My microphone setup advice

[ShagWill]

Hi !

I'm currently building my new studio and I'm currently in the MIC decision process. In my studio, I will record guitar amps, bass amps, acoustics guitars, vocals, drums and "maybe" some other acousticals intruments (sax, flute, etc...)

I was thinking about buying one Rode NT1-A, 2 x Apex 190 and some Shure SM57.

For the amps, I would place my Rode NT1-A and a SM57 in front on the amp (close mic-ing) and the 2 apex 190 for stereo ambiance and natural reverb recording.

For the drums, I would place the 2 apex 190 for overheads, 1 SM57 on each drums and the NT1-A on the floor near the bassdrum and 1 SM57 IN the bassdrum (for the attack).

For the acoustics guitars and the rests, the Rodes NT1-A + 2 x Apex 190 for the stereo ambiance.

What do you think of this MIC setup and how do you think it could sound ? I'll uses the MOTU preamps and some Presonus... and I have 2 "booths". 1 very small room (a closet) with 2 Sonopan walls and 2 wood walls and carpet on the floor... and the other room is a garage... I placed carpet on the floor and suspended four floating walls ... 2 sonopan walls and 2 woods walls.

Thank you for your opinions

William Simard
wsimard@yahoo.com

 

[eeldip]

check this out
www.hr-faq.org

this is a good place to start thinking... especially look at this article:

http://www.piemusic.com/mp/micproj.html

which is pretty solid advice.

 

[ShagWill]

Thanks... but is it a good setup ?

 

[SteveMcB]

I think you could do better...
I don't think there's a whole lot of experience out there with the NT1a, but the older NT1 is not that well liked. I have one, and it's ok but not brilliant. The Apex mics I have no idea about, and the '57's are great.

However, I'd suggest you try out everything you can before buying, and consider maybe...
Studio Projects C1 ($199) or MXL v67 ($99) for vocals/miscellaneous duties (my C1 has done well on amp close and room micing, trumpet and sax room micing, as well as vocals)

2 mxl 603's (around $150 for a pair) or 2 Studio Projects B1's ($160 for the pair) for overheads/acoustic guitar

1 sm57 for snare

1 kick/bass mic such as atm pro25 (around $99) or peavey 520i for kick/bass/vocals/amps.

This will let you cover all the bases, and the mics have a more established track record around here than the ones you list.

Of course if your budget stretches further than that listed here, there are heaps of great choices, but that covers things cheaply and well. I don't have a v67 or B1, but I own all the others listed and they're doing a great job for me.

Steve

 

[mrface2112]

if you're gonna consider SP mics

then check out the Studio Projects B1 on amps. every amp i've used it on has sounded pretty close to great through my B1. nice, crisp and accurate, and at the $80 price-point, it's not that much more than a new SM57 and provides a nice alternative.

The B1 is a definite sleeper on amps.

it might not be ideal in a situation where amps are loud and bleeding's going to occur.....but it's good at so many things that you'd be doing yourself a favor checking one out.


wade