looking to mic steel acoustic and voice on porta 2

[renow]

Chello,

Can someone recommend a mic for my 4-trk tascam porta 02? I'm currently using an Optimus "boundry mic" for recording in my living room, which is a very good acoustically damp sound environment. The results aren't too bad, but I'm ready for an upgrade. Looking to spend up to $100 or a bit more. A nice salesman at SamAsh recommended the dynamic Shure PG48-XLR but I can't find any reviews for it. I'm recording voice spoken word, singing and electric/acoustic guitar.

Help! Thanks a millionbilliontrillion.

Neila

 

[TexRoadkill]

The MXL V67 would probably be your best bet if you want a cheap condensor but you will need phantom power. Get a SM57 if you dont have phantom. It wont be that great on the guitar but it will work and it's a good versatile mic to have around.

 

[notCardio]

When you say electric/acoustic, do you mean electric guitar and acoustic guitar or an acoustic/electric guitar, as in an acoustic guitar with a pickup?l

Actually, either way, what Tex said.

 

[renow]

mic for porta 2

The MXL V67 would probably be your best bet if you want a cheap condensor but you will need phantom power. Get a SM57 if you dont have phantom. It wont be that great on the guitar but it will work and it's a good versatile mic to have around.

Mr. RoadKill,
Really appreciate your advice. Sorry for the naivite, but could you tell me, are there mics available that come with power (phantom power)? May I assume the condenser mic or other mic types don't have their own power or needs some kind of signal boost? I don't know what phantom power is but it sounds alluring. Just checked with Shreve Audio on the MXL V67, for which they quoted $179--is that a good price?

Mr. Potent,
Thank you for your reply as well. To answer your reply, I actually meant both, since I play a hollow-body archtop electric which can be played quite nicely acousically, and it can be patched in. I'd just like a mic that gets it all.

Thanks all.
Neilla

 

[TexRoadkill]

I think that price is a little high. Check out Mars, 8th Street Music and MusiciansFriend to see what they are selling for right now.

There are mics that use batteries and there are also small phantom power units that plug inline with the mic cable. You would see a big increase in quality if you went with an external preamp like the AudioBuddy for less than $100 or one of the nicer ones. The mic preamps on portastudios are usually very noisy.

I wouldnt limit my mic choice to self powered mics because in the long run you will be stuck with that mic after you get a better mixer or preamp.

 

[renow]

Update--bought the Shure sm57

After everyone's great advice, I purchased the Shure SM 57 at Manny's Music on w.48th. I used it all weekend and have laid down some very pleasing guitar tracks. It works great for acoustic guitar, though not so great with my unplugged semi-electric hollowbody played right into the mike--kind of spankly--I suppose that just makes sense.

ALso, vocals sound pretty good and so far, I'd have to say I'm quite pleased. Got the mike, a decent mike stand and a 20ft cable for @$110.

Thanks for all the guidance.

~NR