On a tight budget w/ NT1A, SM57, SM81 - tips?

[everyslade]

Hey everyone,

I started work on my new self-produced album which I'm really excited about. I'm on a tight budget concerning mics and hardware, so I'll have to make the best of what I got and I hope you can help me with that!

I've been recording for a couple of years with a Steinberg CI2 interface and Cubase 5. Nothing fancy there. At my disposal I have the good ol' faithful SM57, the Rode NT1a and the SM81. I'm not too familiar with the latter yet.

I want to know your opinion/tips as to how I can get the best out of those mics, e.g. which mics suit best each instrument and possible pairing(?). My game plan is: SM57 will take care of all the guitar amps. For the steel-string acoustic guitars, classical guitar and tenor ukulele, I thought of pairing the SM81 with the NT1a for low end. The NT1a should cover vocals, harmonica and melodica. The SM81 should take care of the trumpet, and small percussion (shakers, brushes, glockenspiel).
Any thoughts or advice on this?

I'm recording in a pretty dead room, so ambience does not play a big role here. I don't expect anything too glorious, just a nice natural sound with decent tone

Thanks in advance!


PS. I recorded this last year using the same setup:
- soundcloud.com/helloatlantic/sets/circle-of-land/
- soundcloud.com/every-slade

 

[Guitargodgt]

Your plan is solid. I would also consider messing around with the 57/81 combo on acoustic guitar, you may like that combo better. All 3 mics are pretty versatile across the board. For example I would have no problems using any of them on a snare, kick, or acoustic guitar. As always YMMV.

 

[Steenamaroo]

I think trumpets the only grey area there. You may prefer the 57 on it.
Try everything though. That's the fun of it.

 

[mjbphotos]

There are plenty of people around who will tell you things like 'SM57s are no good for acoustic guitar, buy a SDC/LDC pair', etc. Try what you have, work with it, go for it!

 

[everyslade]

Thanks for the advice guys, I've been trying out the sm57 + sm81 pair for the acoustic and so far I've had good results. Trumpets and other brass will definitely be on the 57.