Mics

[oconnelk]

I've gotten good sound now out of my software and am ready to upgrade my mics. Right now i have one decent Shure, one not-so-decent sure, and one not-so-great shennheiser. Sorry i don't know the exact models but i know that the shures are not anything like an sm57. i think i got them for about $40 each. anyways, first a few questions on mics.

1. What (instruments) would i primarily use a condensor mic for as opposed to a dynamic? I've learned the difference in the two but it seems as if a condensor is better all around and should be used in substitution for a dynamic whenever possible?

2. If i get myself one decent condensor, should I also buy one decent dynamic?

3. Opinions on the Behringer b1 or b5? What are the differences between these two?

thanks in advance

 

[sathyan]

1. What (instruments) would i primarily use a condensor mic for as opposed to a dynamic? I've learned the difference in the two but it seems as if a condensor is better all around and should be used in substitution for a dynamic whenever possible?

there are so many variables, its hard to say. here what I do:
dynamic: drums, loud percussion, guitar amp, rock vocals, brass, anything that's very loud
condenser: bowed strings, delicate percussion, plucked strings, distant miking, jazz vocals, anything that's very quiet

2. If i get myself one decent condensor, should I also buy one decent dynamic?

I think so. I'm poor so what I did was get a versatile one of each: Shure SM57 and Studio Projects B1

3. Opinions on the Behringer b1 or b5? What are the differences between these two?

B-1 is large diapraghm and B-5 is single diaphragm.
also audition to compare to the
b-1: Studio Projects B1, Oktava MC319
b-5: Oktava MC012, MXL 603S

For LDC, I preferred the Studio Projects. For SDC I prefer the MXL to the Oktava but haven't heard the Behringer yet.

 

[oconnelk]

thanks a ton for the reply, it helped a lot.

i've been looking into mics/prices and i decided (before i even read your reply) that the shure sm57 is a must and i liked the studio projects b1 as I had not read any mention of the behringer.

i have recordings of a friend's band where the vocals sound amazing. very clear and clean. i could have sworn he said they used a condensor mic for vocals but they are a louder rock/indie band. is it not recomended to use condensors for louder vocals? You mentioned dynamics should be used for these louder recordings, why is that?

 

[sathyan]

.

i have recordings of a friend's band where the vocals sound amazing. very clear and clean. i could have sworn he said they used a condensor mic for vocals but they are a louder rock/indie band. is it not recomended to use condensors for louder vocals? You mentioned dynamics should be used for these louder recordings, why is that?

This just based on my experience. It is too easy to overdrive a condenser (they are much more sensitive) when close miking. It often does sound better but to get a clean recording I have to make continuous gain adjustments

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

If you have a bit of time on your hands (like a couple of months) read the two sticky's at the top of the mic forum.

Might be more than you want to know right now but if you want to know something about mics, odds are it'll be here.

SM 58's are great but if you're going to be recording yourself a lot then test it first cos no mic likes everyones voice. If you're going to be recording others then it's a good buy.