Which mics would give my small collection balance and versatility?

[paddyponchero]

Hi Samantha,

As you're in the UK studiospares have the 4033 on special if you want to get another for overheads

http://www.studiospares.com/product...n=4033&SearchProductGroup=&cid=&gid=&hidden1=

Paddy

 

[XLR]

Richard Monroe said:

Yo Timothy- in my defense, at least, anybody on this board knows that I will often type up War and Peace for anyone who asks reasonable questions, of either gender, or anything in between.. But- you are partly right.

Richie, actually I wasn't meaning the length of your post, as I don't think your post here was excessive or longer than the help you often offer to the "guy" newbies. I was more noticing the flurry of activity with the number of responses. And the flurry is a good thing. It'd be better to have a balance of men and women on the board.

Tim

 

[Samantha C.]

Again... Thanks for your responses.

Ok. A few things.

First, I'm not sure where this comes from... but I live in NYC not the UK.

Second. I did a bit of research on the MD421 and it seems like a great mic. But what I'm seeing is the MD421 II .... Is that the same mic as your talking about or is there an original MD421 that I should look for?

Could this mic be used on a bass drum in addition to being able to be used on bass and guitar cabinets like you've mentioned? Would I be right in saying that these iare somewhat comparable to the EV RM20 in terms of applications? Or are they completely different animals? Ack.. I wish I could buy them both.

Hmm... I really think I need to up my budget at least to $1500 or so.
That said, how does cabinet look:

my current mics: AT4033, SM58, ATM41a
and adding these: AT4040, MD421, SM57, and a pair of Studio Project C4's...

Good choices for a balanced cabinet?

Sorry for the continued questions... The more suggestions I get from you guys, the more research I'm doing, and the more frustrated I'm getting. I hope not to turn into a "gear slut" but whatever. I'm sure the guy I meet someday won't complain. Although admittingly, the image of a chic setting up a vocal up in a pair of Manolo Blahnik's is rather humorous.

Cheers!
Samantha

 

[mshilarious]

That said, how does cabinet look:

my current mics: AT4033, SM58, ATM41a
and adding these: AT4040, MD421, SM57, and a pair of Studio Project C4's...

Good choices for a balanced cabinet?

Good for me!

 

[DJL]

Did you reinvent the wheel?

Is there an echo in here?

I read what you wrote after what I posted... anyway... the answer is... YES, I think so... and it's pretty much the same echo we've all been hearing for the last 40 years or so... it's an old book, and no sense in just rewriting the book because not much has changed over the years... but if it does and you write a new book please let everyone know.

 

[Yareek]

I did a bit of research on the MD421 and it seems like a great mic. But what I'm seeing is the MD421 II .... Is that the same mic as your talking about or is there an original MD421 that I should look for?

Well, I can at least toss in my hat on this one. I asked this question last year and got a great response at this thread. They're pretty much the same sound with some different features.

I like Richard's ideas, they're great. I'd probably either get a pair of small diaphragm condensors or a second AT 4033 if you like it.

- Jarick

 

[Jburn34]

Do AKG C1000's suck?

Pretty much they do.

 

[Yareek]

my current mics: AT4033, SM58, ATM41a
and adding these: AT4040, MD421, SM57, and a pair of Studio Project C4's...

Good choices for a balanced cabinet?

Actually, I can toss my hat into this one

Yeah, I really like your choices there. From what I see you've got some good "starter" mics. The 4033 and SM58 can probably get a lot of use on a variety of instruments while the dynamic mic may be decent for a tom mic or something to that effect. It looks like you could really use a good large diaphragm condensor mic (mainly for vocals). Everybody needs one of those. And the AT404 is a great choice there. A lot of people also like the Shure KSM series and I have a Rode NT2 mic which is nice (but a little colored).

The MD421 will have a lot of use as far as drums and guitar go, and it's also a decent vocal mic. I'd probably go for a Shure SM7 if I wanted to do more vocals. Also the EV RE20 mic would probably be better if you wanted to do vocals and drums (but not so much the guitar). Anyways, they're all great choices for nice dynamics.

The SM57 has it's uses. I like them on most electric guitars. I guess they're okay for snare drum but I really preferer a Beyer M201 in that spot.

And, of course, a pair of small diaphragm condensors is a must for most everyone. I own and love the Studio Projects C4's, but if you can spring for SM81's, I'm sure you'll be really happy with those as well.

Frankly, I'm a little suprised no one has hopped on the mic preamp thing yet. What kind of pre's are you running this all into? They will make a big difference on those dynamics...

- Jarick

 

[DJL]

Frankly, I'm a little suprised no one has hopped on the mic preamp thing yet. What kind of pre's are you running this all into? They will make a big difference on those dynamics...

Yes, but that holds true with every mic and not just with dynamic mics.

 

[Han]

Again... Thanks for your responses.


I did a bit of research on the MD421 and it seems like a great mic. But what I'm seeing is the MD421 II .... Is that the same mic as your talking about or is there an original MD421 that I should look for?

Cheers!
Samantha

Samantha, the original grey MD421 MKI has a copper coil where the MKII has an aluminium coil. The MKI sounds a tad smoother and the MKII a tad brighter.

Both are great sounding microphones.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Yo Samantha! First, I'm the one who started in with the UK thing, because you commented on shopping trips to Soho. Last I knew, that's a district of *London*, not the Big Apple.
As far as your mic choices, you're doing OK. The SM57 is good if you just need another dynamic, but my guess is, if you have an MD421 and you need just one dynamic, you won't often be reaching for the SM57. Be careful with the mic clip on the 421- they are notoriously fragile, and the square thing doesn't like most standard mic clips. The AT4044 I don't have much direct experience with, but lots of folks I trust like it, and it's a company that builds good mics. The C-4's I am intimately familiar with, and I think they are among the best mics of their type in that price range. I've got a pair of Neumann KM184's, and I keep the C-4's around because they are my only small diaphragm omnis, and because they are very good remote stereo mics that are a little more expendable than the Neumanns. They are very good mics, and should serve you well.
There were problems with the early shock mounts, which have been corrected. If yours are the old ones, and the plastic is too soft, send an email to Alan Hyatt and he'll make it right. BTW- check your private messages.-Richie

 

[Han]

Richie, you're right about the 421 clip, it's a PITA, but there's a good and very cheap solution:

 

[manning1]

samantha.
a couple of years ago when i visited london i noticed quite a few good used studio gear shops. you might want to considrr filling out your mic collection
with some good used pieces if the price is right and of course if in excellent condition. for example old electrovoice dynamics i found reasonable.
also if you google for tape op microphone - these can be built for 20 bucks in parts. and are pretty decent. not top class - but ok.
also - my own biases - ive never met a beyer mic i didnt like for some strange reason. another bias of mine. i was once in a big studio that a friend owned who simply put a pair of crown pzm's above a drum kit.
i was amazed at the sound quality he got with those crowns.
but they were a bit expensive. also cads are pretty decent mics.
i'll also throw out an old ringer for a mic - an old shure 545 can sound pretty decent if you get a good one. ive seen them used for 40 bucks.
hope this helps.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Manning, she's in N.Y.C., not London. I think she's just confused about where Soho is.-Richie

 

[crazydoc]

Manning, she's in N.Y.C., not London. I think she's just confused about where Soho is.-Richie

SoHo - South of Houston Street, NYC. Lower Manhattan. She's not confused.

 

[manning1]

oops. thanks richie !
ok - in that case as ive been to new york.
went to a couple of aes shows there many years ago
as a friend owned a studio and invited me along.
had a good time.
amend that then samantha to ...why not check around some used gear places in new york ? or maybe on line ?

 

[Samantha C.]

Thanks again everyone for your continued insight.

Someone had asked about about preamps... I have a Edirol UA101 interface, a Mackie 1604VLZ, and an ART DPS II.

As far as SoHo... Yes, it's definitely in NYC as I'm there quite often.

I have decided to go with: AT4040, MD421, SM57, and a pair of Studio Project C4's.

I've decided I want to buy my mics new... Where do you all do your shopping? I normally buy from AMS as they are in NJ - just a hop, skip and a jump.. but haven't really tried anyone else.

Thanks Again!
Samantha

 

[JCM800]

Those are a good choice...the 421 really rocks. So does the 4040 but in a different way. I used to order most of my stuff from musicians friend and sweetwater, but I've gotten a few things from www.jbsound.com recently and been very pleased. The prices were a lot better (you have to request a quote or make a offer) and I got my stuff pretty quick. Any of the above would probably be fine though.

 

[Richard Monroe]

I like 8thstreet.com in Philly. They are brick and mortar and online. Interesting about Soho- I had no idea there was a district in NYC called that. This would be the real deal-

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/home_feat_local_soho.asp

Richie

 

[junplugged]

and you can't call it Houston st. like in TX, for some reason it's like 'House' - ton.

But 2 blocks south of Roc Center and 2 blocks West and you have 10 music stores. 47th, maybe.