Tell me why this is a bad idea......

[gabereding]

Hello!
I was just wondering. According to stuff that I've read small diaphragm condenser mics are the most accurate kind of mic. Is this true?
Also, if this is the case, why can't I just buy one, use it to record everything, and then if I want "coloration" add it with a mic and/or preamp modeler plugin or something?
I'm probably over simplifying, but I'm just honestly wondering.
Anyways, thanks a lot!
-Gabe

 

[chessrock]

Part of the reason is that mic / preamp modelers suck.

Ya know, mashed potatos are a pretty neutral-tasting food. Why not just eat mashed potatos for every single meal, and if you want to change things up you could just add a different kind of gravy?

Same concept, really.

.

 

[hairylarry]

Accuracy isn't everything

Hi,

We're not scientists trying to record things accurately.

We're artists trying to record things that sound good.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

 

[orksnork]

about the mashed potato thing

that's pretty much how my first two years of touring was...except with ramen noodles...

sometimes soy sauce, some times tabasco...etc

 

[gabereding]

But If that's the case, why can't I just buy one mic that sounds really good and even, use it on everything, and save myself thousands of dollars?
I mean, if it's just about making something that sounds good.
Thanks!
-Gabe

 

[littledog]

Reason #1: No one mic sounds good on everything. Even if it is perfectly accurate, sometimes a completely accurate aural picture isn't desireable. Sometimes reality is fine, sometimes you need to improve upon it.

Reason #2: You may not always want to record just one instrument at a time. It ias the nature of music that ensembles play and sound differently when they are actually recorded as ensembles. So you will still need more than one mic.

 

[chessrock]

Well, using that reasoning ... why not just have sex with the same woman for the rest of your life?

Oh, yea. Some of us are actually doing that. Sorry.

.

 

[Ironklad Audio]

Ya know, mashed potatos are a pretty neutral-tasting food

especially the flaky mashed potato modelers

 

[gabereding]

differences then...

Okay, well....
If some things sound bad on an extremely accurate mic, but good on one that isn't, then what is the difference? Frequency response? Transient response?
Give me an example, and explain why please.
I'm just curious.
Thanks for the replies!
-Gabe

 

[orksnork]

frequency response
type of capsule
electronics used to make the microphone (and their inherent qualities and quality)
the cycle of the moon

pretty much anything having to do with anything

 

[gabereding]

Thanks again everyone!
I guess I was looking for something a little more in depth... Sorry..
What I mean is, Does using say, a large diaphragm condenser do something like smear the transients, boost certain frequencies, and introduce mild distortion? What does a different capsule DO to the sound? What do the electronics and their qualities DO to the sound? How do they change it?
Thanks again! I appreciate it!
-Gabe

 

[orksnork]

this isnt something worth it's own thread...
do some searching on the board, and there's plenty of great explanations

 

[MadAudio]

this isnt something worth it's own thread...
do some searching on the board, and there's plenty of great explanations

Including the two stickies at the top of this forum!!!!!!!

 

[gecko zzed]

There is heaps of information around that describes the differences between mikes.

But in the end . . . yes . . . you could get yourself a good quality SDC and use it for everything if you wanted. You would probably also get reasonable results.

You may not get the best results. This is because sound sources have different tonal characteristics, and different mikes have their own response characteristics, and the idea is to match them as best as you can.

I am not sure about the mashed potato or the single partner sex analogies. I don't choose a different mike just for variety. I choose a different mike because the situation suggests it.

Perhaps an F1 analogy is better: a Ferrari is a great racing car, and can be set up in a variety of ways. Increased downforce, different brake balances, gear ratios and so are chosen because the tracks have different characteristics, and you optimise the car for those characteristics.

There are (generally) not a lot of ways of configuring mikes differently, so instead you use different mikes.

 

[Ironklad Audio]

yea dude...some rides will get you around the track, othes are made for drag racing

others are only good for crashing into stuff

 

[Gidge]

Well, using that reasoning ... why not just have sex with the same woman for the rest of your life?

Oh, yea. Some of us are actually doing that. Sorry.

.

apology accepted......

 

[Middleman]

Some mics are made for taking on loud sources, some are not. Some mics are dark, some are bright. I would not want a dark mic on a deep voice or a female singer on a bright mic. The lesson there is that every voice is different and even very neutral mics may have a frequency characteristic that just doesn't work in certain situations.

Some mics are so sensitive they will make an average voice sound bigger than life, the same mic would probably be ruined by a kick drum.

 

[undergroundtoon]

about the mashed potato thing

that's pretty much how my first two years of touring was...except with ramen noodles...

sometimes soy sauce, some times tabasco...etc

sometimes butter, sometimes catsup and one hot dog, sometimes spaghetti sauce, sometimes Salsa, sometimes jelly........
if it does'nt have mold growing on it i'll throw it in.

I have two ten packs right now chicken and beef. $1.29 a ten pack.

and i spent $1,100 this last check on gear.........PRIORITIES!!!!!!!

 

[orksnork]

and it can be used to bulk up any meal


half a pound of chopmeat and some ramen = monster meatloaf

 

[guhlenn]

I for one find it a very convincing argument.

An Omni with a flat response from 20 to 20k, a clean pre, a great room and great musicians should give fantastic recordings. However, the combination of those is really hard . Hence the mic collections and all the gear; you're just compensating for something.

edit; you'll actually need two. Or i would. I like stereo.