Which Mics to Buy to Start me Off???

[darrin_h2000]

Well himself...Ok maybe 2 channels...but I have more friends than that...lol.

 

[omtayslick]

That's in his post; $100-$200 per mic.

oooops!!!!!!!

 

[jesse89]

I am looking to start small, recording myself and friends, but eventually i plan to make money out of it. My M-Audio interface has a 4 available mic channels, but i am simply looking for 2 mics to start me off temporarily until i can get some extra cash together. I am not saying that i will try to record drums for a band with 2 mics, because i know i can get better results with 4. I'm not asking for thoughts on mic techniques, I just want some recommendations on budget mics please!!!

 

[darrin_h2000]

Ive picked up a couple of AT3035s for $50 used each...those might make good intermediate mics...definatly get sm57s

 

[Richard Monroe]

Yo Jesse89! Welcome to the board!

By now, you've probably figured out that the more people know, the more they can disagree.
The problem you face is this. Mics for vocals, mics for drum overheads, a mic for a kick drum, and a mic for snare are not the same animals. You have some good suggestions above, but there's a pattern here- 2 mics won't do what you want to do.

A quick point here- Certain mics keep coming up- Shure SM57 is a classic example. The AKG D770 mentioned above is a very similar mic. They fall into a class of cheap dynamic stage mics that are good for you, because they are cheap, and they are still good for something. I personally prefer the D770, but I am in the minority. Either one is a good buy.

That's the next point. It would be good to find any of this used if possible, because what you really need is *5* mics. 2 small diaphragm condensers for drum overheads and acoustic instruments, which should be as identical as possible, a large diaphragm condenser for vocals and lots of other things, a cheap dynamic mic for snare drum, amps, and some vocalists, and a dedicated low frequency mic for kick drum and possibly bass amps.

Just to prove I can, I'm going to get you there for under $400, using only new mics:
First the kick mic- I had to go to ebay for this one,. because the list prices are too high.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Audix-D6-Kick-M...trkparms=65:12|66:2|39:1|72:1234|293:1|294:50


Main vocal mic:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=6458&Category=Microphones

Cheap dynamic:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=1361&Category=Microphones

drum overheads/instrument mics- Naiant X-2- $22 each!:

http://www.naiant.com/studiostore/microphones.html

On the kick mic, you *can* use an Audix F14, which sell for $130 new. I prefer AKG D112, but they are usually too pricey for your budget. You *can* find an Audix D6 for $130, if you look around, though, and it's a better mic than an F14. There, I got you there for $370, and not one of those mics will ever become useless.-Richie

 

[jesse89]

Hey Richie,
Thanks so much for your post, it was definitely the most helpful info i have come across on this site! I really like how you demonstrated how to hunt down all those mics cheaply. I really like all of the mics you listed as well, except maybe the naiants..

Jesse

 

[hungovermorning]

For the kick drum I recommend the Audio Technica ATM25. (This is not the Pro25 which I have not tried but is less expensive. Input requested from Pro25 users.)

The ATM25 is a good kick mic and also a very versatile horn and cabinet mic.

I have them both, the ATM 25 kills the Pro25. I've only found one mic that I like better on the kick (usually) than an ATM 25 and that's my EV RE-20. The Pro 25 just doesn't have the low end and hit of the ATM 25. I go through gear pretty quickly, but 4 years later I still use that Japanese Audio Technica ATM 25.

-scott thee caveman

 

[Richard Monroe]

Actually, the Naiants are a gem in the bottomfeeder pricerange. There are lots of alternatives, but the price goes up. You asked for entry level, and your budget is what it is. Ha! small diaphragm mics! These are some of *my* favorites, with increasing levels of sticker shock:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=31442&Category=Microphones

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=6679&Category=Microphones

http://www.oktava.com/inc/sdetail/490

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=1358&Category=Microphones

http://mercenary.com/josephsonc42mp.html

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=10585&Category=Microphones

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=28031&Category=Microphones

to die for:

http://www.oktava.com/inc/sdetail/4779

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/4011/


Sorry, you specified the budget, and I told you how I'd spend it to do the job you specified. I'll be happy to help you spend as much money as you want to.-Richie

 

[darrin_h2000]

Nobody said this was going to be cheap...buy used and keep more cash...and dont fall into the chinese money vacuum on the way...try to stick with Shure...AT...AKG if you can help it...and of those avoid the turds they make like the AKG perception line...AT 20 series...and the Shure PG and BG lines...I think you will feel pretty good about your purchases.

 

[jesse89]

The Naiants are obviously good for their price, but i think i am willing to spend a little more on condensers for overheads. You suggested the Mxl 604's. How do these compare with the 603's?
http://cgi.ebay.com/MXL-603S-Stereo-Pair-603-SDC-Condenser-Mics-NEW_W0QQitemZ310155362973QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4836b3429d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A15|66%3A2|39%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

 

[Richard Monroe]

I only got a brief audition, but as near as I can tell, the MXL604 is the same mic as the 603, except they have omni capsules available.-Richie

 

[hairylarry]

Used

Hey Larry thanks for your post! I'm not sure im into the naiant's but i do like the AKG D770s and the Audio Technica ATM25. They look like a bargain for their pricing.. problem is, i cant find too many places that sell them, esp. places that ship to Australia (where I am)... got anywhere in mind??

Jesse89,

You will have to find these mics used. (The D770 and the ATM25) They are no longer in production. I bought mine on ebay. Richard Monroe lists some great alternatives in his post. I haven't used some of the mics he lists. I am sure they are good. I just don't recommend mics I haven't tried.

The real point Richard and I are making is that two mics aren't enough. And given your $200-$400 budget there is no reason not to have 4 or 5.

The Naiant's are great for acoustic instruments. I did one CD of acoustic guitar instrumentals and one CD of Jazz piano with a stereo pair of MSH-1s. I'm very proud of both CDs.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

 

[hairylarry]

That was my understanding

I have them both, the ATM 25 kills the Pro25. I've only found one mic that I like better on the kick (usually) than an ATM 25 and that's my EV RE-20. The Pro 25 just doesn't have the low end and hit of the ATM 25. I go through gear pretty quickly, but 4 years later I still use that Japanese Audio Technica ATM 25.

-scott thee caveman

Scott,

Thanks for the hands on experience. That was my understanding from what I've read but I have never actually tried a Pro25.

The reason I recommend the ATM25 is because of it's versatility. Not only is it a good kick mic it's also a general purpose mic good for horns, cabinets, even vocals.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

 

[hairylarry]

AT Pro37 and LOO

The Naiants are obviously good for their price, but i think i am willing to spend a little more on condensers for overheads. You suggested the Mxl 604's. How do these compare with the 603's?

Jesse89,

My 603 was one of the first condensers I bought. It's a good mic but it's been replaced in my collection by a pair of AT Pro37s. (Actually one Pro37 and one Pro37r) They can be found for about $100 each used.

I still have the 603 but I rarely use it.

The Naiant's are omnis. I still use them regularly and I often grab them first.

I suffer from LOO. (Love of omnis) I don't think any mic collection is complete without a pair of omnis.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry