recording mic advice

matito · #1 12-02-2006, 12:41 AM

I have a laptop with a presonus firebox.

I want to invest in a inexpensive good value microphone.
Is there a mic that can basically do it all, record vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar amp, and maybe even bass too.

I was looking at the behringer C-3
http://www.behringer.com/C-3/index.cfm?lang=ENG

am i on the right track, is it a good mic, what other ones are out there. I can't afford to spend too much and its only for rough demo style recordings anyway.

thanks to anyone that helps

jumbosilverette · #2 12-02-2006, 03:57 AM

The Behringer is okay but you can do a lot better for the price.
I use MXL 2003 and 603s for both acoustic instruments, percussion, uke and voice. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...lus?sku=273167
If you want multipattern Studio Projects B3 is great. http://www.music123.com/Studio-Projects-B3-i46286.music

hbarcat · #3 12-02-2006, 04:24 AM

"inexpensive good value" is subjective when it comes to microphones but these four seem to being widely used for many different applications and are comparable in price to the Behringer c-3 that you mentioned.

MXL 3000
MXL 9090
AKG Perception 2000
Audio Technica 3035
Rode NT1A

I noticed that Musician's Friend is selling the Audio Technica 2041SP set for $150 and that includes *2* popular value mics (the AT2020 large condensor and the AT2021 small condensor).

I personally own several Behringer mixers as well as numerous other pieces of their rack gear and I think it's OK stuff for the price, but I don't think I'm alone in my opinion that their microphones aren't so hot. My personal preference for a low cost, versatility microphone is AudioTechnica.

hbarcat · #4 12-02-2006, 04:31 AM

Don't rule out the possibility of recording the bass direct. That can often be the better option and your Ashdown head has DI out.

adam on bass · #5 12-08-2006, 11:13 PM

All the Studio Project mics, they are good quality sound and build quality.

chrisp2u · #6 12-09-2006, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firkinahsoul

All the Studio Project mics, they are good quality sound and build quality.

+1.

Hard to go wrong there for the $$$. They just re-vamped a bunch of their stuff that was already considered and exceptional price to performance value.
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Big Cadillac · #7 12-09-2006, 08:03 AM

I have been using several Oktava MK-319 condenser mic's with my laptop and firepod. They work really great and can be had off eBay for < $100...

chrisp2u · #8 12-10-2006, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Cadillac

I have been using several Oktava MK-319 condenser mic's with my laptop and firepod. They work really great and can be had off eBay for < $100...

Octava's can definitely be pretty good budget mics if you get the real Russians... the chinese knockoffs (like what they typically carry at GC) seem to be prety hit and miss.

Plus, later on if you have some extra $$$, there are people that can mod the Octava's as well, putting them on a level of sound/performance of mics that cost hundreds more.
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laboitenoire · #9 12-10-2006, 06:51 PM

For this sort of thing, I've always liked Shure SM57 and SM58 mics. Often over-rated, but they are inexpensive ($99), and they sound really good. My only complaint is that they're a very closed pattern, which isn't good for when I record live orchestras and choral groups at my church. For those purposes, Audio Technica rules. Also, to the people who say Behringer stuff isn't that good, their quality has been coming up, and truth be told - the reason their stuff dies is because people kick it around and aren't terribly careful. I've used a Behringer mic or two before and they were alright. At my school, we use Behringer EQ and FX racks in our main recording setup. The stuff is probably three years old at least, and it works as good as day one. Wish I could say the same for our cables that we use...

EDIT: Just as a point, the mixer at my church is a seven-year old Mackie 1402-VLZ (non-pro), and the pres for the first two inputs are starting to crap out. That, and the board is kinda noisy. Compared to the Behringer board some sound guys who run our annual show use, I'd rather have the Behringer.

jumbosilverette · #10 12-10-2006, 07:22 PM

The Behringger EC8000 is well-liked as an omni, either in support of a cardiod or used in a stereo pair for a group. I've wanted to buy one but havent' yet -- mics are as easy to buy as basses (ha,ha,ha).

chrisp2u · #11 12-10-2006, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laboitenoire

For this sort of thing, I've always liked Shure SM57 and SM58 mics. Often over-rated, but they are inexpensive ($99), and they sound really good.

The shure 58's and 57's are good utility mics, with the 57 on a marshall cab being practically a rule for rock guitar for a long time. I have a couple of each, and they definitely have their place. However, a lot of people have been raving about the audix i5 (also around $99) as the new go to utility mic... even going as far as saying it blows away the shures. Have yet to try one myself, but have been thinking of picking one up.
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WovenGraphite · #12 12-11-2006, 12:05 PM

A SM57 on a cab and you're all good. At $90 (USD) per, it's a good deal.

Stu L. · #13 12-11-2006, 12:20 PM

How many people reccomending the SM58's have used a Sennheiser E835 for vocals? No contest (IMO of course

), and the same price at $99. And a more versatile (IMO again) option to the SM57 is the Sennheiser E609. At $110, it's a little more, but I have had much better responce with it than the 57 on pianos, acoustic and electric guitar, wind instruments, and drums.

Nothing against the Shure's, I use them too, but the Senn's are the better mic's IMO. Just something to consider.

As for budget large diaphrams, look into the Samson and MXL stuff. Others have said MXL, and I've also had good results with them. Same for the Samson's.

chrisp2u · #14 12-11-2006, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stubi19

How many people reccomending the SM58's have used a Sennheiser E835 for vocals? No contest (IMO of course

), and the same price at $99. And a more versatile (IMO again) option to the SM57 is the Sennheiser E609. At $110, it's a little more, but I have had much better responce with it than the 57 on pianos, acoustic and electric guitar, wind instruments, and drums.

A couple guys in my band have the 835's they do sound pretty good. The 58's seem to have slightly better off-axis sound isolation to me though. Though I haven't really compared them too closely side-by-side.

I was also kind of disappointed by the e609 I picked up and went back to the 57 on my guitarists marshall cab. I have yet to try it on other stuff yet.
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Hawkeye · #15 12-12-2006, 07:38 AM

If you're looking at the cheaper MXL's etc why not try a Kel Audio HM-1 instead? Only $129 for a totally pro small condenser mic. A little bit up the $ scale are the AT3035 and Rode NT1 already mentioned. I own both and they are very good value and great performers for the money.

Stu L. · #16 12-12-2006, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisp2u

A couple guys in my band have the 835's they do sound pretty good. The 58's seem to have slightly better off-axis sound isolation to me though. Though I haven't really compared them too closely side-by-side.

I was also kind of disappointed by the e609 I picked up and went back to the 57 on my guitarists marshall cab. I have yet to try it on other stuff yet.
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To my ears, the 835's seem to have an upper peak that after a few hour set helps some performers too

Like I said, IMO, and that of course is why there are so many choices. I have a very good friend that picked up a Senn e602, and has been very dissapointed. I still want to try it on kick and bass though.

chrisp2u · #17 12-12-2006, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stubi19

Like I said, IMO, and that of course is why there are so many choices. I have a very good friend that picked up a Senn e602, and has been very dissapointed. I still want to try it on kick and bass though.

Yeah, it's all pretty subjective... of course the room makes a differnece to with mics while recording, unless it's *really* dead. Our room isn't exactly optimal in any respect... other than it's pretty soundproof (but not acoustically treated, other than carpet on the floor), which keeps the neighbors from calling the cops

I need to mess with the 609 some more... I'm sure it'll sound good, or at least interesting on a bunch of stuff. I only gave it a brief try out on the maershall cab... maybe it just sounded too different to what I was used to. Perhaps I'll give it another shot.
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adam on bass · #18 12-12-2006, 09:10 PM

I use the Senn 609 on my Boogie g#$tar amp and it sounds amazing.

Stu L. · #19 12-13-2006, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisp2u

maybe it just sounded too different to what I was used to.

Quite possibly. I hate to even think of how many times we've heard a Marshall cab through a 57, either live or recorded

caesarbass · #20 12-14-2006, 10:36 AM

The MXL V67 is a great, inexpensive, condenser. you can usually get the MXL V67 or the MXL 2001 with an MXL 604 for around $100.00, I think GC has those mic packs for sale. On my myspace page I used the MXL V67 on alto sax on the two x-mas tunes.