Rate my Purchases

[kerbinator]

Actually, I haven't bought anything yet, but I'm getting ready to place a pretty big order on Musicians Friend to get my little home studio started. I'm just gonna use it for acoustic guitar and vocal recordings for now. Anyway, here's what I'm getting-

-Behringer B-2 Pro Condenser Mic
-Behringer Tube Ultragain MIC200 Mic Preamp
-Fender ElectroVolt Microphone Cable (2)
-Nady Pop Filter
-Mic Stand
-XLR-1/4" Adapter

I'm gonna be running this into my Audigy 2ZS soundcard and recording with Adobe Audition. If anyone has any suggestions or revisions, please let me know. I'm gonna be getting free shipping since the order is over $200, so anything else you guys think I might need I'd like to get now. Thanks.

 

[bigwillz24]

1 to 10?


You get a 3 and 2 points of that was for the mic stand

 

[pdadda]

I would save the money on the pop filter and make one out of a coat hanger and pantyhose for now. I would invest in a better pre-amp. Something like the DMP3 or a VTB-1 will get you farther.

 

[kerbinator]

Well, I'm on a kinda low budget (~$250) so yeah.

And consider the fact all of this is upgrading from my $10 Labtec computer mic I got from Wal-Mart a few years back.

 

[tdukex]

For acoustic guitar I would definitely get a dual channel DMP3 ($160) and a maybe a Studio Projects B1 ($90) for starters. Don't waste your money on Behringer gear.

 

[bigwillz24]

I honestly think your money would be better spent purchasing a soundcard geared towards recording and a condenser not made by behringer.

99 bucks for a emu 404 or the M-audio one...

Maybe a MXL or something off ebay for mic...

Will probably last you longer than all that other cheap stuff in your list.

 

[kerbinator]

What's wrong with Behringers?

 

[bigwillz24]

Do a search here. Some of there stuff is reliable MOST of it isn't.

 

[tdukex]

What's wrong with Behringers?

They make cheap crap.

 

[kerbinator]

Are there any halfway decent condenser mics for <$200?

 

[tdukex]

Are there any halfway decent condenser mics for <$200?

Studio Projects B1, B3, C1
AT 3035
CAD M177, M179
Marshal V67

There are others.

 

[bigwillz24]

Go here

 

[bigwillz24]

check this out

 

[kerbinator]

So the B2 is a total waste of money?

Would an SM57 be better?

 

[Milkfaj]

I have used the Berengher B-2 and I find nothing wrong with it. A lot of the people who are telling you that the berengher mic is shit have probobly not used it- they just assume that all berengher products are crap. Its definately "budget" gear, but its not complete shit.

Those folks will probobly also tell you that an SM57 is shit too- its not. its a very versitile, low priced mic.

If you are just recording yourself for fun and to document songs you write, i think its a fine setup. If you plan on selling your recordings, you might need to invest a little more. Audio technica makes some good priced condenser Mics which are very well regarded, and are great for acoustic insturments as well as vocals. I have the AT4040 and i got it for $250 bucks- its a great Mic.

I agree with the statement about getting a good preamp. if you are just recording one track at a time, consider a Joemeek (i forget the model#, but it has EQ & compressor and is about $200) I would shy away from a berengher preamp- I find them harsh and noisy.

 

[bigwillz24]

An SM57 is not a shit mic in fact every major recording studio has at least one.

Matter of fact I'd choose anything made by Shure over Behringer any day.

And truthfully yes the Behringer mic might work for him odds are against it though and even more against him that the damned thing lasts past two years the SM57 however will last as long as he is able to breathe

 

[Milkfaj]

Berengher products exist for a reason- people who have just a little bit of money and want to record, like our friend here. for years i recorded with an SM57 and a cheap berengher eurotrack mixer into my computer. I came up with some great recordings. i have since bought better equiptment, but the berengher did its job when it was all i could afford.

yes, I agree that the SM57 is a better choice than the B2, espcially for a starter mic- it was my first decent mic.

I just feel like mentioning the B-word on this website is a sure way to be made to feel stupid. I think that that taboo should be lifted. its not that they are great products, but for the money? what other multi-pattern LDC could you get for $150 new? thats a lot of temporary versitility for the $$$

 

[Janesaid2me]

I disagree....i have a b-2 and it sounds way better then a sm57 for vocals (not for guitar)...thats my opinion...and ive used both alot...Alot of behringer gear is shitty, but it has a purpose and you guys always seem to miss that...i would definitely go for the better preamp...the behringer one is a POS the b-2 is a decent mic and skip on the pop filter just use the one that comes with the b-2 it works fine for what ur going to do...and make sure the cables you get have neutrik connectors...thats a must...cant have bad connections.

 

[kerbinator]

I'm guessing this preamp wouldn't be much better, or would it???

 

[pdadda]

I have no experience with that pre-amp. But even an audio-buddy would be a big step up from the Behringer pre.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=live/search/detail/base_id/53872