Mic/Preamp decision!

[thepirat]

Hello, I want to begin recording on my PC, and I trust the judgement of this community more than the salespeople. Right now, I have a Soundblaster Audigy2 soundcard with Line In/Out, Mic In, and Firewire port (IEEE 1394). My computer supports USB 2.0. I also already have multi-track recording software.

So far, I am considering:

Mics:
SM57 ($90 on musiciansfriend)
Studio Projects B1 ($100)
MXL 990 ($100 with MXL 991)

Preamps:
Presonus Firebox ($300 on musiciansfriend)
M-Audio DMP3 ($160 on musiciansfriend)

I will be recording acoustic guitars, vocals, clean and distorted guitars (heavy and lightly distorted), and bass guitar. I have a few questions:
Which combination will give me the best value for the price? Are there any other models/brands I should consider?

I would like to stay below $400 if possible, but I may consider going over if it would be worth the extra.

Thanks in advance!

 

[DavidK]

I just bought the MXl 990/991 package like 2 hours ago, so I have briefly tried both. My other mics are an Avlex c133 and Shure Sm57. I was planning on buying an SPB1, apparently they dont sell em in Cleveland.

Initial thoughts:

Not bad! I play violin. Nice and clean sounding. I think the 991 is better on my violin, but they are different and I can see using both. The 990 has more low end and a different sound.

Compared to an SM57, on violin these two are better. That doesnt really mean much as I doubt you play violin

I will have to come back to this thread tomorrow when I mess with em a lot. My initial reactions are positive, I am not elated nor throwing up, it sounds like two decent mics for a really good price.

 

[Ford Van]

DavidK, you wouldn't mind checking your PM's at the "other site" would you? I have left you two PM's that have been unanswered.

 

[thepirat]

DavidK, let me know how those mics work out for ya! Thanks

 

[wx3]

I'm not positive on this, but I'm fairly sure that the DMP3 is just a pre amp, while the Firebox is a pre amp and audio interface in one. With the DMP3 you will also need an audio interface (sound card or external) to convert your analog signal into digital for use on your computer. The convertors on your sound blaster just aren't going to cut it. A good entry level audio interface is the M-Audio Audiophile 24/96.

 

[up-fiddler]

Not bad! I play violin. Nice and clean sounding. I think the 991 is better on my violin, but they are different and I can see using both. The 990 has more low end and a different sound.

Compared to an SM57, on violin these two are better. That doesnt really mean much as I doubt you play violin

I'm a 57 type of guy but I like the 990 too. The 991 hasn't been very good to me but I will give it a try on violin today. Enough rambling, Dave....

 

[tbonejc1]

I think the 991 sounds pretty good on the accoustic guitar at about the 12th fret. I've recorded my vocals with the 990 up close and the 991 farther back for more ambience on a seperate track. sometimes I mix the 2 together for one sound, sometimes I just pan the 2 recordings hard, depending on the song...nothing amazing but definitely worth while for your budget.
The sm57 as I'm sure you know will be able to handle all of your amp'd guitars.

 

[thepirat]

I was told that the SM57 wouldn't be able to record crisp acoustic sounds very well. Any thoughts?

Also, I hear that I should just bypass my Soundblaster in terms of recording, and just hook up via Firewire.

I'd be able to use the Firebox and just hook it up directly to my motherboard with Firewire since it has audio interface, wouldn't I? Then I could use the soundblaster for playback.

 

[core]

sound floor

if your looking to have a cleaner recording, use the pci or firewire aidio interface. soundblaster is ok but it can have a slightly larger noise floor than external audio interface hardware and with just a few tracks you could get a noticeable floor of hiss piled up.

 

[scrubs]

I was told that the SM57 wouldn't be able to record crisp acoustic sounds very well. Any thoughts?

Also, I hear that I should just bypass my Soundblaster in terms of recording, and just hook up via Firewire.

I'd be able to use the Firebox and just hook it up directly to my motherboard with Firewire since it has audio interface, wouldn't I? Then I could use the soundblaster for playback.

The 57 is not a good choice for acoustic guitar, imo. I like it ok for a "chunky" sound, but if you want "shimmery," a condenser is generally a better bet.

Soundblaster cards aren't really designed for high quality audio recording. They will work, but it would be advisable to replace the card, or get an external interface (like a FireWire card) to bypass the soundblaster.

 

[thepirat]

My Motherboard comes with firewire interface, so I could just plug it into there.

I think right now, though I'll only be able to afford 1 mic. If I wanted to record distorted sounds, would I be better off with a dynamic mic?

 

[kid klash]

If you've got a firewire port on your PC, I'd skip over your Soundblaster card and use the firewire port with something like this :

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Recording/Computer/Hardware?sku=701364

For $199, they even throw in an MXL-990 LDC mic. You'd still have enough money to buy an SM-57 and/or Studio Projects B1 later if you don't like the MXL-990.

 

[thepirat]

How's the quality of the sound of the M-Audio Firewire compared to the Firebox?
For $150 more, I could get a Firebox with the MXL990.

Anyone know?

 

[warble]

I'd go with the Firebox. Haven't seen anyone (that I remember) have any complaints about them. I had a Firepod (big brother) last year, and the thing sounded great IMO. You'd be getting two very useable pre's in the Firebox, and they could most likely get you by if $$$ are an issue right now.

In regards to the Firewire port - I opted for a separate firewire card with a TI (Texas Instruments) chipset. They seem to be more universally reliable with firewire audio interfaces. I purchased a Keyspan (company name) card and it worked like a charm with my Firepod. I'm not saying you will run into issues using the built-in port, just giving you a heads up.

 

[thepirat]

Thanks for the tips

 

[thepirat]

Hey so I went to guitar center today, and a guy there reccomended I get the Audio-Technica AT2041SP - AT2020 & AT2021 pack with the firebox. He said he'd get that to me for $400, with cables and stands. Does this sound like a good deal? I can't really find any comprehensive reviews on the AT2020 and 2021. Anyone know anything about these mics? Thx!

 

[DavidK]

DavidK, let me know how those mics work out for ya! Thanks

They are working out fine, both of them. I didnt want em at first and did an impulse buy, but I am quite happy with my choice. If I could take em back, I wouldnt, they fit my needs well and were cheep

AT2020 and 2021. Anyone know anything about these mics? Thx!

AT2020 isa very nice mic. A store in Ohio has em for 79 bucks.