Worth condensing?

[ninibee]

In a month, I'm going to record and mix a few demo's - the only mic I have at the moment is a SM58. I'm mainly wanting to record vocals, maybe throw in a bit of acoustic guitar and ukulele; and do the bulk of the instrumentation digitally.

Is it worth getting a cheap condenser like a NT2A at the moment? Or for all the difference it's going to make, should I just stick with the SM58, and wait until I'm doing more professional recordings before I get a proper condenser?

Thanks

 

[danny.guitar]

If you have the money I'd definitely get at least a good condenser that will work for both vocals and acoustic instruments. I don't have a lot of experience with a bunch of mics, but I'd check out the Audio Technica AT series (4035, 4040, etc). There's clips that you can hear of them on their website.

 

[travelin travis]

a condenser will give you a wider frequency response than a 58 which translates to much more detail. i recommend starting off with something that sounds fairly neutral as opposed to bright or dark.

 

[kid klash]

If I was going to do a project like yours and was considering buying a low cost condenser, I'd buy a CAD GXL 3000 for $70 instead of the Rode NT2A. The GXL 3000 is a multipattern LDC, and comes with a shock mount. I bought one from MF two months ago on a lark, not expecting much, especially for a multipattern mic that only cost $70. The more I use it, the more I'm impressed with it. FWIW.

Here's a review of the GXL 3000 :
http://www.eqmag.com/story.asp?storyCode=12460

 

[travelin travis]

If I was going to do a project like yours and was considering buying a low cost condenser, I'd buy a CAD GXL 3000 for $70 instead of the Rode NT2A. The GXL 3000 is a multipattern LDC, and comes with a shock mount. I bought one from MF two months ago on a lark, not expecting much, especially for a multipattern mic that only cost $70. The more I use it, the more I'm impressed with it. FWIW.

have you compared it to a m177 or m179? what are you using it for?

 

[ninibee]

Thanks

Mind this is just for a few demos; I know I'm not going to get real quality from a £150/$300 condenser.. Does the quality difference really warrent the price?

I know there are countless threads on this, but if I was to go for one what should I get? (out of the usual) AT4040, Rode NT-1A/2A/1000, CAD M177, SP C1? Or should I just get any one of these? - everyone has their opinion and they all seem to equally praised and dissed..

Yeah.. thanks again

 

[travelin travis]

first time i've seen this trick.

 

[kid klash]

have you compared it to a m177 or m179? what are you using it for?

Nope, never used the M177 or M179. I've used the GXL 3000 for vocals. The next thing I'll try it for is M-S mic'ing.

 

[kid klash]

first time i've seen this trick.

That's fairly common, or at least it used to be, back before drum samples, drum machines and Drumagog. I've still got my pair or Auratones too!

 

[travelin travis]

That's fairly common, or at least it used to be, back before drum samples, drum machines and Drumagog. I've still got my pair or Auratones too!

i guess it could be called resnaring? cool trick.

 

[CIRO]

Nice to meet you, "snare trick"!

Fairly common?

Ciro

my songs

www.soundclick.com/openstation

 

[kid klash]

Fairly common?

Yes, back in the 60's and 70's it was VERY common to put an Auratone speaker (the little square brownish/gold box leaning up against the snare in the photo) on the top head of a snare drum (sitting on a snare stand) aimed down, and then mic'ing the snare wires on the bottom of the snare (usually with an SM545 or SM57 back then), and running the original snare track through an amp and then into the Auratone, which "excited" the snare wires, which was then recorded onto another track to give the original snare track some extra punch.

 

[CIRO]

Tks again!

 

[Sonixx]

I'm selling a pair of SP C1s for $225 + Shipping. Only used in my smoke free home studio. Includes shock mounts and metal box carrying case.

 

[Kryptik]

Try sticking with the 58. If you want a clearer sounding voice or guitar/uke, then consider going for a higher priced mic. Yes, they will sound significantly better, but for $300+, it may not be worth it to you.

 

[travelin travis]

Try sticking with the 58. If you want a clearer sounding voice or guitar/uke, then consider going for a higher priced mic. Yes, they will sound significantly better, but for $300+, it may not be worth it to you.

you don't have to spend 300+ for a decent homerecording mic. especially for getting started. 58 would be good for vocals, maybe guitar amp, and snare. condensers are where the detail is.