New home studio. What mic?!?!

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LuisEduardo

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I'm going to starting my home studio, and i will buy a Fast Track 2 M-audio, and I was thinking about play musics like tyler ward, alex goot and boyce avenue(youtubers). And I saw that Alex Goot used a CAD GXL 2200, and MXL 990 is similar, so i would buy the 990... But i was considering buy AKG D5, more one mic to recording my guitar(Crafter DE7). What do you think about it?
 
sdc is not just for recording guitar, and instruments?! i was thinking about it and one AKG d5. What do you think?!?! AKG D5 + SDC or MXL 990 + ????
 
LuisEduardo said:
sdc is not just for recording guitar, and instruments?! i was thinking about it and one AKG d5. What do you think?!?! AKG D5 + SDC or MXL 990 + ????
Click to expand...

I'm no mic guru, but I know this: The MXL 990 sounds like ultra-hyped crap. I'm not being a snob, here. I've had several, because for awhile, I couldn't order guitar strings from musiciansfriend without them throwing one of these paperweights in. I cannot understand how people can give this mic good reviews. The only thing I can figure is that if you really don't know how to record anything, the "brightness" of this cheap P.O.S. microphone helps whatever you record with it "cut through" the mix. It's brittle and harsh. You may not hear the bad initially, but by the time you get to your final mix, you will...if you have any ears or experience at all.

So I vote for any pairing that doesn't involve that microphone.

Good luck.
 
and between the MXL 990 and the CAD GXL2200.

I want to make videos like these.
Alex Goot - youtube.com/watch?v=45xX-CyvXDA
Boyce Avenue - youtube.com/watch?v=Gukt3u1nh9Y&feature=related
Tyler Ward - youtube.com/watch?v=l7t7lnuXFAs&feature=related

CAD:
GIF: cadaudio.com/images/product/polfreq/GXL2200.gif
Operating Principle: Externally-biased condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 30Hz to 20KHz
Sensitivity: -36dBV (16mV) @ 1 Pa
Impedance: 75 ohms
Max SPL: 130dB, 1% THD
Self Noise: 20dBA
Power Requirements: P48, 3mA

MXL:
GIF: mxlmics.com/products/900_series/990/polar-pattern.gif
Tube Type:
Pressure gradient condenser microphone
Diaphragm:
6 micron gold-sputtered
Frequency Response:
30 Hz - 20 kHz
Polar Pattern:
Cardioid
Sensitivity:
15mV/Pa
Impedance:
200 ohms
Equivalent Noise Level:
20dB (A-weighted IEC 268-4)
S/N Ratio:
80dB (Ref. 1Pa A-weighted)
Max SPL for .5% THD:
130 dB
Power Requirements:
Phantom Power 48V (+- 4V)
Current Consumption :
<3.0mA
Size:
60mm x 130mm / 2.36 in. x 5.11 in.
Weight:
1.2 lbs / 544.3g
Metal Finish :
Champagne
 
If you're just starting out in terms of recording things, why not go with a Shure SM58? They're pretty much industry standard mics and put out good quality at a good price. :)
 
I'm gonna get with one Beta58(voice) and one CAD GXL2200(instruments, guitar, cajon), what do you say?
 
LuisEduardo said:
I'm gonna get with one Beta58(voice) and one CAD GXL2200(instruments, guitar, cajon), what do you say?
Click to expand...

You might also consider these thoughts:

If you have a preference for CAD mics, the GXL 3000 will give you
significantly more versatility in your studio, due to the multi-pattern
feature. While it is a great bargain, stock, many folks find that "mods"
can make the stock mic even better, so you have an "upgrade path",
if you choose to pursue it.

Or, this version is already customized, but still at a very good price:

BA-L2 large diaphragm fet


My personal favorite for a versatile single pattern mic is the MXL 9090,
though it has become hard to find. Musician's Friend or Guitar Center
can special order one for you. The advantage with this mic is that it
has several features stock, that most mics need have as "mods".
Also, it actually has two different sounds, "warm" on the front capsule,
"bright" on the rear. BTW, the "warm" side is identical to the very
popular MXL v67g.

There seem to be a few still available here:

Chris' Guitars - Pro Sound PA Gear and Studio, digiteal recorders, mixers, power amps, effects, microphone EV Shure AKG, new and used


Re. the CAD 2200, it is quite different from the MXL 990. The 2200 has a
LDC (large diameter condenser) capsule, like the mics mentioned above.
The 990 has a SDC (small diameter condenser) capsule. That capsule
and circuit are the same as the MXL 603, which is also popular, primarily
as an "instrument mic". The two mics look very different, since the 603
is a "pencil" mic, and the 990 is a large body "side address" mic.
Even so, on the inside, they are nearly identical twins.

As you know, both types are popular, but many folks find that a few
"mods" to either model can make significant improvements.

Here is a matched pair package of essentially the same mic as the 603,
with a few very nice additional features, and the mods already "built in":

BSC1 small diaphragm stereo kit


Another SDC (small diameter condenser) mic that is very well thought
of is the Oktava MC012 (also seen as MK012). You can sometimes find
these used mics on Ebay at lower prices, but these mics have become
a little more costly, due to their reputation. Even so, mods can make
them better still.


Finally. these links will point you to folks who offer
mod services for many condenser mics:

Minute-Nine Studios - Microphone Mods

Oktava MK-012 Modification Kits and Service

Award-winning microphone engineering from Michael Joly

Award-winning microphone engineering from Michael Joly

Award-winning microphone engineering from Michael Joly

JJ Audio Oktava Modifications

JJ Audio Transformerless FET Mod

JJ Audio FET U87 Conversion

So, the mics mentioned above can be used as is, to get
started, especially the Busman customized models.

The others can be upgraded, as your time an budget allow.


Best wishes,
Noah F.
 
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I was in doubt, what is the best conjunction to recording songs like this and this.

I was with this options.
CAD GXL2200 or CAD GXL2400 or Behringer B2 PRO + Shure Beta58a
or
Shure PG81 + Shure Beta58a

Ill record one guitar(crafter de7) and cajon, and voice of course...
 
Last edited:
I was thinking about open other topic, but i resolved, dont. I will make a question here.

I want know which of these condensers is better?!

Behringer B2 PRO
GXL2200
GXL2400
Maudio Nova
AKG 200
I want record guitar and if possible cajon, but giving preference to acoustic guitar. Voice sometimes.
 
Last edited:
In answer to your specific question, most folks would consider
your list to be "vocal" mics.

So, for recording instruments, none of the above.

In general, most folks find that LDC mics are best for voice recording,
while SDC mics are best for instruments. With very excellent mics,
of course, you can record anything and get good results.

However, you seem to be interested in the lower priced range.

That is fine, of course, we all have to start somewhere.

Just be aware that if you find you own a mic that is not ideal
for some uses, that many low cost mics can be improved, for
a reasonable cost, by "modding".

Where are you located? I know it may be hard to find some mics,
in some locations.

Since you include the AKG 200, which is called "Perception 200",
here in the US, also consider the CAD M179, which is a very
versatile mic, that many folks find useful for both voice and
instrument recording. It is about the same price, at least it
is here (US).

Best wishes,
Noah F.
 
Last edited:
Those are my option, because i live in Brazil, and here is hard to find some mics, this CAD M179 i dont found.
So, what do you say about those.
 
I used to own a GXL2400 and a GXL1200. You can get both with a shockmount for the 2400 from zzounds for $100. That's what I'd do if I were you. Excellent value. Either that or just go with an sm57. You'll want to get one eventually anyway...
 
Ok, but you know whats the difference between the GXL2200 and GXL2400?! I want to buy one condenser, and im in doubt between these:
Behringer B2 PRO
GXL2200
GXL2400
Maudio Nova
AKG 200
I want that someone comment something about them. I will buy one Beta58a too.

Which SDC and LDC you recommend me?! ($100, $150)
 
LuisEduardo said:
Ok, but you know whats the difference between the GXL2200 and GXL2400?! I want to buy one condenser, and im in doubt between these:
Behringer B2 PRO
GXL2200
GXL2400
Maudio Nova
AKG 200
I want that someone comment something about them. I will buy one Beta58a too.

Which SDC and LDC you recommend me?! ($100, $150)
Click to expand...

im not talking about the GXL2200 and the 2400, I'm talking about the 1200 and the 2400. The 1200 is s SDC and the 2400 is a LDC with a shockmount. And you get them both for $100.
 
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