Ok, give it me straight and easy!

[Erland]

Microphones. Now how do they differ so much?

I apologies for the stupidity of this question but there is so many buzwords flying around that even if I did upgrade to another mic I would be positive its the wrong choice.

Perhaps I should add, that I want to record vocals and pick up the accoustic guitar. I have no money, perhaps I could get one second hand.

I was given the shure 606 with my recorder. Here is a sample if you want. It in the clinic too. FromaBoytoaGirl

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/2/1375/singles.shtml

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Whoa, that's a lot to ask for. Are you sure you really wanna know? That could get pretty lengthy - almost book size. There's some good stuff on David Josephson's web site, as well as at Shure and other mic manufacturer's sites, but it would take a long, detailed post here to discuss what you asked about. Be careful what you wish for....

 

[Erland]

Yeh

I realise. My eyes open and ready for enlightenment! Sorry about that. I am also learning about monitors and how never never use headphones. Woops, my biggest flaw#

Perhaps i should post in newbie. I don`t want to get too involved. Just with regard to voice and pick up of guitar. Some recommendations perhaps.

 

[Speeddemon]

Since you have no money...

it's pretty hard to give advice there. My suggestion would be, save up for at least one ,not too expensive, condenser mic (these will probably work the nicest for voice and ac. guitar.)
Suggestions:
-Marshall MXL V67G $129
-Behringer B1 $99

Harvey knows others

Anyway headphones....check Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic....from cheap to really expensive ($200...)

Monitors:
-Behringer Truths $400
-Tannoy Reveal Actives $550
-Event PS-5 ($500)
-Yamaha MSP5 ($450)
Really, forget the Alesis Monitor ones, they are much more expensive than the Behringers and sound a lot less...

Oh and a mic pre-amp: M-Audio AudioBuddy $79. For your condenser that needs phantom-power.

Anyway, get a job (any... ) and save up some shit.

cheerz

 

[Erland]

cheers

Behringer B1 $99

thats my price. I will research this mic.

Monitors, Yorkville range apparently.

My job is, full time 4 th year, busy as buggery student!

Thanks for the advice mate.

 

[jimistone]

i have found that if you save up and save up to get the best eqipment you never end up buying anything cause there is always something better. I found this out with the digital all in one recorders...by the time you buy one, either a better one has come out for the same price, or, the one you bought is alot cheaper..or both.

I started out with a vestex 4 track cassette recorder and a sure sm 48 mic. monitored on headphones (checked my mixes in various sound systems and got a feel for mixing on the phones)....and made some real good recordings. Its alot harder with cheaper equipment than it is with more advanced stuff...but good recordings can be made with cheaper stuff.

the sm 48 is even cheaper in price than the sm57....i like the 57 better...but i still think a 48 sounds good

when you get into condenser mics, phantom power, $400 monitors (that will need a $200 or more amp to push them), mic pres, ect...you going to get into some money

And what gets me is I listen to recording from one of our local studios (with all the high dollar equipment) and they don't even sound as good as some of the things i did one the cheesy 4-track and the sm 48 mic...cause the guys behind the controls don't know what they are doing.

the point i am making is to learn all you can and do ALOT of recording on what you have now. as you can afford it add to what you have. That way you will learn how to get a good sound by developing skills like mic placement, paning, and developing your ears... skills you will need on better equipment

if you need a mic for all around use and don't have much money i would suggest a sure sm57

 

[Shockwave]

I want to first say, erland, that I was very impressed with your sample. You put down a very feeling vocal and I respect that because I know how hard it is to do. I hear potential that's worth investing in for some better gear. Now for my broken record thread- DON'T go by what someone else is telling you! They can tell you which is a good mic, but no one can tell you which mic will best suit your voice until your singing in them. Get to a store and try ALL the mics in your price range. Then decide. I would advise you to save up 200.00 for your budget. That will get you into a better choice of good mics. Until you've got the money, I suggest to stick with what you have for a bit longer. It sounds ok and besides, your vocal ability is shining through the lower end sound of your mic. Also, don't give up on headphones cause someone said you can't mix with them! They play a role in the mixing process. Not the deciding role mind you, but they are needed. That's why you need a good pair of studio monitor quality phones.
I like my Sony mdr- v600's. But again, it's what you like that should be the deciding facter. After all it's your money and you who goes home with this new equipment. And like I said, keep writing and recording. There is potential there my friend. Good luck!

 

[PowerCouple]

Really nice song!

Great singing!

Loved it...congratulations, man...beautiful sound despite the gear...

Peace...

PC

 

[chessrock]

Great stuff.

This is what you need if you want to feed your brain a little on mics: http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=27030

I noticed someone brought it back.

 

[Randy Yell]

I brought it up again Chess.Everytime someone ask about mics on another forum I refer them to that thread.Probably the best thread I've ever read about anything.

 

[Speeddemon]

Now for my broken record thread- DON'T go by what someone else is telling you! They can tell you which is a good mic, but no one can tell you which mic will best suit your voice until your singing in them. Get to a store and try ALL the mics in your price range. Then decide. I would advise you to save up 200.00 for your budget.

If this was aimed towards my suggestion, please, let it be clear I made a SUGGESTION, I didn't say : "Hey, you should buy THIS mic" If I would do that, it would be either a Neumann U47 or an AKG C12 ....

The mics I mentioned are just highly regarded here for their price, and Harvey and others shure know a lot more. My suggestion was also made, because even with *some* cheaper condensers, you still get better results than with some dynamics...

Anyway, here are some *suggestions* in the $200-300 range:
-Oktava ?? 319
-Oktava MC012
-Røde NT-1
-Røde NT1000
-Audio Technica AT3035
-Audio Technica AT4033 SE (gets a lot thumbs up too)
-Studio Projects C1 (a lot of ravings about this one, $229 incl. shockmount, case, and has -10dB pad switch and low-roll off-switch)
-Studio Projects B1 ($99)
-Studio Projects B3 (switchable patterns) ($149)
-Red5Audio RV10
-Behringer B-2
-AKG C3000B (not so popular here)

There ARE others.
cheerz

 

[Shockwave]

No, I wasn't aiming at you at all speeddemon. In fact all of your suggestions for good mid priced mics are acurate. I simply try to give food for thought to the person asking for suggestions. I have seen too many folks, MYSELF included, spend bucks on the popular gear just cause it's popular or recommended by people, but never give a thought as to wether it's right for them. I understand well made equipment becomes popular because of that fact, but it's no guarentee that a particular piece of great gear is going to work well for every situation- especially mics. For instance, I recently had a desire to get an auto pitch correction piece. Through much advice, I got the Antares vocal pro for 500 bucks. Brought it home and hated it. It was loaded with stuff that I didn't need and became redundant. And the pitch correction was not to my liking. I returned it and bought three other pieces that I really needed, and relied on my vocal ability to get well pitched vocals. All that money and effort for something lots of folks advised me on but didn't work well for me (although I would like to check out pitch software).

So, I just try to give people who are expanding their gear horizons a little nudge to take brand advise, but rely on what *they* like in the end to be the deciding factor.

 

[ian27]

Great track!!!!

Ian

 

[trebles]

Erland

put it this way alot less has been achieved by others with alot more then you currently have "smile" you track was nice and the feeling and emotion of it shone through the recording sounded nice too. sometimes less is more and i feel you prove that here

a lesson to us all that you dont need a million dollars or a millon dollars worth of gear to make a nice recording.

know how and knowledge will take you much further then rooms full of gear collecting dust

I myself realise this now there was a time not so long ago i was also snared into thinking it was the gear and little else but only now i realise how wrong i was and i too now have a refreshed view and have become more realistic then silly about this whole recording intrest of mine after all at this stage i dont own a studio so i,ll make do with what i have

believe me there is also a certain feel you can capture only using the minimum of gear and while iam no expert to explain this as well as others in here i do know this rings true for me

the way you aranged your song was nice and simple uncomplicated and its sits up real nice for the listner as well i like it as it dont dont sell it self out it is what it is and for that you can be proud

never sell out the art of what you do for the sake of the dollar if it ever gets like that for you

 

[ian27]

Hi Erland,

I have had another listen to your track 'From a boy to a girl' today. It's great - I really like it! I can see some areas where the recording of it MAY be improved, but personally, I think I would leave it how it is. It's a raw, heart felt track, and works fine like that. Mess with it and you may lose the thing that is most attractive about it. Just a thought!

Ian

 

[SOUND DIAGNOSIS]

JIMISTONE writes:

"the point i am making is to learn all you can and do ALOT of recording on what you have now. as you can afford it add to what you have. That way you will learn how to get a good sound by developing skills like mic placement, paning, and developing your ears... skills you will need on better equipment"


Wise words ô¿ô ----ROB

 

[philboyd studge]

Erland,

There's a story about coach Bear Byant of Alabama and a drill he used to do with his new guys and walk-ons on the first day of practice. One year from his little tower at mid field he told the assembly of about 60 which included eventual hall of famer Bubba Smith "Boys, look down to the end zone there and you'll see seven footballs......I want you to go and bring me back one" Bubba came back with four, to which coach Byant said: "Son, you don't have to practice"


Neither do you. Just get your songs heard and worry about things like attorneys and management. I only heard 'From a boy to a girl', but I know talent when I hear it.

 

[SOUND DIAGNOSIS]

Erland, in addition to the fine sage advice in this thread, may I wish you the best of luck in which I know, after reviewing your 3 songs, will be a successful endeavor into not only the music industry, (YIPES), but into the many hearts and minds of many listeners/fans to come. You indeed KNOW what you possess that 99% of musical aspirants lack. Use it, baby, and UNLOAD...

Yours....in the quest, ------ROB

 

[muzeman]

Erland,
Really nice song,great guitar playing,singing and songwriting!
Beautifully done.

All the best,
Pete

(I sent you a private e-mail)

 

[Village Idiot]

With a voice like Erlands, you could make a Talking Elmo mic sound good.


Hey Erland-Check out the Studio Projects B1

Perfect "I'm in school" mic...


VI