Mic advice please?

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Edisonsarm

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I have had a home studio for a few years... mostly working in midi and pre production type stuff (doing things direct no mics), then taking that into pro studios for stuff I can't do @ home. In a continuing effort to spend more time tracking @ home, and less time paying top dollar @ the studio -

I want to be able to start recording vocals (all types of vocalists), acoustic guitars, strings (cellos and violin mostly), and horns (sax / trumpets).

What mic (or mics) should I get?

I'd like to keep it within $2000 ~ (and stuff that's not totally obscure and hard to track down).

I've been seeing U87's go for around $2000 on EBAY - and was about to go that route... but then a studio owner friend said I should maybe look into getting an AKG c451 to cover my acoustic and string stuff, and something else for vocals (but what?). Which approach seems better? and which should I take?
 
Shure SM7 ($330 new, $200 used) for vocals (and maybe the other stuff as well -- it's pretty useful on lots of things), AT4051 for strings (2 of them - $500 each new, $250 used), AEA R84 for horns and maybe your strings as well ($1000 new, $800 used).

An RE-20 would be a possibility for vocals and horns as well. Josephson C-42 pair for strings (matched pair $900 new, $750 used) should also be a consideration.
 
pohaku said:
Shure SM7 ($330 new, $200 used) for vocals (and maybe the other stuff as well -- it's pretty useful on lots of things), AT4051 for strings (2 of them - $500 each new, $250 used), AEA R84 for horns and maybe your strings as well ($1000 new, $800 used).

An RE-20 would be a possibility for vocals and horns as well. Josephson C-42 pair for strings (matched pair $900 new, $750 used) should also be a consideration.
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Where are you finding an SM7 for $200? Even used, they seem to sell for close to $300. Sign me up for a couple of those.
 
Webb said:
Where are you finding an SM7 for $200? Even used, they seem to sell for close to $300. Sign me up for a couple of those.
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Bought one off the GS board last year. Bought the other off a website that sells used broadcasting stuff. The first one was a couple years ago. If I can find the site again I'll post it. I'm pretty good at bottom feeding.
 
Keep ypur eyes open, thats the going rate 200 - 225
I also concur with the mic selections, maybe add a tube mic (SP T3, K2, NTK, MXL 77)
sdc's - get a pair 451's are also nice as are Oktava 012
That AEA will also do a lot of vocals nicely
 
Thanks for this advice! I'm considering this all carefully -

I'm I like the idea of the SM7 - but out of all this stuff, I guess a pro vocal sound is the priority. Do you really think the SM7 can provide that?

The AT4051 pair is an interesting idea too. You like that better than the c451 idea?

Would love to hear more thoughts.
 
Edisonsarm said:
I'm I like the idea of the SM7 - but out of all this stuff, I guess a pro vocal sound is the priority. Do you really think the SM7 can provide that?
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Do you like the sound of the vocals on Michael Jackson's Thriller? The SM7 is a great mic for vocal reproduction, and I am not just saying that because I work here. :)
 
Try some of the CAD Trion gear. The Trion 8000 is a great vocal mic and the Trion 7000 is a terrific ribbon for guitar cabs and brass. Incredibly cheap too. I'm getting rid of my Neumann TLM103 to buy a few more. The CAD M179 and M177 are also superb for the price, great for toms and OHs. Some of the old Gefells are nice too, the UM70 and M71 especially. You could buy a lot decent mics for $2000 if you really look around.

Cormac

http://www.myspace.com/thejutefactory
 
AEA R84, CAD Trions and Gefells that were mentioned are a good choice. SM7 is also great but its sound seems to be to me not interesting enough. Depends on your preferences.
I would also suggest ADK CE. The new one is within your limit of $2000. It is a great mike for vocals but also for other sources. Its sound is quite neutral - not coloring, not bright, not dark. It is quite clean - without harshing heights and any distorsion - really a mature mike. U87 that you mentioned is little brighter but otherwise you can get the similar results with the ADK as with U87.
 
what do you think about the blue mouse (black one w/ the transformer) for vocals (and acoustic??)? How do you think these compare to say the ADK CE, MA-200, CAD Trions, SM7?

Someone else also recomended a royer R121 or R122 OR a shinybox ribbon (46 series) for horns / strings. ~ still considering the c451, AEA R84, AT4051 for this job.

any opinions?
 
Blue Mics are excellent but each mic has a specific use in general. I found the Baby Bottle to be an excellent mic on Kick and some female vocals. The Dragonfly is great used as overheads and on acoustic guitars. The Blueberry is generally good on male vox. I never did care for the Mouse that much.

The recommendation to pick up a Shure SM7 is a good one. You'll find lot's of places you can use that mic and it is one you'll want in your mic cabinat for sure.

If you are going to pick up a couple of ribbons check out the Karma K6. The K6 is phantom powered so you don't need tons of gain from your mic pre to use the mic. They are on sale right now for $199 so it's not a tough decission to order a couple. Here's the link. http://karmaaudio.com/

Karma also had the K58 on sale for $299 and if it's still at that price you may want to check out one of those as well. Good luck. :)
 
Edisonsarm said:
what do you think about the blue mouse (black one w/ the transformer) for vocals (and acoustic??)? How do you think these compare to say the ADK CE, MA-200, CAD Trions, SM7?

Someone else also recomended a royer R121 or R122 OR a shinybox ribbon (46 series) for horns / strings. ~ still considering the c451, AEA R84, AT4051 for this job.

any opinions?
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I do not have a personal experience with Blues so can not compare with ADK.
Do not take my previous post like that SM7 is a bad mike. It only has the sound not so interesting TO ME but it really makes a good job in records. I have a similar problem with AKG C414. Even if it is a highly recommended mike I will not sit on the chair from its sound. Just my opinion.
ADK works well for me. I bought it from a friend of mine who was also very satisfied with it but had to collect money for Neumann U47.
 
fova said:
I have a similar problem with AKG C414. Even if it is a highly recommended mike I will not sit on the chair from its sound.
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Does that translate to mean a rolling stone never boils?
 
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