Neumann KM184 or Rode NTK

[Beezoboy]

Oh I didn't realize that they had mulitple capsules. That makes sense then. But they are still not Neumanns!! Just kidding!

You're totally and 1000% right. My bad.

Beezoboy

 

[wes480]

the KM184s are just one piece of the puzzle...

if you want the omni and hypercardioid (i think?) options you need to also buy a pair of KM183s, and KM185s.

But hey, it's a Neumann!

As far as the Aardvark Q10 pres...yes, I've been happy with them, hey are nice. However, not as nice as the pres in my Soundcraft M12 mixer, and not as nice again as the SP VTB1.

Something like a Davisound, a Grace a Great River...would obliterate the Q10. Or, the VTB-2, is looking like a smokin' piece of gear as well.

I wish I were as smart as Alan

 

[aeolian20]

on the aardvark pre's...i personally have a q10 and i really like it for its flexibility as 8 pres, shielded interface to the pc, 4 inserts, routing options to place hardware effects pre or post recording, and it elimanates the need for a mixer...very much worth the money i paid for it..and it has decent pre's BUT i am still getting a davisound tb-6 so i can get better signals and overall recordings..also i would suggest an rnc if you can..i used the q10 before and after the rnc $160 and that is the best 160 you can spend right there...i also only had to pay 650 for my aardvark..well worth the money also

 

[wes480]

aeolian - how do you find the most benefit from your RNC + Q10?

I have both of those as well, and while I do like the RNC - I guess it hasn't been particularly useful for me...or I am not sure the best way to go about using it...at least for tracking.

It has never seemed that effective to me as a compressor set up to stop my tracks from clipping on the way in...what are you doing with yours that makes it so worth the $?

 

[aeolian20]

ya stopping 100% of clipping and getting the hottest ingoing signal can be tricky..kind of a balancing act with your your aardvark gain settings and all of your rnc settings...i basically try not to do a large mount of compression on original tracking cause it can never be undone..but just enough to calm down some as much of the peaks as possible and at the same time it has added a lot of presence to the recorded tracks..the other cool thing about q10 and rnc togeter are a lot of tracks have had a problem getting enough punch or cut through no matter what i do..so i will go to routing on the q10 window..basically route the software signal out of the back output back into 1-4 on the q10 pres (actually in the 1/4 line level jack) the use the rnc on the back inserts of the q10 and you can monitor your new compression settings while listening to the mix...it helps a lot (you can also add gain with the q10 here if you change the advanced window to "post fader"

 

[aeolian20]

i may not have made it clear that the whole part of that last message was talking about after i have actually recorded the track..without a mixer it is the only way i have to add hardware outboard effects after tracking...for those times when software effects just arent cutting it

 

[wes480]

hrmmm...a power Q10 user. I need to PM you. heh, I also have another compressor...and a mixer that i would like to use for mixing/eq and all...but, I don't know enough about all of the Q10s routing features.

 

[aeolian20]

i am new here so i dont know about pm's..or i am not sure if i can receive them..i am on a under lock and key network and many things dont work here..the way i do it is i use logic platinum and if i want to work on channel 7 lets say..in logic i change the channel i want from output 1-2 to output 7..then go to to the aardark window, click on routing and make sure that output 7 is on output 7...hook a 1/4 to the one that says output 7 on the back of the aardvark and then run it into input 1 on the front...then hook the rnc to insert 1 and presto!..you are ready to record a new audio track (with compression) on software track 1..then delete your original track or leave it doubled or whatever

 

[wes480]

ah...ok, so just pretty straightforward. yeah i need to get more 1/4" cables, and then I want to run my tracks back through my soundcraft mixer for EQ and such.

It would be cool to comp my final project down to 8 tracks...after I had all of the editing etc. right, and then send all 8 outputs to the soundcraft to do the final mix...

maybe get some good analog "gel"...gonna try that sometime.

thanks for the help man. btw, being new doesn't matter..it's all in what you know. post some stuff in the MP3 mixing clinic sometime, we'd love to hear it.

 

[Giganova]

vagabond --

why $1200,- for two KM184?? You can easily get a matched pair for under $800 (new) if you look around. I've just recently ordered one from a British store (studiocare.com). Cost me $399.- plus $20 for second day air to the US. Yup -- second day: ordered on Wed and arrived on Fr. Didn't have to pay import tax either (dunno why, though). They ship a matched pair for well under $800.

In any case, the Neumann KM184 is a great decision for your recording needs! I use mine for tenor sax recording and it sounds fantastic.

 

[vagabond]

doh

I looked at musiciansfriend and sweetwater and stores and found approximately the same price everywhere. I didn't realize they could be found that much cheaper new.

Oh well... I've already made the purchase.

My options were actually more limited because I can't stand my old crt screen and decided to get a lcd monitor.

That left me with enough to get the 2 neumann's and an aardvark 24/96.

Later, I'll be able to get the dual channel pre.

Thanks for the advice though. I will try SM micing one day though... thanks Pundit for turning me on to the option. I just don't have a nice recording space that I would like to capture in it's full glory.

I just figured If I was going to buy a neumann I should get the matched pair because I do solo guitar as well.

 

[wes480]

hmm, how are you finding them for 800?

i looked on musiciansfriend and its still 1200 for the stereo pair...same on mercenary...

 

[Robert D]

Well, I voted Km184, though I meant a PAIR. If it was a single mic of one or the other, I think the NTK would give a bigger, fuller sound. Less detailed than the SD? A little, but the fuller sound would outweigh the small difference in detail. The NTK is a big supprise on acoustic guitar. It defies conventional wisdom on the subject.
Cheers, RD

P.S. Another thing that really tickled my ears lately was an Oktava MC-012 with an omni capsule in front of my Martin....... actually, nearly inside may Martin. With no proximity effect, an omni can really move in close and not get boomy. A pair of these mic's with both cardioid and omni capsules gives you a lot of options and very nice sound for something like the price of one fixed cardioid KM184. Something to consider.