what kind of mic should i get?

[mckayormacky]

I have a Marshall MG100hdfx head with an ok quality cab. and a us -122 soundcard.

i have fruity loops 5 and sonar 4. I want to record a distorted guitar as well as a bass. music type will be between metal and punk. what kind of mic would be best for around 100-400 $$? I dont know anything about mics, but if there is a big difference in quality between say a $250 mic and a $350 mic then i would like to know.

 

[wesley tanner]

my honest advice would be to buy a 57, really learn how to use what you've got, and save up for a different amp. garbage in, garbage out, no matter what mic it is. but, you can learn a hell of a lot just getting started like that.

oh, and you'll pry want to run the bass direct.

 

[Mark7]

A $350 mic

1 2 3 4 5

 

[Mark7]

my honest advice would be to buy a 57, really learn how to use what you've got, and save up for a different amp. garbage in, garbage out, no matter what mic it is. but, you can learn a hell of a lot just getting started like that.

oh, and you'll pry want to run the bass direct.

Qualify better.

 

[fernandoesmaron]

are the preamps of the tascam us122 so bad ?

 

[scrubs]

are the preamps of the tascam us122 so bad ?

They're fine. Nothing special, but not terrible by any means.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Yo Mckay- Well, those were some confusing answers! You need 2 mics. First, you need a cheap dynamic for the guitar cab. Shure SM-57 and Sennheiser e835 both work pretty well. My choice would be Sennheiser e609 silver, about $100. That's if you're not going to try singing into it. If it needs to double as a vocal mic, I'd choose e835. For bass, you need a different mic, one that is intended for low frequencies. I like AKG D112. It was designed for recording standup bass, and works well on bass cabs. You can get both mics for just under $300. As Wesley Tanner suggested, bass is often inserted directly, which requires headphone distribution. That doesn't mean you can't mic up a bass cab. Are you also using that Marshall for a bass amp? It wouldn't be my first choice.-Richie

 

[Mark7]

OR he could just get an MD421, which has been used for guitar and bass cabs since time began

 

[Richard Monroe]

"OR he could just get an MD421, which has been used for guitar and bass cabs since time began"-Mark7

Actually, that is not a bad suggestion. I have used a 421 on a bass cab in a pinch. I prefer D112, but it depends on the sound you are trying to get. You'd either have to pony up $350 (new) or find a used mic. MD421 frequency response starts at 30hz, which is pretty good. D112 at 20hz. For electric bass, I doubt the difference is that big a deal. On double bass (standup), it is. I have to admit, you could do a lot worse than a 421.-Richie

 

[Mark7]

"OR he could just get an MD421, which has been used for guitar and bass cabs since time began"-Mark7

Actually, that is not a bad suggestion. I have used a 421 on a bass cab in a pinch. I prefer D112, but it depends on the sound you are trying to get. You'd either have to pony up $350 (new) or find a used mic.

TA DA!

7890

 

[mckayormacky]

i dont know much about any kind of mics, so yes the answers are confusing hehe.

no im not using the marshall for the bass. and yes i will be singing also but im not sure whats better to buy a mic that does multiple things or one for every single thing i need.

 

[Mark7]

Will you be singing at the same time as playing the guitar/bass?

 

[mckayormacky]

negative.

i will just be recording alot of metal type solos, and distorted rythm. and then figure out vocals later.

 

[Mark7]

MD421 it is then!

 

[noisedude]

I'd get a Sennheiser E835 and an Audio Technica ATM25. With the leftover cash you can get a Shure 545 (original version of SM57) or a Beyer M400 off Ebay. With three of those four mics, you'd be covered for an awful lot of voices, cabs and percussion too.

 

[mshilarious]

MD421 frequency response starts at 30hz, which is pretty good. D112 at 20hz. For electric bass, I doubt the difference is that big a deal. On double bass (standup), it is.

I don't get that. The fundamental note is the same on either instrument, 41 Hz. In fact with electric bass, you are much more likely to run into a five or six string with a lower fundamental.

Another vote for the MD421, anyway.

 

[mckayormacky]

it seems the concensus is the MD421, so ill look into finding that one.

just to clarify...

they will be good for recording distorted guitar. and bass if i want to. as well as vocals? i dont need killer quality but at least decent.

 

[Quantagee]

I have a Marshall MG100hdfx head with an ok quality cab. and a us -122 soundcard.

i have fruity loops 5 and sonar 4. I want to record a distorted guitar as well as a bass. music type will be between metal and punk. what kind of mic would be best for around 100-400 $$? I dont know anything about mics, but if there is a big difference in quality between say a $250 mic and a $350 mic then i would like to know.

I would say get a Shure SM57. They are very good and I have 7 of them. I was told it was all I would ever need, so it is all I have. They are about $95 on sale. They do elec guitars, drums, bass and vocals well.


Oh, they also do acoustic guitars, too.

Good Luck.

P.S. I added a picture I just took so you could see what the SM57 looks like.

 

[mshilarious]

it seems the concensus is the MD421, so ill look into finding that one.

just to clarify...

they will be good for recording distorted guitar. and bass if i want to. as well as vocals? i dont need killer quality but at least decent.

Yes to all, and you may find they are killer quality on guitar & bass, and suitable for vocals. Some people even really like them on vocals, I'm not a huge fan there. It doesn't suck though.

Also good on all sorts of drums, and brass too!

 

[Strave]

I would say get a Shure SM57. They are very good and I have 7 of them. I was told it was all I would ever need, so it is all I have. They are about $95 on sale. They do elec guitars, drums, bass and vocals well.


Oh, they also do acoustic guitars, too.

Good Luck.

P.S. I added a picture I just took so you could see what the SM57 looks like.

... I wouldn't suggest a mic when you haven't used others. The SM57 is decent... and just that... decent on everything. MD 421 is a much better choice... or even better (in my opinion) getting the e835, AT PRO 25 and say a cheap condenser like the studio projects or behringer B1. That way you have a wide array of sounds... a total price tag of like 150 if you buy right, and YOU can decide what kind of sound you like for different things. After you find what you don't like, sell it off and buy something better.