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Which microphone should I use? HELP!

A

AckAckAttack

Aug 27, 2006
223
0
#1
Hello, I am a young musician, and I like to record some of the music I make myself and with my friends. I use a Fostex 8 track, and I recently got some new mics, but I don't know which mics to use for what.
I have a Behringer 8500 (dynamic)
2 AKG 8000s mics (dynamic)
MXL 990/991 pair (condenser)
M Audio Nova (condenser)

The 3 condenser microphones are the ones I just got, the M Audio Nova is what I believe to be the best.
Tomorrow I'm going to record me and my friend playing (me on guitar and my friend on drums) and I was wondering which mic to use for each?

I thought the condenser mics would have the best sound all around compared to my cheap dynamic mics, but when I explained my situation to the guy I bought the mics from he told me to probably use the AKG's for micing the guitar amp, and to use the condenser mics for vocals.

The problem is, I got the new mics for recording the guitar and drums, I don't really record vocals much. Was the guy right? Or should I use the condenser mics? I was thinking using the M Audio Nova for guitar and the MXL 990/991 pair for drums?

Please let me know what you think. Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you.
 
#2
AckAckAttack said:
Hello, I am a young musician, and I like to record some of the music I make myself and with my friends. I use a Fostex 8 track, and I recently got some new mics, but I don't know which mics to use for what.
I have a Behringer 8500 (dynamic)
2 AKG 8000s mics (dynamic)
MXL 990/991 pair (condenser)
M Audio Nova (condenser)

The 3 condenser microphones are the ones I just got, the M Audio Nova is what I believe to be the best.
Tomorrow I'm going to record me and my friend playing (me on guitar and my friend on drums) and I was wondering which mic to use for each?

I thought the condenser mics would have the best sound all around compared to my cheap dynamic mics, but when I explained my situation to the guy I bought the mics from he told me to probably use the AKG's for micing the guitar amp, and to use the condenser mics for vocals.

The problem is, I got the new mics for recording the guitar and drums, I don't really record vocals much. Was the guy right? Or should I use the condenser mics? I was thinking using the M Audio Nova for guitar and the MXL 990/991 pair for drums?

Please let me know what you think. Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you.
Click to expand...


Ya condenser mics are better for vocals. You'll either have to set up a closet for an isolation booth or make one, otherwise you'll pick up a lot of background noise
 
#4
Either or both. A lot of people like to put a dynamic up close and a condensor further out (6-36") in the room. If the room sounds bad then forget about this idea, though. Experiment. They're your ears, use them. It really won't take long to find a sound that you do or don't like.
 
#7
I know you don't want to hear this, but invest the time to try each mic for each source, and in a variety of locations.

Nothing contributes to ****ty recordings more than doing what someone (especially a salesperson) tells you to do without getting the experience yourself.

Go with what sounds the best to you.
 
#8
While there may some generally agreed upon typical usages, each mic has strengths and weaknesses that make it unique and applicable (or not) in a variety of applications.

Generally, a large diagram condensor would be the first choice for a lead vocal. That's not always the case though. I've read that Steven Tyler of Areosmith has used a SM58 on some tracks. The first verse of 'Life is a Highway' by Tom Cochran was the demo version using either a SM58 or 57. The rest was replaced in the studio by the label producer (and Tom) using the aformentioned large condensor, probably a Neumann of some kind. Micheal Jackson's vocals on Thriller were recorded using one of my favorite dynamic mic's, the Shure SM7b. Sherly Crow has also been recorded with the SM7.

I've recorded guitars using dynamics (SM57, SM58, Sennhieser MD421, others). Recently I started using small omni condensors about 18" back and I'm really pleased with the results. Typically, those mics are used as drum overheads.

Speaking of drum overheads, typically (as already mentioned) small D condensors, either directional (cardioid) or omni are used, depending on the room. However, if you take a look at the latest Led Zeppelin DVD, during the Royal Albert Hall recordings there are dynamics (EV RE20's) as overheads on Bonham's kit. They sound amazing.

So, the rule is: There are no rules.

The generally agreed upon norm's are good to research if you want a starting point. IMHO the best way (already mentioned previously by justinf) is to learn what sounds good by experimenting with what you have. Use what sound's good and don't worry about it.
There's a lot of useful information about micrphones and their usage on the microphone university section of this site. (I'm not affilaited in any way)
 

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