Proposed Microphone list

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laptoppop

Musical Technogeek
I'm putting together a big list of microphones to buy in the near future. I want to be able to record a variety of things, from children's jazz bands to individual singers to various groups. The musical styles will be very varied, from classical to traditional, to country to bluegrass, to pop, to Rock and roll to contemporary worship music. At this time, I won't be recording any acid rock, heavy metal, rap, or punk (more because of my own limits at this time)

Here's my list. What am I missing? What am I doing too much of?

I already have:
2 ecm8000s
2 MXL603s

I'm thinking of getting:
Small diaphram condensors
stereo pair MC012 with head assortment or C4 stereo pair

Dynamics
5 sm57
3 sm58

drum mics
3 604

Large diaphram condensors
2 sp b1
1 sp c1
1 akg c414uls
1 neumann 103
1 Oktava 319
1 rhode nt1a
1 BLUE dragonfly
1 mxl67g

Tube
1 T3

Ribbon
1 Stephen sank modified beyerdynamic

How does this sound?
Thanks,
-lee-
 
Add 1 thing

It looks like a pretty good list, I own many of the mics you mentioned and they are good. The only base you haven't covered is a kick drum mic.
My suggestions AT pro25(cheapest),Shure beta 52 or Akg d112(about 200bucks)
 
Yo Lapptopp! Not a bad list. I would skip the 2 B-1's and get a second AKG C414B-ULS. It does what B-1 does- much better. I would add AKG D112 for kick, and at least one high end diaphragm dynamic, either Sennheiser MD441 or Shure SM-7B. Be advised that all thise cool mics are going to require at least 3 2-channel preamps to do a drum kit. And that's if you're only tracking one instrument at a time. If you plan on live studio recording, you'll need pres and one badass mixer.-Best of luck. Sounds like you're about to shell out some serious dinero and have a hell of a lot of fun.-Richie
 
Hi laptoppop, why so many large condensers?


Large diaphram condensors
2 sp b1
1 sp c1 - close to V67 but less color
1 akg c414uls - worth getting a pair.
1 neumann 103 - wouldn't bother
1 Oktava 319 - maybe
1 rhode nt1a - wouldn't bother
1 BLUE dragonfly - maybe
1 mxl67g - close to C1 but more color

Do you actually need this many large condensers, or are you wanting so many for sonic variety?

Do you have a total budget?

Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions
 
If Richie's 319 is still available, that should be a terrific buy for someone like yourself. Otherwise you have to spend much more at www.oktava.com or pick through them at Guitar Center (yikes!)

Having that extensive of a proposed mike list, couldn't imagine NOT having the Beyer M88TG, Sennheiser 421 and the EV 635a, even if it meant bouncing out the Marshall V67 and Rode NT1-A off the list. Glaring omission on all three IMHO. The 421 can also be used for group vocals up to a trio BTW-get it!
The EV 635a is a godsend to use with a singer inexperienced in mike technique, and has a very nice neutral type sound.

According to Bob Ohlsson, the M88 (or more hardy M88TG) is the
only microphone he's found that not only sounds similar to a Neumann U87 on many voices, it can also consistantly provide "keeper" vocal tracks with a loud drums being tracked at the same time. The Sennheiser 441 was the runner-up, however,
he said the M88 was still clearly superior in this application.

The Peavey PVM 520i is another major sleeper-just scored one off e-bay for under a hundred dollars. Excellent for (many) vocals in a bad sounding room due to its off-axis rejection.
Other dynamic mikes that can sound excellent for vocals include the EV N/D 308, EV N/D 380, and EV N/D 480, even though they're marketed for drum use.

By the time you get a pair of matched Oktava MC012's from a reputable source like www.oktava.com you might as well check out the C4's for that kind of money.

Let us know how you like the modded Beyer ribbon!

Chris

P.S. What kind of mic pre and/or mixer will you be using?
 
Why the 3 58s? Are you gonna do live sound too? Honestly, I have 3 58s, and once my SM7 arrives (any day now), I'll never use them in the studio again. Skip those and put the money towards the SM7 or the aforementioned Beta 52.

Also, why 3 604s and 5 57s? You'd only need that many 57s if you were recording drums and cabs at the same time. Now it's always good to have a bucket of 57s, but if you have priorities, start with 2 or 3 57s , and get a windscreen for one of 'em just in case you regret not having a 58.
 
Alright, another future microphone junkie, I love it.

"Here's my list. What am I missing? What am I doing too much of?"

That's simple... you need more microphones. :)
 
I think your alittle all over the place with the grade of mics, you go from really cheap to really expensive and as others have said you have missed a few jewels.

I would stick to the tried and tested mics that will have a good resale vaule.

Drop the e-604 and go with MD-421's on toms. Worth the extra money and the 421's will keep their value, they are also good for certin vocalis. The 414's are a good choice, a matched pair for drum over heads and again great for vocals. D-112 for kick and maybe bass amp.

A number of large condensors isn't a bad idea if your doing live recording. But keep with the tried and tested ones.

A few 57's, I wouldn't bother with the 58's unless your doing live sound. 57's and 58's IMHO are way overrated, the main thing they have going for them is they are pretty tough, but I have seen my fair share of broken 57's. Also far as cheep dynamics go the 57 is the only real option for an alround mic.

Just my 2cents(Canadain) worth.
 
Wow - lots of great info -- THANKS!!!

Right now, I'm primarily using the preamps in the Aardvark DirectPro 24/96. For my ear, they are quiet, neutral (don't color the sound much at all), very open in the high range. I like them better than the preamps in the Mackie D8b. They don't have much "personality" -- but they work well. Here's the specs: Discrete, 8 transistor/channel design
Frequency response at -3 db: 1.6 Hz-200 kHz
EIN at 20-20 kHz, 150 Ohm: -130 dBu
THD at 20 db gain: 0.0005%

I am currently planning on suplementing those preamps with an RNP, a VTB1, and a JoeMeek to get different flavors. I'm also planning on a couple of RNCs.

I'm working on a new version of the list, incorporating a lot of the suggestions. I hope to post it soon, but my day job has been very very busy.

Thanks again for the suggestions!! Keep them coming!

-lee-
 
As far as kik mics go, I know that someone has recommended the D112, this is fine if a rock sound is what you want...to me they sound like a deflated basketball being dropped from the ceiling...the older d12e has much more flavor and both pale in comparison with the ATM25...not the 'pro25'...I would also investigate the Audix drum mic lines...D2 D3 D4....very easy to use and though they are NOT the sennheisers, they're really small and you can mic kits easier and still get a high quality sound......I would still add a couple of Sennheisers though to your list...441 and 421...a 409 is a great all purpose mic...and instead of the SP B1 I would go for the B3...more patterns and a bit darker but still open sounding.....
 
lap, you may want to keep an eye out for the Toft Audio line coming out soon. Wouldn't be surprised if Fletcher starts selling them at www.mercenary.com
Also, there's a planned revamp on the Meek stuff too.

Chris
 
As a Bluegrass player and recording guy, I recommend a Shure KSM44. Very accurate mic for recording all kinds of acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, bass. What you play is what it sounds like.

I own a Beyer M160 with the Sank mod and it is great. If you can afford one someday, the Royer ribbons or the Coles 4038 are a big step up . Ribbons are great on fiddles.
 
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