Studio Projects B-1

[jayster10125]

I'm on a low-budget! (i hope you all like the kinks) I'm looking for two microphones to get started on some good recording with my computer. I will be recording vocals, and my electric guitar amp, as well as a number of other acoustic instruments: piano?, percussion/drumset, and acoustic guitar. I have heard a lot of good things about the LDC Studio Projects B-1 for miking amp cabs (i have a 1 12" Peavey Classic 30.) Could it also double/triple/quadruple for vocals and everything else I might want it for? If I were to get two of them I could even set them up as a stereo pair for piano sometime. The Oktava MK219 was also suggested.

A lot of people say SM-57 and SM-58, but a lot of other people think that they aren't really the best anymore, even if they are the "industry standard." Should I be worried about damaging a condenser with the volumes produced by drums or my amp? It really doesn't get that loud (30 watts tube) as things go, and my dad (the drummer) doesn't play that hard.

Any input, advice, etc. would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for all the previous help from everyone! This forum is great!

 

[kid klash]

I'm on a low-budget! (i hope you all like the kinks) I'm looking for two microphones to get started on some good recording with my computer. I will be recording vocals, and my electric guitar amp, as well as a number of other acoustic instruments: piano?, percussion/drumset, and acoustic guitar. I have heard a lot of good things about the LDC Studio Projects B-1 for miking amp cabs (i have a 1 12" Peavey Classic 30.) Could it also double/triple/quadruple for vocals and everything else I might want it for? If I were to get two of them I could even set them up as a stereo pair for piano sometime. The Oktava MK219 was also suggested.

A lot of people say SM-57 and SM-58, but a lot of other people think that they aren't really the best anymore, even if they are the "industry standard." Should I be worried about damaging a condenser with the volumes produced by drums or my amp? It really doesn't get that loud (30 watts tube) as things go, and my dad (the drummer) doesn't play that hard.

Any input, advice, etc. would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for all the previous help from everyone! This forum is great!

I'd go with a pair of SP B1's. I've owned a pair for 1-1/2 years now, and they still amaze me at how good they are for a low cost LDC.

The Oktava 219 is cool looking, but it has a boxy and dark sound to my ears. The Shure SM-57 and 58 are darn good dynamic mics, and will serve you well on vocals and electric guitar, and some drums, but they don't have the top or bottom of the B1, and they require a very good mic preamp to get really good results in a recording environment IMHO.

So yeah... a pair of B1's would be a great place for you to start. I wish they had been available when I started out in the 60's!

 

[Paj]

Sp B1

j:

I'll ditto what kid klash offered: the SP-B1 is probably a purchase you won't regret. I would add that, if you are going to purchase a pair, check or ask the vendor to check that you get a "dot-color matched" pair. This means that the mics will have very close sensitivities/outputs (although different colors are still close). The colored dot appears on the registration card supplied with the SP B1. This may or may not matter to you in the long run, may or may not even be noticeable, and trim/pad adjustments usually quickly compensate for any difference in response---but, now that you know, why not get the best purchase for your money? You can search the "dot" issue on this forum.

Another nice thing about the SP B1 is that it works well blended with other LDC, MDC and SDC mics. I've found that the B1 blended with another mic is more than the sum of the two. You might want to consider one SP B1 LDC and one SDC. I can personally tell you that the SP B1 works well with the MXL603, MXL991, Behringer B5 and ECM8000, AKGC1000S, and Octava MC012 (for price/performance/availability, I'd suggest the widely available 603 for about $73+shipping).

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=7910&Category=Microphones

The B1 signal will also blend nicely with a good track from your SM57 or 58 (which I would always keep around).

Get the mics from some place that allows you to return them in case they are defective/damaged. Some vendors have irritating disclaimers and wavers when it comes to returning mics (??for "health" reasons??).

Get shock mounts. Some inexpensive "universal" alternatives:

Universal Microphone Shock Mount for LDC/SDC:
http://www.shockmount.com/page2.html

HM-32 for SDC mics:
http://www.superlux.us/smalldiaphragm.html


Good luck,
Paj
8^)

P.S.: I hope that you are aware that, unlike the SM57 or 58, all the condenser mics mentioned here require phantom power.

 

[jayster10125]

thank you

Wow! Thanks for all of the help!

I'm pretty excited about having a stereo pair around to try it out. Most of the time I'll be using them for seperate things, but once I get the money I'll definitely look into getting other mics to compliment the SP B1's.

Amazing, two people that agree on something. I feel like I'm finally reaching some sort of definite path to take. I've been thinking about what to get for this ambitious project (I'm 15, I'm not sure if my mom approves) for awhile now. There are so many choices!

Thanks again!