H
Harvey Gerst
New member
Since we see these questions asked over and over in this forum, I thought it might be helpful to clarify a couple of things. With the exception of using some mics in a few situations where you can damage them (inside a kick drum, outdoors, etc.), "A MICROPHONE DOESN'T KNOW, OR CARE, WHAT IT'S RECORDING".
Think about that for a minute; it's very important to remember. If the mic doesn't know or care what it's recording, then who's responsibility is it? (Tick...tick...tick...tick...take your time...tick...tick) That's right, it's YOUR responsibility to decide what mic to use for what purpose, where to set it up to get what you want, and it's your responsibility to try and pick the right mic for the right job.
I assume many of you play guitar. Suppose people constantly asked you:
What's the "best" guitar?
Which is "better", a 1956 Stratocaster, or a 1956 Martin D-18? Which guitar would you "recommend" I get?
When should I use a nylon string guitar and when should I use a steel string guitar?
What's the "best" guitar, if I only have $200 to spend?
I just played a $12,000 Martin D-28 and it didn't sound any different than my $200 Takamine - are these a rip off?
I want to get Jimmi Hendrix's "Foxey Lady" sound, so what settings should I use with my Ovation Balladeer?
What guitar should I get for playing classical and heavy metal?
See the problems with trying to answer questions like these? They're either unanswerable, or dependent on getting more information about the kind of music the person want to play, or answers that will be obvious when the person understands a little more about guitar.
It's the same thing with mics. "Better" and "best" often means "good enough for my needs" or "better than what I currently own", but unless you know what the questioner means by "better" and "best", there's no easy answer. For what purpose? What are they trying to do with it? What problems are they having with the stuff they already own?
Yes, "world class" recordings can be made using less than "world class" equipment, but if you don't know how to use what you have, you won't make a "world class" recording. And if you don't have a good grasp of "world class" recording techniques, your recordings will never be "world class" no matter what you use.
And yes, rules are often "bent" and "broken" with great results, but it helps to understand why the rule is there, and when and how to break it.
I do make mic recommendations here, but it is important to understand that any mic I recommend may, or may not, work for your particular application, or with your particular combination of equipment.
In most cases, I try to recommend great values in general purpose "Swiss Army Knife" type mics that will work on a lot of things well. But there are times when a "One Trick Pony" comes along that may not work on everything, but what it does do, it does very well, at an incredible price point for that trick.
If people read the "Big Thread" and understand it, it will make life a little easier, since I don't really talk about specific brands and models there. It's all about how to get the most out of any mic you have, and how to pick the right mic for a specific job.
Every guitar is different; every voice is different. Knowing which mic to use and where to place it to get specific results is the most important thing you can learn. If you put it in the right place, a $50 used Shure SM-57 can sometimes sound better than a $15,000 Telefunken ELA M251. (And there's also a good reason why a Telefunken ELA M251 costs $15,000.)
But only you can decide what mic works best for a particular application. Just remember that "a mic doesn't know, or care, what it's recording." It's up to you to make the right decisions.
Think about that for a minute; it's very important to remember. If the mic doesn't know or care what it's recording, then who's responsibility is it? (Tick...tick...tick...tick...take your time...tick...tick) That's right, it's YOUR responsibility to decide what mic to use for what purpose, where to set it up to get what you want, and it's your responsibility to try and pick the right mic for the right job.
I assume many of you play guitar. Suppose people constantly asked you:
What's the "best" guitar?
Which is "better", a 1956 Stratocaster, or a 1956 Martin D-18? Which guitar would you "recommend" I get?
When should I use a nylon string guitar and when should I use a steel string guitar?
What's the "best" guitar, if I only have $200 to spend?
I just played a $12,000 Martin D-28 and it didn't sound any different than my $200 Takamine - are these a rip off?
I want to get Jimmi Hendrix's "Foxey Lady" sound, so what settings should I use with my Ovation Balladeer?
What guitar should I get for playing classical and heavy metal?
See the problems with trying to answer questions like these? They're either unanswerable, or dependent on getting more information about the kind of music the person want to play, or answers that will be obvious when the person understands a little more about guitar.
It's the same thing with mics. "Better" and "best" often means "good enough for my needs" or "better than what I currently own", but unless you know what the questioner means by "better" and "best", there's no easy answer. For what purpose? What are they trying to do with it? What problems are they having with the stuff they already own?
Yes, "world class" recordings can be made using less than "world class" equipment, but if you don't know how to use what you have, you won't make a "world class" recording. And if you don't have a good grasp of "world class" recording techniques, your recordings will never be "world class" no matter what you use.
And yes, rules are often "bent" and "broken" with great results, but it helps to understand why the rule is there, and when and how to break it.
I do make mic recommendations here, but it is important to understand that any mic I recommend may, or may not, work for your particular application, or with your particular combination of equipment.
In most cases, I try to recommend great values in general purpose "Swiss Army Knife" type mics that will work on a lot of things well. But there are times when a "One Trick Pony" comes along that may not work on everything, but what it does do, it does very well, at an incredible price point for that trick.
If people read the "Big Thread" and understand it, it will make life a little easier, since I don't really talk about specific brands and models there. It's all about how to get the most out of any mic you have, and how to pick the right mic for a specific job.
Every guitar is different; every voice is different. Knowing which mic to use and where to place it to get specific results is the most important thing you can learn. If you put it in the right place, a $50 used Shure SM-57 can sometimes sound better than a $15,000 Telefunken ELA M251. (And there's also a good reason why a Telefunken ELA M251 costs $15,000.)
But only you can decide what mic works best for a particular application. Just remember that "a mic doesn't know, or care, what it's recording." It's up to you to make the right decisions.
), say a wrench. I have a wrench set that's like $20 for bunch of them. A profesional mechanic also has wrenches but his maybe $20 for each. Well, we both can tighten the nut (may I even say equaly tight). So what is the difference.... ? eeeeeh...
