vf-16 newbie - decent mics?

  • Thread starter Thread starter WraithOfHorror
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WraithOfHorror

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just got my VF-16 last week, and im pretty sure my band will be able to make good quality demo recordings with it... after playing around with it a bit getting comfortable with the interface and reading through the manual, ive come to the next set of decisions to make regarding proper mics...

we are a heavy metal band (deathmetal to be specific) utilizing fast, loud and overdriven guitar tones, heavy and fast drums, etc...

ive heard the shure sm57 is real decent for guitar, but personally ive never tried it out... i know theres certain types of drum mics and bass mics, but the only mic in my arsenal at the moment is a single sm58

what would be some good choices out there for the types of mics i should be looking for?

thanx in advance
 
mics

cant go wrong with sm 57 for recording any instrument
 
If you don't have a lot of money to spend and can only afford one mic to begin with, you can't go wrong with the SM57. Beyond that, I have to advise you to beware of the mic forum. From what I've witnessed over there, they aren't very friendly or helpful to those of us who lack experience. A lot of the posts I read there seemed to assume that if a person didn't have the $$ to purchase Neumann mics,he or she wasn't worth talking to.

The SM-57 is well-built and versatile. Plus, with the mic sims (which basically are subtle EQ and harmonic distortion presets), you will have even more versatility. I know some who post to this forum don't have much use for the mic sims, but if you bear in mind that it is a subtle effect and not something more obvious like chorusing or flanging, it can be useful.
 
The SM57/58's are workhorses... The beta versions of these have a higher output, meaning that you won't have to boost your gain on the preamp too much.

If you want a mic to record studio vocals, then consider either the Studio Projects B1 or the MXL V67G. These can both be had with shock mounts for $100. You'll need a pop shield if you use either of these, or any condensor.
 
And you can make your own pop filter/shield from a wire coat hanger and a pair of pantyhose.
 
sm57's are a good all-around mic. Decent on everything, not great on a certain thing. The v67 is pretty good on vocals, and are cheap. For guitar, I'd go with a sennheiser e609 for around 80-100 bucks. As far as drums go, at the very least, you want three mics: a kick and two overheads. The mxl 603's are good overheads, especially if your cymbals are darker. You can get a stereo-matched pair with shockmounts for like 200 bucks or less. Also good on acoustic guitar. The sp b1 is a good all-around cheap condensor. Umm, that's about it.
 
duuude!

im a drummer of a metal band a while when i couldnt afford much i used 2 mics (pg48) behind the my floor tom 1 faced paralel to my body and one turned toward my snare and i got a great stereo sound out of tht
the guitarist were both mic with sm57's directed to the speakers cone one panned left and right
bass i used a sm 58 directed above the speakers cone

i only had the vf80 so i had to use a mixer and run to the recorder but ull be able to mix them all around
good luck dude
 
I have to agree with everyone else. I use the SM57's for everything just about. I am looking to pickup a good vocal mic. I had a Behringer B2 at one time and it really sound nice. They sell rather cheap. I can't bring myself to spend a ton of cash on one mic. According to an article I read in Recording mag. YOu are better off to have the "workhorse mics" than to spend a bunch on one mic.
 
vocal mic

i get great results with the mxl 990 only 70.00, but each persons voice can be different and it might not sound the same for you.....
 
vocals

when i record vocals i use a behringer b1 and run it thrue a presonus tubepre and i get a pretty amazing sound
its awsome and cheap
but one problem is tht when i listen to vocals in solo theres a slight low frequency buzz when the peak rises but its no big deal, for now
 
a12stringer said:
Beyond that, I have to advise you to beware of the mic forum. From what I've witnessed over there, they aren't very friendly or helpful to those of us who lack experience. A lot of the posts I read there seemed to assume that if a person didn't have the $$ to purchase Neumann mics,he or she wasn't worth talking to.
Click to expand...

Hi, I hang out at the mic forum quite a bit and frankly, I haven't had this problem at all and what do ya know, I don't own a Nuemann mic! Not even one. ;)

I all seriousness, there is an excellent thread on the mic forum. Its a sticky and so its always near the top. It discusses all the basic info regarding mic selection, types, uses, micing individual instruments etc. I strongly urge you to check it out. It has helped me a lot.

If anyone ther gets short with anyone, its almost always because they didn't check out the "big thread" first.

good luck, Steve

PS I almost forgot, if you have a sm 58 don't buy a sm57, your results won't be any different. The sm58 has a windscreen built in, that's about all. It's meant for vocals, the sm57 isn't. Spend the same money and get one of the cheap condenser mics mentioned. You'll be amazed at the difference over a sm57 or 58. Just watch the spl and you'll be OK.
 
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