• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Good Mic for Home Recording

R

Robbiethebassis

Mar 29, 2006
82
0
#1
Alright, my band is just a cover band right now. and we want to record our covers onto a cd for our own listening, friends, and for us to give to places that we could gig. What we have been doing is using a regular computer mic, and the program mixcraft on a dell laptop. Its not as horrible sounding as you might think, but its pretty bad. It doesnt pick up the kick drum at all or hardly anything on my bass. Anyway, I was wondering if maybe we should use a certain program to record. And what a good mic for us to use would be. Take in to account that, were only in highschool and dont make a lot of money. but we are very serious about this, so I want it to be a good mic. And remember that were recording ourselves all at once, not separately. So the mic would have to cover all the instruments.

Thanks, Robbie.
 
#2
A omni-directional mic with you guys playing at lower volumes should yield a decent 'live' recording. You will have to play with mic placement for best results. Not knowing your budget, I can't suggest a particular mic.

I've gotten a couple of really nice recordings using a AKG 3000B condenser. Although not omni-directional, it is a open back allowing other goods into the mix. The drums actually turned out thick and full, quite surprising. It will be hard to get a good kick in the mix with one room mic, but like I said, try different mic placement. If you could just get a couple more tracks....

Room, kick, Vox, Bass DI. I've gotten some killer 4-track recordings using this setup.

I'm sure there are some other really great ideas out there....

Good luck!

:bassist:
 
#3
You can definitely get decent results with just one room mic provided you dont expect too much, placement is key as is balancing the level of the instruments, particularly vocals. Try using a Sony Electret Condenser, they are cheap and sound good. Really great on drums, although they lack a bit of weight the definition is lovely :D


Pako - That 4-track setup sounds quite cool. What mics are you using for Room, Kick and Vocals?

Thanks very much!
Chris
 
#5
Robbiethebassis said:
Alright, thanks guys.

Oh and I wouldnt want to spend more than about $200 dollars on the mic.
Click to expand...


I lucked into some Russian made condenser mics about four years ago. Oktava MK-219's. I started recording band practice using 2 of these and a Zoom MRS-4. There is also a newer version called the MK-319. These can be had on the evil Bay used for $ 70 - 100 each. I now have five of these, (3) MK-319's and (2) MK-219's and have been very happy to the point were I had (2) MK-319'S and (1) MK-219 modded by Michael Joly at Oktavamod.com. They are now sweeter than ever. I'm now using Cubase SE, a Firepod audio interface and Laptop to record.
 
#6
funky_bass_guy said:
*snip*

Pako - That 4-track setup sounds quite cool. What mics are you using for Room, Kick and Vocals?

Thanks very much!
Chris
Click to expand...

I think at the time all I had were some 57's and 58's. If I were looking for budget mics today, I would definitely look into some Rodes! Best budget condensers out there, IMO. I'm sure there are some better ones, but guys sure rave about them.
 
#9
Studio Projects makes a good, cheap mic... I find it's a little brittle on the highs, but overall it's a nice choice. Another suggestion would be a PZM (zone-boundary) mic... you should be able to get one at Radio Shack for less than $80. In all mic situations, even more so with yours, it's All about mic placement... a great mic with poor placement may not yield good results, conversely, an ok mic with excellent placement may give you surprisingly good results. Experiment by recording, listening, and adjusting the mic placement... repeat this 'til you get the 'best' results. For instance, if the kick is too low in the mix; you could 1) lower your mic height, 2) bring your mic closer to the kick, 3) point the mic towards the kick, etc.. Also, experiment with putting hard/soft materials behind the mic... this can affect the amount of 'room ambiance' that's picked-up by the mic. Oh one more thing, here's the golden rule: Make sure your band's sound is awesome before you even plug the mic in.... if the mix isn't good in the first place, finding the perfect placement for a $5000 mic won't make it sound any better.

Hope this helps!
Jim
 
#10
I'd recommend either a single point stereo condenser mic or a matched pair of small condensers like the Samson CO2 pair, which runs for about $120. The others are right -- you'd be surprised how good a recording can sound with an inexpensive mic if it's properly placed and you have a decent mix of instruments going in.

Here are some single point stereo mics. I've gotten pretty good results with Sony's MS907, but the 957 would be a good step up because it can handle much higher sound pressure levels (i.e., volume):

Invalid Link Removed
 
#12
I have to agree with the previous post about pressure zone mics (PZM). they are not too expensive and they were created to record live music.

You'll know if you find one. It looks nothing like a traditional mic, it's got a flat side. The flat side picks up any vibrations, so if you could attach it to a board or even a wall in the room, you will get the best 'true to life' sound.

Definately my favorite style of mic for omnidirectional purposes.
 
#13
my band uses a mobile pre and 2 samson c02 condensor mics. they work great. the mobile pre plugs into your computer so its easy to edit the track (we us ecool edit). its a really good substitute until you get signed
 
#16
I would be willing to bet that there is another guy or gal in your highschool or at least your town that is trying to learn to record and has already dumped some money into some gear and would love a band to experiment on. find this guy and connect. You might get a better recording, and he gets more experience recording. Its a win-win for every one.
 
#18
I've used the Sony ECM-MS957 for single-point live recordings direct to minidisc with great results.

As already mentioned, PZM mics are great for live recordings, but they do best on a large, hard, reflective surface. I used to use one mounted to a 3' x 4' drafting desk mounted vertically. I would use it to a single track during drum tracking, then use it as a room/live reference when mixing down the 6-7 drum mic tracks to a stereo pair.

The Oktavas are nice for the price, and have been durable for me (MK-219s). Large format condensers can be damaged by high SPL, but I've used these as drum overheads with no problems (although I prefer small-format condensers for that application).
 
#20
Robbie--

If you want to do a great room recording for $200, pick up a pair of MXL 604 mics. They are pencil condensers, aka small diaphragm condensers, or SDC.

Set them up so you have the business ends almost exactly on top of one another, pointed 90 degrees apart. This is called XY stereo miking.

Each one comes with an omnidirectional capsule and a cardioid. use the cardioid.


You will get a fantastic room sound with these-- but your room's echos &c. might wind up being a problem. You'll need phantom power.

When you wind up getting more mics and getting into recording, these will become your drumset overheads, maybe using the omnis if your room is well treated. They are also great on acoustic or piano.

I bought a pair, and really dig them. The MXL 603 is the same mic, but only comes with the cardioid capsule.

Got mine at GC

Good Luck.

Also see Invalid Link Removed
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back