lasagne said:
I'm a newbie and looking to buy my first recording mic. I want to record my voice (for what it's worth) and my acoustic guitar. I realise I could spend up to a squillion pounds, but I'm just doing this for fun.
Just set up my own business, so very short of cash, and can get this mic new for about £60. What do you guys reckon ?
We really need to know more about your plan is and what other gear you're going to use. What is the recording device you'll be working with, what mic pre(s) are you going to use (a little Mackie will be good bang for the buck with multi-mic inputs, monitoring and line-outs to send to tape or PC if that's your plan) but here's my take;
Consider this...just for fun but stretch your horizons out just a little...for conversation sake. The B-1 decent to good for either but...in a year or so, will you be looking for say good to excellent for guitar or vocals? Maybe you should start by shooting higher then taming it down to meet your budget.
Acoustic guitar is it?...a pair of MXL603's. You "could" use them for voice until the B-1 or MXL69 or a budget minded but effective SM58 or other fits your budget. All of these mics can be had reasonably on the used market and interestingly enough, you'll get most or all of your money back if you decide to get rid of them.
The 603's will be a little harsh for voice but you did say for fun right? The 603's will give you a great stereo pair for acoustic guitar. Sorry...my plug but I sell nothing and want nothing...they're just priced right and seem to get a lot of positive reviews. I've got them and like them for over head drums and acoustic guitar...works for me.
Better yet, check around and see if you can borrow/rent a mic...if you're very noob, you might be in for a suprise at how much your first recording doesn't sound like a pro-recording.
My recommendation for a simple "do it for fun studio" (all others feel free to comment or disagree), a DMP3 mic pre (it's cheap, clean and simple to use), a SP VTB1 (for vocals and tube flavor), an MXL603 pair (OH's for drums and very nice for acoustic guitars and again...reasonably priced) and an SM58 (you won't loose your money here...general use including vocals, drums, electric guitar and anything else that needs to be louder), SP B-1 (a step up from the SM58 a nice mic), or MXLV67 (better on vocals...I don't care for it on acoustic guitar), V69 (I've used it for everything...prefer it on higher and thin vocals but very tasty on lower voiced males too).
Bottom line, I don't think you'll find consensus on a single "do it all" microphone. Don't take my purchasing recommendation straight up but expand your possibilities just a bit and maybe you'll get what you really want rather than having to settle. Put the big plan together and go shopping well equipped.
And oh PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE...don't take my precious rep points away. I take it SO personaly...NOT!
Did I mention that I had asparagus for dinner last night?
didn't even have to balls to sign it
not my intent!!! You're on my bud list. Will be making up for it.
.)