Studio's first Mic Collection?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Richie2708
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Richie2708

Richie2708

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Nice and simple question I hope.

I have just started a small studio, and have been getting a lot of requests to do music for lots of other artist in my local area.

Anyhow at the moment I only have an AT2020usb, and a couple of cheap Peavey Dynamic Mics. I was very impressed at first with the AT2020usb, but as I read the forums I am finding that a usb mic is somewhat of a slang term here....So...

I would like to get my first arsenal of mics together to cater for numerous uses and artists.

In buying order I was thinking of going for the following

AT2020 (non USB)
NT5 x 2
SM58 x 1

Obviously I will expand on these, but are their any suggestions on others I could use within a similar price range.

Steve (The new guy) :)
 
Last edited:
Hey Steve welcome!
Have you read the sticky thread here in the mic forum *mics for under $100. that just might work for you*?

Lots of great info there.

I would start off by purchasing a few SM57's and maybe a MXL V67g etc. ......
 
What Kind of stuff are you planning on recording, you've got a fairly limited palette with what you suggest

a couple of 57s and a nice multipurpose LDC might give you more recording options out of the gate. You could cover vocals, acoustic instruments, guitar cabs other amplified instruments fairly easily and effectively and you could then bring in the SDCs (like the NT5) later if you really are finding a need for it


Also if the AT2020 USB mic works for you, who cares what a bunch of random people on the internet think
 
c7sus said:
What is limiting about the mics listed?
Click to expand...

I guess I forgot YMMV but for my mileage: Allocating most of the budget to a pair of SDCs when starting out may not be the best idea. It out gives you in general some good Drum O/H and the ability to close mic in stereo an acoustic guitar, but those mics are not particular well known as being great at other things.

A nice LDC will allow you to cover vox, guitar cabs, acoustics and even ambient mic fairly reasonably and you can never go wrong with 57s on guitar cabs, drums and percussion and so on

To my mind a pair of SDCs is better left until you have your other bases covered and can no longer get what you need with your basic setup.

But if you are intending to specialize in stereo recording acoustic guitars then the whole picture might be reversed which is why I asked the OP what he was planning on recording

Just one persons opinion and experience
YMMV
 
SM 57s are like duct tape (in the good way) :)

cheap and versatile - abundant on ebay
 
or if you can't find the SM-57 cheap enough then try the GLS-57. good bang for the money.
 
Beware of Chinese fake 57's and 58's on Ebay and Craigslist and only buy from authorized dealers.
 
Sorry about the late response, thx for all the replies. Like I stated, I am the new guy so the list is probably completely wrong. I only know what my ears tell me.

So far I have only recorded vocals and acoustic guitar. Everything else is midi based. And electric guitars run through guitar rig so no need there either.

So i figure I need some mics for recording close guitar and rhythm. And mics for recording loud and gentle vocals. Also recording percussive instruments and ukulele's would also help.

So that lead me to a pair of small condensers as said for close mic'ing acoustic. (ie.. NT5's) Only because I've heard and like the results.
One large diaphragm condenser for the soft vocals. Thought of the AT2020 just because I love the sound I get from the AT2020usb.
And then the SM58/57 for recording louder aggressive vocals.

Anyway that was my thinking. Just got back to the thread now, so I'm gonna do my research on the mics suggested.

Steve :)
 
Ok, so I have researched a little,

List in order now goes

SM57 x 1
MXL V67g or AT2035 x 1
Then a pair of SDC's .. (anything to suggest instead of the NT5's)
Then another SM57.

Figured I can dual mic the acoustic with a LDC and SM57 for now until I can afford the 2 SDC's.

Steve
 
One other thing I have noticed is that the MXL V67g over here in the UK costs £125 which is just over $200, which is roughly the same price as the AT2035. Cant find many second hand on ebay either. :(
 
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