Question's About Possible Microphones

[drstorm]

I do realize that this may have already been addressed somewhere in another thread, but I have been recording in my modest little "studio" for about three to four years now. I'm a composer/songwriter/singer, and the majority of my knowledge of recording has been largely trial and error, and reading up on wonderful information provided on sites such as this. After talking with the sound guy (we'll call him Mike) at my church who was a recording engineer for a lot of the gospel greats like Sandi Patti, Don Fransisco, Bill and Gloria Gaither and many others, I'm finally starting to understand and grasp what really happens in a studio. He's taught me a lot about recording and mastering.

My "studio" at this point just consist of a cardoid mic (CAD GXL2200), a digital recorder (Boss BR-600). I have bee extremely pleased with both of these items especially my BR-600! My microphone has been wonderful too, but I feel the need to upscale to a more professional model, as I would like to really get serious about recording and self distributing my own music.

I have been salivating over the AKG Perception 420. I have ready very many good reviews, and see a lot of demos, and this microphone seems pretty and the price is doable for me. I asked Mike about this microphone, unfortunately I couldn't remember the exact name of the microphone when I asked him, but he had told me that AKG was definitely professional grade.

I would just like to know what you guys this, or if you have any suggestions.

If you want to check some of my stuff, I have some posted on youtube at: www.youtube.com/dartanyon77 I also have a website www.drstormonline.com

Thanks in advance. God Bless.

D.R. Storm

 

[moresound]

Hey there Dr. Storm.....welcome to the forums.
Akg is a wonderful microphone company but when you come to their perception line you will get mixed opinions.
Some will say that it is all they have and love the microphone with nothing to A/B it against.

While others will tell you that the perception line is like all of the other microphones that are coming out of China some are junk and some are so-so.

Now lets talk about what you are going to record first!... before going any further into what microphone(s) that you should or shouldn't be purchasing to do your recordings.

For you may need more than one.

 

[drstorm]

Thank you moresound so much for replying so quickly!

Well, up until now I have done just cover songs using performance tracks. I have been wanting to sell an album of these cover songs, but the fees involved for using these tracks are ridiculous. I've been thinking if I could arrange and record my own tracks for these songs, and eliminate the use of the commercially available altogether I could save myself a lot of headaches. Then all I would have to is worry about then getting the rights to arrange and record the songs myself. I have done this pretty succuessfully aready with a few songs, and in some ways its helped me gain more listeners.

Eventually I want to move into recording original music. I've been doing my arrangments through my digital keyboard (Roland FP-2, if I remember correctly), and a program called Garritan Personal Orchestra - which is a wonderful program with beautifully sampled instruments of the orchestra - sounds very authentic.

I've been recording these arrangements into my digital recorder (Boss BR-600). I've had it for some years now, and I'm just now really starting to understand it lol! Recording from Roland and Garritan has been fairly easy to record and blend, but I hope to one eventually work up to recording live instruments, but that won't before while, because my budget won't allow it for now. The only musicians I have right now are just me, myself, and I.

I guess my main concern for looking for at the AKG, is mainly for vocals. For the longest time with my CAD GXL2200, I couldn't understand when I would listen to the final mix on CD, that the vocals would overpower everything, and the sometimes the soft parts would get lost. My friend Mike told me that it was really a matter settings, which then, I learned the beauty of a compressor/limiter/booster, and also not to use "headphones" to mix with - boy did that ever make a difference!

I have a strong voice, and I need something that can compensate for a lot of volume. I was hoping that the AKG Perception 420 would be good for the vocals, and then also be good for recording live instruments as well. What do you think?

What do you think abou my CAD GXL2200? I'm thinking if I want to get more serious with recording music, I should consider a higher end mic, hopefully no more than 300.

Thank you so much in advance for your help. God Bless.

D.R. Storm

 

[mjbphotos]

The CAD GXL2200 is a condensor mic, so must need phantom power. Your Boss BR600 does not have phantom power ...

 

[moresound]

To save your self money ....are you sure that you need a microphone that is multi pattern? If not the perception 220 is the same LDC mic but with only cardioid pattern.
Then with the money saved you could possible purchase one or two small diaphragm condenser (SDC) mics -maybe a pair of the Naiant X-S at $39. each- for recording acoustic instruments.
This way your arsenal of mics will be up for just about any thing that you throw at them.

 

[mjbphotos]

Note (again) - the Boss BR600 does not have phantom power, you will not be able to use a condensor mic (like the Naiant X-S) that needs phantom power!

 

[drstorm]

Note (again) - the Boss BR600 does not have phantom power, you will not be able to use a condensor mic (like the Naiant X-S) that needs phantom power!

I realize my BR-600 doesn't have phantom power, thats why I have my microphone (CAD GXL2200) routed to my BR-600 through a samson phantom power adapter.

I'm just looking to find out what you guys would condsider a good microphone to upgrade to. Do you think the AKG Perception would be a good one to upgrade to?

 

[drstorm]

To save your self money ....are you sure that you need a microphone that is multi pattern? If not the perception 220 is the same LDC mic but with only cardioid pattern.
Then with the money saved you could possible purchase one or two small diaphragm condenser (SDC) mics -maybe a pair of the Naiant X-S at $39. each- for recording acoustic instruments.
This way your arsenal of mics will be up for just about any thing that you throw at them.

Thanks again moresound for replying back again.

Although I'm not sure I follow what you are saying. I'm not familiar with some of the terminology. So are you saying that the AKG Perception 220 would be about the same as what I have now. One thing that I liked about the Perception 420, is that it a double dirphram - one on each side. I really like this option that this mike offered if I ever wanted to duet with some one, and I think that you have the option to shut down one of the diaphrams and just use only one. What do you think?

I'm going to look into the naiant mics they sound really cool, and most certainly the price is!

Thank you so much. God Bless.

D.R. Storm

 

[moresound]

Thanks again moresound for replying back again.

Although I'm not sure I follow what you are saying. I'm not familiar with some of the terminology. So are you saying that the AKG Perception 220 would be about the same as what I have now. One thing that I liked about the Perception 420, is that it a double dirphram - one on each side. I really like this option that this mike offered if I ever wanted to duet with some one, and I think that you have the option to shut down one of the diaphrams and just use only one. What do you think?

I'm going to look into the naiant mics they sound really cool, and most certainly the price is!

Thank you so much. God Bless.

D.R. Storm

Nope. I was pointing out that the 420 has those other polar patterns and was wondering if you needed them.
But as for singing a duet....well....yes, you can and it has been done in the past on many old recordings and some new ones.
But you are recording 2 vocals to the same track and in this time and era you just don't have to do that any more to save tracks.
Instead you'll be able to have total control over the both of the the vocals by recording them to separate tracks with total isolation. And that will lead to a better mixing solution for you.

 

[drstorm]

Oh Ok. I see what your saying now. It might be more microphone than I might need. Well, I'm just looking for a microphone that has the ability to adapt to many different recording situations, and this one just seemed to be what I was looking for.

As I learn more about recording, and venture towards more adventurous things, I liked to be prepared. I guess what I'm trying to say is that when I buy any type of equipment, I like to buy items items that can "grow" with me, as I learn more, and ones that offer versatility, and that can adapt for many different situations. I also like to record soundscapes and sound effects for some of my videos. I guess I just like equipment that is expandable, and versatile. I hope that makes sense,

I would love to do things like record my church choir doing backing voices on some of my tracks, but of course I need more training and more money for something like that lol. I've heard people around here who have made recordings of marching bands, orchestras and the like and the sound quality absolutely horrendous. They totally lack depth and color. With everything that I have learned over the years...I know I could do it so much better if i had the equipment, I'm not trying to toot my own horn here, and forgive me if it comes off that way, but I have a highly detailed ear, and trying to obtain the best sound quality with what I have, and what my knowledge is at the time is one of my passions...well...second to Jesus! lol. Oh I'll be the first to admit that I don't know it all, but, I love learning

You make a good point about recording vocals on seperate tracks. What ever microphone I do eventually decide to get I want to get two of them. Not at the same time, but eventually.

Ok. I hope I haven't just totally confused you anything, and I do appreciate your help so tremendously. Thank you a million times over. God Bless.

D.R. Storm

 

[moresound]

Have you gone to the forum marked *Microphones* yet?

Take the next day or so and read the first 4 or 5 *stickys* there you will gain a lot of knowledge on microphones and great insight to what you may want to start looking for in the number and types of microphones that you'll be wanting.

If you have any questions just click on my user name and you'll be able to send me a personal message.