Recommendation for Live Acoustic Ambient Recordings?

[jeffguitarman]

Hi,

I have a laptop I’m setting up for mobile recording, with an M-Audio MobilePre USB Interface (has two Mic XLR w/ Phantom Power).

I’m looking for a pair of descent microphones for acoustic ambient stereo recording. While my interest is to primarily record non-amplified instruments from a distance; piano, vocal, acoustic guitar, I’d also like the flexibility to record amplified music. Again, ambient recording, not direct with cabinets, horns, drums, etc. I’d like microphones that can record lower frequencies too (rumbles).

Should I get a Dynamic or Condenser Mic?

I know I want a Cardoid too, to avoid reflective sounds.

I’d like to spend anywhere from 140 – 180 for the Pair.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations

 

[gomp]

Studio Projects B1 condensors. You should be able to get them for $79,- each. They need phantom power!!

 

[giraffe]

small diaphram condensers

many options to choose from

many correct choices

 

[scrubs]

Hi,

I have a laptop I’m setting up for mobile recording, with an M-Audio MobilePre USB Interface (has two Mic XLR w/ Phantom Power).

I’m looking for a pair of descent microphones for acoustic ambient stereo recording. While my interest is to primarily record non-amplified instruments from a distance; piano, vocal, acoustic guitar, I’d also like the flexibility to record amplified music. Again, ambient recording, not direct with cabinets, horns, drums, etc. I’d like microphones that can record lower frequencies too (rumbles).

Should I get a Dynamic or Condenser Mic?

I know I want a Cardoid too, to avoid reflective sounds.

I’d like to spend anywhere from 140 – 180 for the Pair.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations

For distance miking, condensers win. However, at that price, a decent pair of mics will be difficult to find.

The SP B1 (already suggested) may do the trick. Someone posted a nice piano recording a few months ago done with a pair of MXL v67g, so that might be another to look into. Both mics run about $99 each, new, but you can get them cheaper used.

My recommendation would be to get a pair of Small Diaphragm Condensers. The MXL 603s is a great inexpensive pair (~$200 for a matched pair with shock mounts and hard case, ~$180 for an unmatched pair with clip mounts and zipper bag).

 

[jeffguitarman]

all,

I went ahead and purchased 2 ea MXL 990 Cardioid Condenser Mic with Shockmounts. I purchased from musiciansfriend, and took time to read 150 or the 300 customer reviews on these microphones. There were very few negative things said about this microphone, and it's appears to be a great deal 70.00 each.

comments which influenced me the most were from other engineers and home studio folks who use these in an ambient environment and to record acoustics guitars with. The terms used to describe the Mic was warm with a solid bass.

So I'm expecting these to give me a warmer and not as bright recording as I would get from Condensers mic's that do not have a large diaphragm.

Most of the criticism was that these mics don't have a -10 cutoff switch, and don't block out as much reflective sounds as wanted.

With that said, I'm a conscious buyer and will see how they work for me since everyone has a unique set of recording circumstances. After working with these Mics for a few weeks, I'll go ahead and post a follow up regarding my satisfaction - or dissatisfaction.

Thanks again for the great suggestions. It appears the Studio B's are a real standard and worth considering if I feel like i've wasted a lot of time and money on the MXL's.

JeffTronics

 

[jeffguitarman]

all,

I went ahead and purchased 2 ea MXL 990 Cardioid Condenser Mic with Shockmounts. I purchased from musiciansfriend, and took time to read 150 or the 300 customer reviews on these microphones. There were very few negative things said about this microphone, and it's appears to be a great deal 70.00 each.

comments which influenced me the most were from other engineers and home studio folks who use these in an ambient environment and to record acoustics guitars with. The terms used to describe the Mic was warm with a solid bass.

So I'm expecting these to give me a warmer and not as bright recording as I would get from Condensers mic's that do not have a large diaphragm.

Most of the criticism was that these mics don't have a -10 cutoff switch, and don't block out as much reflective sounds as wanted.

With that said, I'm a conscious buyer and will see how they work for me since everyone has a unique set of recording circumstances. After working with these Mics for a few weeks, I'll go ahead and post a follow up regarding my satisfaction - or dissatisfaction.

Thanks again for the great suggestions. It appears the Studio B's are a real standard and worth considering if I feel like i've wasted a lot of time and money on the MXL's.

Jeff

 

[scrubs]

Let us know how you like them for your application. I have a couple of the 990s and like them pretty well for stuff. I've used them for close miking of acoustic guitar and for background vocals with decent results, especially considering the price. FWIW, the 990 has a 20mm diaphragm, which technically puts it in the small-to-mid sized category, although it is often marketed as a large diaphragm condenser. True LDCs generally have a diaphragm >30mm.