Mics and interface help

[d_squad54]

I will try to make this short and easy. We are looking to record all our instruments and vocals with these mics. Click to check it out For some reason its marked $250 but is only $150 at the Guitar Center. Ok so I am told this is the best deal for recording multiple instruments and getting the best quality. Were looking to record both electric/acoustic guitars. vocals, and possibly a violin. These mics are fairly new so I doubt anyone has them yet. But I am told it would do best for the job I want to get done.

Ok next, is the interface. Check it out This is the one I was told would do best for our budget. It has phantom power for the mics which I am told is useful. I am very new to all this so thats why i am asking for some feedback. But I figure we can plug the mics, and keyboard into the interface and record it all into the new Reason program we will use to mix the tracks. Also Would it be better to record the guitar through the interface or with the mics?

All together were looking at around $400 for the interface, mics, and cables. What does everyone think about this?? Is there a better route I can take? I think that would give us better quality. I appreciate any help I can get and the patience as well. I am very new to all this but very excited.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Your link for the AT microphone doesn't take me to a specific model nimber's page. Based upon the price, it sounds like your talking about something similar to an AT3031 or AT3035, which are small - and large-condensor mics, respectively. Both are rather decent quality for the price. The small condensor might be better suited for the acoustic guitar and maybe(?) the violin, and the large condensor would probably be the better choice for the vocals, but either one would work great all-around for the budget.

And I am a huge fan of the Tascam us122 ever since I used one on a mobile recording of a baby grand piano. The thing has great sounding preamps for the price and is built to be run over by a Hummer with no problem afterwards.

There are probably a dozen recommendations you might get for a $150 condensor mic, and only a few of which would necessarily be "better" than the rest, mostly they'd just be "different." But AT is a solid brand, and for your budget I can see nothing wrong at all with your choices. Run with them.

G.

 

[d_squad54]

thanks alot man, I have been fumbling around for a while and these seem to be a good combo. Glad to here some one agrees. But what about the interface. How well does that record and elecric guitar?? You have a link for me to hear anything you have recorded? Since I will be going with this interface.

 

[d_squad54]

About the microphones..........


AT2020 Side-address cardioid condenser microphone

The price/performance standard in side-address studio condenser microphone technology

Ideal for project/home-studio applications

High SPL handling and wide dynamic range provide unmatched versatility

Custom-engineered low-mass diaphragm provides extended frequency response and superior transient response

Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source

Pivoting, threaded stand mount attaches securely for easy and precise placement of the microphone


AT2021 Small-diaphragm cardioid condenser microphone

Ideal for acoustic guitar, overheads, piano and group vocals

Condenser design for studio-quality vocal and instrument applications

Excels in high-SPL applications

Extended response for smooth, natural sonic characteristics

Low-mass element for superb transient response

Corrosion-resistant contacts from gold-plated XLRM-type connector

Rugged design and construction for reliable performance

Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

thanks alot man, I have been fumbling around for a while and these seem to be a good combo. Glad to here some one agrees. But what about the interface. How well does that record and elecric guitar?? You have a link for me to hear anything you have recorded? Since I will be going with this interface.

The only recording I have saved using the Tascam is one practice take from that piano session. I'd post it, but I'd have to get permission from the artist to do so first. If I can (I talk to him on semi-regular occasion) I will.

What I can tell you is that the session was for some demo recordings made on location in the artist's living room and recorded to a notebook PC using Adobe Audition 1.0. We tried a few combinations of mics, gear and technique and by far the best was using a Rode NT5 dual-small-diameter-condenser stereo mic inside the lid, connected to the Tascam us122 XLRs and using the Tascam's phantom power. I was rather impressed with the sound we got from the Tascam pres, especially considering the relatively cheap cost of the unit; it was very clean and expansive sounding and the resulting recorded wavefrom was sharp as a tack with no nonsense added. The Tascam pres outperformed mAudio and Mackie pres I have used in similar situations hands down.

I personally have not used the us122 for anything else, but I have previously mixed recordings of electric guitar direct (via Line6 Pod) recorded through them and they sounded just fine.

I can tell you that because of both sound and quality of construction, I'll take the us122 over the mAudio Mobile Pre hands down. The Tascam costs fifty bucks more, but it's worth it IMHO. I'm not knocking the Mobile Pre, I'm just saying that the 122 is a step up. I'll also say that there is no better interface for the price than the 122. IMHO, YMMV, LSMFT.

G.

 

[d_squad54]

Line6 Pod?

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Line6 Pod?

An amp simulator. Not germane to the question at hand about the Tascam.

G.

 

[d_squad54]

What do you know about those? How much do they run? Thanks in advance.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

They're about two hundred bucks I believe. Every place has them. Just go to MusiciansFriend, Sweetwater or zzSounds and do a search on Line6.

They are useful especially for those who are limited in what they can do as far as recording their amps via live microphone, and for those who wish to augment their guitar sound with something other than what their own amp and space is giving them.

They get a pretty bum rap on this boad. I think that's a bit unfair. While I agree that it better most of the time to mic an amp than to use an amp simulator, I have mixed some recordings made with the Line6 that sounded great. Not everybody can mic a Marshall 4x12 all the time, and not everybody records death metal either.

G.

 

[d_squad54]

I gotcha man, thanks alot for your help. I appreciate it.

 

[d_squad54]

Does anyone else have any feedback on either of these devices?