Mic's.......plz help!

[flamin-gitaur]

Hi to all.....

I recently started using T2 and I am still in the process of gearing up to record my guitar cabs live. I also plan on recording bass and vocals (all thru a firebox). I have been looking to get a E.V. N/D478 mic. as an all around recording mic. Is this in fact a good all around mic. to use? or would I be better off getting two dedicated mics. (inst./vocal? I really don't want to spend more 200 clams, give or take, but I also don't want to buy a mic that isn't what I need. I would apprediate any opinions or recommendations.

[freeztar]

Why not get a Shure SM57 for the cab and bass recordings and get a small condeser mic such as the Oktava Mk-12 for voice and all purpose?
It really depends though. Your voice will sound better through certain mics and your guitar might not sound so good through the same mics. The best thing to do is to try some in a store.
There's really no such thing as an all around mic, but some come closer than others. If you really wanted to go the single mic route then I would look into a nice small condenser mic. But really, I like the diversity of having different types of mics for different purposes. Also, you may find it fun layering two different kinds of mics to get a cool sound which works especially well with guitar amps.
I would recommend the SM57. It is a mic that you will find in every studio. It has probably been used on more recordings than any other mic ever. It is "the" go to guitar amp mic.

[Freemind]

Shure SM57 is really a classic and good solution for your home studio! I will also suggest to take a look at Behringer's B2 Pro Large diagram microphone! If you have a pre amplifier for microphone ( Large diagram mics need 48V phantom power ), you should "look" for a pro solution ( B2 Pro is a low cost microphone ).

[P.T.]

The closest thing to an all around mic would be a large diaphram condenser, BUT it has to be able to handle high sound pressure levels. Some can and some can't.

I'm not sure but I think it would have to handle around 135db. Check the SM57's sound pressure spec and use that as a reference.

I've heard people say they get good results with elec guitar with those.

[Freemind]

P.T. I am using a Beyer Dynamic Condenser Microphone ( large diagram mic ) and an AKG C1000S for recording amplifiers. Of course, the positioning of the Beyer, is very important, because of the low pressure level. But the sound is much better than a dynamic mic ( well..to be honest..I like to "catch" the ambience of the room )

[flamin-gitaur]

Hey guys thanx for all your suggestions, but what about the E.V. N/D478, any body try it?

[ssscientist]

Haven't tried it - yet. You can be the Beta tester and post your impressions!

[willowhaus]

I haven't tried it either, but I'm not real impressed with the frequency response. It looks like it would be kinda bright - which isn't necessarily bad, but the curve is far from flat response.

I agree with the 57 - you can't go wrong with that on guitars. For a more all-around approach I'd probably try an Audix i5 - it's about $99 street, and has gotten excellent critical response as an all-around mic. (I am an Audix fan!)

Then, with either one of those, I'd probably go for the Audio-Technica 2020. Also getting great reviews & with a $99 street price, it's said to be an excellent basic LD condenser mic. Then you'd be covered for most anything, I think - in the case of your guitar cab you could also blend them & get the best of both.

(Damn - maybe I should start writing ad copy...)

[flamin-gitaur]

Hey thanx for all th input...it is much appreciated

[dealwithit]

With a $200 budget, I'd get an SM57 for amplified guitar, and a MXL990/993 set, using the 990 for vocals and the 993 for acoustic guitar. That's about $220, but you'd have a pretty nice complement of mics to cover a lot of situations. If you won't record any acoustic guitars, you could just get the MXL990 for voice (this is a pretty nice mic for the price) for only $49.99, leaving you a bit of money for decent mic cords.

I really don't think it's practical to use one all-around mic for both guitar cab and vocal miking. You'll give up too much trying to use only one mic, when you can afford two decent mics.

[jsavin]

I really don't think it's practical to use one all-around mic for both guitar cab and vocal miking. You'll give up too much trying to use only one mic, when you can afford two decent mics.

I wholeheartedly agree with this. Also, I second (3rd) the SM57 recommendation. For vocals, it depends on the character you're going for. If you also want to use a vocal mic in a live situation, I recommend you go with a cardioid or hypercardioid condenser. Shure's SM58 and SM58 beta are classics, and though the beta sounds lots better, it costs about twice as much ($180-200). I've had very good results both live and in my home studio with a Sennheiser E825 as well, which falls somewhere between the 58 and the 58 beta. (The beta is a bit brighter and has more natural response to breathy sounds and sibilance than the 58.)

If you're looking for a dedicated studio vocal mic, a large diaphragm condenser is probably your best bet, though some people swear by small diaphragm condensers as well. Marshall has a two-pack with both a small- and large-diaphragm condenser, which are actually made by MXL, for about $200. I don't have one myself, but I have it on good authority that the large-diaphragm mic in this two-pack is very good for both vocals and acoustic guitars.

I've also used the Oktava large diaphragm mics, and while they're a little inconsistent, they're very nice for vocals, especially female vocals and male falsettos, since they have some nice low-mid coloration that tends to warm up thin vocals a bit. They're not as cheap as the Marshall/MXL, but they're a lot less costly than the Neumanns, and really sound good.

Note though that the Oktavas are crap for recording a whole band especially in club situations. They handle the SPLs fine, but the same low-mid coloration that makes for nice vocal sounds causes them to sound pretty muddy in a live, room-recording situation.

One more thing about the Shures: The 57 is also a classic mic for recording drums, especially snare drums. I've seen them used on hi-hats and as overheads too, but mostly in live club situations. I've even seen the 57 used on kick drums in small, warm rooms with good results. The 57 is a great mic for the money, even used -- they're quite rugged, which is probably a large part of why they're used so often in club and touring situations. They're practically impossible to break.

[river]

I have a pretty decent selection of mics in my locker (AT4050, AT3035, EV RE38ND, AKGC1000 & C3000, Sennheiser e602 & e604's, many others), and I recently bought a pair of AT2020's. I have nothing against SM57's, they're work horses, but the 2020 frequency response is pancake flat from 20 to 20k and it will handle high SPL's. I use them for electric guitar cabs, acoustic instruments, grand piano, vocals and vocal ensembles, drum overheads. It's the most all purpose mic I own, and I found them new on ebay for $82 each. These days I use my 57 on hihat and that's about it. Ultimately you'll want a variety of mics for different tone & texture, but the 2020 gets my vote for cheap & all purpose.

[dealwithit]

I'm not familiar with the AT2020, but if it's as good as you say it is, this is a nice set for $150:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=r ... id/270455/
You'd get the versatility of the 2020 and a 2021 for acoustics.
Seems like a decent deal for the price.

Or pick up an SM57 for $90 and a AT2020 for $100, and you'll cover a lot of bases (except of course drums).

[will.record.for.food]

I use the i5 for ALOT of stuff, but more times than not, I go back to my SDC AKG C460 for guitar amps, but I use the i5 on snare, acoustic, vocals and 2nd mic on a bass cab.

[flamin-gitaur]

I checked out the AT2020 studio pack that "River" mentioned, I agree, From what I read, and compared, it seems to me to be a logical choice for the price. I think I am going for it!