New to recording, setting up basic studio need some advice

[artimaeis]

Okay I'll start off at the very beginning here:

I'm a music major in college (trumpet is my specialty though keyboard and vocals are by no means my weak points ^_^) and I'm looking to do a combination of vocal and instrumental recording of various ensembles around our campus.

I've been researching as much as I can all over the internet and through a few somewhat-experienced friends on the subject of recording but the problem I'm facing is a simple overload of information available. Much of that information conflicts so I'm left all but helpless.

I'm going to be doing the recording from a laptop with a pretty basic digital audio system interface, nothing that can break my bank hopefully.

I'll figure out my interface on another board, so here's my question: what mic set should I get given about $300

idea 1: a little less expensive: a matched stereo pair of Behringer C2 (cardioid) or really any other matched pair under $300 that ya'll can reccomend)
idea 2: a pair of Shure SM57 Cardiod instrument mic (i understand these are pretty good all around really)

yeah, those are just ideas, I really have NO clue but a mic budget of ~$300.

A little more detail on what I may be recording:

-big band
-concert band
-choir (large and small)
-individual performance of a wide variety of instruments

ANY help would absolutely be a blessing.

EDIT: lol oops, I only meant to put the 2nd half of the question up here -_-

 

[giraffe]

oktava mk-o12's are a good start, but it's hard to say because no single pair of mics are going to do all that you want them to do.

 

[giraffe]

-big band
-concert band
-choir (large and small)
-individual performance of a wide variety of instruments

given this list sm57's would not be any where near the top of my "to buy" list

 

[artimaeis]

So, I suppose what would be better to ask then given your responses is: is there a such a mic that is decent at recording pretty much anything but probably won't excel in any of the areas?

Or will pretty much any mic work decently?

 

[JPXTom]

I would go small condenser, and i think most people here would say similar...the oktava's already mentioned are very respected around here, along with naiants..go over to naiant.com, and check some samples...

 

[light40]

I wouldn't recommend the SM57's. These mic's have a reputation for being durable and being able to handle very loud noises.(close mic'ing snares and guitar cab's) Which doesn't sound like the application you want to use.

For the things you want to do a pair of condensers like the Behringer C2 you mentioned before, are probably going to be your best bet. With a matched pair you can get a good stereo image of just about anything.

Oktava mk-o12 are $400+ for a pair which is out of your budget. There are plenty of small diaphragm condensers for well under $300:
MXL 993, Samson C02, M-Audio Pulsar II, Fostex MC10ST...just to name a few.

I've also heard good things about the Crown Sound Grabber II's, maybe thats an option for you as well.

I hope this helped,
-alex

 

[HeyHeyMyMy]

I agree with the aforementioned Naiant mics. Cheap omnis that won't hurt the pocketbook all that much should you decide you don't like them. I suspect that you'll like them though.

 

[fuzzrhythm]

Matched pairs of Studio Project C4 small diaphragm condensers are ~$360 at americanmusicalsupply.com

 

[hairylarry]

dynamic omnis

Hi,

I got great recordings on the ASU big band for radio broadcast using a spaced pair of EV 635s at the front of the balcony.

My secret weapon for field recording is the Realistic 1070b (or c or d). These are similar to a 635 with extended frequency response.

I also like the naiants. These SDC mics are flat from 20-20K. They are not dynamics and require phantom power. They sell battery power packs for some of there mics.

You could get a pair of all three well under $300. (6 mics)

I can't afford them but the professional solution for recordings of this type is often a pair of EV RE55 mics. These high end omnis can be had around $300 a pair and they all match with each other so you don't have to buy them both at once.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

 

[billisa]

Okay I'll start off at the very beginning here:

I'm a music major in college (trumpet is my specialty though keyboard and vocals are by no means my weak points ^_^) and I'm looking to do a combination of vocal and instrumental recording of various ensembles around our campus.
-_-

I might consider a pair of RODE NT1a's or CAD M177's. These are very useful and highly competent mics across a variety of sources, instrument/vocal. They won't break the bank, and no matter how extensive your mic collection becomes, these can always have a place.

 

[Rust E-Z]

a pair of m-audio pulsar IIs are right in your budget and are gonna be much better than Beringer.

 

[amarach]

good advice all around...
the JM-27's are another cheap option for SDC's
i picked a pair up on ebay for about €50.
basically, get whatever mics you decide upon, read a modicum of theory (Harvey's Big Thread) and start recording. You will have a lot of problems but a pairs of SDC's will start you off.