I dont GET Which Mic I should Buy

[SamuelHauck]

I am very new to recording and am attempting to put together a recording studio. Does anyone have suggestions on buying microphones for recording a wide range of instruments,
ie French Horn, Piano, Acoustic and Electric Guitar.
I am willing to spend the money to purchase a Mic that will give me CD quality Recording. Also How crucial is a good preamp for recording. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Michael Jones]

I posted this in another thread....

...but here it is again:
(Regarding the recording of this piano piece):
http://artists2.iuma.com/site-bin/streammp3.m3u?190193

"...I used a pair of TLM 103's in this way:
One was set about 15" behind the pin block and about 8" above the strings around 1-1/3 octaves below middle C. The other was about 9" behind the pin block and about 4" above the strings around 1-1/3 octaves above middle C. The mic faces were angled in about 12 degrees toward each other. The lid was in the full up position.
My TLM's run to an ART PRO MPA Tube mic pre-amp, and then into a "Nuendo" 8 i/o 24 bit A/D-D/A converter, and recorded at 24 bit in "Nuendo". I added a very slight touch of EQ after recording for a warmer presence.

If you can afford these mics (around $700.00 each) you won't be disappointed!

 

[AlexHerd]

Buy a few Shure SM 57 s, I think everyone will agree with me on that. At $80 you can't go wrong!

 

[Milkman]

good preamps are pretty crucial...each one gives a different sound...some SM-57's would not be a bad idea...and maybe a decent condensor.

 

[Gidge]

it is very crucial that every link in the recording chain is quality from mic to cord to preamp to recording medium....

what is your $$$ budget for mics and preamps.....

i can give you the cheapskate answer : get a Marshall MXLv67, a pair of Marshall MXL603 and an AKGD112 and a few sm57's.......

 

[Michael Jones]

Don't try to record a piano with an SM57, you'll be sorely disappointed! In general, a $75 mic is NOT going to cut it for this application. Same thing with the french horn. That's like trying to empty a bathtub with an eye- dropper; wrong tool for the task.
At the very least, get yourself a pair of SM81's, those will do... OK for the piano, and very well for the french horn. Leave the SM57's for loud, screaming, over amplified, over distorted guitars!
(See if that draws some fire!)

 

[JuSumPilgrim]

The sm81 is very diverse and a great place to start. Preamps are critical. There are several options at the low end of the scale for really good mics. Take a glance at the mic section here.... I would get a couple of ecm8000s for $35 each. They are accurate and detailed and omni...which will enhance the space on any recording. Then an NT1000, great sounding large diaphragm condenser which can be used in many dif applications, has its own sound but is not colored enough to give everything you do a particular sound. Thatll run you around $300. Use the rest of your money for a good pre. Grace 101, presonus mp20, earthworks, or spend some more $$ and get avalon or focusrite, etc. With the mics and pres I just mentioned you can get a CD quality recording if you know what youre doing...how to mic an instrument and how to mix. Dont skimp on the pre.

... and if youre micing pianos and horns...stay far away from the sm57.