Time to upgrade again. What should I buy/sell?

  • Thread starter Thread starter umair
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umair

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I am just starting out but I have a few more dollars to upgrade my microphones.
I have the following mics:

1 - At3035 (use it on guitar amps)
2 - AKG C418's (toms)
1 - AKG D112 (kick)
3 - SM57's (snare, guitar amps sometimes)
1 - SM58 (use it mostly for live, not usually for recording)
2 - ECM8000 (Overheads)
MXL V990 (Vocals once in a while)
Studio Projects C1 (use it for vocals and acoustic guitar)
Shure Beta 57A (just bought it from johneevee and will probably be using it for mostly live use)

I have only three pre-amps available to me:
M-Audio DMP3
FMR Audio RNP
Mackie 32X8 Console


I record mostly rock (punkish rock sometimes)
I was thinking about selling the Studio Projects C1 and buying either a Shure KSM44 or Blue Baby Bottle for vocal use.

I have privately asked several forum guys but I thought this would be a better way to get more opinions.

Are there any other upgrades you would make in addition to the vocal mic purchase?

Should I sell 2 of my SM57's and get something else because I am not really thrilled with the snare sound on the SM57 and I end up using the AT3035 on the guitar amps which sounds pretty good. From my list of mics, what should I use on snare? Perhaps the Beta 58A? Or what do I need to add to my mic locker that will be most beneficial for my situation (remember most of the bands I record are punk rock)?

Any input is appreciated. I appreciate the advice of those I have asked privately.
 
Here are some nice mics that you may want to checkout that don't cost an arm and a leg... that you'd mostly use a lot.

Sennheiser MD421.
Matched Josephson C42's.
 
I think you need a pair of overheads. The Behringers are hisssy nasssty little mics. Christ, shake down GC for a pair of Oktava MC012's. I like Studio Projects C-4's for $400 or so the pair, and those Josephson's DJL recommended are by all accounts great mics at a very good mic price, about $1000 the pair. Of the Baby Bottle vs. KSM44, the Shure is a hell of a lot more versatile. I'd probably get the little Oktavas for about $100 the pair, and add a main vocal mic. For cheap, I like Rode NTK.-Richie
 
I honestly can't imagine selling any of my mics...even my noname SM57 wannabes...so anyways...

How about another kick mic? Maybe the Audix? Or perhaps even a used CAD E-100?

have you thought of using the 990 on guitar amp? I personally haven't but I read an article in the latest Recording mag talking about loving it in that application...

How about keeping the C1 and getting avariety of 414? Of course your suggestion of the KSM44 is a good idea as well...

And definitely agree on another pair of overheads. C42s would be nice, but how about some more LDs that can do that, like the SP B3s?

...do you use the SM57s for vocals at all?
 
Wow.. thanks for all the replies.

Sklathil,
Let me respond to your comments a little...
I did try my 990 on guitar amps and I remember liking the sound... honestly I think I just forgot once I got the AT3035 but you are totally right about that. Thanks for reminding me.

I am actually pretty happy with my kick sound, so I think that money would be better spent elsewhere.

I have never recorded vocals with the SM57's but I have used it for live vocals. I think the sm58 sounds better for live vocals although the mics are similar. I can't wait to try out the beta 58A.
For recording vocals I always use my C1 or sometimes the AT3035.

I've heard great things about the 414 (AKG right?) but I don't know if I could afford to keep the C1 and buy the 414.

DJL,
I can't seem to find those josephsons anywhere but they sound a little expensive for me right now if I want to buy a decent vocal mic.


I'm still deciding but I think I am going to sell:
two of the SM57's, ECM8000, C1
Buy:
Oktavas MC012 (can I really get them for $100 for the pair from GC?)
Shure KSM44
MD421
That sounds like about what I can afford depending on how well the mics I'm selling do on ebay.
If I do these changes, I'll have better Overheads, a better vocal mic than the C1, and a better mic for amps than the SM57.

Crap... what about the snare? What would be the next step up from an SM57 on the snare? Can I use the beta58A or will I not hear much of a difference?
 
Actually maybe I should hold off on the MD421 since I like my AT3035 sound and buy something for the snare... unless if its cheap enough where I can buy both.

Once I get these mics, then I think I may go for another pre-amp. Maybe a Grace 101. Man, do I have some severe GAS or what?
 
Yep, yo got GAS. The Josephsons can be found at mercenary audio, along with a whole bunch of high end gear. The Oktavas can really be had for $100 if the guy at GC got laid last night, but they'll try $140, which is still a fair price, and they annhialate the Behringers on most stuff. The 414 if a great mic, but vocals isn't its strongest suit. The KSM44 fits more vocals, and is useful on a variety of sources. I use the 414 for acoustic guitar (it rocks), percussion (it rocks some more), and an occasional vocalist where it's just the right mic. My partner Mo uses the KSM 44 as a main vocal mic, and it serves her very well, as well as a guitar mic.-Richie
 
Thanks Richie,
I'm going to go hit GC after work today and see what I can get them down to. If I can get them for $100 that would be awesome. I'll use the same thing I always say... someone I know got these from you for 100 bucks. If they can do it, they will.
Rich, your partner Mo uses the KSM44 on her vocals, but how is it for male vocals? Much difference? Probably not right? I guess my reasoning is that I don't really need the KSM44 to be that flexible in terms of instruments. I will mostly use it on vocals. Unfortunately, I can't really audition it for myself because I don't sing much and its not really for me anyway. Sounds like my previous plan is still what I should go with.

Anyone have ideas on which one of my mics will work well with a punk rock style (orange county drum set) snare? If not, is there one I should look into?
 
umair, if I could only add one mic to your mic collection I'd add the Sennheiser MD421. ;)
 
Two points- First, someone you know *did* get them for $100- me. Richard Monroe- sold at Natick Massachusetts GC. If they won't sell them to you, I can send you a copy of the receipt.
As far as KSM44 on vox, the female vs. male thing is a red herring. The list of mics that works on boys is the same as the list that works on girls. It's personalized. The problem is, there are mics that work *for you*, and ones that don't. That's why I usually choose vocal mics that work for other stuff. That way, the mic will have multiple uses, and it's one of a series of mics that I put up to find the right one for any given singer.
The other pain in the ass- When you change the key, the song, the mix, the room, you may need another mic. I recorded
"Reunion" with 4 different vocal mics, and the backing vocalists used 3 apiece, because there simply is no one right vocal mic even for one singer.-Richie
 
DJL said:
umair, if I could only add one mic to your mic collection I'd add the Sennheiser MD421. ;)
Click to expand...

Not the KSM44? Or did you mean assuming I was going to buy the KSM44 anyway? Either way thanks for the headsup. I will re-evaluate my choices once I figure out what I'm going to do for the snare... I'm thinking about a beyer mic for the snare now...

DJL, Hmmm... maybe sell the AT3035 too then if I buy the MD421? Since I use the AT3035 mostly on guitar anyway with decent results. The md421 seems to be the most recommended for guitar cabs.
That would free up some cash for me.

Richie,
Thanks for the offer to copy your receipt. I'll let you know how it goes and hopefully I won't have to take you up on it.
 
QUOTE: "I record mostly rock (punkish rock sometimes)"

umair, let me say it again... if I could only add one mic to your mic collection, I'd add the Sennheiser MD421.

You'd get more use out of the Sennheiser MD421 than any other mic you could add to your mic collection. It's great for kick, snare, toms, guitar and bass amps, some vocals and etc, etc. Get the Sennheiser MD421... trust me, and you'll be thanking me later. ;)

With that said...the Shure KSM44 is a great mic.

PS... the beyer M201 is my favorite snare mic. The Josephson C42's and AKG C451's are some of my favorite overheads. The Sennheiser MD421 is my favorite kick mic and favorite guitar and bass amp mic, I also love it on sax and etc, etc (I also like the AKG D112 and ATM25 on kick, but not as much as the MD421).
 
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Ok.. so I went to GC yesterday and he simply told me the sale for the Oktavas is over. They are 99 bucks each now. Id idn't bother talking him down just yet. Then I asked about the other mics on my list and honestly he tried to sell me everything other than what I wanted. He said they don't have the MD421 and he said the Rode NTK or KSM44 is not as good as the Groove Tube GT66. He also went on about how I need to by the TC Helicon VoicePrism because my RNP won't do the mics justice. Later, he told me he never heard of the RNP so I don't know how he made that assumption. All in all... I didn't buy anything and he just confused me. I guess I'll just shop around on ebay and the web.

DJL (or anyone else for that matter), know of any place where to get a good deal on the MD421? Or should I just ebay it like I always do?
Just wonderin if anyone saw some deals on any of these mics somewhere.
Specifically the Oktavas and the MD421? The vocal mic (still to be determined becasue my budget is shot) will probably have to be a little bit on the cheaper side now. I am also feverishly looking for the Beyer 201 but can't seem to find any. Just the one on ebay but not sure how much they usually go for.

Later guys.
 
Yes, you talked to an ignorant dickhead. Well, it wouldn't be the first time. If you're interested, and you have a little trust, I bet you I can get those Oktavas for you for cheap. You pay the shipping. If you're willing to take a chance that I'm not a ripoff artist, send me a PM.-Richie
 
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