plunging in, need some mics

[charger]

So I finally got my refund from the IRS, and I'm ready to spend $2000 on a set of mics for all-around recording. Mostly, I'll be recording guitars and drums. Currently, I have:

1 Rode NTK
2 Shure SM 57
1 Shure Beta 58
1 AT4033

Currently I can record 16 inputs at a time. However, for simplification purposes (I want my rig to be somewhat portable) I plan to use 8 at a time, so I only have to drag one Pro Tools interface with me everywhere I go. I have a Soundtracs Topaz, so I'm set for preamps.

So I'm looking to get a kick mic, one or two pair of overheads, a snare top and bottom, 2-3 tom mics, and maybe a pair of room mics, plus maybe a PZM and a ribbon to round things out. In addition, I need to get all the cabling I need and mic stands.

Anybody want to toss some ideas at me for how my 2 grand can be best spent?

 

[TexRoadkill]

I would get another NTK. A good LD stereo pair can do just about anything, guitars, drum OH, live room recordings, etc.

 

[chessrock]

I agree with Tex in that it's a good idea to have a pair of something.

I don't see any small diaphragm condensers in your cabinet, so I would definitely get a couple of those. Hmmm. This is fun . . . spending other people's money. Okay, so I'll live precareously through you and I'll give you my shopping list:

Kick - ATM 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $125
Snare top - sm57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Tom #1 (see above) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Tom #2 (see above) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Snare bottom - Marshall mxl 603s . . . . 75
Overheads - Oktava mc012 (2) . . . . . 300
Room mics - Behringer ecm8000 (2). . . 70
Ribbon - Beyer m160 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
PZM - Crown Sound Grabber . . . . . . . . 80

I don't really know much about pzm's, so I'm not sure about the sound grabber, although I've heard it's pretty good for the price. I'd consider substituting the Oktavas for a couple more mxl 603s and maybe get myself a $1,000 ribbon mic (Royer R-121?) with some of the extra $$ I saved. That would give you 2 very respectable Large Diaphragm Condensers (NTK + 4033), and a solid ribbon mic, which would look nice to potential clients, I imagine. Plus you'd have enough decent mics for everything else to handle whatever might pop up.

 

[geekgurl]

Yeah, I like Chessrock's recommendation on the mxl 603s. I've tried 'em on upright piano, briefly on acoustic git, and I look forward to trying them on drum OHs. So far very happy with them and I've heard their wide cardioid pattern suits drum OHs. They're cheap and I feel pretty accurate ... not harsh, piano wasn't tubby or ringy. I figure, hell, if I can get a good sound using 'em, anyone can ...

 

[knownuttin]

Yeah, second that. You need a pair of small diaphram condensors, and the 603's are a good place to start. Look at a ribbon also, like the Beyers, or maybe the Royers.

Another handy and often overlooked tool is the LD dynamic, such as a Sennheiser 421 or an EV RE20. They're handy for drums, guitar amps and rock vocals. Virtually no pro studio is without one of the two, but many home reccers skip them in the rush to load up on Chinese LD condensors.
-kent

 

[wascal]

live precareously??????? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!

get a baby bottle! 500$

behringer scm8000 or whatever x2! 70$

get a studio projects c1! 200$

use large diaphragm condensers for kick drum and bass cab!

youre a freak if you dont get a baby bottle!!!!!!

 

[Markd102]

I'd look seriously at the Rode NT4 stereo XY twin capsule. Very handy mic and fits the portability theme.
I also recommend another NTK.
Mark

 

[Richard Monroe]

IMHO, get a pair of Octava MC012's. Don't go the $300 Guitar Center option, get a matched pair from the sound room ($424), and consider an additional pair of matched omni capsules. These are workhorse SD condensers with a host of applications. I use them for acoustic guitar and overheads for hand drums, group vocals, violin, almost everything, and they simply rock.-Richie

 

[Gidge]

1 pair of Marshall mxl603's - 160
2 pair of BehringerECM8000 - 70
1 Sennheiser 421 -300
1 ATM Pro25 - 70
1 pair Radio Shack 30-3032 - 60
1 pair Marshall MXLv93M - 300

now you have over $1000 to spend on a ribbon and a PZM....all ive heard is the r121 previously mentioned and it sounds magnificent but i have no other experience with ribbons....