mics, mics, mics, ahhh!!!!!

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patlang12

patlang12

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Ok, I am trying to buy a pair of condenser mics. The two I am looking at are the SP B1's and the MXL 603's. I have read that the B1's are good for all around stuff (I would probably be using them on male vocals, martain acoustic, and drum overheads). It seems that the 603's will not do quite as much as well. I have read they do overheads and acoustic well, but they are not great on vocals. I have also heard that the 603's have some high end sizzle. This would probably not be good because one of the sets I will probably be miking has bright cymbols. Is this something that I could solve reasonably well by eqing it when I mix it? Which mics do you think will last me longer not quality wise, but as my ears get better which ones will I still have use for? They are both about the same price so I am not sure what to get. Thanks a lot for your replys.
 
I'd forego the pair and get one AT4040. It'll do everything you're wanting. Otherwise, both the B1 and the 603 do a competent enough job on instruments and drums but not vocals.
 
Of the two, the B1 is more likely to do a job for you on vocals. I understand that either will be fine for OH and acoustic use. I would really really encourage you to go first for a mic that matches your voice. I think you'd be very happy with either of those mics for your other uses, but there's a good chance you wouldn't find either of them suitable for your voice (an almost certainty in the case of the MXL603).
 
It seems like a lot of people only start out on the B1's, but they keep the 603's for a while. Is this true?
 
FWIW I fall into the group that the B1 does well on vocals.

Try all these before buying, if you can.

Chris
 
patlang12 said:
anybody else?
Click to expand...
For vocals... I like the Marshall MXL-V67G better (only $99.95 new). For acoustic instruments, overheads, etc... I like the Marshall MXL603S better. For guitar amps... I liked the Studio Projects B1 better.
 
I already have an sm57 which I like on guitar amps. I was thinking of using whichever mics I get for vocals for a little while and then get an V67g.
 
Hey man go for two v67g's.... they'll beat all the others on vocals which are generally most important and will serve decently on overheads... later on get one 603s for acoustics if you think the v67g doesn't cut it. I personally think the 603s aren't best on overheads. Use your 57 on guitar cabs. The main thing is... you'll keep a v67g and a 603s for the extent of your recording career most likely.
 
I have never heard of matched v67g's so does anybody know how consistent they are from mic to mic? I have also heard that some people don't like the v67's on acoustic (I will probably be micing mostly martains). Anybody else think that?
 
patlang12 said:
I already have an sm57 which I like on guitar amps. I was thinking of using whichever mics I get for vocals for a little while and then get an V67g.
Click to expand...
Good... because the Marshall MXL V67G is a better vocal mic (IMO)... so then, what you're really asking is... which mic is better for acoustic gtr and OH's... the MXL603S or SPB1. Personly I prefer the Marshall MXL603S over the B1 for acoustic instruments, overheads, and etc.
 
You can't just get one mic for everything... well I mean you can but it's not gonna work out the way you want it to. Like DJL said... MXL v67g for vocals (I would use this for overheads over the 603s as well) 603 on acoustics... and 57 on guitar cabs... that's the majority of your non drum aplications for rock and the similar. With the v67g they don't make specifically matched pairs so if it mattered much to you, you'd have to sort it out.
 
One other thing to think about ... and this may stir a little controversy.

You don't need two identical mics for overheads. And you certainly don't for acoustic guitar. GASP!! Seriously - I was wondering about this and then Sound on Sound ran an article where they used an AKG C451 (I think) and an AT4033 as a pair of overheads on kit. They found that once they'd matched the levels accurately, the sound was actually very good.

So perhaps you should get a mic for your voice, and one other different mic. Between the two mics you need:
- 1 that works for you voice
- 1 that's very good for acoustic
- 1 that's very good on OH

You'll find that if you can cover those, the other mic will probably provide a useful complementary sound to the main one on each source.

Now let the crap fly!! :eek:
 
noisedude said:
Of the two, the B1 is more likely to do a job for you on vocals. I understand that either will be fine for OH and acoustic use. I would really really encourage you to go first for a mic that matches your voice. I think you'd be very happy with either of those mics for your other uses, but there's a good chance you wouldn't find either of them suitable for your voice (an almost certainty in the case of the MXL603).
Click to expand...
Hmm... I didn't know you had a SPB1 and MXL603S... when did you get them and how are you liking them so far?
-----------------------------------

Also for those interested... here is a thread with some good links about "matched" mics...
http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=147013
 
I'm talking purely in terms of an SDC being less likely to be suitable for vocals. Of course, with the appropriate placement and a good pop-shield you could get lucky. But most people find them just to unforgiving.

I'm NOT suggesting that I know what he should get - just giving my thoughts on how he should go about getting a little mic locker going.

FWIW - It's impossible to get MXL mics for sensible money over here anyway - which is why SP, ADK and SE are the choices I will tend to talk about the most. I know - we're missing out big-time, but tell MXL to get some proper distribution going! :)
 
All right I will consider what you all said. What I am saying is that I would like to use the mics for vocals for the time being until I could get a mic dedicated to vocals.
 
FWIW, I use the v67g on my vocals (it's pretty good. Looking to upgrade soon, though). I use a B1 AND a 57 on my guitar cab, mix to taste. 603s are my OH, and acoustic guitar. Did not like the B1 on my voice, but it'll get the job done. If you're looking for something to temporarily hold you over, get the B1. It's what I used on acoustic before I got my 603s. It's also what I used as an OH. Plus, you get that Studio Projects aroma when you first open it (anyone know what I'm talking about? It's still on my mic...though none of my other mics have a scent, it's weird).
 
Hey... it's revive an old thread week! ;)

My favorite combo for acoustic guitar is an LDC (in my case a TLM-103) and a SDC omni (in my case a B&K 4007).

YMMV
 
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