Rode NT1A vs. MXL V69ME ??

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njs2011

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So I record acoustic guitar and vocals in my home studio. Currently I am using Shure SM-57s for the guitar and SM-58s for vocals. However, I've been wanting to get a condenser mic for a more open warm sound. As for background noise I'm just planning on getting a reflexion filter and some auralex acoustic foam for the wall behind me and the ceiling above.

My question is, I've been looking and although I don't have an exact budget, I'm not looking to spend thousands of dollars on a microphone. However, it would be more than nice if I could get a mic with a high enough quality sound that I don't have to upgrade for a while.. I'm not so much looking for a guitar mic at this point as I am a vocal mic. My picks that I narrowed down to based off my research were the Rode NT1A and the MXL V69 Mogami Edition. Which mic might be my best bet in this situation?

I'm open for any feedback or even suggestions about other mics out there. Like I said, I don't have a set budget so if it were to take some extra bucks to get what I need than I'm open for suggestions. I am a high school student working only 1 night per week though so over $1000 or anywhere close to that is a fat NO. xD
 
Personally I'd pop for a Shure SM7B dynamic or a Sennheiser MK4 large condenser. I prefer the SM7B for male vocals and the MK4 for female. I don't have a lot of experience with large condensers but I find the MK4 to be scary sensitive.

Luck.
 
What does your current home studio set up consist of?
 
My current setup is a Behringer Xenyx X1222USB Mixer (I know I should have gone with an interface but I didn't know that at the time, so now I have to multitrack guitar and vocals separate.. Multitrack 2 tracks at one time.) My DAW is Garageband, although I'll be looking to upgrade to Logic soon..

My guitar I usually mic with an SM-57 over the soundhole and line-in to the mixer. Vocals I use an SM-58. Hope I didn't leave anything out.
 
njs2011 said:
My current setup is a Behringer Xenyx X1222USB Mixer (I know I should have gone with an interface but I didn't know that at the time, so now I have to multitrack guitar and vocals separate.. Multitrack 2 tracks at one time.) My DAW is Garageband, although I'll be looking to upgrade to Logic soon..

My guitar I usually mic with an SM-57 over the soundhole and line-in to the mixer. Vocals I use an SM-58. Hope I didn't leave anything out.
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You should look into down loading reaper as your DAW HERE
 
Do you have any clips that you can load here for viewing? That would help some in offering up a possible suggestion for a microphone.
 
moresound said:
Do you have any clips that you can load here for viewing? That would help some in offering up a possible suggestion for a microphone.
Click to expand...

Yes although I'm on my phone atm and the tracks are on my Mac so I'll upload them later.
 


That's an unmastered version of a cover I did.. I notice if I listen to my recording, then listen to an acoustic recording with a condenser mic, the other recording is much more open and warm then mine. At this point I have a feeling I'll need to get not only a condenser for vocals, but probably 2 more for my guitar.

*Edit: My mistake I changed it to mp3 format.
 
I'd love if I could get my recordings to sound similar to this:

 
njs2011 said:


That's an unmastered version of a cover I did.. I notice if I listen to my recording, then listen to an acoustic recording with a condenser mic, the other recording is much more open and warm then mine. At this point I have a feeling I'll need to get not only a condenser for vocals, but probably 2 more for my guitar.

*Edit: My mistake I changed it to mp3 format.
Click to expand...



Sounds as if microphone placement is your worst enemy here.
 
njs2011 said:
I'd love if I could get my recordings to sound similar to this:

Click to expand...




This has tons of verb on the vocals and guitar.
I'm also sure that his guitar is of better quality than yours (I could be wrong)
Note that he also has his guitar plugged in to blend the two inputs = fuller sounding.

I'm not even sure if this is a live recording - could very well be lip synced to a studio recording. That is my guess. So lots of studio *magic* to make this video seem like it was done in a living room. Which can be done but not in one take as it seems here.

Your on the right track believe me just don't fall for what is shown to be true.
 
moresound said:
Sounds as if microphone placement is your worst enemy here.
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Do you mean for the guitar or vocals?

As for the guitar, I have a Taylor 314ce.
Not sure if this still means I should be looking at condensers or stick with what I have..?
 
njs2011 said:
Do you mean for the guitar or vocals?

As for the guitar, I have a Taylor 314ce.
Not sure if this still means I should be looking at condensers or stick with what I have..?
Click to expand...


Microphone placement on your guitar.

Nice guitar!

Well a condenser or two on the guitar would be nice ..... Did you see what I posted last about the guitar?
 
moresound said:
Microphone placement on your guitar.

Nice guitar!

Well a condenser or two on the guitar would be nice ..... Did you see what I posted last about the guitar?
Click to expand...

Thanks!

And yes, I do that as well. I have the guitar lined-in to the mixer as well as a 57 mic'd up to the soundhole.. I actually have to record the guitar and vocals separate since I can only record 2 tracks at a time with the mixer.
 
njs2011 said:
Thanks!

And yes, I do that as well. I have the guitar lined-in to the mixer as well as a 57 mic'd up to the soundhole.. I actually have to record the guitar and vocals separate since I can only record 2 tracks at a time with the mixer.
Click to expand...



Well I just gave your recording another listen ..... microphone placement you should play with some more and as for the line in there may be to much treble/high mids or not enough bass/lower mids on the guitar.

You may need a pop filter on your voice or/and learn to work the mic some by flipping your head back or to the side when you hit P's, S's or plotions.
 
Thing is I do have a Pop filter on it :/ ...What about the 2 mics I mentioned, would either of those deliver what I'm looking for?
 
A condenser would accentuate it more.
The microphone use is an instrument in it's self.
 
I have a Rode NT1A. Its a pretty good mic for the price. But honestly if youre going to buy a large condensor, dont be cheap. Right now the third item on my studio upgrade list is either the Nuemann u87 or the remake of the u67, behind a new bass and a new pair of monitors.
 
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