mics + pre or better mics?

[slide_blues]

I've done a ton of searching on this forum on the subject of inexpensive mics and pres. Here's the question I'm still wondering about:

Am I better off spending around $400.00 on:

MXL 603 (pair) + DMP3 pre

or

a pair of better mics w/o any pre?

I'm going to get some all in one budget DAW, and be recording primarily acoustic guitar music with some vocals here and there. I think I do want a pair of mics to do stereo recording of my acoustic(s).

Thanks!

 

[Chris Fallen]

What pres/mics do you already have?

 

[slide_blues]

None as of yet.

 

[TexRoadkill]

You can't get any significantly better mics within that budget and you will most likely need a decent pre if you use an all in one DAW. I'd go with the DMP3 and 603's. Or better yet get the 603's and when you have a bit more saved up get an FMR RNP.

 

[slide_blues]

Thanks, TRK.

 

[SteveMcB]

I think that the DMP3/mxl603's is a good idea (and I do love my 603's), but there have been relatively few reports on decent vocal recording with a 603. For general purpose I'd be more inclined toward either a pair of LD's (studio projects B1's are supposed to be great on acoustic and reasonable on vox), or a 603 and an LD - maybe a 603 and a B1, or a 603 and a v67. Then save up for a second 603.

LD usually better for vox than SD (not always though).
LD and SD in combination on acoustic can sound great
Pair of LD's on acoustic vs pair of SD's well, that will start a whole lot of arguements, but some people prefer one to the other, and both can get good sounds...

Then again, if you can get the $119 deal at GC (assuming you live in the land of cheap gear (unlike me!)) on the DMP3 then...

DMP3 $119
Pair of 603's $150
V67 $90
Leaves $40 for cables/stands etc from your $400

I think a LD would give you a lot of options that you don't otherwise have, and is likely to improve your vocal sound...

Of course, try before you buy if possible (I couldn't with the 603's, and haven't regretted them for a moment).
And you may want to consider adding a compressor like the RNC - but that can come later...

Welcome to an expensive hobby!!!
Steve

 

[tdukex]

I have the 603-DMP3 combo and like it a lot. It's a nice acoustic guit combo IMO. The other mic I like in that price range is the Oktava MC012. Actually, I use one 603 and one MC012 for guit and would be equally happy with a pair of either. I've also gotten decent results with the Behringer ECM 8000 ($35) in combo with the 603.

 

[chessrock]

I've tried out a lot of mic pres on accoustic guitar, some of them fairly expensive, and my favorite still happens to be this one:

http://www.rane.com/ms1b.html

. . . and you can get it for around $200.