Recording Whole Band w/ Behringer ecm8000s?

  • Thread starter Thread starter stasz
  • Start date Start date
S

stasz

New member
I want to record a 3-piece band- drums, acoustic guitar, and piano (plus lead vocals)- all together in a single room. I have a room with high ceilings that is good for recording, and I've had pleasing results in the past using a Zoom H2 recorder for some demos.

I'm using a Mackie Onyx Blackjack, so I only have 2 inputs. My idea is this: would I be able to get some good results using a pair of Behringer ECM 8000s to try and capture the room sound? Would it be able to capture the sound of all the instruments in the room? (I understand the ECM 8000s are intended to test the noise floor of your recording setup, but I've heard that they're also good affordable omni mics for music recording)

My next question is: Matched pair of ECM 8000s for stereo recording, or could I get away with a single mic? I ask because I would like to record vocals on one input and use the other input for a single ECM 8000 to record the room sound, but there is also the possibility of using a pair of ECM 8000s and overdubbing the vocals later. Which do you think would sound better? If I record the room in mono, is it going to sound unnatural?

Or, if you would recommend a better omnidirectional mic for capturing the sound of a 3-piece band playing in the same room, then I could look into something else (I have not yet bought the ECM 8000s). Thanks!
 
I'm not sure what kind of sound you're expecting from 2 mics capturing a whole band in an untreated room, but I'm pretty darn sure you won't be happy with the results. Are you recording the band for a demo ?
 
Yes they are demos I guess, since we're really just trying to get some song ideas recorded. I'd like to get the best sound that I could though. Would you recommend recording multiple takes, separate tracks for each instrument? It may be possible, although we're not very talented so I'm worried none of us would stay with a click :) Right now my only mic is an Audio Technica 3035. If I were to record separate takes I would probably just use that mic on all the instruments, although like I said I have 2 inputs on my audio interface so I could use another mic as well.
 
stasz said:
Would you recommend recording multiple takes, separate tracks for each instrument?
Click to expand...

As compared to 2 mics capturing the whole band? Absolutely. DI (direct input, no mics, plug them directly into the interface) the guitars and bass, use one mic for vocals and 2 for the drums. Even that won't get you a very nice sound, but you'll be a lot better off than what you were originally planning to do. If none of you can play to a click, just have the drummer play his parts, and everyone play to that when doing their takes. That said, if you plan on doing this home recording/music thing for many years to come, I STRONGLY suggest learning to play to a click. A lot of people will tell you it's not necessary, "it will make your playing too robotic, there won't be any feel left" but more often than not those are the same people that can't play to a click. A good solid musician won't have a problem following a tempo. And I'm not just saying that because I'm a drummer. You'll deprive yourself of a lot of opportunities if you refuse to learn to play in time.
 
I'm not sure why you've settled on the ECM 8000 as your mic of choice, except perhaps for the price. The ECM 8000 is a measurement mic, used to plot the eq of a room. Not a vocal mic.

To record a band and singer you would want at the least three mics: two to capture the band in stereo, and a mic for the singer. You might be able to use the ECM 8000's for the stereo band mics, but no way should you record vocals with it. I'd suggest a Shure SM58 for the vocals as one possibility. MXL V67 comes to mind as an inexpensive choice as well, but there are many. Probably the Shure SM58 would be the most bullet proof choice.

Another option for the band would be to get a stereo mic, like the MXL V67Q Stereo, for example. There are some other stereo mics out there, by companies like Audio-Technica and others. Also, some mic makers sell bundles, like the Cascade M57 bundle (I don't know that mic though).

Cascade Microphones V57 Microphone Bundle (Silver) 107-SS B&H

In any case, select a mic for the vocals and then a stereo pair or stereo mic for the band.
 
It's possible to get away with and record the entire band with just one EMC8000 but like all of the recordings of old you will have to experiment a lot with microphone placement as well as the performers placement within the room.
Pictures of old studio recording session set ups will be helpful for you and the singer can move in and out of the recording field as needed.
 
If you're just going for song ideas, it should work. Just don't get your hopes up that it's going to sound awesome. I'll second, or third the idea of using another mic for the vocals, and having to play with where the amps and drums are in relation to the mic. But, if you want song ideas it'll work, if you want demos you can give away or sell at shows it'll probably suck.
 
The issue is that the Blackjack is the bottleneck in your recording process. You really need an interface with more inputs. This is why it is often (or usually) advisable to buy gear that has more capabilities than you currently need, as opposed to just what you think you need today. Likewise, it is always better to spend more to buy gear the next level or two up from what you think you need. If you buy the ECM 8000's, I guarantee you will soon be spending more money on a better pair of mics. Just as you will soon be spending money on a more capable interface.

If you are going to stick with the two track limit of the Blackjack, then go with a stereo pair. Buy something that you will use long term, like maybe a pair of Shure SM57's. You will always use those, forever, no matter what you are miking in the future. On drumset, on instruments, whatever. So it's money well spent for the long term. Unlike the ECM 8000's, which is money wasted by trying to save money in the short term.
 
The ECM 8000 is a great bang for the buck microphone! And can capture a source such as the bow fiddle with incredible results when properly positioned!
 
I've recorded a few complete bands all playing together in the same room using a pair of ECM8000s. But I always set them up in a Jecklin Disk (OSS) array.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top