing up other decent options.
You could get an sE Z3300A 3-pattern LDC AND a matched stereo pair of sE SE3 SDC's for that amount of money.
Or the matched SE3's and a RODE NTK Tube LDC.
There are a lot of options out there, perhaps better, for the amount of money you are choosing to spend.
The Sennheiser MD 421's can be found on eBay for $200-$250 and are better sounding, in my opinion, than the SM57 for micing cabinets.
However, keep asking questions and researching before you buy.
Please consider listening to the mics before you buy if at all possible.

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

I haven't used the Rode mic either but you've got a few decent chocies around for LDCs. The studio projects B1 is pretty decent and it's neutral so it's a good all rounder. It's loads cheaper than the Rode (£75). If you wanted multi pattern like the Rode you could go for the B3 at £100.

http://www.dv247.com/invt/2859/

The D112 is a solid bass/kick mic and SM57 is ubiquitous and rightly so.

Another dynamic mic worth looking out for on ebay is the EV635A (an omni mic). I picked one up for £40 and it sounds great on lots of things.

I'd probably try and find a used pair of MXL 603s for OHs and get a seperate LDC for voice and amp duties. Studio projects C1, MXL V67G etc

I dunno, maybe the Rode sounds great but £280 is a hell of a lot to spend on a budget LDC these days.

 

[phaqu]

With four inputs, is the ideal setup of mics:

2 overheads, 1 kick and one snare?

Thats all you would need with 4 ins. I try to get the whole kit, in the overheads, sounding as good as it can. Then add the snare and kick in.
You might also want to check out some different stereo (overhead) micing techniques later.

If so, should i mic above or below the snare with something like a shure SM57?

With only 1 mic I would do the top. Start at the edge on the snare, about an 1-1 1/2 inches above the drum aiming at the center. Move it around,position and angle,to see what you like.
A 57 will do fine. An Audix i5 is also another inexpensive mic that does the job. It has a little tighter sound, to me. Just make sure your snare is tuned right. Actually, that goes for the rest of the drums to.

What about the d112 on the kick - should it be inside or out?

Depends on what type of sound you want. Move it around till it sounds like what you want. Ive had them aimed at the beater, the shell, just inside the hole, just outside the hole,out in front of the kick,and everywhere else....they all will give you a little different sound.

 

[soundchaser59]

........blah....blah.....

So....how DO you pronounce your name??

 

[phaqu]

So....how DO you pronounce your name??

Just like its spelled,


.....George......


(theyre all silent).