Best DB/Overall mic?

[-CoHe]

Hi guies,

I've been checking the threads about mics and everything and I was just wondering, Im buying the RME fireface 800 audio interface and wanted first of all
- A nice mic for DB

and secondly

-A mic that could do good overall

like a mixture of a sm57 and a good db mic.. what mic could do both?

I've heard a lot about the Sennheiser 421 and the RE-20 I think.. For now, Im considering the 421 but Im not sure if its really good for db?

anyone has experience with it or knows of any mic that could do both jobs ?

Im looking for something under 1000$

[robgrow]

The Sennheiser MD-421 and EV RE-20 are both very commonly used as announcer's mics in broadcasting and voice over work. Both are best for close-micing applications, and the 421 in particular has a great deal of presence with a significant boost in the mids. Another mic in this same category is the Shure SM-7B. It is my personal favorite, and not only does it have a bass roll off switch like the 421 and RE-20, but it also has a presence switch to turn the mid boost on and off. (The 421's mid boost is fixed and can't be switched off.) The SM-7 sounds great, and I'd recommend it highly.

The Shure KSM series mics are also very good, if you're considering a condenser mic.

[basss]

audix d4

[jrlynch]

is this for recording or performance? performance, i think the heil 40 rocks ... recording? there's lotsa great mics out there ...

[fingers]

Originally Posted by jrlynch

there's lotsa great mics out there ...

+1

basss- I actually use the D2 on an h-clamp live. I tried both and I found it had less boomy of a sound.

[basss]

Originally Posted by fingers

+1

basss- I actually use the D2 on an h-clamp live. I tried both and I found it had less boomy of a sound.

I've tried both but not with the h-clamp. I can imagine that proximity effect would be a factor with the h-clamp and the extended low end of the d4 might yield a boomy sound. With the mic out in front of the bridge I like the more natural low end of the d4.

[-CoHe]

It will be for recording, its actually gonna be my main recording mic.. so since my main instrument tends to be the upright im trying to get a mic thats good a recording upright bass but can also be good at recording the rest ...

thx for your replies!

[basss]

I also really like the RE 20 - it's a bit more expensive though

[fingers]

How much money?

I really like the Neuman U87. It is a great mic. Great. At $3000+ you might be able to find something that suits you needs at a lower price-point. I did a session recently where they used a Neumann TLM-103 and a couple of KM184s and got a really nice tone. I think the TLM-103 is about $1000.

I have a Rode NTV which I LOVE for DB. Rode discontinued it but I've heard the NTK is a nice replacement in their line. They also shaved some money off the price. The NTK sells for $550ish.

The aforementioned EV RE-20 is a pretty common DB mic too. The one time I used one was in a live application. Sounded good. I've had no experience with it in the studio. I think you can get these for a little less than the Rode.

[-CoHe]

Thanks a lot everyone, Ill be checking out the ntk for sure :P

I was aiming for something less than 1000$ and I was just wondering... are these mics good for other things than db? like acoustic guitar, voice, drums?

Fingers, is the rode ntk pretty versatile? or should I buy an sm57 for that special purpose?

[mstclairmiller]

The NTK is a great mic, for vocals, close micing, and I use it on stage for my bluegrass band, all standing around the mic and moving in a step for solos. Given how cheap the SM57 is, why not just get one anyway so you have a spare lying around?