Is this a decent "mic locker"

[Myriad_Rocker]

Neumann TLM-103
Rode NT-1A
MXL V67G
Shure KSM-32
Blue Baby Bottle
Shure SM58
Sennhieser e609S



Any other suggestions on good mics? I mainly focus on vocal mics.

 

[chessrock]

Where's the Shure SM-7 ?

 

[HangDawg]

Is this a decent mic locker?

I dunno, what do you think?

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

Where's the Shure SM-7 ?

You got me. Send me one.

I dunno, what do you think?

I would think so for a home studio...but then again, I asked you.

 

[sile2001]

I would think so for a home studio...but then again, I asked you.

The point he's making is that you shouldn't be asking us if it is a decent mic locker. You should be asking yourself if the mics in that locker do what you need them to do. If not, then you should ask people "what can I add that will help capture this sound?"

 

[HangDawg]

The point he's making is that you shouldn't be asking us if it is a decent mic locker. You should be asking yourself if the mics in that locker do what you need them to do. If not, then you should ask people "what can I add that will help capture this sound?"

Exactly!

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

*sigh* I can't win for losing. I tried asking that question where pre's is concerned and I'm being told that it doesn't matter (in my price range).

All I'm trying to do is get started on the right foot here...just looking to make some decent recordings at home...not go pro.

 

[sile2001]

Well whoever told you that it doesn't matter in your price range didn't know what they were talking about. If you were using all entry level mics then I'd probably tell you the same thing...but you're not. You've got a TLM-103, a Baby Bottle, a KSM-32...those are some very decent mics that will have very different reactions with a different preamp in front of them. One of the other threads kicking around in the Rack forum is talking about stellar results with an Avalon M5 preamp on a TLM-103. My point is just to not think about the mics as an end unto themselves. They are tools to capture a sound. If they capture the sound well, then you don't need anything else. If they don't get it right, then maybe something needs to be added. Is there any sound you've tried to capture and just wasn't really happy with the results?

 

[mshilarious]

*sigh* I can't win for losing. I tried asking that question where pre's is concerned and I'm being told that it doesn't matter (in my price range).

Well you've got 5 rather different, well regarded LDCs, plus one middling dynamic and a guitar mic. You are mainly concerned with vocals, but we don't know what style. chessrock's suggestion of the SM7 was serious; you don't have a good dynamic vocal mic.

However we don't know if you really need another vocal mic. Is this just your vocals? Do you like the mics you have on the vocals you record? Again what are you recording? Rap? Bluegrass? Screamo? All of the above?

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

I think there was a misunderstanding along the lines and I'll take the blame because I wasn't specific on my first post.

I was asking if it was a decent mic locker because I don't have all of those mics. But I'm definately looking to expand VERY VERY soon because I want to get good results when recording at home. This isn't something I'm just asking to be asking. I'm very serious about buying these mics because of the reputations they have.

To answer a question from mshilarious...rock vocals...hard rock (modern rock) mainly but I'd like to also be able to capture a nice soft rock vocal.

The mics I actually have in that bunch are:

MXL V67G
Shure SM58
Sennheiser e609S

 

[chessrock]

I get it.

Alright, if it's just for your voice, then your proposed mic locker is probably overkill. All you really need, in that instance, is one good one that fits your voice.

If you're planning on recording other people or opening to the public, then it's a good start, but you probably need some dynamics and/or ribbons, and certainly some instrument mics also.

How's that?

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

Fair enough....but....how do I know which mic is good on my voice without buying it and trying it first?

Seems like a lot of wasted money to me.

And what if I have a friend that sings come in and lay down some guest vocal?

 

[MadAudio]

but....how do I know which mic is good on my voice without buying it and trying it first?

You can't. Are you saying there's no way for you to audition any of these mics before you buy?

 

[mshilarious]

OK then. The TLM103 and KSM32 rarely have bad things written about them. However also consider the AT4050 or 60, or KSM44. The Baby Bottle is an unusual sound and can be handy, but isn't a must have especially if you've got the 32. I would probably try to listen to the whole lot and pick two of them. Either the SM7 or EV RE20 is a must in a hard rock studio, I would think. So that's three mics.

 

[chessrock]

Fair enough....but....how do I know which mic is good on my voice without buying it and trying it first?

Seems like a lot of wasted money to me.

Welcome to the world of Recording.

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

You can't. Are you saying there's no way for you to audition any of these mics before you buy?

No place around here sells mics...aside from the common ones like cheap dynamics...SM57, SM58...that type of thing. And the only place that does sell decent mics doesn't have them setup to try...they don't have any pre's or anything.

Also, is there a place I can go on the net that has various audio examples of different mics on the same voice?

 

[mshilarious]

http://www.thelisteningsessions.com/sessions.htm

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

I just found this out...to my surprise, one of my favorite albums for vocals was recorded on a Rode NTK...which only costs $500. Hhhmmm...that's cool.

But they were also going through a Neve 1084 pre and some voice processor that I don't recall the name of.

 

[chessrock]

I just found this out...to my surprise, one of my favorite albums for vocals was recorded on a Rode NTK...which only costs $500. Hhhmmm...that's cool.

Which one is that?

 

[MadAudio]

Of the mics on your list, I own 4 - NT-1A, V67G, e609s, and SM58 (although my 58's the Beta). Of the remaining mics on your list, the one I'm lusting after and saving up for is the TLM-103.

I'm also thinking a good multipattern condensor is good to have in any mic closet. My only practical experience is with the CAD E-300 and I love that mic. I've seen a few on eBay now and again going for around $200-$300 (they were around $700 new).