Mic Desicions, please help.

[saxnbass]

Sorry if this has been discussed a lot, but the search is not bringing up anything for me. I am wanting to buy a mic for my bass for both Live Sound and recording. I keep hearing that I should get a bass/kick drum percussion mic. I have narrowed it down to 4 mics, but am unsure which to get. If you could tell me what the big differences are and which you would get and why, it would really help me a bunch. Thanks

Shure Beta52A
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Shure-Beta-52A-Kick-Drum-Mic?sku=270267

Sennheiser e902
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...-e902-Dynamic-Kick-Drum-Microphone?sku=270859

Sennheiser e905
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...e905-Dynamic-Instrument-Microphone?sku=270863

Sennheiser E602
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...ion-Series-Dynamic-Kick-Microphone?sku=270819

 

[Zappstorius]

I have no experience withthe Sennheiser mics, but I do own the Beta 52A. It's a great mic for recording bass. It's actually the only mic that I've used that can handle low-b without sounding horrible. I've never tried to use it live though. I'll get back to you when I do.

 

[hyperlitem]

out of those choices id def say the shure. I dont know if price is an issue but id include: akg d112, ev-re20, and a sennheiser md421 in your choices too.

 

[anderbass]

Here's one more for your list. (My first choice for bass cabs.)
Sennheiser-MD421-MKII-U4
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Sennheiser-MD421-MKII-U4-Microphone?sku=270820

This mic has been used in lots of pro recording studios for a very long time.
They sound (and mix-down) really great on bass cabs and just about everything else to.
(vocals, kick/toms, guitar cabs, etc.)

The older (non mkII) model are preferred by some, but the newer-mk-II
models are still great versatile mics.
They both pop up used, sometimes at great prices. ($100-150, craiglist)

 

[saxnbass]

Anderbass: Studio, yes, but live?


Hyperlitem: I'll check those out now. Price is kind of an issue, but not HUGELY. I was trying to keep it under $200 though.

 

[saxnbass]

I checked out the ones suggested. The AKG is now an option too, but the MD421 is a little too much. Unless you can convince me that it is worth the extra $150-$200 over the other ones. And I can't find the "ev-re20" on Musician's Friend.

 

[TL5]

..I can't find the "ev-re20" on Musician's Friend.

Try this link for the EV RE20 on Musician's Friend

While I'm here, The Shure SM7 would be my 1st choice, YMMV

 

[chrisp2u]

...the MD421 is a little too much. Unless you can convince me that it is worth the extra $150-$200 over the other ones. And I can't find the "ev-re20" on Musician's Friend.

Both of those will sound better, if not great, on more stuff (along with the SM7 though I've never used this one on bass... might be a bit weak in the lows if you're using a 5-string) beyond bass amps and bass drums than most of the other options listed here. If you're ONLY looking to use it on bass, then by all means save the money if you want. It never hurts to have a good versatile mic though, IMHO.

The D112 is a very good choice as is the 52 for bass only applications... some people seem to prefer the 112 for some types of music over the 52, I own a 52 and have used both. They both sound good, but different. I've never messed with the Senn stuff, so I can't comment on those. Audix has some interesting options as well.
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[saxnbass]

The mic would be for bass only. I'm going to get a Shure SM57 for my other needs. My dad has a 57 and it's great, IMO. Might get a 58 if I get into doing backup vocals.

 

[chrisp2u]

The mic would be for bass only. I'm going to get a Shure SM57 for my other needs. My dad has a 57 and it's great, IMO. Might get a 58 if I get into doing backup vocals.

FWIW, the 57 (not to be confused with the previously mentioned SM7) is a good solid utility mic (ie. it works on a couple things very well, and is passable on many other things with work... and extremely durable), but for recording/studio stuff the 421 and RE20 will run circles around it in most every way. 58 is a good solid live vocal mic. I use one regularly.
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